Maureen Heath honored for strengthening support systems for Santa Clara County older adults
BY BRANDY MADDOX
Maureen Heath of Los Gatos received the Margaret Abe-Koga Community Impact Award at Supervisor Margaret AbeKoga’s second annual Women’s History Month Luncheon. The award honors her sustained commitment to improving the lives of older adults across Santa Clara County.
“This award recognizes an
extraordinary person whose advocacy has uplifted voices, strengthened neighborhoods and set a lasting example of leadership in District 5,” program materials stated.
“Maureen’s work embodies this spirit in every way. Through nearly a decade of service, she has become one of our region’s most dedicated champions for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers.
Maureen advocates for our aging population at multiple levels of governance, elevating the needs of older adults and driving practical, communitycentered solutions.”
For those who have worked alongside Heath, that description reflects the consistent, thoughtful way she approaches her work, grounded in a deep understanding of the communities she serves.
Mission Valley Chorus pairs barbershop with a quirky twist
BY MENDY MAO
Women clad in steampunk costumes harmonize together, weaving in circles and stamping their feet. Amidst the chaos, a ringing melody emerges from their combined voices.
This performance helped the Mission Valley Chorus, a Los Gatos women’s a cappella group, earn a second-place international medal in 2018.
The chorus focuses on barbershop, a unique style of vocal arrangement rooted in close harmony. Originating as a jazz
After a 31-year career as a workers’ compensation defense attorney and earlier work as a recreational therapist, Heath has spent nearly a decade in volunteer leadership, becoming a recognized voice for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers across multiple levels of governance.
Much of that work has been rooted in her involvement
with Sourcewise, Santa Clara County’s Area Agency on Aging, which connects older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to essential services and support. Heath joined the Sourcewise Advisory Council in 2016 — her entry point into advocacy after retirement— and went on to serve for more than eight years, helping shape program priorities and bring
SASCC to launch grocery partnership with Second Harvest
BY BRANDY MADDOX
Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting (SASCC) is preparing to launch a grocery distribution program in partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, expanding access to fresh food for residents in need across the West Valley. The program will operate in Saratoga and provide free groceries, including fresh produce, dairy, and protein. While the distribution will be open to anyone in need, SASCC leaders note that older adults
are expected to be among those most served due to the program’s location and integration with existing senior-focused services. The effort follows the discontinuation of a similar distribution program previously hosted at the Los Gatos United Methodist Church in partnership with the Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Program, which had served around 90 residents each day it operated. SASCC stepped forward to continue the service locally and is finalizing its partnership agreement with Second Harvest.
Music Director Angela Suraci conducts the Mission Valley Chorus as they launch into a rendition of "You Are My Sunshine." Photo by Mendy Mao
Maureen Heath accepts the Margaret Abe-Koga Community Impact Award at Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga's annual Women's History Luncheon.
Photo by Luis Mireles
STAFF:
Executive Editor & Publisher
Tylor Taylor
tylor@sascc.org
Managing Editor
Brandy Maddox
brandy@sascc.org
Assistant Editor
Lorraine Gabbert
lorraine@sascc.org
Designer
Tanya Marutova
tanya@sascc.org
CONTRIBUTORS:
Mendy Mao
Neysa Fligor
Carla De Luca
Shari Clare
Dave Eshleman
Lloyd Russell
Omar S.
WHO WE ARE
The Outlook is a collection community newspapers Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Santa Clara, and Cupertino. deliver accessible, uplifting, hyperlocal journalism that connection, encourages civic engagement, and people, events, and everyday moments that enrich
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STAY INFORMED - April-May
City of Saratoga, Town of Los Gatos, and City of Monte Sereno Council, Commission, & Committee
City of Saratoga
City Council: April 15, May 6, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) saratoga.ca.us/241/CityCouncil
Library & Public Art Commission: April 13, 7-9 p.m. (Linda Callon Room) saratoga.ca.us/330/LibraryCommission
Youth Commission: April 28, 7-9 p.m. (Linda Callon Room) saratoga.ca.us/337/ Youth-Commission
Town of Los Gatos
Conceptual Development Advisory Committee: April 8, 4 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/200/ Conceptual-Development
Meetings
Development-ReviewCommittee
Note: these meetings are often cancelled. Please check the webpage for updates.
Arts and Culture Commission: April 15, 4 p.m. losgatosca.gov/315/ArtsCulture-Commission
Special Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission: April 20, 5-7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/2951/ Diversity-Equity-andInclusion-Commissio.
Town Council: April 21, May 5, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/16/TownCouncil
Community Health and Senior Services Committee: April 23, 4 p.m. losgatosca.gov/278/ Community-Health-SeniorServices-Commiss
Town Council Policy Committee: April 28, 5 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/2425/TownCouncil-Committees
Heritage Preservation Commission: April 14, 9 a.m. (Linda Callon Room) saratoga.ca.us/285/HeritagePreservation-Commission
PEBTAC (Trails Advisory Committee): April 21, 4 p.m. (Planning Conference Room) saratoga.ca.us/350/PEBTACTrails-Advisory-Committee
Complete Streets and Transportation Commission: April 9, 7:30 a.m. (Parks and Public Works) losgatosca.gov/2555/ Complete-StreetsTransportation-Commissi
Development Review Committee: April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 10 a.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/188/
Historic Preservation Committee: April 22, 4 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/190/HistoricPreservation
Planning Commission: April 22, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/189/ Planning-Commission
CORRECTIONS
City Council: April 21, May 5 (special), 7 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Site and Architectural Commission: May 6, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers)
Agendas & meeting info: tinyurl.com/35w4sdsy
Agendas are typically uploaded the Friday before the respective meeting. Meeting places, Zoom links and call-in information are contained in each respective meeting agenda.
Send letters to the editor, story ideas, feedback, and questions to outlook@sascc.org . Letters may be edited for length and
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Please note, all council, commission, and committee meetings are subject to change or cancellation. Check the meeting links prior to each meeting or call your local town clerk for questions.
Saratoga City Clerk’s office: 408-868-1216
Los Gatos Town Clerk’s office: 408-354-6834
Monte Sereno City Clerk’s office: 408-354-7635
City of Monte Sereno
SARATOGA
$2.5M GIFT TO WEST VALLEY COLLEGE TO SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS, CAREER PATHWAYS
West Valley College received a $2.5 million gift from Silicon Valley leaders Howard Gore and Kimberly HawkinsGore to support student success and expand career-connected learning opportunities.
The college’s Student Services Building will become the Howard and Kimberly Gore Student Services Center in recognition of the donation. The center connects students with counseling, financial aid, and health services.
About $1.3 million of the gift will establish a work-based learning endowment to fund internships, apprenticeships, scholarships, and entrepreneurship programs.
SARATOGA ALLOCATES $87K FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS
In March, the Saratoga City Council approved $87,000 for its community event and street closure grant programs for fiscal year 202627. The council approved $49,000 in secured event funding, including $25,000 for Saratoga Chamber of Commerce events; $5,000 each for the Blossom Festival,
NEWS BRIEFS
MLK Day event/Celebration of Light, and the SASCC Health Fair; $4,500 for the Fourth of July Celebration; $2,500 for Saratoga Village Development Council events; and $1,000 each for the Memorial Day Observance and Saratoga Community Band Concerts in the Park. $8,000 was approved for competitive grants, dispersed among Asian American for Better Community; Experience Excellence Events - Norooz; Saratoga MSET Robotics; and St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church. $30,000 was approved for street closures.
LOS GATOS
TOWN SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR YOUTH COMMISSION
The Town of Los Gatos is accepting applications for its Youth Commission, an advisory body to the town council on issues affecting local youth.
The opportunity is open to students entering grades 8-12 in fall 2026. The application deadline is 5 p.m. May 4, with interviews tentatively scheduled for May 18. All applicants must be interviewed to be considered.
To apply, visit LosGatosCA. gov/CommissionApplication.
For more information, contact the Clerk Department
at Clerk@LosGatosCA.gov or 408-354-6834.
NEW WHOLE FOODS SET TO OPEN APRIL 15 IN LOS GATOS
A new Whole Foods Market is expected to open April 15 on Los Gatos Boulevard at Los Gatos Almaden Road, replacing the town’s existing store located about a half-mile away.
The new 40,039-squarefoot store is more than twice the size of the current location and will feature expanded offerings, including a more spacious hot food bar, indoor seating, and a larger selection of products. The existing store will close once the new location opens.
Assessor’s office to host senior savings forum
BY NEYSA FLIGOR, SANTA CLARA COUNTY ASSESSOR
Santa Clara County property values are among the highest in the nation, making property assessment an important factor in your ownership portfolio. But property owners rarely think of the Assessor's Office until they need us, and most often that’s because a major life event has occurred. It is clear that a gap in information exists, and it is even more pronounced for seniors age 55+ in the community.
I recently announced five new initiatives for the Assessor’s Office that reflect my “Public Service Through Partnerships” philosophy. I understand that providing top quality service to taxpayers and residents of Santa Clara County requires collaboration at every level.
One of my initiatives is to increase engagement with the community. Accordingly, my first event is with the senior community on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. In partnership with
Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting (SASCC), my office will host a panel discussion and question and answer session on property assessment processes and programs, focused on challenges and opportunities for seniors and their families. My goal is to help seniors understand the property assessment process and programs so they can take advantage of the opportunities that allow them to save money and time.
Please join me and my team of subject matter experts as we cover topics including:
• Transferring property to your child
• Transferring your base year value to a new home in California
• Remodeling your home
• Adding Accessory Dwelling Units
• Homeowner’s and Veteran’s Exemptions
• …and more!
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 6-8 P.M.
120 Lecture Hall West Valley College: 14000 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070
(Park in Parking Lot 5, off Fruitvale Ave & Admissions Way) We hope to see you there!
Neysa Fligor Santa Clara County Assessor
Free grocery distribution aims to improve West Valley food access
GROCERIES, FROM PAGE 1
“Our goal is to ensure that people in our communities have consistent, reliable access to nutritious food,” SASCC CEO Tylor Taylor said. “By making this available through a familiar and accessible location, we can reach both older adults and others who may need support.”
SASCC provides a range of services for older adults and families, including the Saratoga Senior Center, Saratoga Adult Care Center, and RYDE Senior Transportation. The organization also operates the SASCC Certified Farmers Market and works with local governments and institutions on aging-related initiatives.
Leaders say expanding into food distribution is a natural
extension of that work.
“Our mission is centered on improving quality of life through access to services, community, and resources,” SASCC Operations Manager Samuel Leale said. “Expanding access to nutritious food strengthens health outcomes and supports individuals and families who may otherwise fall through the gaps.”
The program will be supported by a newly approved refrigerated van, allowing SASCC to safely transport and distribute perishable food, including fresh produce, dairy, and protein.
The distribution will be open to all residents in need, including those who may not qualify for traditional assistance programs but still face financial strain.
According to a 2023 community assessment conducted by SASCC, 31% of adults age 65 and older in Los Gatos reported struggling financially.
“Even in communities that are often seen as affluent, there are individuals and families navigating real economic pressure,” Taylor said. “This program helps ensure access to essentials while keeping people connected to communitybased support.”
SASCC and Second Harvest are expected to share additional details, including operating hours, distribution site location, capacity, and eligibility as the program launches. Visit seniorcentersaratoga.org for details.
Los Gatos advocate recognized for advancing the needs of older adults and caregivers across District 5
HEALTH, FROM PAGE 1
community perspectives into decision-making.
She chaired the Sourcewise Planning Committee, helping guide the development of the Area Plan, a critical roadmap that outlines how services and resources are delivered to meet the needs of the county’s aging population. She later joined the Sourcewise Board of Directors, where she continues to contribute to organizational leadership and strategic direction.
Heath has also served as a senior senator in the California Senior Legislature and as a Santa Clara County Senior Care Commissioner.
During her tenure on the Senior Care Commission, she served two terms as vice chair and chaired the legislative committee, authoring dozens of position letters for review by the Board of Supervisors on key pieces of legislation affecting seniors.
While the California Department of Aging was developing the state’s Master Plan for Aging, Heath was a key stakeholder, attending steering committee meetings and listening sessions to contribute a local voice to big picture planning.
At the height of the pandemic, she was at the forefront of the county's effort to protect older adults, co-leading the aging services subgroup of the COVID-19 Response and
Recovery Taskforce alongside Dr. Sarah Cody and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. Heath’s work on the task force focused on countywide coordination and resource connection, as well as communications and awareness efforts.
At the local level, she also played a key role on the Los Gatos Senior Service Committee, which was established to develop a longterm vision and strategic plan for meeting the needs of the town’s growing older adult population.
The committee helped lay the groundwork for the Los Gatos Community Center campaign, a major effort to create a dedicated, modern space for older adults and the broader community. Its work also shaped priorities including transportation, housing, social engagement, and access to services — all centered on a vision of a community where older adults are engaged, valued, and able to thrive.
Heath also serves as an Advisory Board Member on the Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee (BAYMEC) and as a member of the West Valley–Mission Community College District Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.
Her impact has also been recognized by the organizations she supports most closely.
Heath is a longtime advocate for Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting (SASCC), where she has served
as a trusted advisor and steady champion of its mission. SASCC honored her with the Richard Angus Award for Age-Friendly Community Service in 2022.
“Maureen brings a rare combination of lived experience, policy knowledge, and genuine care for people,” said Tylor Taylor, CEO of SASCC and publisher of The Outlook. “She has been an incredible thought partner and advocate, not just for our work, but for the broader aging community. There’s a level of trust and respect people, myself included, have for her that’s been earned over time, and it shows in everything she does.”
That trust is rooted in both her leadership and her willingness to share her own experiences.
In a piece she wrote for The Outlook during Osteoporosis Awareness Month, Heath shared her mother’s experience with a fall that led to a loss of independence, as well as her own diagnosis. She used that perspective to call for greater awareness, prevention, and care, bringing a personal lens to a broader public health issue.
Whether guiding community input processes, encouraging public participation, or helping shape regional and local plans, Heath is known for understanding systems and using that knowledge to create access for others.
At the luncheon, Heath was one of five women recognized for uplifting vulnerable and
often overlooked communities. Other honorees included Yoriko Kishimoto, recipient of the Gerry Steinberg Justice in Action Award; Laura Blakely, who received the Becky Morgan Visionary Award; Kathleen King, honored with the Dianne McKenna Shield of Hope Award; and Dr. Carol Somersille, recipient of the Liz Kniss Healthcare Champion Award.
For Heath, the recognition marks a milestone in a body of work
that continues. When asked what she hopes to see as a result of her volunteer work, she emphasized the importance of inclusive, connection-driven programs.
“I hope we continue to celebrate programs that are inclusive and create opportunities for social connection so older adults can thrive and continue living independently in their communities,” Heath told The Outlook.
Maureen Heath stands by the Sourcewise booth at the SASCC Health Fair 2023.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are organized for distribution during a Second Harvest of Silicon Valley program. Photo from shfb.org
MUSIC
Vincent Dubois brings Notre Dame artistry to Saratoga, reflects in Q&A
BY CARLA DE LUCA
Renowned French organist
Vincent Dubois, one of the titular organists at the Notre Dame Cathedral, will return to Saratoga this month for a solo recital at Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church on April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Known internationally for his technical precision and expressive performances, Dubois has appeared in major concert halls across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Pacific, and has performed with leading orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Dallas Symphony.
His upcoming performance follows the release of “Eternal Notre Dame,” the first organ recording made at the cathedral since its restoration after the 2019 fire. In advance of his return to Saratoga, Dubois spoke with The Outlook about his early connection to the instrument, his work at Notre Dame, and what continues to inspire his performances.
Edited lightly for brevity.
Q: When did you first start playing the organ, and what drew you to the instrument?
I was 7 years old when I heard an organ for the first time. I was totally fascinated by the physical aspect of the instrument and by the sound. It was the Cavaillé-Coll organ of Saint-Brieuc’s Cathedral, my hometown. I immediately asked my mother to start, but she told me I was too small! So I had to wait until age 11. In the meantime, I started the piano.
Q: When did you realize you wanted to pursue playing the organ professionally?
I realized it when I discovered the organ of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I was 16 when I played it for the first time. That was a real artistic shock!
Q: As you juggle the demands of your varied schedule, what do you like most about touring and performing?
Many things are so rich when you play a concert somewhere: discovering a new city and a new instrument, meeting new people, sometimes making lifelong connections, hearing a new language, and discovering — even briefly — a new culture.
Q: And now as a professor, what do you like best about teaching?
I am so happy to help, to advise, and to guide. I also enjoy learning through teaching. It brings reflection on my own technical and artistic abilities, and on how to explain them to students. This is sometimes challenging,
but so interesting, because it requires going deeper in every way into the music you play.
Also, seeing students succeed in competitions is a real joy—for them, for the school, and for me.
Q: What does it mean to you to play the organ at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris? It means playing a fabulous and magical instrument in a venue that is truly unique in the world — I think! The instrument brings you
to heaven, if I may express my feeling that way. The colors, combined with the acoustics of the cathedral, are infinite and amazing. It is difficult to describe if you are not there, but everyone I have met who has gone to the organ loft during services has been deeply moved by the experience.
Q: How has playing the organ changed since the rebuilding of Notre Dame after the devastating 2019 fire?
Mostly, the resonance of the instrument has changed
because of the cleaning of the walls and stones. The sound is now brighter than before, but it will probably return to how it was in a few years, as more than 30,000 people pass through the cathedral daily, leaving dust, along with ashes from the incense used in nearly 2,000 services each year.
Q: Please share about the recent launch of your latest album, “Eternal Notre Dame,” the first organ recording since the rebuilding. How do you feel about it, and what inspired
your composition selections?
It was a big challenge to do right after the reopening, for many technical reasons, but I am happy that everything worked so well in the end. I built the program as a large homage to the organ in general, and to the one at Notre Dame in particular.
I chose to play some universal works of Bach, as well as works by Widor (including the famous Toccata) and Franck. These composers greatly inspired the organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, who built the organ of Notre Dame.
The second half of the recording is dedicated to organists and composers who served Notre Dame and its instrument: Balbastre, Vierne, and Cochereau. I also included some works of Maurice Ravel (transcriptions I have made), as 2025 marked the 150th anniversary of his birth.
Q: What are you looking forward to doing on this next trip to Northern California? I hope to take time to admire some of the beautiful landscapes of this magnificent state — perhaps some of the tallest sequoias in the world — and spend a little time in Napa Valley, ideally to sample some excellent wines (there are so many!).
Q: What are some of your favorite places or experiences you can recommend to someone visiting Paris — besides going to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, of course?
One of my favorite places is Place Dauphine, about a five-minute walk from Notre Dame, on the west side of the Île de la Cité. Then I recommend a walk along the banks of the Île Saint-Louis, just beyond Notre Dame.
In between, you can eat at my favorite “cantine,” le Pain d’Épices, a restaurant on Rue du Bellay and also a headquarters for French comedians.
Then admire the views of Paris from the bridges over the Seine, and end the day with a charming and poetic “soirée” in Montmartre. Of course, there are so many other wonderful places in this fabulous city to discover that make you feel like you are escaping time.
See Vincent Dubois in concert Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Saint Andrew’s Episocpal Church, located at 13601 Saratoga Ave. Find tickets ($30) and more information at st-andrewssaratoga.org or call (408) 867-3493.
A live video feed brings organist Vincent Dubois’ performance from the loft to the audience below at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga in 2025. Courtesy photo
Los Gatos-based chorus blends tradition and creativity, earning international recognition
reflects why the group is now known for being quirky.
vocal form, barbershop places the melody in the middle range of voices rather than the highest and emphasizes overtones that create a resonant, “ringing” sound.
“It's to keep that particular art form alive,” Music Director Angela Suraci said. “The idea, of course, of singing in harmony. That's different from most styles of music. It has to do with specific chord progressions that create overtones and ring. So when you get a really sweet note going on the violin and you hear an octave above it? That's what we look for when we sing.”
Suraci, who recently celebrated her 20-year anniversary with the chorus, said the award-winning steampunk performance
“We take chances that other choruses don't,” she said.
“A bunch of old ladies doing steampunk! It was so much fun and so different.”
Mission Valley Chorus was founded in 1958 as a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a nonprofit organization of women’s choruses. The organization hosts competitions for chorus branches, and Mission Valley won the international gold medal in 1976.
Jackie Bishop, an emeritus member of the chorus, still attends many of its performances. She was one of the original 12 charter founders in 1958.
“I grew up harmonizing to everything I heard on the
radio, every song that I heard anywhere,” Bishop said. “As soon as I walked into a chorus rehearsal and heard that harmony, I wanted to sing that music. It's the music itself, it's the chords and it's the harmony.”
The chorus has recorded and sold three albums, performed at Carnegie Hall and on cruises, and performed for troops in Vietnam. Sarah Clish, the team coordinator, has been with the chorus for 13 years and notes their distinctive tone as a group.
“If we go back in the history of this particular chorus, one of the things we're incredibly proud of is keeping a level of consistency and quality of music and sound,” Clish said. “There's people who will talk, in our organization, about the
Mission Valley sound. We are known for a certain resonance.”
Sweet Adelines also functions as an educational organization focused on educating female singers in the traditional American art of barbershop singing. The organization aims to bring greater representation to female singers in barbershop.
Lead Section Manager and Assistant Director Joy Brawn has been singing with the chorus since 1992. She described the experience of bonding with fellow singers, including hosting members of a New Zealand sister chorus when they visited the U.S. to compete.
“It's just a supportive environment,” Brawn said. “It's a place where you can learn amazing music, build lasting
friendships, make connections both in your own community and with other singers around the world. They say a lot of times, you come for the music, but you stay for the friends, and it really is true. You just make these tight bonds with people.”
“In this organization, everybody shares with everybody,” Suraci said. “If you've got something that this other chorus wants to work with, you go work with them. It's super supportive of women. It empowers them. When you guys are in the pocket of the music and you're all in together, there's no better feeling.”
Mission Valley Chorus rehearses at Nordahl Hall, 580 West Parr Ave. in Los Gatos on Tuesdays from 7:30-10 p.m. Learn more at missionvalley.org.
Author Peggy Townsend to speak on crafting memorable characters April 11
BY SHARI CLARE, SOUTH BAY WRITERS VICE PRESIDENT
The South Bay Writers club will welcome Peggy Townsend as its April speaker. An awardwinning journalist and novelist, Townsend will discuss how she creates memorable main characters and their sidekicks, a topic applicable to both fiction and memoir.
Townsend began writing at a young age, reading extensively and crafting dramatic stories while moving with her family and attending schools throughout California. After graduating from Harbor High School in Santa Cruz, she took classes at Cabrillo College before transferring to San Jose State University, where she earned a
bachelor’s degree in journalism, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. She chose journalism as a way to earn a living while writing. After retiring from a long career as a reporter for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Townsend returned to fiction, drawing inspiration from her experiences as a reporter, including chasing a murder suspect through a graveyard and witnessing a knife fight by flashlight. Her crime fiction, paired with a strong query letter, initially drew interest from a New York literary agent. Although that partnership did not continue, she later secured representation, and her novels have since been sold to Berkley Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
In addition to her novels and work for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Townsend’s writing has appeared in Catamaran Literary Reader, Santa Cruz Noir, Globe Magazine, Memoir Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
Her latest novel, “The Botanist’s Assistant,” features a reclusive protagonist who becomes a reluctant sleuth to solve the murder of her mentor. The presentation, “How to Write Memorable Characters and Their Sidekicks,” will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at the Saratoga Senior Center, 19655 Allendale Ave. in Saratoga. Admission is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Learn more at southbaywriters.com.
CHORUS, FROM PAGE 1
Lead Section Manager and Assistant Director Joy Brawn laughs as she flicks a ribbon in rhythm, one of the chorus' many warm-up exercises. Photo by Mendy Mao
A chorus member gestures as she lets the air out of her lungs in a breathing exercise meant to find her lowest register. Photo by Mendy Mao
Author Peggy Townsend will speak at the South Bay Writers meeting on April 11. Courtesy photo
Panel highlights women’s health and access to care
BY LORRAINE GABBERT
A screening of “The [M] Factor 2: Before the Pause –Perimenopause,” followed by a panel discussion on women’s health, brought students and community members to Mission College in Santa Clara on March 12.
Hosted by Pandia Health, a women- and physicianled telehealth company, in partnership with the West ValleyMission Community College District, the event focused on increasing awareness around perimenopause, menopause, and access to care.
As more older adults return to school, these topics are becoming increasingly relevant on community college campuses.
In the 2024-25 academic year, people ages 50 and older represented 14% of the student body, according to district spokesperson Katie Woods.
Yuko Kawasaki, executive director of health services for the district, said expanding access to care gives students additional options to manage their health.
As part of those efforts, the district has partnered with Pandia Health to provide students with access to free birth control consultations, including online visits, personalized prescriptions, and home delivery.
Pandia Health offers a broader range of services related to hormonal health, including care for menstrual health and menopause, but the district partnership is focused specifically on birth control consultations.
“Mission College and West Valley are forward-thinking about student health,” said Dr. Sophia Yen, CEO and co-founder of Pandia Health.
Yen is a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology
from MIT, a medical degree and fellowship from UC San Francisco, and a master of public health from UC Berkeley. She is also a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
Yen and co-founder Perla Ni launched Pandia Health a decade ago to improve access to care and simplify how patients receive prescriptions and guidance.
Yen said that, under the Affordable Care Act, birth control is typically covered for those with insurance and costs about $21 per pack for those without.
During the panel discussion, Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga said affordable health care is crucial.
As working-class immigrants, her parents worked hard to make ends meet but did not have access to health insurance for themselves or their family.
As a self-employed gardener with preexisting conditions, her father was denied health insurance until he received Medicare.
As a breast cancer survivor who experienced early menopause as a result of
chemotherapy, Abe-Koga said access to quality care is essential.
“I’ve experienced the challenges that women have and I’m making sure that we get the care that we need,” she said. “Everyone has the right to have accessible, affordable, quality health care. So, I very much appreciate Pandia, and all of you for your advocacy ... as we continue to fight for representation and the services and the resources that we deserve.”
Abe-Koga said it is empowering to be able to talk about birth control and menopause.
“There's nothing more important than your own health,” she said. "Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and ... keep speaking out.”
Beverly Arnitas, who attended the screening and panel discussion, came to learn more about perimenopause.
“It sounded like a good opportunity to learn and meet other like-minded women going through the same thing,” she said. “A lot of women suffer silently. They shouldn't be ashamed. They should embrace it and have a community of other women, and even men, for support.” To learn more about hormonal care, visit pandiahealth.com
Left to right: Tanya Goodrich, CEO and cofounder of Healthy Pelvis; Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga; and Dr. Sophia Yen, CEO and cofounder of Pandia Health, discussed perimenopause and menopause symptoms and medications.
Photo by Lorraine Gabbert.
Saratoga Rotary Art Show offers a fascinating array of styles and media
BY DAVE ESHLEMAN
It’s a long way from the green hills of Central Africa to the manicured lawns of Saratoga, but thanks to the Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show, these very different worlds might just feel a little bit closer together.
Ugandan artists Paul Nzalamba and Lungala Rubadiri will be among the more than 100 painters, sculptors, photographers, and craftspeople whose works will be on display and available for purchase at the show’s 67th iteration May 2-3 at West Valley College. The Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show brings art into the lives of local citizens while raising funds for local charities.
While strolling through the array of booths on a sunny spring day may be inspiring enough, stopping to talk to the artists to learn their histories and creative processes adds another layer of richness to the experience.
Nzalamba and Rubadiri grew up in Uganda, Malawi, and Rwanda, the sons of educators who traveled the breadth of central and southern Africa.
“We experienced a rich tapestry of cultures and languages,” Rubadiri said, “but always noticed a commonality in dreams: to raise a family in an environment of peace, harmony, and love. As we travel the world, we learn that it transcends all continents.”
The cousins reunited after independently immigrating
to The United States some 30 years ago. Nzalamba started painting designs on T-shirts while Rubadiri earned his business economics degree from UCLA.
“I started interning under Paul, never thinking it would become my livelihood,” Rubadiri said. “But we realized that our art could be a sustainable business.”
The two form a unique team. Nzalamba is the artist, while Rubadiri is the storyteller and public face of the partnership.
“Even though the art is very African, the themes seem to resonate with everybody,” Rubadiri said. “While we do well in places like Saratoga and Seattle, we were surprised how well we do in places where, we were told, people may not be as culturally open-minded. Places like Boise, Idaho and Lancaster, Pennsylvania."
Art Show visitors may see Rubadiri’s current favorite work on display, “Landscape of Uganda.” It shows three ladies joyously dancing barefoot in the green hills of western Uganda. Patterns in the batik painting represent the three main crops of the region: corn, millet, and string beans.
Another Saratoga Art Show regular and favorite is Los Gatos’ Tom Marlatt, whose bold, sweeping swaths of color never fail to grab the attention of passersby. His abstract colorscapes stand in contrast to Nzalamba’s whimsical representational works just a
few booths away.
Marlatt, who has been painting for 56 years, doesn’t believe he was born with natural talent.
“I developed it,” he explained. “And my first works were not very good.”
Contrary to what some non-artists assume, “abstract art is more difficult than representational art,” according to Marlatt.
“I didn’t know how to do abstract art at first,” he said. “It took time to develop a style.”
Self-taught, Marlatt says he doesn’t start his oil-on-canvas works with ideas.
“I must start with a blank mind. I keep telling myself to not think. Once I start, I instinctively know where to go. Art should make you feel something. I’m not just splashing color on canvas. It has to say something.”
Marlatt’s works, which can take weeks or months to complete, have been featured in prestigious galleries in San Francisco, Carmel, and Sausalito, and he lists among his clients the late entertainer Liberace, actor Richard Chamberlain, and former Apple CEO Mike Markkula.
Saratogan Carol Woodard, abstract artist, interior designer, and Rotary Club member, has a different technique for producing her swirling multihued works of alcohol ink on paper.
“I paint immersed in light classical music, allowing movement and rhythm to
influence the flow of the ink,” she said. “Each piece begins with a color selection that resonates instinctively in the moment – often sparked by an image, emotion, or internal response.
“Through abstraction, I express what words cannot. Each artwork is created with the intention of evoking peace, joy, and connection,” Woodard continued. “I am fascinated with color’s visceral power. It has the ability to evoke memory, sensation, and emotion without narrative. Vibrant hues and flowing forms invite viewers to experience color as energy – alive, shifting, and deeply personal.”
A newcomer to the show is sculptor Mike Foster, whose specialty is illusory assemblages of discarded metal parts. Closer inspection reveals a marvel of creative repurposing: a discarded bike chain becomes the jaw of a deep-sea anglerfish, while bent nails or varying lengths become its wicked array of teeth. Nuts, bolts, washers, sparkplugs, sawblades, screwdrivers, axeheads, wrenches and hundreds of other scraps are brought together to form animals of unexpected grace and fluidity.
While Foster has been tinkering with metal since his youth in San Luis Obispo, he never considered displaying his art until friends and family, who had been receiving his works as gifts for years, pestered him to do so.
“So, about three years ago, I
applied to a show in San Carlos, I was accepted, and did very well,” he said. “Now I do five or six shows a year.”
He has converted his San Mateo garage and driveway into a workshop, using acetylene torches, plasma cutters, welders, grinders, pipebenders, and power saws on the collection of scrap metal, much of it donated by mechanics.
“It’s noisy work. I make sure not to start until after 9 a.m. and finish by 5 p.m. so as not to alienate my neighbors,” he said.
Foster said he usually starts with an idea of what the finished product will look like, and will examine each piece of scrap until he decides how it will be used.
“I might pick up a bike part and say ‘that looks like an elbow’ for example,” Foster said. “Of course, sometimes I’ll change course and decide to take it in a new direction.”
“There’s a ridiculous amount of waste out there,” Foster said. “I want to give stuff new life.”
You can view the works of Nzalamba ( nzalambaartworks.com ), Marlatt (tommarlatt.com), Woodard ( woodardfineart.com ), and Foster ( builtbyfoster.net ), along with those of many dozens of others, at the 67th Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show, May 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at West Valley College. Enjoy food, wine, and musical entertainment. Parking is free.
"And the Sun Came," a Nzalamba Artworks original. Find more at the Saratoga Rotary Art Show. Courtesy image
"Aubergine 3" by Carol Woodard, whose art will be on display at the Saratoga Rotary Art Show. Courtesy image
SARATOGA
YOUNG ARTISTS OF ART STUBOARD GAME NIGHT AT SARATOGA LIBRARY
Friends of the Saratoga Libraries will host Board Game Night for Adults on April 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave. Drop-ins are welcome. Learn more at sccld.org
ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION APRIL 23
Saratoga will celebrate Arbor Day with a ceremonial tree planting on April 23 from 3-4 p.m. at Wildwood Park, 20764 Fourth St. The event highlights the city’s environmental efforts.
MORNING MIXER CONNECTS LOCAL CHAMBERS
The monthly Morning Mixer will be held April 30 from 8-9 a.m. at West Valley College’s Entrepreneurship Center (Che School of Professional Studies, Room 124). The event is free for members of the Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell, and Rainbow Chambers of Commerce.
PAULA POUNDSTONE TO PERFORM AT MONTALVO
Comedian Paula Poundstone will perform May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Carriage House Theatre at Montalvo. Purchase tickets at montalvoarts.org
SPRING WINE STROLL SET FOR MAY 9
Saratoga’s Spring Wine Stroll Experience will take place May 9 from 2:30–5:30 p.m., beginning in the Historic Saratoga Village, 14476 Big Basin Way. Tickets are $60.24. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
LOS GATOS
TRAIL CLEAN-UP PLANNED APRIL 11
The Kiwanis Club and the Los Gatos High School Key Club will host a Los Gatos Trail Clean Up on Saturday, April 11, from 10-11:30 a.m. Volunteers will meet at the old Forbes Mill parking lot behind 55 Church St., at the head of the trail.
AUTHOR BRAD TAYLOR TO SPEAK VIA ZOOM
The Los Gatos Library will host a Zoom event with author Brad Taylor on Tuesday, April 14, from 4-5 p.m. Taylor will discuss his latest novel, “Shadow Strike,” and participants may submit questions in advance. Learn more at losgatosca.gov/2828/ Los-Gatos-Public-Library
NUMU TALK EXPLORES
1960S ARTS SCENE
NUMU will host “On the Scene – Arts & Theatre in 1960s Los Gatos” on April 16 from 11-11:45 a.m. Speakers Rick Guidice and Susan
EVENT BRIEFS
BY LLOYD RUSSELL
Jaekel will lead the discussion. Registration is free. Learn more at numulosgatos.org
SPRING WINE WALK SET FOR APRIL 25
The Los Gatos Spring Wine Walk will take place Saturday, April 25, in downtown Los Gatos, featuring live music, boutique shopping, and tastings from more than 30 wineries. Discounts are available for volunteers. Purchase tickets at losgatoschamber.com
“SPRING INTO GREEN” RETURNS APRIL 26
Los Gatos will host its annual “Spring Into Green” event on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Plaza Park on Montebello Way. The free, family-friendly event celebrates Earth Day, environmental sustainability, and Keep Los Gatos Beautiful Month.
Festivities include more than 20 eco-focused booths, live music, a kids’ bike safety course, an extended farmers’ market, and activities such as crafts and face painting. A tree planting ceremony and recognition of Los Gatos’ 46th Tree City USA award are also planned.
Mayor Rob Moore will deliver the State of the Town address at noon, sharing updates and priorities for the community. Learn more at losgatosca.gov.
CHAMBER MIXER PLANNED MAY 14
The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce will host a networking mixer at Coup de Thai, 137 N. Santa Cruz Ave., on Tuesday, May 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for members and $20 for non-members. More info at losgatoschamber.com
AROUND THE VALLEY
3BELOW THEATERS PRESENTS FINAL PRODUCTION
3Below Theaters will stage “The Bardy Bunch: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady” from March 28–April 26. The production marks the theater’s final show before closing. Purchase tickets at 3belowtheaters.com
“COME FROM AWAY” RUNS APRIL 15-MAY 10
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will present “Come From Away” at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. The production tells the story of passengers stranded in Newfoundland after the 9/11 attacks. Select performances will include accessibility accommodations. More info at theatreworks.org
“DANCING WITH THE STARS” TOUR STOPS IN SAN JOSE
“Dancing with the Stars” will perform at the San Jose Civic on April 18 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Purchase tickets at sanjosetheaters.org
CAMPBELL SPRING WINE WALK SCHEDULED APRIL 23
Campbell’s Spring Wine Walk will take place April 23 from 6-9 p.m., featuring more than 20 wineries and live music. Proceeds support the Downtown Campbell Business Association. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
HISTORY HAPPY HOUR EXPLORES WHALING CONNECTIONS
The Campbell Historical Museum will host “A Whale of a Tale” on April 23 from 5:307:30 p.m. at the Ainsley House, 300 Grant St. Researcher Nick Garcia will discuss the region’s ties to the New England whaling industry. Learn more at campbellmuseums.com
“LES MISÉRABLES” COMING TO SAN JOSE
Broadway San Jose will present “Les Misérables” April 29-May 3 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, with eight performances including matinees.
Purchase tickets at broadwaysanjose.com
SPRING CONCERT SASCC
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 12-1 P.M.
19655 Allendale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
Questions: 408-868-1257
Enjoy a lively performance from Chords for Good, an award-winning student ensemble including solo and group performances of piano, flute, guitar, and violin!
Bring a friend, feel the rhythm, and join us for an afternoon of music, connection, and pure community celebration!
Between the Pages: Spring ahead — stories of second chances and new beginnings
BY LLOYD RUSSELL
Youth CORNER PERSPECTIVES
We’ve covered holiday reads and Valentine’s picks; now it’s time to spring ahead. These books center on fresh starts, second chances, and the kinds of turning points that make for a compelling read. Perfect for the season, and, as always, listed by the author’s last name. Here we go:
Backman, Fredrik — “A Man Called Ove”
Ove is an older man who is widowed and lives a very solitary life. He is grumpy and does not want to interact with neighbors. That changes when new neighbors move in and force him to reexamine his life. It’s both funny and emotional.
Deaver, Jeffrey, and Maldonado, Isabella — “Fatal Infusion”
Homeland Security Agent Carmen Sanchez and private security expert Jake Heron team up to find a serial killer in Southern California. This is book one of a series. New
beginnings can sometimes come about in thriller form. “Fatal Infusion” certainly does. Diffenbaugh, Vanessa — “The Language of Flowers”
Victoria Jones is an 18-year-old who has aged out of the foster program. She uses the Victorian language of flowers to help her deal with a troubled past. The flowers’ hidden meanings enable her to help people and allow her to grow. (P.S. This is in my top-12 all-time!)
Graves, Tracey Garvis — “The Trail of Lost Hearts”
Wren Waters is 34 and has gone through two emotionally devastating experiences and needs to get away. She decides to go on a geocaching week in Oregon to try to forget her problems. Marshall Hendricks, a psychologist, has had his own life-altering blow. He needs a distraction and ends up on the same geocaching route that Wren is taking. They start out
very platonically, but that’s not how it ends. This is a romance, but qualifies under both second chances and new beginnings.
Montgomery, Erika — “A Summer to Remember”
Frankie Simon runs a movie memorabilia shop in Los Angeles. She comes across a picture of her late mother with some old Hollywood stars and decides she has to investigate why her mother was with these actors. Her research uncovers some family secrets.
Wood, Monica — “How to Read a Book”
This book explores the unlikely coming together of three people. Violet Powell is a young woman who was recently released from prison. Harriet Larson is a retired English teacher who ran a book club in prison. Frank Daigle is a widower who works as a handyman at a local bookstore. They all meet at the bookstore where Frank works. And on top
of all that … Violet killed Frank’s wife.
Zadoorian, Michael — “The Leisure Seeker”
John and Ella Spencer take one last road trip from Boston to the Florida Keys, as John is facing Alzheimer’s and Ella is dealing with cancer. Their journey blends multiple genres: action, romance, comedy, road, adventure, melodrama, drama, and tragicomedy.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Which university press is the oldest English-language publishing house in the world?
A. Cambridge University Press
B. Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies
C. Oxford University Press
D. Edinburgh University Press
Answer to last edition’s question: B. “The Canterbury Tales” (P.S. It sold for $7.6 million, not $76 million.)
We’d love to hear from you! If you’re a student with a story to tell, an experience to share, or something exciting happening at your school, The Outlook wants your voice in our Youth Corner. Whether it’s a field trip, a class project, a club you love, or a special moment in your community, send us your perspective and help shine a light on what young people are doing across our cities. Your story could be featured in an upcoming edition!
Ramadan reflections
BY UMAR S.
This year’s ski week coincided with the beginning of Ramadan — a special time of the year for many Muslim families living in the area. In the Muslim faith, fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
For me as a 13-year-old Muslim kid, this year’s Ramadan was particularly special. It was the first year I was going to fast every single day from sunrise to sunset. As Ramadan approached, I felt both excited and nervous. I wanted to experience what my
parents and millions of other Muslims feel when they fast every year.
However, I wasn't sure if I could do it, especially since I had a few basketball matches for my league team that I couldn’t miss. But the month flew by. I was able to fast, perform well in my team’s matches, and keep up with my studies. I felt a deep sense of joy and excitement throughout the month that I hadn’t imagined. Now I miss Ramadan!
The joy of breaking your fast with your favorite home-cooked snack that your mom made is truly special. I also enjoyed meeting up with friends for the
nightly Taraweeh prayers and the community Iftars (sunset meal) that our local mosque — West Valley Muslim Association (WVMA) — arranged at the Saratoga Prospect Center and Los Gatos Islamic Center (LGIC). The whole month felt like a festival.
The biggest learning experience for me, however, was understanding the feeling of people who go hungry every day. I can empathize more with them now. I also volunteered at WVMA for a week with my dad, where I served people who came to have the sunset meal. Seeing the smiles on people's faces as they broke their fast was so
rewarding.
Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with the day of “Eid,” which literally means festival. The mosque arranged a gathering at West Valley College. We all dressed up and went to the grounds, where we prayed and then had a fun-filled day. I can tell you for a fact, the bliss of eating your favorite foods after a full month of fasting is incomparable. I can safely say that I miss Ramadan and seeing my friends every day at the nightly prayers at our mosque and can’t wait for it to happen again next year.
Samosa at the end of a long day of fasting hit different. Courtesy photo
What is tinnitus?
Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sounds like ringing, buzzing, or humming when no external sound is present. It is very common and often occurs alongside hearing loss, though people with normal hearing can experience it as well. Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in hearing, stress, certain medications, or other health conditions.
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sounds; such as ringing, buzzing, or humming, when no external sound is present. It may come and go or be constant, and it can sound different for each person. Tinnitus is common and often occurs alongside hearing loss. Tinnitus is a symptom; not a disease; and it does not mean something dangerous is happening
Tinnitus is usually linked to changes in the hearing system, especially hearing loss. When the ear is not sending clear signals to the brain, the brain may “fill in the gaps” with sound.
Common contributors include:
• Exposure to loud noise (most common)
• Age-related hearing loss
• Stress or fatigue
• Certain medications
• Jaw or neck issues such as TMJ disfunction
Why does it bother me more sometimes?
Tinnitus often feels worse in quiet environments, when you are stressed, anxious, or tired, or when you focus your attention on the sound. Your brain is wired to notice important signals, and sometimes it mistakenly treats tinnitus as something that needs your attention. With the right strategies, your brain can learn to filter it out, so it becomes less noticeable and less bothersome.
What Helps? (Proven Strategies)
Use Sound: Try white noise, fans, soft music, nature sounds, podcasts, or audiobooks. Sound helps your brain shift attention away from tinnitus.
Check Your Hearing: Hearing aids can improve hearing and reduce tinnitus awareness. A hearing test is an important first step.
Manage Stress & Health: Exercise, good sleep, relaxation, and staying engaged can help reduce tinnitus impact.
Get Support: Talk to an audiologist or healthcare provider. Counseling approaches like CBT can help.
What You Can Do Today
• Get your hearing checked
• Add background sound to your day
• Protect your ears from loud noise
• Focus on sleep and stress habits
• Take one small step toward better health
Dr. Christine Throm
Owner/Audiologist
Free Community Seminar
Want more information about hearing health? Dr. Throm is happy to present her acclaimed, medically based, Listen Up Café lecture series!
Friday, April 17, 2026: Tinnitus 101: Understanding the ringing in your ears
Friday, May 15, 2026: Better Hearing & Speech: "Is it just aging or something more?”
Friday, July 17, 2026: “Emerging Research in Hearing Health”: Gene therapy, cochlear regeneration, AI-driven audiology tools
We’ll have good coffee, light refreshments, and a great discussion see you there! Seating is limited for these FREE events. (Call or email us for a free information sheet if you are unable to attend.)
Please call for time and location information (408) 673-4052
We’re proud to have served Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell, Cupertino, San Jose and the entire Bay Area for 50 years!
Our team has the knowledge and tools to determine the cause of your hearing loss. If a hearing loss is detected, we have premium hearing aid technology that can help! Providing the right solution for Your Life. Your Style.
Dr. Kelly Brennan Audiologist
