Muse Markets: Where makers meet their community in Los Gatos
BY BRANDY MADDOX
One Saturday a month, downtown Los Gatos becomes a showcase for California's independent makers. Muse Markets draws dozens of artisans, small businesses, and creative entrepreneurs to Town Plaza Park
and Montebello Way for a free, family- and dog-friendly day of shopping and fun.
Founded by Angela Boyd, Muse Markets is an independent artist trade show and event series built on a simple idea: give local talent a stage and connect it with an audience that
District seeks bond to repair aging schools
BY LORRAINE GABBERT BRANDY MADDOX
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District is asking voters to approve $321 million in bonds this November to repair aging schools, some with buildings more than a century old.
At its June 11 meeting, the board of trustees voted unanimously to place a facilities bond measure on the November general election ballot. If approved, the measure would cost property owners about $30 per $100,000 of a property's assessed value, which is typically lower than market value. The $30 figure is an estimate. According to the California state treasurer's guide to local
bonds, the county sets the actual rate each year to cover that year's payment, so it can run higher or lower than $30 as assessed values change. The bonds would be issued under a state law that limits their maturity to 40 years, and the district's Tax Rate Statement, which is not filed with county elections officials until August, will lay out how many years the tax is expected to be collected. The funding, which the district calls “locally controlled,” would support repairs and upgrades at Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools. The measure needs 55% approval to pass under Proposition 39.
shows up to support handmade work.
The markets lean toward community over commerce. Boyd's stated mission is to celebrate diversity and innovat ion among makers, curating each event to help small creative businesses reach
a wider audience and find their people.
Visitors can expect handcrafted goods, live music, food trucks, and workshops, with 50 to 70 vendors at a typical market.
The next Los Gatos market runs Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m., with additional dates through November. The series also stages MUSEO, its larger flagship festival, in San Luis Obispo each November. Full schedule and vendor applications are at themusemarkets.com
BY BRANDY MADDOX
The Saratoga Village has rarely looked more patriotic. Now in its 16th year, the "America the Beautiful" decorating effort filled Big Basin Way with flags, bunting, ribbons, and stars this summer, and volunteers leaned into the occasion for the nation's 250th anniversary.
Laurel Perusa, who launched the tradition in 2011 with Patricia Himel, spent the season thinking about the people behind the milestone.
"I fly the flag because I'm proud of my country and heritage," Perusa said. "It is not a political statement.
Muse Markets founder Angela Boyd laughs while speaking with a customer. The community market — featuring hand-crafted goods, live music, and food — takes place monthly in Los Gatos. Photo by Frank Mayers
MUSE, PAGES 8-9
Bunting blows in the breeze in front of the Star One Credit Union ATM on Big Basin Way. Photo by Frank Mayers
STAFF:
Executive Editor & Publisher
Tylor Taylor
tylor@sascc.org
Managing Editor
Brandy Maddox brandy@sascc.org
Assistant Editor
Lorraine Gabbert lorraine@sascc.org
CONTRIBUTORS:
Frank Mayers
Anika Kapasi
Lloyd Russell
Sue Fenton
Marcia Fariss
STAY INFORMED - July-August
City of Saratoga, Town of Los Gatos, City of Monte Sereno Council, Commission, & Committee Meetings
Town of Los Gatos
Historic Preservation Committee: July 22, Aug. 26, 4-5:30 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/190/HistoricPreservation
Community Health and Senior Services Commission:
July 23, Aug. 27, 4 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/278/ Community-HealthSeniorServices-Commiss
WHO WE ARE
The SASCC Outlook is a collection of community newspapers serving Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Santa Clara, and Cupertino. We deliver accessible, uplifting, and hyperlocal journalism that fosters connection, encourages civic engagement, and highlights the people, events, and everyday moments that enrich community life for all ages.
GET IN TOUCH
Send letters to the editor, story ideas, feedback, and questions to outlook@sascc.org . Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
CORRECTIONS
We are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you notice an error or believe a story requires clarification, please email outlook@sascc.org with “Correction” in the subject line. We will review all requests promptly and publish corrections or updates as appropriate.
ADVERTISING
Interested in reaching readers in Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Santa Clara, and Cupertino? Contact us at advertise@sascc.org for advertising opportunities.
PUBLISHED BY
Town Council Policy Committee: July 28, Aug. 25, 5 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/2425/ Town-Council-Committees
Parks and Sustainability Commission: Aug. 3, 6-8 p.m. (Parks and Public Works Conference Room) losgatosca.gov/282/ Parks-and-SustainabilityCommission
Development Review Committee: Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25, 10-11:30 a..m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/188/ Development-ReviewCommittee
Town Council: Aug. 4, 18, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/16/ Town-Council
Finance Commission Meeting: Aug. 10, 5:30 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/2643/ Finance-Commission
Conceptual Development Advisory Committee: Aug. 12, 4:30-5:30 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/200/ Conceptual-Development
Planning Commission: Aug. 12, 26, 7-11 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/189/ Planning-Commission
Complete Streets and Transportation Commission: Aug. 13, 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. (Parks and Public Works Conference Room) losgatosca.gov/2555/ Complete-StreetsTransportationCommissi
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee: Aug. 13, 5-7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/2951/ Diversity-Equityand-InclusionCommission
Arts and Culture Commission: Aug. 19, 4 p.m. (Los Gatos Library) losgatosca.gov/315/ Arts-Culture-Commission
City of Monte Sereno
City Council: Aug. 4, 18, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) montesereno.org/2148/ City-Council
Site and Architectural Commission: Aug. 5, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) montesereno.org/2190/ Site-and-ArchitecturalCommission
Youth Commission: Aug.11, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) montesereno.org/2182/ Youth-Commission
Library & Public Art Commission: Aug. 10, 7-9 p.m., (Linda Callon Room) saratoga.ca.us/330/ Library-Public-ArtCommission
Planning Commission: Aug. 12, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) saratoga.ca.us/357/ Planning-Commission
City Council: Aug. 19, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) saratoga.ca.us/241/ City-Council
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. 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.
FUTURE OF
Dear reader,
The Outlook is going year-round. As we make that shift, we think it's important for you to know what's ahead. We're building an Outlook you'll find online and in your inbox, with our print product taking on a fresh format. You'll hear from us more often, all year long. As we transition, we'll take a brief break from our current print production schedule to give the digital launch and print refresh our full attention.
Local independent publishing is changing. We've been part of a shift toward local news that connects people with the communities they call home, and in the process we've built a foundation that will let us serve our communities for years to come.
We're proud of what this publication represents to local media, and we respect the potential it has for amplifying a voice often unheard in other news outlets: your voice. We're excited about where The Outlook is headed. Whatever the format, our commitment stays the same: honest local reporting, a genuine reflection of the community, and a steady connection to the people and places you care about. The stories that matter here will keep being told, and you'll have even more ways to be part of them.
Sign up at theoutlookonline.org to be the first to know when our newsletter and new platforms launch, and to help shape them with your feedback. We’ll see you soon!
- The Outlook
City of Saratoga
SARATOGA
CITY MANAGER HIRED
At the July 1 city council meeting, Acting City Manager Leslie Arroyo was appointed city manager on a unanimous vote. Councilmember Belal Aftab said the city conducted a thorough recruitment process, including hiring an executive recruiter. Mayor Chuck Page said Arroyo was a strong choice and that her experience with the city will be a great help.
"Our recruiter did say this was the strongest pool of city manager candidates she's seen in quite a while," Page said. "It says really good things about us and even better things about Leslie."
CITY ARBORIST FEE CHANGE
The city council unanimously approved a resolution at its June 17 meeting amending city arborist fees. Previously, homeowners taking on even minor improvement projects had to make a $1,500 deposit for an arborist review. The city changed this to a flat fee for projects that do not require planning entitlement, streamlining the process and eliminating refunds of unspent deposits. Because the planning division already charges flat rates for most projects, the change is consistent with city practice. An arborist review is noted on the building permit checklist and is required when
MSET for a Saratoga High maker fair; and Youth Arts Movement for a 2027 spring concert. Each group presented to the city council on June 17. The council voted unanimously to award Youth Arts Movement $1,800, Saratoga MSET $1,400, and the other three $1,600 each.
LOS GATOS
ADOPT-A-BENCH
The Los Gatos Town Council finalized its Adopt-A-Bench program, allowing the public to honor individuals, families, or meaningful events while beautifying town parks, trails, and public spaces. Adopting a new bench costs $7,517 for a 10-year term, which includes application and installation. Each subsequent 10-year renewal costs $2,958. Adding a plaque to an existing bench costs $3,638, which covers 10 years of maintenance. To find an available bench, see the Adopt-A-Bench Story Map and submit an application to ppw@ losgatosca.gov.
HISTORIC PROPERTY FOR
SALE
Unable to lease the property at 4 Tait Ave., the council voted unanimously at its June 16 meeting to authorize the town manager to sign a historic covenant and sell the building for about $3.8 million. First opened as a fire station in 1927, the site served as a history museum and an art museum, but stood vacant
NEWS BRIEFS
for years. Following a zoning change, the property will be used as a residence. Because it sits in a historic district, any exterior renovations must follow historic property guidelines.
MYLOSGATOS311
The Town of Los Gatos launched a mobile community engagement app, MyLosGatos311, letting residents report nonemergency issues such as potholes, graffiti, and facility or park requests to town staff. The free app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, aims to improve openness, connectedness, and service quality between residents and local government. Requests can also be submitted at losgatosca.gov/2045/ Report-a-Concern.
WAYMO
Autonomous vehicles will soon be a common sight in North Los Gatos, where residents in some neighborhoods can now request rides through Waymo. Additional areas may be added. In preparation, Waymo held a training session for the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department in June. Although the town has no control over Waymo, it will communicate with the company about issues, events, and emergency protocols.
MONTE SERENO
FRIENDSHIP CITY
At the June 2 city council meeting, Councilmember Bryan Mekechuk recommended Karuizawa, Japan, as Monte Sereno's Friendship City. He suggested involving the Monte Sereno Youth Commission in creating student exchanges and partnering with the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce for commercial ties. Karuizawa has a population of about 22,000 and enforces strict building codes that prioritize natural preservation and architectural harmony. Mekechuk will report back to the council with more details.
VTA PRESENTATION
The June 2 city council meeting included a VTA presentation on a Bay Area Transit regional tax measure for the November 2026 ballot. VTA says it is working toward financial sustainability by growing ridership, increasing productivity, and improving service through technology and speed upgrades. In Santa Clara County, the measure would add a half-cent sales tax for 14 years. A portion would go to Caltrain and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with about $264 million a year projected for VTA within Santa Clara County.
HOMELESS HOUSING
At its June 2 city council meeting, councilmembers asked the mayor to write to
state legislators opposing SB 866, which would add homelessness reporting requirements to the annual housing report for jurisdictions that do not receive Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program funding. Staff raised concerns about the time and capacity needed to gather the data, warning that failure to collect it could result in a noncompliant housing element.
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED
The Monte Sereno City Council received applications for the 2026-27 Monte Sereno Youth Commission. Applicants presented to the city council and answered questions. The five current youth commissioners, Jeremias Stauch, Louis Chen, Corinne Chou, Arahita Singh, and Stella Zeidler, were reappointed. The council decided to allow the remaining applicants to serve as nonvoting members, aiming to encourage more youth participation in city government.
Youth commissioners volunteer at local organizations such as Loaves and Fishes and Village Harvest. Past accomplishments include a "Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25" campaign encouraging drivers to obey residential speed limits, co-authoring an ordinance to ban smoking on city property, and co-organizing a hygiene kit drive for students in need.
It’s your moment. Take control of your future and right-size your life by investing in a one-bedroom at The Forum at Rancho San Antonio.
Our one-bedroom independent living homes allow you to be more intentional with your time and say goodbye to unnecessar y worries and costs
El Camino Health files plans to rebuild Los Gatos hospital
El Camino Health submitted an application to the Town of Los Gatos on June 15 for approval to replace its Los Gatos hospital campus at 815 Pollard Road with a new acute care facility.
The proposed campus would include 122 single-occupancy patient rooms, 12 operating rooms, and an expanded emergency department with 25 bays and enhanced stroke-receiving capabilities. Additional enhancements include a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, expanded maternity and newborn care, an enhanced heart and vascular program with interventional cardiology, and expanded surgical services.
The new facility would be all-electric, built to current California seismic safety standards, and would target LEED Gold certification. The campus design also includes expanded drought-resistant landscaping.
El Camino Health acquired and reopened the former Community Hospital of Los Gatos in 2009 and operates the only comprehensive hospital within town limits. Over the past 15 years, the health
system has invested more than $300 million in the site and surrounding community, including more than $1.6 million since 2018 in programs and partnerships with the Los Gatos Union School District, Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation's senior programs, SASCC, West Valley Community Services, and organizations providing emergency housing assistance and mental health services for youth and families.
"This rebuild represents the next chapter of El Camino Health's commitment to combining personal, community-focused medicine with clinical innovations and medical excellence," said Alan Muster, M.D., president of El Camino Health Medical Network.
For more information or to follow the community engagement process, visit elcaminohealth.org/losgatos hospitalrebuild.
El Camino Health has provided grant funding to SASCC, the nonprofit publisher of The Outlook, in support of community health programs. The Outlook maintains editorial independence in all coverage decisions.
Correction:
A "Civic Spotlight: Saratoga City Council" item in the June West Valley Outlook incorrectly described the city's law enforcement contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
The article said the council was evaluating a $3 million contract. Saratoga's contract for sheriff's services was about $9 million, and the council is evaluating a proposed increase of roughly $2.6 million, which would bring the total to about $11.6 million.
STAFF REPORT
Birds-eye view of the proposed hospital. Rendering courtesy of El Camino Health
Pollard Road view of the proposed El Camino Health acute care facility. Rendering courtesy of El Camino Health
EDUCATION
High school district bond heads to Nov. 3 ballot
Why now
The district cited building conditions as the reason for the bond measure. Many classrooms and buildings are more than 100 years old and past their useful life, with some classrooms, athletic facilities, cafeterias, and other infrastructure containing dry rot, leaky roofs, and outdated plumbing and electrical systems. The district also said its educational technology has not been upgraded in decades.
At the June meeting, Jeremy Hauser, a partner with the consulting firm TeamCivX, told the board the resolution followed seven months of stakeholder engagement, and that two polls testing voter support showed the 55% backing needed for approval. TeamCivX works for the district.
The district's project list includes replacing failing restrooms, plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems; repairing leaky roofs; addressing traffic and safety concerns at parking lots and pick-up and drop-off areas; modernizing science, technology, arts, math, robotics, and career technical education classrooms and labs; and renovating aging cafeterias, indoor athletic facilities, and physical education areas.
Passing the bond would also let the district seek state matching funds through California's School Facility Program, which generally requires a district to pass a local bond before it can claim its share. The current source is Proposition 2, the $10 billion school facilities bond California voters approved in 2024, which covers 50% to 55% of new construction costs and 60% to 65% of modernization costs, with the higher rates reserved for high-need districts.
Accountability rules
Following Proposition 39 conditions, every dollar would have to be spent at Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools. An independent citizens' oversight committee and mandatory annual audits would monitor spending, no money could go toward administrators' salaries or benefits, and a detailed project list would spell out how funds could be used at each campus.
The district makes its case
The measure reached the ballot as the district promoted a year it described as one of its strongest. The district earned Blue, the top rating, on every indicator of the 2025 California School Dashboard, the state's official school performance reporting system. Los Gatos High School was named a 2026 California Distinguished School.
The clearest link between the district's record and the bond
is its credit rating. Standard & Poor's rates the district AAA with a stable outlook, its highest long-term rating. This distinction allows the district to borrow at lower interest rates than a lower-rated district would pay.
The district's wellness centers at Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools received the Santa Clara County School Boards Association's 2026 Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary Program Award for a student mental health program that reaches nearly half the district's students each year.
Robotics teams from both Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools earned honors in FIRST and VEX competition against hundreds of teams from dozens of countries. Saratoga High's teams captured a U.S. Open Tournament Championship title and advanced to the VEX World Championship.
Superintendent Heath Rocha was recognized as a 2025-2026 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association.
"Great schools are built through partnerships," Rocha said in a statement to The Outlook. "Our students thrive because our teachers, staff, families, Board of Trustees, and
community all believe in the same mission: providing every student with opportunities to succeed."
The cost to taxpayers
Although the district receives most of its funding from property taxes, it also issues bonds and parcel taxes to meet its needs. The district's latest budget projected that its operating deficit would grow by about $624,000. The bond itself would be charged against a property's assessed value, which under Proposition 13 is often well below market value, especially for longtime owners whose assessments rise only slightly each year. The ballot language estimates the levy would raise about $23 million a year. At $30 per $100,000 of assessed value, the annual cost comes to about $150 for a home assessed at $500,000 and about $300 for one assessed at $1 million. Local assessments vary widely. The median assessed value is about $815,000 in Los Gatos and $1.65 million in Saratoga, according to the property tax firm Ownwell, putting the bond's annual cost at roughly $245 and $495 for a median home in each town. Recent buyers generally pay
more, because their assessments are set near what they paid. With median sale prices of about $2.4 million in Los Gatos and $4.1 million in Saratoga over the three months ending in May, according to Redfin, a recent buyer would pay closer to $720 a year in Los Gatos and $1,230 in Saratoga.
Those buyers are a minority, though. About one in six of Los Gatos's owner-occupied homes and one in ten of Saratoga's were purchased in 2020 or later, while roughly half in Los Gatos and 60% in Saratoga were bought before 2010, according to census estimates, leaving most owners with assessments well below what a recent sale would set.
The case against Mark Hinkle, president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, said the district's $30 per $100,000 figure understates what most owners would actually pay.
"How many people do you know in Los Gatos, Saratoga, who live in a $100,000 house?" he said. "A several million dollar house, maybe."
Hinkle also said the district's stated price leaves out decades of interest. "It's $321 million, plus 30 to 40 years of interest
payments, which typically doubles the cost," he said.
He argued the money would be better spent on teachers than buildings. "If you're going to spend money on schools, shouldn't it be for good, qualified teachers rather than a nice roof over their heads or new computers?" he said. "What's the primary duty of the educational system? Teaching kids how to learn. Bond measures do nothing in that regard."
What happens next
The measure goes before voters Nov. 3 in an election run by the Santa Clara and Santa Cruz county registrars of voters, since the district spans both counties. Its ballot language is limited to 75 words and must align with community priorities, Hauser said, with the full text of the projects the measure could fund printed in the voter information guide. For more information, contact Tanya De La Cruz at tdelacruz@lgsuhsd.org or (408) 354-2520.
BOND , FROM PAGE 1
Senior Guided Pathways: Fall 2026 Offerings
Senior Guided Pathways, the tuition-free program West Valley College and SASCC offer to adults 50 and older, has a full slate for fall, including a new caregiver certificate and a first-time teaching pathway. Here is a look at what is available.
A new Community Caregiver Certificate
Caregiving is one of the fastest-growing fields in the region, and this fall West Valley College and SASCC are launching the state’s first Community Caregiver Certificate to help meet the need. The two-course, noncredit program prepares students for entry-level caregiving roles supporting families and older adults in the community.
This fall, West Valley College will launch the Senior Guided Pathway to Teacher Permit, a program designed for adult s 50 and older who have a passion for children's education. Starting in October 2026, cohort members will have the opportunity to take four Child Studies courses, offered in person and hybrid, that qualify them for a California Child Development
The first course, NCAA 110, Introduction to Home Health Caregiving, runs online on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Aug. 29 through Dec. 18. Space is limited. To register, search course NCAA 110 (CRN 71582) at westvalley.edu
A new pathway to a teaching permit
Assistant or Associate Teacher Permit.
Coursework covers the foundations of working with young children, including child growth and development, the child in the context of family and community, early childhood curriculum, and the principles and practices of teaching. No prior experience is needed. With a permit in hand, graduates can
step into roles in preschools and child care centers as assistant or associate teachers. By participating, students can gain paid, hands-on experience at the West Valley Child Development Center, connect with potential employers, and earn West Valley's Child Development Teacher Permit Preparation Certificate, with the option to walk at graduation in May 2027.
More courses through Senior Guided Pathways
The certificate is one piece of a wider program. Senior Guided Pathways offers free tuition, free transportation, and free support from SASCC across a range of subjects built around the interests and needs of older adults. Fall options include career-focused tracks in accounting, business, real estate, early childhood education, and Google career certificates; health and
wellness courses such as Healthcare Navigator and post-retirement wellness; and enrichment classes in art, music, world languages, astronomy, and fitness. West Valley College, the nation's first age-friendly community college, has partnered with SASCC on the program since 2024.
The full list of suggested fall courses is at westvalley. edu/sgp.
West Valley College News
West Valley College is one of six community colleges nationwide chosen for the Accelerator for Community Colleges in the Innovation Economy Work-Based Learning Capacity-Building Cohort. The program is led by New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy initiative and the Association of Community College Trustees Center
Selected for national workbased learning cohort
for Policy and Practice, with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Participating colleges receive technical assistance, strategic planning support, and funding to expand internships, apprenticeships, clinical placements, and other work-based learning. West Valley will complete an institutional self-study and build a long-term plan to widen student access to those opportunities. The other selected colleges are City Colleges of Chicago, East Central College in Missouri, Forsyth Technical Community College in North Carolina, Santa Fe College in Florida, and SUNY Broome Community College in New York.
New bachelor's degree in land stewardship approved
West Valley College has won state approval for its first bachelor's degree, a Bachelor of Science in Land Stewardship and Sustainability. The California Community Colleges Board of Governors approved the four-year program, which builds on the college's Park Management Program, founded in
1970. Students will earn upper-division credentials in land management and sustainability without transferring to a university, and those who qualify will receive the same free tuition benefits offered to other eligible students. Coursework spans natural resource management, fire ecology and fuels, environmental
law and policy, and sustainable land practices, capped by a senior seminar and an internship. The college said it is working toward the launch and will release enrollment details and a start timeline as they are set. Information: westvalley.edu.
A West Valley College Park Management team member tends to a bed of California poppies. Photo courtesy of West Valley College
The Community Caregiver Certificate program prepares people to support older adults in daily life. Photo by Samuel Leale
COMMUNITY
How low-cost repairs, ADUs and home sharing help older adults remain in their communities
BY ANIKA KAPASI
In Santa Clara County, a home can be a million-dollar asset — yet homeowners struggle to afford repairs, modifications, or care arrangements needed to remain there safely.
Nonprofit organizations and housing specialists have long been part of the local safety net, offering services such as home sharing and low-cost repairs to help adults remain independent and stay in their community.
Household income has not kept pace with housing costs, according to California’s Legislative Analyst's Office. This pressure is reshaping the agingin-place conversation, pushing communities to focus on how homes and neighborhoods can better support residents as they age.
Deanne Everton, executive director of Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley (RTSV), said that a common misunderstanding for aging homeowners is that they must eventually sell their home to move somewhere cheaper or to assisted living.
“It can be very disruptive for an older adult to move,” said Everton, whose nonprofit organization provides no-cost home repairs for low-income older adults and people with disabilities. “Moving is such a stressor, and it disrupts their whole routine, their whole support system — everything.”
RTSV offers services for critical repairs like roof leaks and furnace failures, as well as safety modifications such as ramps and walk-in showers to help homeowners remain independent. The organization serves those who own their own home and earn 80% or less of the area median income in Santa Clara County, which is around $111,000 annually, said Everton.
Most clients, however, have annual incomes in the $30,000 to $40,000 range.
Repair costs have nearly tripled since 2020, while funding has not risen to match, Everton said. As a result, RTSV only serves around 200 homes annually, down from 400 pre-pandemic.
Everton called their services a “relatively small investment” in the broader push to make a home a safer and healthier place for adults to remain in for the remainder of their lives.
“The biggest impact usually comes from simple, unglamorous fixes like grab bars, better lighting, removing trip hazards, zero-step entries, wider doorways and having a bedroom suite on the first floor,” Nicole Johnson, the chief operating officer of Build By Design, said.
“Homes have typically been designed as if everyone’s 35 and fully mobile, and then they are surprised when it has to be retrofitted later if you are planning on aging in place.”
Build By Design is another firm that works with homeowners on property modification and design, but focuses more specifically on guiding owners through municipal application and permitting processes for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — independent housing units built on the same lot as the home — and other housing projects.
While home repairs and modifications may be enough for some residents to remain in the same household they grew up in, Alison Cingolani, director of policy for Silicon Valley at Home (SV@Home), said residents should expand their idea of aging in place to mean remaining in the same community, but not necessarily the same home — especially in the high-cost suburbs of Santa Clara County.
“You’re close to friends, you’re close to your support networks, but you’re not necessarily trying to hang on to a building that you are no longer sure you need,” said Cingolani, whose organization works to address the housing needs of low-income households through policy advocacy and public education.
She said one of the largest challenges for older adults in the Bay Area is that cities have stopped building starter homes, which are affordable housing for first-time buyers. Starter homes can take the form of single-family homes, condominiums, and sometimes ADUs.
California’s “severe” housing shortage is an additional barrier, said Celeste Goyer, Casita Coalition’s vice president of research and operations. The organization is a statewide nonprofit advancing ADU and middle housing solutions
through education, policy reform, and coalition building.
Goyer said between 75% and 90% of the residentially zoned land in cities and urban areas is zoned strictly for one house on a lot, which makes it difficult when trying to add additional housing.
“ADUs work with what we’ve got … and give people the ability to add a unit in multiple different ways,” she said. “Their superpower is their flexibility.”
There are three primary ADU types: detached ADUs, which stand separate from the main house; attached ADUs, which are built in addition to the main house; and junior ADUs (JADUs) created within the walls of the main home.
Both Goyer and Cingolani said, however, a significant barrier to building ADUs is the financing required for construction. Most homeowners need enough equity to qualify for a loan or a home equity line of credit to have enough cash to build the structures.
The cost to build an ADU often ranges from $30,000 for a simple interior conversion JADU to more than $400,000 for a large detached ADU, according to the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County permitted 26 ADUs in 2025 (the latest year released), according to the California Department of Housing Annual Progress Report. In Saratoga, 119 ADUs were permitted; Los Gatos had 53; Cupertino had 59; and Monte Sereno had 12.
“You can create rental income [with ADUs], fund care or improvements or provide space for a family member to live on the property with you as you age in place,” Johnson said. “People may have a lot of equity but still be cash poor and on a fixed income — especially older folks.”
In 2023, Assembly Bill 1033 made it possible for owners to sell their ADUs separately from
the main house as condominiums, another aging-in-place strategy that allows adults to remain in the community.
However, while state law has made it easier to establish ADUs, condo development has not been streamlined in the same way. Pending legislation, known as AB 1903, aims to ease litigation barriers for some condo and townhome builders.
Cingolani added that condos also are not usually accessible to low-income households that SV@Home serves.
Alongside these construction-based options, home-sharing programs are offering another path forward to aging in place: matching homeowners with renters looking for lower-cost housing.
Home sharing was described as an “immediate solution” to help people find housing, according to Laura Fanucchi, director of programs at HIP Housing, a long-standing nonprofit organization in San Mateo County offering affordable housing programs.
HIP Housing’s home-sharing program has been operating since 1979, using existing housing stock. It is designed to match home providers with a room or an ADU to rent to home seekers, said Fanucchi.
There are no income guidelines for home providers, as long as they demonstrate a financial or housing need. For home seekers, the organization requires they earn a minimum of $1,800 per month.
“Most of our home providers are spending a disproportionate amount of their income on housing expenses, and especially when an older adult is living on a fixed income, that can be very challenging,” Fanucchi said.
HIP Housing interviews and screens about 500 people a year, and about 260 people are matched in the program. About 60% of home providers are seniors, said Fanucchi. Among
home seekers, about 30% are seniors, while the other 70% are in their mid-40s.
This breakdown differs from another home-sharing program, Home Match, said Rachel Matthews, director of Home Match for Alameda County.
The program’s service was originally designed to be focused on seniors, since its parent organization is Front Porch, a senior-living nonprofit organization.
“ ... the longer that we’ve been doing this, we have served a broader and broader group of people,” Matthews said. “[We are now getting home seekers] as young as 18 and then up through the 80s.”
For home providers, the decision is often driven by a combination of financial need and a desire for companionship. Matthews described some matches as a “task exchange,” where a renter may pay reduced rent in exchange for agreedupon household tasks.
“When we talk about task exchange, it's never caretaking — it’s more that companionship piece of it or how they help around the house,” said Matthews.
Rent costs range from $700 to $1,800, with ADUs typically priced around $2,000, Matthews said.
Home Match currently serves four counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Francisco. Now, it is expanding services into Santa Clara County, according to Lucie Ashley, director of operations at Home Match.
With seed funding from its parent organization, Home Match will first expand into Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga, and the west side of San Jose this September.
From there, it will move farther into Santa Clara County. Its office will be located in Los Gatos, said Matthews.
This expansion ensures there is a home-sharing program covering all of the Bay Area, said Ashley. Home Match plans to begin outreach for the new Santa Clara County program in July and continue through August, ahead of its September launch.
“Housing in the Bay Area is a pressure point and has been for decades,” said Ashley. “Home Match and home sharing in general is just one piece of the puzzle that can relieve a little bit of that pressure upstream.”
Editor's note: SASCC, which publishes The Outlook, provides paid consulting services to Front Porch, the parent organization of Home Match. This article was reported and edited independently.
Example of an ADU in Los Gatos. Photo from losgatosca.gov
Made by hand
PHOTO ESSAY BY FRANK MAYERS
Millennio (left), operator of the Made Design jewelry stand speaks with Paula Foreman of Los Gatos about the ring selection available. Made Design features entirely hand-crafted jewelry and according to their website, often use recycled and locally sourced materials.
A couple walks among patrons of the Muse Market, passing various stands including food, drinks, jewelry, and clothes.
Sunlight refracts through the glass crystal of a suncatcher for sale at the Driift stand. Based in Capitola, Driift creates handcrafted hanging art pieces featuring driftwood, beads, and crystals.
Jose Segue (left) of Hicks With Sticks dances with Valerie Sher during the Los Gatos Downtown Market on June 13. Hicks With Sticks is a Bay Area bluegrass radio station originally founded in 1999 on Berkeley Liberation Radio, according to their website. Bakersfield country band The Soda Crackers play under the central awning.
Zane Adamo, vocalist and fiddler for The Soda Crackers plays his fiddle during the band's performance at the Los Gatos Downtown Market on June 13. The Soda Crackers are a Bakersfield-based band who describe their style as countrywestern swing.
Evan R. (left) holds his son Logan, who reaches for a crystal and driftwood suncatcher at the Driift booth, while owner Brent Forsyth rings up the sale. After his sister got a suncatcher, Logan wanted one as well, so his father obliged before they left the market.
Jose Segue (left) dances with Valerie Sher in front of the central awning at the market where country-swing band The Soda Crackers play.
A customer browses rings on display at the Made Design Jewelry booth.
Mary Bolson (left) speaks with Vincent Segura of Mango Blossom Apiary about its honey. Owned by San Jose beekeeper Bryan Godfrey, the apiary sells local honey and promotes pollinator protection, with "save the bees" placards adorning its booth.
Mahayla Rheanna (left) looks at her phone alongside Mija Mujer clothing owner Samantha Varela after filming a reel for the Muse Markets Instagram page. Varela named her clothing business in reference to her daughter and started it to support the girl's education.
‘America the Beautiful’ marks its 16th year with an extra dose of red, white, and blue
I think about all the people for the last 250 years who have made our country strong."
For Perusa, the display is a quiet tribute as much as a celebration.
"We don't often talk about the unknown veterans who made so many sacrifices," she said. "I'm thinking about the
WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans who fought for our country to be strong. That, to me, is what the flag represents."
The decorations go up after Father's Day and stay through July. Perusa keeps hers flying until just after Labor Day.
"I feel the colors red, white, and blue are the colors of summer," she said.
“
I feel the colors red, white, and blue are the colors of
summer.
– Laurel Perusa
”
Big Basin Burger Bar all decked out in red, white, and blue. Photo by Frank Mayers
Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page spotted in the Saratoga Village, home of his Farmers Insurance business. Photo by Frank Mayers
Duck statue in the village gets a ribbon. Photo by Frank Mayers
Village Gardeners chat while they work underneath a line of star-spangled banners.
Photo by Frank Mayers
Volunteer decorator hangs bunting along the balcony of a downtown Saratoga building. Photo by Frank Mayers
The Betty and Willys Peck statues looking spirited for America's 250th birthday. Photo by Frank Mayers
LOS GATOS
TESTAROSSA POURS SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS WINES AT TASTING SALON
Testarossa Winery, in partnership with Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains, will host Taste of the Mountains, a walk-around tasting salon, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30. The event features pours from local boutique wineries with light bites from local chefs. Tickets are $95 per person. The winery is at 300 College Ave. Visit winesofscm.com/testarossa.
ALUMINARY ARTS PAIRS SOUND BOWLS WITH MIXED-MEDIA CLASS
Aluminary Arts will host Creative Awakening Sacred Sound Bowls from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. The three-hour class combines a sound bowl experience with mixed-media art. The cost is $110, including all materials. The beginner-friendly event takes place at L'Atelier Los Gatos, 59 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Details at aluminaryarts.com.
WALK FOR WISHES FUNDRAISER RETURNS TO VASONA PARK
Walk for Wishes, a nationwide fundraiser for children
with critical illnesses, will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, at Vasona Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities include vendors, candle making, rock painting, and food trucks, with a celebration after the walk. Participation is free.
NUMU WORKSHOP TURNS PAPER MACHE INTO HANGING FISH
NUMU will host Fish Forms: A Paper Mache Sculpture Workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16. The two-day workshop guides participants through building, painting, and assembling a hanging fish sculpture. The cost is $75, or $65 for NUMU members, and includes all materials. Registration is required. The museum is at 106 E. Main St. More info at numulosgatos.org.
SARATOGA CLASSIC AND COOL CAR SHOW ROLLS INTO SARATOGA VILLAGE
The 15th annual Saratoga Classic and Cool Car Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Historic Saratoga Village along
EVENT BRIEFS
BY LLOYD RUSSELL
Big Basin Way. The event features more than 275 classic cars, local vendors, and live music. Admission is free.
'THE BAD GUYS' SCREENING LIGHTS UP EL QUITO PARK
A free screening of the movie "The Bad Guys" will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at El Quito Park, 12855 Paseo Presado. The evening includes pre-movie activities and free popcorn. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.
VILLA MONTALVO SERVES UP AL FRESCO SUMMER LUNCHEONS
Villa Montalvo will host its Alfresco Summer Luncheons on Wednesdays through Aug. 12. The luncheons take place on the Villa Montalvo veranda and feature international menus, music, and local fashion previews. The cost is $75, including tax and gratuity. Seatings, by reservation, are at noon, 12:30, and 1 p.m. The address is 15400 Montalvo Road. Visit montalvoarts.org to book.
MONTALVO STAGES 'MS. HOLMES AND MS. WATSON' ON THE GROUNDS
Villa Montalvo will host a theatrical production of "Ms.
Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B," part of its Play on the Grounds series, Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 26-28. All shows are at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35, including a $5 service charge. Tickets at montalvoarts.org.
AROUND THE COUNTY
FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK BRINGS 'ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA'
The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival will present weekend performances of "Antony and Cleopatra" from July 25 to Aug. 9 at the Memorial Park Amphitheater, 21163 Anton Way. Shows begin at 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and admission is free. Details at sfshakes.org.
HISTORIAN TRACES BASEBALL FROM SANDLOTS TO STADIUMS
On Friday, July 31, the Ainsley House Carriage House, 300 Grant St., will present History of Baseball: From Sandlots to Stadiums with Dr. Lindsay Bell, a professor at De Anza College. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and features appetizers, beer, and wine. Tickets are $25.
TALK EXPLORES SANTA CLARA VALLEY'S ROCK HISTORY
On Friday, Aug. 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dan Orloff will present San Jose Rocks: History of Rock Music in the Santa Clara Valley at the Ainsley House in Campbell. The event features appetizers, beer, and wine. Tickets are $25.
PENINSULA YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS 'A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD' The Peninsula Youth Theatre of Silicon Valley will present "A Year with Frog and Toad," based on the books by Arnold Lobel, on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26. Shows take place at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts MainStage, 500 Castro St. Tickets are $25 to $32.Visit mvcpa.com for tickets.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES PLAYS ON THROUGH AUGUST
The Cupertino Summer Concert Series will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 20 at the Memorial Park Amphitheater. The outdoor shows are free. Attendees may bring blankets, lawn chairs, and, for those 21 and older, beer and wine with a
SASCC food pantry fills a West Valley gap
BY LORRAINE GABBERT
Volunteers place fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, and a bouquet of flowers in grocery bags for a waiting line of customers. Emulating a grocery store model, the Grocery Rescue Project is striving to meet a growing need in West Valley.
Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting (SASCC) launched the food pantry on June 2 with goods donated by Trader Joe's Los Gatos, in partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. The program, held Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Prospect Center, is open to community members who sign up.
"People having the opportunity to get what they need, feed their families, preserve their dignity, not worry about the pressures of trying to find food ... was really important to us," SASCC CEO Tylor Taylor said. Daniel Gonzalez, who stood patiently in line holding his miniature dachshund Speedy Gonzalez Jr., said the food pantry is vital for seniors on a fixed income.
"It's been a challenge," he said. "If you're a senior and you're on SNAP, you're only going to get $24 a month, and $24 a month at Safeway doesn't go very far."
SASCC stepped up after the Los Gatos United Methodist Church, which operates the Live Oak Senior Nutrition program, decided to abruptly end their grocery rescue program earlier this year.
Darlene (last name held upon request) said the food pantry is crucial for those who depend upon it.
"I see a few faces here who used to go to the Los Gatos facility," she said. "So clearly, there's a need for it to continue. People are making an effort to come, maybe what's for them a further distance, but this exposes it to a new group of people in Saratoga as well."
Taylor said the former site served about 100 people at its food pantry. SASCC is currently able to serve about 40, with plans to scale.
"The need was pretty desperate there,” he said. “You had folks that were unhoused, folks that were in difficult financial situations, and they relied on it.
When I heard that it was going to be going away, we knew that was going to create a hunger pocket."
A refrigerated van awarded by Second Harvest allows SASCC to pick up groceries and keep them cold and fresh for clients.
"West Valley Community Services in Cupertino has done a fantastic job of getting food out into the community through its Park-It Market mobile food pantry," he said, "so there is a good model for that. We hope to demonstrate to the city of Saratoga ... other cities could do the same."
With its large parking lot and kitchen for assembling grocery bags, the Saratoga Prospect Center is an ideal location for a food pantry, Taylor said, adding that he hopes to offer social
services, as well as groceries, in its airy main room.
For Taylor, this is a full-circle moment as his first job volunmoment as his first role with the organization was volunteering at the Saratoga Senior Center serving lunches. This month he celebrates his 10th year leading the organization.
Taylor appreciates SASCC Operations Manager Samuel Leale for organizing the food pantry.
"Somebody of ... his generation dedicating their career to something like this is what we need more of," Taylor said. "The success of SASCC from now to the future is going to be based on people like him."
Leale said creating programs that effectively support the
community fills his cup every day. As food insecurity is a growing issue countywide, especially for seniors, he takes providing groceries to the community to heart.
About 40% of older adults living in the West Valley region struggle to afford healthy food, he said, and this program was SASCC's effort to address those needs.
"Gas, food, the cost of living across the board is increasing," Leale said. "Our mission here is making it a little more affordable each week to survive."
SASCC volunteer Nancy Nakamura felt "over the moon" to help provide food for residents.
"People need it," said volunteer Roger Wedel, who appreciated the quality of the offerings.
In May, Second Harvest reported that 96% of its surveyed clients are cutting back on food to afford housing, healthcare, and other basic needs.
Melissa Gaherty, regional food resource manager of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, said the need for food hasn't decreased since the pandemic.
"We're still serving 500,000 people per month," she said. "We want to make sure we support people that come from all backgrounds, from any citizenship status. They are welcome at these sites."
Gaherty said the groceries mean food on the table for clients and their children.
Volunteers packaged goods for those in need at SASCC’s food pantry on June 2. The program is held Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Prospect Center. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert.
211 Food, senior care and child care, counseling, legal aid, housing, and more. Free, confidential, multilingual. Call 211 | 211scc.org
AARP TAX-AIDE
Free tax preparation for older adults and low-to-moderate-income filers during tax season. IRS-certified volunteers staff sites at libraries and senior centers. (888) 227-7669 aarp.org/taxaide
SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
Emergency response, fire prevention, education, and preparedness. Headquarters:14700 Winchester Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
Saratoga Station: 14380 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 West Valley Station: 19800 Cox Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070
Stations open 24 hours (408) 378-4010 | sccfd.org
ADDISON-PENZAK JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Fitness center, pool, group classes, cultural programs, and social events open to the broader community. Membership and drop-in options available. 14855 Oka Rd., #201, Los Gatos, CA 95032 Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (408) 358-3636 | apjcc.org
LOS GATOS ADULT RECREATION CENTER
Classes, trips, social events, and drop-in activities for adults 55 and older, run by the Los GatosSaratoga Recreation Department. 208 E. Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030 , Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (408) 354-1514 lgsrecreation.org/55-plus
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (APS)
Santa Clara County hotline for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of older adults and dependent adults. Available 24 hours a day. (408) 975-4900 or (800) 414-2002 | tinyurl.com/ sccadultprotectiveservices
FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE
Information, education, and support for family caregivers of adults with chronic or disabling conditions. Serves Santa Clara County and the broader Bay Area. (415) 434-3388 or (800) 4458106 | caregiver.org
FRIENDLY VOICES –PHONE BUDDIES FOR SENIORS
Free volunteer-led phone calls offering conversation and
RESOURCES
Community Resources
CANCER CAREPOINT
Non-medical support services for those impacted by cancer.
2512 Samaritan Ct., Suite A, San Jose, CA 95124 (408) 402-6611 cancercarepoint.org
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
NETWORK OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
One-time financial aid for rent, mortgage, utilities, and move-in costs to prevent homelessness and hunger. Assistance is based on ZIP code.
Public Safety
SANTA CLARA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WEST VALLEY PATROL DIVISION
Provides law enforcement services to Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, and unincorporated areas of western Santa Clara County. 1601 S. De Anza Blvd., Suite 148, Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 868-6600
Non-emergency dispatch: (408) 299-2311 countysheriff.sccgov.org
Social Centers
LIVE OAK ADULT DAY SERVICES
Structured weekday program of social activities, meals, and supervision for older adults, with respite support for family caregivers. Serves adults with dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other age-related conditions. Los Gatos: 111 Church St., Los Gatos, CA 95030 | (408) 354-4782
Cupertino: 20920 McClellan Rd., Cupertino, CA 95014 | (408) 973-0905
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. liveoakadultdaycare.org
SARATOGA ADULT DAY PROGRAM
Daytime care, meals, and structured activities for older adults living with cognitive or physical challenges, providing respite for
1400 Parkmoor Ave., Suite 250, San Jose, CA 95126 (415) 808-4300 uwba.org/get-help
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Administers the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and develops affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. 505 W. Julian St., San Jose, CA 95110 | (408) 275-8770
WEST VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES
Support for food, housing, rental, financial assistance, and case management. 10104 Vista Dr., Cupertino, CA 95014 | (408) 255-8033
FAIR HOUSING LAW PROJECT
Housing discrimination, mortgage abuse, and eviction issues.
4 North Second Street, Suite 1300 | (408) 280-2424
SASCC GROCERY RESCUE
Free groceries for seniors and community members in need Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saratoga Prospect Center, 19848 Prospect Rd, Saratoga, CA, 95070
Mental Health Resources
AACI (ASIAN AMERICANS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT)
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS (VITAS HEALTHCARE)
LOS GATOS-MONTE SERENO POLICE DEPARTMENT
Provides law enforcement services to the Town of Los Gatos and the City of Monte Sereno. 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030 | (408) 354-8600
Non-emergency dispatch: (408) 354-8600 | losgatosca.gov/2827/ Police-Services
family caregivers. A program of SASCC.
19655 Allendale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (408) 868-1254 adultdaysaratoga.org
SARATOGA SENIOR CENTER
Hub for fitness classes, lifelong learning, social events, support groups, and community programs for older adults. A program of SASCC.
19655 Allendale Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070 , Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (408) 868-1257 seniorcentersaratoga.org
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Culturally responsive services for individuals and families.
2400 Moorpark Ave., Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95128 (408) 975-2730, ext. 204 aaci.org
CASSY (COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR YOUTH)
Provides free, school-based mental health services, staff training, and parent consultations.
2010 El Camino Real, Suite 907, Santa Clara, CA 95050 (408) 493-5289 or text 988 cassybayarea.org
Remote, virtual, and online support groups available. (888) 804-0387 | vitas.com/ family-and-caregiver-support
NAMI (NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS) SANTA CLARA
Support, education, and resources for individuals and families. 1150 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 24, San Jose, CA 95128
Helpline 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: (408) 453-0400, option 1 After-hours support: option 4 namisantaclara.org
Need Support Now? 988
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
Call, text, or chat 988 for 24/7, judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more.
Older Adult Services
companionship to older adults experiencing isolation. (650) 395-8017 friendlyvoices.org
HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING & ADVOCACY PROGRAM (HICAP)
Free, volunteer-based program assisting with Medicare, supplements, long-term care, and managed care plans. Funded by Sourcewise. (408) 350-3200, select option 2 | mysourcewise. com/programs-services/ medicare-options
LIVE OAK SENIOR NUTRITION AND SERVICE CENTER
Meals, resources, wellness classes, and bingo. Los Gatos United Methodist Church, 111 Church St., Los Gatos, CA 95030 Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
(408) 354-0707 | lgumc.org/ live-oak-senior-nutrition-center
LONG-TERM CARE
OMBUDSMAN
Free, confidential advocacy for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Santa Clara County. Investigates complaints and promotes residents' rights. Operated by Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. (408) 944-0567 or (800) 231-4024 | ccscc.org/ seniors-ombudsman
MEALS ON WHEELS –HOME DELIVERY
Home-delivered meals for older adults who have difficulty shopping for or preparing food. Coordinated through Santa Clara County Social Services. (408) 755-7680 ssa.santaclaracounty.gov/ food-assistance
RYDE (REACH YOUR DESTINATION EASILY) TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
Door-to-door transportation for Saratoga residents age 65+ and over. (408) 892-9739 rydescc.org
SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF VETERANS SERVICES
Help with VA benefits claims, survivor benefits, education benefits, and DMV verifications for veterans, surviving spouses, and active service members. 68 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050 (408) 918-4980 vets.santaclaracounty.gov
SENIOR ADULTS LEGAL ASSISTANCE (SALA) Nonprofit elder law office supporting older adults in living
safely, independently, and with dignity. (408) 295-5991
SOURCEWISE
Santa Clara County's Area Agency on Aging. Information, referrals, and care management for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities. (408) 350-3200, option 1
VTA ACCESS PARATRANSIT
ADA-mandated shared-ride van service for people whose disabilities prevent them from using regular VTA bus or light rail service.
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (408) 321-2380 vta.org/go/paratransit
Aches & Pains: The year it was a gray Christmas in London
BY SUE FENTON, SUE ON THE STREET
Many people, after reading my columns and book, ask me what I did as a color forecaster. Why is color so important in manufacturing? Well, I recently heard a story that will, in some small way, explain the problems with not getting colors right. This story was told to me by one of the leading designers of tabletop linens. You know, placemats, napkins, tablecloths, etc.! She was a star in this field.
First of all, the manufacturing of home furnishings, including tabletop linens, requires the color and design choices to be finalized two years prior to "market," i.e., selling to the retailer and later, after manufacturing and delivery to the retailer, then the consumer. It is a long process. To give you an idea, what you will take home for Christmas 2028 in a little brown bag is being designed and manufactured starting in June 2026.
The story I am about to tell is about the largest supplier of Christmas linens in the world at the time. This meant that its factories were full to capacity for Christmas, and therefore they contracted some production out to a number of specialty manufacturers.
There was a lot of pressure on design. The packaging and labels were already at the factories in readiness for the finished tablecloths for Christmas. Her responsibility as the design director was to monitor the production of the tablecloths. The biggest challenge was to make
sure the colors of the printed fabric matched the artwork. To facilitate this, she assigned a designer to be present at each of the factories to oversee color and design.
So she was thrilled when the owner of one of the factories called her at home and said he had hired a well-known strike-off artist (i.e., for the first production run). And she wouldn't need to send a designer to check pattern and color. The owner would be responsible for it.
This was a relief, as she needed the designer she had assigned to this factory to monitor a pattern they were printing with dyes at another factory.
At 7 the next morning, the owner of the factory called her at home. The design had been printed in shades of gray instead of Christmas red and green. Turns out the strike-off artist was red-green colorblind! Can you believe it?
Nobody had noticed the gray colors while the fabric was printing! The owner wanted to know if she would accept the gray colors. Absolutely not!
But, as her original design was owned by her company, the factory owner wanted permission to sell the gray fabric to another company. Because the fabric had cost him thousands of dollars. Her purchasing department eventually relented and agreed to allow the printer to sell the fabric overseas.*
Two weeks later, the same factory owner called her at home. Again. He was sending a messenger to bring her a sample of the "corrected" fabric, printed the night before, to see if she would accept it. When the fabric arrived, she discovered gold metallic ink brushed across the whole of the fabric. What happened? How could this be? She had never seen this technique before. It was terrific looking. But it wasn't what her company had sold to its retail customer. Plus the packaging no longer matched the product, a BIG no-no! So again, she couldn't accept it. Again, she had samples sent to her purchasing and sales departments to see if there
was anything they could do. But they could not.
She told the factory owner that if they could do this metallic overlay on purpose, her company would buy patterns with this gold ink for the next Christmas. But the owner discovered that although his factory had printed the correct pattern successfully, the additional gold metallic ink could not be replicated because it was a result of the gold ink separating from the base ink during the unusually hot spring!
This mistake resulted in a new look: metallic printing! And a new home furnishings trend was born!
*The following year at the European Christmas show, gray and white tablecloths were shown with shiny black ornaments on white trees. She couldn't help but wonder if her gray cloth started this trend! It was a gray Christmas in London that year.
Hope to see you soon on Channel 15 on Xfinity or on YouTube, Sue on the Street.
Hearing better: Common questions, real answers
BY MARCIA FARISS, M. A., F-AAA
Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of addressing a group of people who posed some very insightful questions. I am sharing a few of them with you in this column. Please feel free to contact Outlook or hear@ gizmology.com if you have questions of your own.
Q: I wear hearing aids but what else can I do to hear or understand better?
A: Be in the same room with the speaker and face each other. Additionally, request a clear view of the speaker's face. Discourage the speaker from conversing while "hiding" behind the newspaper because facial expressions, mouth movements, and gestures all contribute to improved communication levels. Also, request that the speaker not address you with hands in front of his/ her mouth, or food or gum being chewed.
Another assist is to limit the amount of background noise. Turning down the volume of radios, TVs, stereos and/or going to a quieter room while conversing will facilitate hearing and understanding. Even in restaurants, patrons can request that background music be lowered and/or be seated in a quiet part of the restaurant. If it's a favorite dining spot, consider going there before prime dining times. The ultimate solution is to use the power of your wallet—choose to not eat at that restaurant! And be sure to tell the management why you're leaving or not returning again.
Q: Is there training that can provide techniques to improve word understanding?
A: Yes, there are often classes available in auditory training, also known as speechreading or lipreading. Contact UCSF, Stanford, or San Jose State University regarding their availability of speechreading classes. There
may also be adult-level classes available through our community colleges. The challenge seems to be finding audiologists or speech pathologists with the proper training and availability to teach the classes. For example, for many years Foothill College offered multiple levels of speechreading classes, and the classes were well attended. While the demand continues, finding instructors has become a major challenge.
Q: When should I wear my hearing aids?
A: That's an easy question to answer: during all of your waking hours! The exception is when you're showering, bathing, or swimming. Hearing aids need to be kept dry in order to function properly. It is not recommended that hearing aids be worn during sleep periods. Besides being uncomfortable, hearing aids are delicate and fragile instruments; movements during sleep can damage the aids.
Q: I have a family history of dementia. Will wearing hearing aids prevent me from having dementia?
A: A 2023 study by ACHIEVE found that hearing aids slow the cognitive decline and loss of ability to think in older adults who have hearing loss and are at risk for developing dementia. This study also found that using hearing aids reduced the rate of decline by almost 50% over a three-year period. A different study published in JAMA Neurology found that treating hearing loss before the age of 70 can lower the risk of dementia up to 61%.
Research continues to find that hearing-impaired people who wear hearing aids benefit from a reduced risk of developing dementia when compared with those who were not wearing hearing aids. Whether using amplification will prevent dementia from developing when there is no family history
or other high-risk factor has yet to be proven.
Note: It is known that wearing hearing aids allows users to continue socializing and participating in life's activities as well as keeping the brain stimulated. People with untreated hearing loss often withdraw from social events, religious services, classes, live theater, concerts, and being with others because it is too stressful and difficult for them to hear or understand. Withdrawal from normal activities frequently leads to depression and anxiety. Multiple studies have shown that even mild hearing losses adversely affect mental health, can strain relationships, and reduce one's overall happiness.
Book genres you may not have read ... but should!
BY LLOYD RUSSELL
As many of you know, we started our book club, the RBC, back in September 2014. What made our book club unique is that the author always came to Recycle Bookstore in Campbell to meet with us. COVID-19 forced us to meet online instead of in person, but it also introduced many far-flung new members. And because we added members from around the country while we were locked down, we are still using Zoom for our meetings. In those (almost) 12 years that we've been doing this, we have experienced many, many different genres. And, for most or all of us, the great majority of these genres we had never read before. Is this a good thing? Darn tootin'. Some of my all-time favorite books have come from genres that I
never read or even considered before. Here is a list of 30 genres that we have read. And this doesn't count the genres we have added since this list was put together a couple of years ago:
Contemporary Fiction
Literary Fiction
Women's Fiction (NOT Chick Lit!)
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Memoir
True Crime
Historical Fiction
Romance
Romantic Comedy
Young Adult (YA)
YA Fantasy
Fantasy
Paranormal
Current Events
Based on True Events
Historical Mystery
Historical Romance
Travel
Dark Fiction
Biography
Religious Fiction
Steampunk
Poetry
Cozy Mystery
Culinary Memoir/Travelogue
Legal Murder Mystery
Murder Mystery
Urban Fantasy
History
I don't have the space to give you a recommendation for each genre. But I will pick and choose some of my favorites for genres you may not have read (unless you are part of our book club!):
Memoir/True Crime: "Pieces of Me," by Lizbeth Meredith. I have combined these two because this is a memoir about
how an ex-husband, who is Greek, stole their two children and took them to Greece. It took the author two to three years to get them back. It's an amazing story and was made into a Hallmark movie, which also was terrific.
Romantic Comedy: All of Rich Amooi's books are laugh-out-loud funny ... and poignant.
Fantasy: Alina Sayre's fourbook fantasy series, "Voyages of the Legend," is terrific.
Legal Murder Mystery:
Sheldon Siegel has written 18 books about Mike and Rosie, a divorced couple who work together and handle legal cases. All of the books take place in San Francisco and have a bunch of trial drama. And No. 19 will be available soon!
Religious Fiction: Adina Senft has written a number of books about the Amish. Besides enjoying her books,
we learn a lot about the Amish religion and traditions.
Mis Lit (Misery Literature): "Splinters of Light," by Rachael Herron.
History: Jared Knott has written two books about how small mistakes led to big disasters. The books are "Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters," No. 1 and No. 2. A fascinating look at such things as the small mistake that led to the sinking of the Titanic.
I could go on. But you get the idea. These are all genres that you might have ignored while you were reading historical fiction, women's fiction, contemporary fiction, and literary fiction. Throw in a romance and mystery or two, and maybe that covers everything you read. Well, I say there are a lot more options out there if you're willing to reach beyond your normal reads. Good luck!
Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar
Monday, September 28 4:30PM – 6:00PM at West Valley College Fox Building - Fox 120
Presented
Emerging Research in Hearing Health
Gene therapy, cochlear regeneration, & AI-driven audiology tools
Christine Throm, Au D
This month we are exploring some of the most exciting developments in hearing research. From the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a form of inherited hearing loss, to ongoing efforts to regenerate damaged inner ear cells, to the growing role of artificial intelligence in hearing healthcare, researchers are making remarkable advances in the field. We'll separate fact from fiction, discuss what these breakthroughs mean for patients today, and explore what may be possible in the future.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is one of the most exciting new developments in hearing research. Scientists are learning how to replace or repair faulty genes that cause certain types of inherited hearing loss. In 2026, the FDA approved the first gene therapy for a rare genetic form of deafness caused by changes in the OTOF gene. While this treatment only applies to a small number of people today, it is a big step in demonstrating how gene therapy can be applied to medicine going forward. Researchers are now studying similar approaches for other genetic causes of hearing loss.
Cochlear Regeneration and Hair Cell Repair
Inside the inner ear are tiny sensory cells called hair cells that convert sound vibrations into signals the brain can understand. In humans, these cells generally do not regenerate once they are damaged by aging, noise exposure, or certain medications. Studies in animal have shown that scientists can stimulate supporting cells in the inner ear to develop into new hair-like cells, and some experiments have demonstrated partial recovery of hearing function for these animals such as parrot fish.
While these results are encouraging, it is important to remember that the human ear is far more complex than the ears of laboratory animals. As a result, hair cell regeneration remains an experimental area of research and is likely many years away from clinical testing and use. Patients should not delay proven treatments such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, communication strategies, or audiologic care while waiting for regenerative therapies. The best outcomes are often achieved when hearing loss is addressed early rather than postponing treatment in hopes of a possible future cure.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Audiology
Artificial intelligence is already beginning to improve hearing healthcare. AIpowered tools can help audiologists personalize hearing aid settings, reduce background noise, and even make the clinic run more smoothly. For older adults, these technologies may make hearing care more accessible, convenient, and tailored to individual needs. While AI will not replace audiologists, it is becoming a valuable tool that can help clinicians deliver more accurate and efficient care while improving the listening experience for patients.
Whether you're curious about the latest science or simply want to better understand your hearing health, join us for our Listen Up Café to learn more about these topics or give us a call to schedule an appointment and have the chance to talk to our doctors
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, July 17, 2026: Emerging Research in Hearing Health: Gene therapy, cochlear regeneration, AI-driven audiology tools
Friday, August 21, 2026: Hearing Loss, Cognitive Decline & Dementia
Friday, September 18, 2026: Hearing Loss and Risk of Falls
Friday, October 16, 2026: Hearing Aids, Confidence, and Connection: Overcoming the stigma Friday, November 20, 2026: Hear for the Holidays! (Dates and location subject to change)
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 over 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.
Rd.) www.LosGatosAudiology.com
Dr. Christine Throm Owner/Audiologist
Dr. Kelly Brennan Audiologist