Mayors, county officials square off over sheriff contract costs during online town hall
BY WYLDER ROBISON & BRANDY MADDOX
EDITOR'S
The mayors of Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills clashed with Santa Clara County officials over a proposed sheriff contract increase during an April 14 online town hall that at times resembled a public negotiation.
The contract in question would increase law enforcement costs by 36% for the three cities collectively. Cupertino currently pays $19 million annually and would see an increase of approximately $7.5 million. Saratoga pays $9 million and would see an increase of $2.9 million. Los Altos Hills pays $2.8 million and faces an increase of $890,000.
The financial pressure is already forcing difficult decisions on both sides. At an April 15 Saratoga City Council meeting, the council received a budget report projecting the city would need to draw $1.5 million from reserves and cut $2 million from capital improvement projects to balance its budget for the coming fiscal year under the proposed
West Valley College, SASCC launch Caregiver Certificate to address growing care gap
BY WVC, SASCC
West Valley College, in partnership with Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting (SASCC), is launching a new Community Caregiver Certificate to prepare a skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for caregiving across Santa Clara County.
Registration for the twocourse certificate is currently open for the upcoming fall term, and the college has already reported enrolled students for the initial course
contract costs. The report, prepared by the city’s administrative services department, warned that without further corrective action, city reserves could be depleted within three years.
The county is facing its own fiscal strain, managing what Williams told the Mercury News is a $9 million annual gap between the cost of providing
sheriff services to the three cities and what the cities actually pay.
City officials claim the county has not been transparent on the cost breakdown of the new contract and have included what Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page, who opened the meeting on behalf of all three cities, called “significant
Gatos, Saratoga
BY BRANDY MADDOX
Two West Valley communities will mark Memorial Day on May 25 with public ceremonies honoring the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to the nation. Veterans will receive free lunch at the Los Gatos event, beginning at noon. In Saratoga, the city's long-running Memorial Day Ceremony at Madronia Cemetery returns for its 99th year. Organized by the Saratoga Foothill Club and sponsored by the City of Saratoga, the event begins at 9:30 a.m. at
the
Following a flag ceremony and brief introductions, attendees will process up Oak Street to Madronia Cemetery, where the main program begins at 10 a.m. The gathering welcomes families, civic organizations, youth and church groups, and veterans of all ages. The program features patriotic music, remembrances, and an address by a veteran speaker. Later that day, the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation, in collaboration with Open Doors to Future
FISH: WVMCCD,
Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page polls online attendees on their satisfaction with Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office services during an April 14 town hall. Seated left to right: Page, Cupertino Mayor Kitty Moore, County Executive James Williams, Sheriff Robert Jonsen, and Los Altos Hills Mayor Rajiv Bhateja.
VETERANS, PAGE 9
SHERIFF, PAGE 4
CERTIFICATE, PAGE 7
A wife walks her husband into the Saratoga Adult Care Center, where he receives care throughout the week. The Adult Care Center will serve as a skills lab for West Valley College's Community Caregiver Certificate program. Photo by Samuel Leale
Memorial Arch in Blaney Plaza at the base of Big Basin Way.
STAFF:
Executive Editor & Publisher
Tylor Taylor
tylor@sascc.org
Managing Editor
Brandy Maddox
brandy@sascc.org
Assistant Editor
Lorraine Gabbert
lorraine@sascc.org
CONTRIBUTORS:
Wylder Robison
West Valley College
Dhatri Iyer
Samuel Leale
Annette Stransky
Lloyd Russell
Marcia Fariss
James Che
WHO WE ARE
The 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
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STAY INFORMED - May-June
City of Saratoga, Town of Los Gatos, City of Monte Sereno Council, Commission, & Committee
Meetings
City of Saratoga
Town of Los Gatos
Parks and Recreation Commission: May 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Linda Callon Room)
saratoga.ca.us/364Parks-Recreation-Commission
Planning Commission:
May 13, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) saratoga.ca.us/357/ Planning-Commission
Traffic Safety Commission: May 14, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Linda Callon Room) saratoga.ca.us/329/ Traffic-Safety-Commission
City Council: May 20, June 3, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) saratoga.ca.us/241/ City-Council
Youth Commission: May 26, 7-9 p.m. (Linda Callon Room) saratoga.ca.us/337/ Youth-Commission
Special Finance Commission: May 11, 5:30 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/2643/ Finance-Commission
Development Review Committee:
May 12, 19, 26, June 2, 10 a.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/188/ Development-ReviewCommittee
Note: these meetings are often cancelled. Please check the webpage for updates
Conceptual Development Advisory Committee: May 13, 4 p.m. (Council Chambers) View agenda and meeting info at losgatosca.gov/200/ Conceptual-Development
Planning Commission: May 13, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/189/ Planning-Commission
Complete Streets and Transportation Commission: May 14, 7:30 a.m. (Parks and Public Works) losgatosca.gov/2555/ Complete-StreetsTransportation-Commissi
Special Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission: May 14, 5-7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/2951/ Diversity-Equity-andInclusion-Commissio
Town Council: May 19, June 2, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/16/ Town-Council
Arts and Culture Commission: May 20, 4 p.m. losgatosca.gov/315/ Arts-Culture-Commission
Historic Preservation Committee: May 27, 4 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/190/ Historic-Preservation
Community Health and Senior Services Committee: May 28, 4 p.m. (Council Chambers) losgatosca.gov/278/ Community-Health-SeniorServices-Commiss
Parks and Sustainability Commission: June 1, 6-8 p.m. (Parks & Public Works) losgatosca.gov/282/ Parks-and-SustainabilityCommission
City Council: May 19, June 2, 7 p.m. (Council Chambers) Site and Architectural Commission: June 3, 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.
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
PUBLISHED BY
City of Monte Sereno
SARATOGA
EXPANDING EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
In April, the Saratoga City Council received an update on its emergency communications strategy. The city puts efforts into community emergency preparedness through education, outreach, and alerts. It prioritizes providing accurate, timely, and actionable information to residents and would work in conjunction with Santa Clara County during emergencies. Goals include expanding accessible and multi-language communication and the possibility of adding outdoor warning sirens and message boards.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) INCENTIVES
To motivate homeowners to make ADUs affordable, the City of Saratoga added new guidelines. They include creating an amnesty program to legalize unpermitted ADUs, converting existing structures, increasing site coverage and floor area from 10% to 15% and decreasing deed restrictions. Fees would be waived for very low-income units and reduced by 50% for low-income units.
IMPROVED BUILDING PERMIT PROCESSES
Saratoga has been working to improve building permit processes with an eye to efficiency, consistency, and customer satisfaction. Permit documents are now concurrently shared across multiple platforms, and the process is fully online. New guides, checklists, and frequently asked questions help clarify and educate customers.
NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
The City of Saratoga has launched a new quarterly Community Development newsletter aimed at providing residents with updates on local projects, planning efforts, and opportunities for public input.
The latest newsletter outlines ongoing development activity across the city, including construction nearing completion on the Palm Villas memory care community, which will serve 78 residents, and continued buildout of The Elms mixed-use housing development near Cox Avenue.
It also provides updates on broader planning topics, such as Builder’s Remedy housing applications, with 20 active proposals currently under review across 18 properties,
NEWS BRIEFS
STAFF REPORT
and includes guidance on how residents can follow projects, submit comments, or attend public meetings.
City officials said the newsletter is intended to make development activity more transparent and accessible, with regular updates on key projects, permitting resources, and milestones shaping the community. Read it at saratoga.ca.us.
LOS GATOS
WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP THE HOMELESS
The Los Gatos Town Council received a West Valley Homeless Services Feasibility Study in April. Councilmembers adopted a resolution of intent to support participation in a multi-city West Valley Homeless Services Implementation Task Force.
In July 2024, Campbell allocated almost $100,000 of its American Rescue Plan funds for a feasibility study and needs analysis of the area’s unhoused population. The project seeks to create a collaborative response between the cities of Cupertino, Campbell, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and the Town of Los Gatos to address about 524 unhoused individuals in West Valley.
After the feasibility study was completed last month, the city and town councils adopted the resolution. The study found, compared to Santa Clara County as a whole, West Valley included more unhoused families and youth, who often slept in cars or couch surfed. More than half of West Valley’s homeless have been unhoused for two years or more and had less mental, physical and alcohol or drug related issues compared to the county’s unhoused population.
Future steps would be for the councils to consider adopting a memorandum of understanding and initiating work with the task force, which would include representatives from the five areas, the county, institutional stakeholders, and service providers.
UPDATED FEES AND FINES
In April, the Los Gatos Town Council adopted a resolution approving revised fees for fiscal year 2026-27 to cover town costs related to staff time. New event-related fees include expedited processing, facility maintenance and no parking signs. New developmental fees include staff time for minor residential devel
applications, surveyor, utility maintenance, residential alarm registration, electric vehicle charging, as well as town attorney costs.
Fines, which are penalties for code violations, were also updated. Individuals charged with the illegal use of fireworks may be fined up to $1,000, $1,250, and $1,500 for their first, second, and third offenses. The fiscal impact of the updated fees and fines are estimated to be $168,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. They will go into effect on July 1.
SETTING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
The Los Gatos Town Council set legislative priorities in April with regard to state, federal, and regional issues, focused on public safety issues from e-bike legislation to emergency preparedness. Councilmembers discussed traffic mitigation due to fire safety issues caused by beach traffic gridlock, which could block fire vehicles or disaster evacuation. Possible solutions included a bill that prohibits navigation apps from sending traffic into fire hazard zones during the summer, and public training to increase emergency preparedness.
THURSDAYS, 2 P.M. – 6 P.M.
SARATOGA CITY HALL
13777 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070
West Valley cities and county at odds over the cost of policing
SHERIFF, FROM PAGE 1
additional overhead costs.”
The cities also argued the pThe cities also argued the proposed overhead charges may violate state law. California Government Code Section 51350 prohibits counties from passing general countywide overhead costs — expenses the county would incur regardless of whether it provides contracted services — onto contracting cities.
"According to the Gonzalez Act [California Government Code Section 51350] … the county shall not charge the city contracting for a particular service, either as a direct or indirect overhead charge, any portion of those costs which are attributable to services made available to all portions of the county," Cupertino Mayor Kitty Moore said during the town hall. Moore also cited a reported $470 million mid-year county budget deficit, suggesting financial pressure may be driving the county's push for full cost recovery.
County Executive James Williams pushed back, saying the increase reflects costs the county has long subsidized and that the county is acting within the law. He said the county's budget situation "should not be the driver or basis" of the sheriff contract negotiations. Williams countered by citing the statute's opening sentence, which states that a county "shall charge the city all those costs which are incurred in providing the service so contracted or authorized."
"When it comes to legal issues, you can't quote the statute and forget about the first sentence," Williams said. "That's absurd."
Beyond the legal dispute, Williams argued the cities are still getting a good deal. "After the proposed increase, the three contract cities will have the lowest cost per capita for police services" in Santa Clara County, he said. He also defended the increase as a necessary correction to years of underpayment.
"Over the years, there has been a huge and growing discrepancy between the actual cost of delivering the service and the contracts," Williams said. "That gap is not one that can be sustained."
Santa Clara County Sheriff Robert Jonsen was also present during the meeting, and cited recruitment costs, technology upgrades, and new training mandates as drivers of the increase. He noted that cities get access to the full force of the department during major incidents. "When you really need us, we can pull from all over the county," Jonsen said. "That is something that a lot of
community members forget about."
Officials argued that the three cities' status as donor cities — meaning they pay more in county taxes than they receive in services — should factor into negotiations.
“We have some of the lowest returns on taxes paid by residents, while contributing disproportionately through property and sales taxes,” Moore said.
Los Altos Hills Mayor Rajiv Bhateja repeatedly questioned the county’s calculations, calling the overhead costs “incomprehensible.”
To illustrate his point, Bhateja said his town pays roughly $3.5 million for what amounts to less than one full-time deputy’s worth of patrol coverage. He compared that to Danville, which fields 30 officers for $12 million, and Atherton, which has 20 officers for $10 million.
“The math does not work,” he said.
Williams disputed the characterization of those costs as improper overhead. He argued that expenses like detective work, body cameras, internal affairs review, and deputy training are direct service costs that any law enforcement agency must provide, not general county overhead.
"These are not overhead costs," Williams said. "These are direct service costs."
Residents who attended the meeting expressed support for sheriff services but concern over rising costs. A real-time poll during the meeting reflected that: 47% of participants said they were very satisfied with sheriff services and 35% said they were satisfied.
“I feel as a citizen that we’re being asked to spend more money for fewer services,” a participant identified as Ken from California said.
When asked whether they would support deep budget cuts across city services to fund the 36% increase, 49% of participants said no, 25% said yes, and the remainder said maybe.
The cities introduced a counterproposal in March, proposing a 12% increase starting July 1 to cover updated deputy salary and benefit costs, a jointly developed cost-allocation model by Sept. 1, and a three-year phased implementation of remaining overhead charges. The current contract expires in June, and the cities are seeking an extension to allow time for that process.
The dispute has drawn attention from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. District 5 Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, whose district covers the three cities, said she supports cost recovery but expressed reservations about the timeline.
"As much as I favor cost recovery, trying to make up the cost all at once is difficult for any city," Abe-Koga told the San José Spotlight.
No agreement came out of the town hall. City and county officials ended the meeting saying they are still working together to reach a solution.
A final poll asked whether residents would support exploring alternative law enforcement providers given the proposed cost increases. About 50% said yes, 31% said no, and 15% said maybe.
In response to a resident’s question about exploring other law enforcement providers, Bhateja said, “It’s going to be very difficult for us to react in this timeframe. But long-term, we’re absolutely going to have to consider that, because we’re essentially having a fiscal gun to our heads.”
FROM THE EDITORS
The Outlook editorial staff typically selects stories that celebrate and uplift our community — the people, programs, and moments that make the West Valley a remarkable place to live. We do this in an effort to create balance in the available news options locally.
There is no shortage of negative, politically charged, scary, and sensational news available in the market. It pours through our phones, tablets, TVs, radios, and other newspapers. We see this as a supply and demand imbalance, and The Outlook therefore provides the kind of news and information that is in short supply.
The dispute between our cities and Santa Clara County over sheriff contract costs is not feel-good news, but it is consequential news. Every resident in Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills has a stake in how this gets resolved, whether through higher taxes, reduced city services, or a change in how law enforcement is delivered. We believe informing our community about significant civic matters is part of our purpose, even when the subject is contentious and the outcome is unresolved. Is this the kind of coverage you want to see more of in The Outlook? We'd love to hear from you at outlook@sascc.org.`
Don't leave money on the table: What seniors need to know about property assessments
More than 130 seniors and their family members packed the Fox 120 Lecture Hall at West Valley College on April 21 for a property assessment workshop led by newly elected Santa Clara County Assessor Neysa Fligor. The event, hosted by SASCC, was designed to help residents age 55 and older understand programs andprocesses that can save them money on their property taxes.
THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE: WHAT IT DOES, AND WHAT IT DOESN'T
Fligor opened by drawing a clear line between her office and the county's Department of Tax and Collections. The assessor's office determines the value of taxable property. It does not set tax rates, issue tax bills, or collect payments.
The office assesses all taxable property in the county, including residential, commercial, business personal property, and mobile homes. The most recent closed roll, for calendar year 2024, totaled $725 billion, generating roughly $7.25 billion distributed to cities, schools, community colleges, special districts, and the county. Santa Clara County holds the fourth-largest roll in California and the largest in the Bay Area.
Fligor addressed the appeal process, noting the county recently decided to begin charging a fee. For residential properties, multi-family homes with four units or fewer, and agricultural land, the fee
is $290 per parcel per application. Commercial appeals cost $675. She encouraged residents to first use her office's free informal review process, extended this year by an additional week, before pursuing a formal appeal. Residents who wish to appeal have until Sept. 15. The Notice of Assessed Value (NAV) card mailed each June 30 starts the filing period. Residents can opt in for email notification, which arrives earlier than the mailed card. The card's QR code links to the property's land value, improvement value, and homeowner's exemption status.
PROPOSITION 13 AND WHAT TRIGGERS REASSESSMENT
Under Proposition 13, a property's taxable value is frozen at its purchase price and only allows small yearly increases, unless a change in ownership or new construction occurs. Everything is a change in ownership unless an exclusion applies. Transfers between siblings, for example, are not excluded. Certain transfers qualify for exclusions, which remove the event from reassessment entirely, while exemptions reduce the taxable value by a set amount.
The homeowner's exemption reduces a property's assessed value by $7,000, saving roughly $70-$80 annually, and serves as proof of primary residence required to qualify for base year value transfers and intergenerational transfers. The veterans exemption is available to those
currently serving in the military or honorably discharged.
INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSFERS UNDER PROPOSITION 19
Proposition 19 allows parents to transfer their primary residence to a child, or grandparents to a grandchild, without triggering a full reassessment. The property must be the transferor's primary residence, and the recipient must establish it as their primary residence and file the homeowner's or veterans exemption within one year of the transfer date. A formal Proposition 19 form must also be filed within three years of the transfer date, or six months from receipt of a supplemental or escape assessment notice. Only family homes and family farms qualify. For grandparent-to-grandchild transfers, the intervening generation must be deceased.
The exclusion does not automatically preserve the prior owner's full tax base. Under Proposition 19's value test, each transfer comes with a $1 million credit applied against the difference between the fair market value at transfer and the previous owner's factored base year value. If the fair market value exceeds that credit plus the existing base year value, the excess is added to the inherited tax base. An estimator on the assessor's website helps residents calculate their potential new assessed value.
A 2023 law change provides flexibility when the transferor was in a hospital or care facility, as long as they intended to return to the home and the property was not rented to a third party.
TRANSFERRING YOUR TAX
BASE TO A NEW HOME
Residents who are 55 or older, severely disabled, or displaced by a declared disaster can transfer their factored base year value to a replacement residence anywhere in California. The transferor must be on title for both properties, the replacement home must be completed within two years of the original home's sale, and the application must be filed within three years for the full benefit. If the replacement home costs less than or equal to the home being sold, the full base year value transfers. If it costs more, the difference is added to the existing base year value. An estimator for this program is on the assessor's website.
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
New construction triggers reassessment on the added value only, including new buildings on vacant lots, demolishing and rebuilding, adding square footage, and changes in use of existing space. Converting a garage or family room into an ADU counts as new construction because the use has changed. Remodeling, such as replacing
existing fixtures, does not. Residents who add an ADU should expect a supplemental assessment bill for the difference between old and new assessed values, prorated from the date the change occurred. The office sends a notice before any bill is issued, and a supplemental assessment estimator is on the assessor's website.
ADDITIONAL SAVINGS PROGRAMS
The State Controller's Office offers a property tax postponement program for homeowners age 62 or older with a household income of $55,000 or less and at least 40% equity. The deferred amount must eventually be repaid. Santa Clara County also offers parcel tax exemptions for residents 65 and older, or those disabled regardless of age, waiving fees imposed by school and special districts. Applications must be filed directly with those districts.
Attendees were among the first to receive the office's new Preparing for Life Events brochure, covering what property owners need to know when a loved one passes away. Future editions on divorce and moving to another property in California are planned. Fligor's office can be reached through the Santa Clara County Assessor's website, asr. santaclaracounty.gov, which includes all estimator tools referenced at the event. To watch the event recording, visit seniorcentersaratoga. org/assessor
Standing room only at West Valley College, where more than 130 seniors turned out for SASCC's April 21 property assessment workshop with Assessor Neysa Fligor. Photo by Samuel Leale STAFF REPORT
Youth Science Institute brings the joy of nature to students at Vasona Park
BY DHATRI IYER
Deep into Los Gatos' Vasona Park, nestled between tall grass and broad trees, you'll come across a collection of wooden buildings and picnic tables. It's a tranquil spot, but step inside and the real magic reveals itself. Snakes, toads, crayfish, spiders: they're all here inside the Youth Science Institute's Nature Center.
With a mission since 1953 to bring the magic of nature to kids, Youth Science Institute (YSI) hosts field trips, summer programs, and community events, all catered towards local youth. The organization conducts lessons on topics like biology, geology, and physics by using hands-on nature to bring the classroom to life. YSI has three locations: Vasona Park, Sanborn Park, and Alum Rock Park.
The Youth Science Institute houses dozens of animals, including native species to the area like Shadow (a California kingsnake), as well as several non-native species like Slurpee (a blue-tongue skink) and a Kenyan Sand Boa. Recently, they have also adopted two chinchillas: JoJo and Oreo, who are biological brothers.
For program and community outreach manager Olivia Kramer, working at Vasona
Park's YSI has allowed her to share the love she had for nature as a kid with others.
Kramer, a local Leigh High School graduate, spent much of her childhood enjoying the outdoors and frequented Yosemite National Park in her youth.
"We're all a part of the natural world, and I think that it's a beautiful thing to share with people," Kramer said. "I've been privileged enough to get to connect with nature throughout my life."
Through YSI, Kramer and her colleagues have been able to share that privilege, especially with underrepresented Title I schools. These schools serve high percentages of students from low-income backgrounds who often lack access to the same field trips and nature experiences that other students receive.
"The best thing that I get to do is connect with the teachers and facilitate those magic moments, especially with our Title I campuses," Kramer said.
"Because those kids often don't get to go to our local parks or see these animals. Getting to see not only children, but their parents come on these trips, and see their inner child come out — it's one of the coolest moments ever."
Kramer was first introduced to YSI in 2019 when she was a student at West Valley College. She joined as an instructor and now focuses mainly on managing and maintaining YSI's online system, which includes sourcing software for registrations and the website.
While Kramer admits that she "wears many hats" at YSI, she still takes the time to stay connected with the wildlife at the Nature Center. One especially sassy toad, Polly, she
says, has lots of "toad-itude" (or toad-attitude).
At Vasona, it is hard to not feel connected with nature, Kramer said, given both its natural beauty and its location in the middle of the Los Gatos suburbs. She often sees residents express uncertainty about living near local wildlife like bobcats on apps like NextDoor.
"Sometimes people get nervous, or they don't know how to interact with certain wildlife," Kramer said. "This nature center really provides a wonderful service to the public of being able to get familiar with what's around you and get to know your neighbors, because our animals are our neighbors. We share our space with them."
While YSI caters towards kids, anyone can visit and check out the large array of animals housed at the nature center Thursdays through Sundays each week. The staff at YSI is made up of people of all ages, all united in their love for nature.
For many nature lovers, a visit to the center can lead to building a close-knit community. For Kramer and her colleagues, the connections made through a shared love of wildlife are the highlight of being part of YSI.
"The perseverance of the community and the heart that exists here is very, very important.” Kramer said. “There are people who’ve worked here for a good portion of their life, and they will forever be embedded into YSI. It's a place where people really do leave a piece of their heart, and I hope that it continues to be a special place for our community, where they can feel safe, welcomed, and connected.”
Find toads, snakes, crayfish, spiders, and more inside the Youth Science Institute’s Nature Center at Vasona Park.
Photo from ysi-ca.org
Great horned owl. Photo from ysi-ca.org
Program builds workforce pipeline as caregiving demand rises across Santa Clara County
CERTIFICATE, FROM PAGE 1
- Introduction to Home Health Caregiving. The certificate is designed to support both individuals entering the caregiving workforce and those already providing care at home. As adults age 60 and older are projected to exceed 25% of the county’s population by 2030, the program responds to a critical and growing regional need.
“This program is about meeting a critical moment for our community,” said West Valley College President Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza. “As the need for caregiving continues to grow across Santa Clara County, we are preparing students with the skills, training, and pathways needed to step into essential roles that support families, health systems, and our aging population.”
The Community Caregiver Certificate is the first program developed through Senior Guided Pathways, a
partnership between West Valley College and SASCC that connects adult learners to workforce opportunities aligned with regional demand. The program builds on strong early momentum, with an average of 1,800 enrollments of students age 50+ each term since its launch in fall 2024.
The certificate was developed in response to findings from the Santa Clara County Caregiver Study, which identified significant gaps in training and support. More than half of respondents reported a lack of in-home assistance, while organizations cited insufficient training as a key contributor to burnout, turnover, and inconsistent care quality.
"Behind every statistic in the Caregiver Study is a family doing their best without the training or support they need,” said SASCC CEO, Tylor Taylor. “This certificate exists for them
— the spouse, the adult child, the neighbor stepping in. And for the people who want to turn that calling into a career, we're building a pathway for that too."
The program consists of one classroom-based course and one hands-on skills lab, which can be completed within two semesters. This structure allows students to quickly build practical skills and transition into the workforce, while also providing a foundation for continued growth.
SASCC convened an advisory board of healthcare providers, aging services leaders, and public agencies to ensure the curriculum aligns with real-world workforce needs.
Participants included AARP; Alzheimer’s Association; El Camino Health; On Lok Senior Health Services; and the Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services, among others.
“The caregiving workforce has never been under more pressure, and the families we serve feel it every day,” said Grace Li, CEO of On Lok Senior Health Services.
“Standardized training gives people the skills to make a meaningful difference in the quality and consistency of care, and we look forward to welcoming graduates of this program into the field.”
The certificate also creates a pathway to economic mobility, supporting individuals entering a growing workforce while helping standardize skills across the field. By formalizing training, the program positions graduates with the credentials and confidence to pursue competitive wages and advancement opportunities.
The Community Caregiver Certificate lays the foundation for future stackable credentials and supports West Valley College’s long-term vision of
establishing a Center for Aging in partnership with SASCC. The model is designed for replication as communities across California respond to similar demographic shifts.
Enrollment is open. To register, visit schedule.wvm. edu and search NCAA. For more information about the program, visit tinyurl.com/ communitycaregivercertificate.
Free groceries in Saratoga starting June 2, nutrition seminars leading
BY SAMUEL LEALE
Starting June 2, SASCC will offer free weekly groceries to community members in need through its new Grocery Rescue program at the Saratoga Prospect Center, 19848 Prospect Rd. Leading up to the launch, a free four-week health and nutrition seminar series runs in May.
The Grocery Rescue program, to be held weekly on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.., was developed in direct response to a documented need in the West Valley. The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults found that more than 40% of older adults in the region report difficulty accessing affordable healthy foods. Many live on fixed incomes as costs for food, utilities, housing, insurance, and care continue to rise. Research published in the journals Neurology and JAMA links sustained changes in nutrition and physical activity
to measurable reductions in cardiovascular risk, metabolic disease, and cognitive decline, but those gains depend on consistent access to healthy food.
Provided in partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Grocery Rescue recovers fresh, usable food that would otherwise go unsold and redirects it into the community. The program is open to any registered community member in need, on a weekly basis.
Leading up to the June 2 launch, SASCC and Community Consulting will host a fourweek Health and Nutrition Seminar Series throughout May at the Saratoga Senior Center. Sessions will address evidence-based dietary intervention in chronic disease, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and the role of strength and balance in maintaining functional independence. Partner agencies include Plant Based Advocates, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, and Mint Condition Fitness. Topics were
chosen in response to community need, as diet, movement, and social connection are among the most cost-effective health interventions available to an aging population. Like many community-based social services, Grocery Rescue will be sustained by volunteer effort. Program volunteers manage pickups from partner stores, sort and package goods for distribution, and help deliver food directly to community members. SASCC is actively recruiting volunteers for Grocery Rescue and for the broader portfolio of programs through which older adults in the West Valley remain supported, connected, and at home.
Community members are invited to attend the seminar series at 19655 Allendale Ave. in Saratoga. Information on the seminars, on Grocery Rescue, and on volunteer opportunities is available at the Saratoga Senior Center or by contacting info@sascc.org.
For Susan Fish, public service starts close to home
BY TYLOR TAYLOR
Susan Fish has spent most of her life in and around Los Gatos, moving between professions and community roles with a consistent set of concerns: access, responsibility, and how institutions can better serve the people around them.
Those concerns now shape her work as the West ValleyMission Community College District trustee representing Area 7, a seat she has held since 2016. She currently serves as the board's vice president.
Fish is a West Valley College graduate, the parent of two West Valley College graduates, and was a faculty spouse for 26 years. She is an attorney and a registered nurse who founded her own law firm in 2020. She also served on the Los Gatos Planning Commission and Rent Advisory Commission, and chairs the district's Audit and Budget Oversight Committee, partnering with district leadership to ensure resources are stewarded responsibly in service of expanding local educational access.
Fish traces her belief in education back to her father, physician Edwin A. Oster, for whom Oster Elementary School was named. "Education is everything," she said, a phrase she describes as her father's.
Her own path reflects that. She began in nursing, went into law, and eventually started her own firm. "You never stop learning, you just never do," she said. "As you learn more, you
can do more, and your options are greater, even later in life."
That service orientation, she says, carried across professions: "Even if you go from nursing into something totally different, like law, you never lose that baseline perspective."
That same orientation shows up in how Fish talks about Los Gatos. "We're a small town, and yet we're not isolated from our neighboring communities," she said. "I've seen us get together and help one another, unselfishly, on so many occasions over the years. That connectedness has always inspired me to contribute and give back in some way."
Her years on the Rent Advisory Commission gave her a close view of housing pressure in the South Bay, a concern that has carried into her trustee work. West Valley-Mission recently launched a partnership with San José State to fill SJSU's dormitory vacancies with high-need West ValleyMission students, part of a broader push to address basic needs in the local community.
At the district, she describes eliminating barriers as a primary goal. "There is no one size fits all," she said. "People have needs that must first be identified. Once you know what barriers they are facing, then you work to see what's possible. How can we have this group of people thrive?"
That philosophy is reflected in countless other district efforts. WVM sponsored legislation that passed into law,
enabling free tuition within the service area, and operates a Free Meals Program that removes hunger as a barrier to academic success. This fall, West Valley College launches a Community Caregiver Certificate Program, part of a broader push to expand educational programs and services for older adults that Fish has championed alongside her board colleagues, with a planned Center for Aging and a new Gerontology Certificate to follow.
One of the clearer examples of Fish's approach is her role in bringing the College of Adaptive Arts to the West Valley campus.
Co-founder DeAnna Pursai said Fish was instrumental in that effort.
Pursai said Fish learned about the program in 2019 when she toured the College of Adaptive Arts with Chancellor Brad Davis, former trustee Jack Lucas, and Rod Diridon Sr. At the time, the program needed a new home after losing its downtown San Jose location. Fish and district leadership helped relocate the program by repurposing a former Disability and Educational Support Services portable on campus.
Pursai said Fish was among the volunteers who came out to paint the site in 2021. Fish
"intuitively understood the importance of giving adults with special needs access to intellectually stimulating environments," Pursai said, calling her "kind, supportive, and transformative" in the process. Asked what comes next, Fish points to the Center for Aging, which would house Community Caregiver programs alongside partnerships with senior-serving organizations. "Retirement isn't the end of learning," she said. "For a lot of people, it's where the most interesting questions start."
District Chancellor Brad Davis; the late Rod Diridon, former Santa Clara County supervisor and Saratoga city councilmember; Susan Fish, West Valley-Mission Community College District trustee; DeAnna Pursai, co-founder and executive director of the College of Adaptive Arts; and the late Jack Lucas former West Valley-Mission board of trustees member; gather with College of Adaptive Arts students.
Photo courtesy of DeAnna Pursai
Susan Fish speaks with Elisee Ulysse Mba Manguendza, a West Valley-Mission Foundation scholarship recipient, at a scholarship event. Photo courtesy of West Valley-Mission Community College District
Veterans to receive free lunch in Los Gatos, history of Memorial Day
VETERANS, FROM PAGE 1
Possibilities, will host a ceremony at the Flame of Liberty Memorial on the Los Gatos Civic Center lawn, 110 East Main Street.
Complimentary lunches are available to veterans with valid ID at noon, with meals also available for purchase by the public. The formal ceremony follows at 1 p.m. and will feature keynote remarks from General Kent Hillhouse, a highly decorated U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran who has served as president of the Foundation since 2014.
"Memorial Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude," said Ellen Manzo, board member of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation. "We invite the community to come together to honor the fallen and support the families who carry their legacy forward."
The Foundation also hosts a weekly Veterans Support Breakfast, led by board member Dr. Clyde Horn, a Vietnam combat infantry veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and licensed therapist. The gatherings offer veterans a space to connect, share experiences, address PTSD, and navigate the VA system together. Breakfast is every Friday at 9 a.m. at Denny’s
on Hillsdale Avenue in San Jose. RSVP at honoravet.org/ veterans-support-breakfast.
For more information on the Los Gatos ceremony or to donate to the Foundation, visit honoravet.org , email honoravet@gmail.com, or call 833-466-6728.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, was originally known as Decoration Day and first widely observed in 1868 following the Civil War. The name came from the tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with
American military personnel who had died in all wars, not only the Civil War. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, establishing Memorial Day as the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change went into effect in 1971, when the day was also officially declared a federal holiday. Today, it is a day of national reflection, marked by ceremonies, parades, and moments of silence honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.
RESOURCES FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES
flowers, flags, and wreaths.
General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, formally proclaimed May 30 as a day of remembrance, and communities across the country began holding ceremonies at cemeteries and memorials.
After World War I, the observance expanded to honor
Many veterans and their families are unaware of the full range of benefits available to them. A key first step is obtaining a DD214 (Honorable Discharge Form), which can be requested through VA.gov or a local Veteran Service Office. With that in hand, veterans can apply for a VA Identification Card, which helps unlock healthcare access and other benefits.
Support organizations available to veterans and their families include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, VA Health Care and Medical Centers, local VA clinics, and the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation.
Cilker Expo turns five: Art, design, and STEM meet for STEAM'D Fest
BY BRANDY MADDOX
West Valley College set out to build something most people wouldn't expect from a community college: a worldclass art and design school. When Shannon MirabelliLopez became dean of the Bill and Leila Cilker School of Art and Design, that directive came straight from West Valley-Mission Community College District Chancellor Brad Davis, and she has been making good on it ever since.
Five years of the Cilker Art and Design Expo is the proof. This year's Expo, part of STEAM'D Fest running May 14-16 at West Valley College, is the biggest yet.
Each spring, graduating students from architecture, interior design, fashion, communication design, visual art, photography, and the performing arts open their studios and stages to the public.
"It is one part showcase, one part celebration, and one part declaration: this work belongs to everyone," Mirabelli-Lopez told The Outlook.
In 2024, Mirabelli-Lopez and School of Science and Math Dean Mel Vaughn co-launched STEAM'D Fest, expanding the Expo into a three-day public event built on a simple premise: that art, science, technology, engineering, math, and design are not separate worlds, but deeply connected ones.
Programming now spans both schools, with events taking place across the Cilker
building, the Visual Arts Building, the Performing Arts Building, the Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Planetarium, and the Science and Math quad.
The Cilker Expo anchors the weekend. Over three days, graduating students put their final work in front of the public through a schedule that is dense and deliberately varied: Jazz Under the Stars beneath the dome of the Kvamme Planetarium, the graduating Fashion Design Student Fashion Show on the Cilker front lawn, a Student Film Fest, live screen printing with Oaxacali Studios, open makerspace hours, portfolio reviews, and a Student Art Sale.
Friday night also brings the Content Magazine Issue 18.3
Pickup Party, running 6:3010 p.m. in the Cilker building. The South Bay arts and culture publication releases its latest issue, themed "Perform," in the middle of one of the biggest art events of the season.
The STEM side of the weekend holds its own. Saturday's programming includes student research poster presentations, a Climate Carnival, drone flight and robotics demos with the SJSU Robotics Club, an intimate look at the California Owl Program, and a Stanford graduate student panel on navigating a path through STEM. Science comedian Brian Malow closes out the afternoon.
Mirabelli-Lopez is candid about what she thinks is really at stake.
"The most prestigious art and design schools in this country
are, almost without exception, private and prohibitively expensive," she said. "Talent has never been the barrier.
Access has. And that is something we intend to change, one student, one graduating class, one Expo at a time."
All events are free and open to the public. For the full schedule, visit westvalley.edu/ events/steamd-fest
A West Valley College student performs at Dance Caravan 2025 on the Cilker stage.
Photo courtesy of West Valley College
Student designer Jillian McLane's work takes the runway at the 2025 Cilker Graduating Student Fashion Show. Photo courtesy of West Valley College
HISTORY
Saratoga Village, Los Gatos Town The History, The Memories
The Outlook has partnered with the Facebook group “Saratoga Village~Los Gatos Town~The History~The Memories” to share community memories in these pages.
From the group’s description:
“This group is a gathering place for anyone who cherishes the unique history, stories, and spirit of Saratoga, and/or Los Gatos. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a former neighbor, or someone who simply loves the charm of our towns,you’re invited to share your memories, photos, family stories, and local history.
From the orchards and canneries to school days, local businesses, and beloved community traditions — this group is about preserving and celebrating Saratoga and Los Gatos’s past through the voices of those who lived it.”
“Finish the sentence: The thing I miss most about old Saratoga is…”
“The community of playing with every kid on the block!”
Mary (Hold) Newcomb
“Riding my bike with no hands. Catching pollywogs at the creek. Fresh fruit stands.
Buying candy at Quito market for 5 cents”
Sheryl (Garnel) Willis
"It wasn’t a status symbol to live there. It was about family, neighbors, joy.”
Sydnee Wallich
“Acres of orchards and very little traffic”
Anonymous
“My grandparents”
Anonymous
“The fact that I'm no longer there. The best place to grow up. Taking the ride to Big Basin is so peaceful and beautiful!”
Rosemary Wayman
Saratoga Historical Foundation presents Blossom Festival, South Bay Flashback
BY ANNETTE STRANSKY
Live music, artists, book authors, craftspeople, antique cars, food trucks, and more are all part of the free Blossom Festival, taking place at the Heritage Orchard and Civic Center, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Blossom Festival originated in 1900 as a celebration of Saratoga's agricultural and community life and ran for 40 years. The foundation revived it in 2013 at the Heritage Orchard
and Civic Center to honor the beauty of the orchards and the importance of the community's roots.
Live music will fill two areas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring bluegrass, rock and roll, and jazz. The orchard stage will include the Peninsula Banjo Band, among others.
There are so many activities and opportunities for people to see and learn about Saratoga's history, meet community groups, and even taste. Got a question about drought-tolerant plants? See the Master
Gardeners booth or the Orchard Keepers.
Looking for a gift? See the many craftspeople. Or want to learn the history of the Heritage Orchard? Prunes are being handed out in memory of when the Santa Clara Valley was the world's largest provider of prunes, known as the Valley of Heart's Delight.
Young children will find plenty to enjoy, including a petting zoo with baby animals, origami, and paper crafts.
More than 30 craftspeople will sell handmade jewelry, olive oil, scarves, aprons, scented soap, plants, baskets, decorative gourds, and more.
Community organizations will also have informative displays, including the Santa Clara Valley Beekeeper Guild, Master Gardeners, Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society,
California Native Plant Society, Hakone Gardens, and Youth Science Institute.
At 1 p.m., the foundation will screen a film in which Marilyn Messina describes 20th-century life on her family's orchards in the Santa Clara Valley. Viewers follow five stages of the fruit trees' yearly cycle, from dormancy through harvest, each tied to her family's story, from her grandfather's arrival from Sicily in 1905 through the cultivation of 400 acres in the 1960s.
The Saratoga Historical Foundation will offer a wide selection of local history books, including titles on the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department, abolitionist John Brown's wife Mary, Saratoga's mineral springs, and more. Aerial views and Blossom Festival displays will also be on hand.
The Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club, the Santa Clara Model A Ford Club, and the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association will display a variety of cars and motors. The Saratoga vintage fire truck will also be in attendance.
Costumed historical characters representing Saratoga's artists, writers, and community leaders will be on hand to share their stories. Visitors can pose questions to Senator Phelan (whose home was the beautiful Villa Montalvo) or Isabel Stine, who built Hakone Gardens, or Charles Blaney, Saratoga's first highway commissioner and the man behind the Memorial Arch. Bring a camera for a photo op, or come with a question and test their mettle.
A variety of food trucks will be on hand, offering Mexican, barbecue, boba, lemonade, and Nepali-Himalayan cuisine.
South Bay Flashback: A history of rock and roll
A lecture planned for May 21 draws on the book by Bill Guardino and Brian Conroy and is sponsored by the Saratoga Historical Foundation. Since the Summer of Love, rock historians have focused on San Francisco as the musical epicenter of the Bay Area in the 1960s. But 50 miles down the road, the South Bay had an equally vibrant music scene, with its own bands, venues, radio stations, and underground newspapers. In "South Bay Flashback," Conroy and Guardino excavate this overlooked history and highlight the unique contributions of bands and musicians from Saratoga. Turn on, tune in, and flash back. The presentation will be held at the Saratoga Foothill Club, 20399 Park Place, Saratoga, from 4 to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
Brian Conroy is the author of eight books, including the musical history "Shooting Stars and Blazing Guitars." For 35 years he taught theater and public speaking in the Moreland School District and storytelling at San Jose State University. Bill Guardino began collecting rock memorabilia 55 years ago. His vast collection of vinyl records, posters, handbills, and autographed photos is considered the largest private collection of rock ephemera in Northern California and forms the basis of "South Bay Flashback."
Learn more at saratogahistory.com or call 408-867-4311.
Photo from past Blossom Festival. Photo courtesy of the Saratoga Historical Foundation
SARATOGA
HAKONE GARDENS
LECTURE ON JAPANESE DESIGN MAY 17
Hakone Gardens Executive
Director Meredith Lee and Curator Jacob Kellner will lead an exploration of Japanese landscape design philosophy on Sunday, May 17, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Foothill Club. The program includes a live design demonstration. Learn more at hakone.com
ART SPLASH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL AT MONTALVO MAY 18
Montalvo's free Art Splash Community Celebration takes place Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival features food trucks, hands-on workshops, performances, and activities for all ages centered on nature and environmental justice.
JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EVENING COMES TO MOUNTAIN WINERY
Jason Bonham will bring his Led Zeppelin Evening tribute concert to the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on Monday, May 19, at 7 p.m. Bonham's father, John, was the band's original drummer. Purchase tickets at mountainwinery.com
SCCFD HOSTS WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP
The Santa Clara County Fire Department will host a community wildfire preparedness workshop on Tuesday, June 2, from 6-8 p.m. at the Joan Pisani Community Center in Saratoga. The session covers home hardening, defensible space, evacuation planning, and emergency kit assembly. A resource fair will feature representatives from CAL FIRE, the American Red Cross, PG&E, and local law enforcement. Registration is required. Visit sccfd.eventbrite.com or call 408-378-4010.
LOS GATOS
FRATELLO MARIONETTES PERFORM AT LIBRARY
MAY 14
The Fratello Marionettes will present "The Vaudeville Follies" at the Los Gatos Library on Thursday, May 14, at 4 p.m. The old-time variety show features an opera singer, trapeze artist, and a ballet-dancing chicken, all performed in full view of the audience.
SALVATION ARMY HOSTS GARDEN LUNCHEON
MAY 15
The Salvation Army Silicon Valley Women's Auxiliary will host its sixth annual "Work of
EVENT BRIEFS
BY LLOYD RUSSELL
A.R.T." Garden Luncheon on Friday, May 15, at a private historic garden in Los Gatos. The fundraiser supports sending underserved children to Camp Redwood Glen and furnishing the new women's wing of the Emmanuel House Program's transitional housing. Tickets are $150. Purchase at salarmy. us/WOA2026
MAKERS MARKET RETURNS TO OLD TOWN MAY 16
The Makers Market Local Artist Fair returns to Old Town Los Gatos on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop handmade jewelry, pottery, candles, soaps, and apparel from local artisans.
NUMU TALK EXPLORES LOS GATOS IN THE 1960S
Curator Amy Long will discuss the museum's current exhibition, "I Know a Place," and share her own experiences living in Los Gatos in the 1960s on Friday, May 22, from 11-11:45 a.m. at NUMU, 106 E. Main St. The event is free.
AFRICA DAY CELEBRATION SET FOR MAY 23
An indoor celebration of African heritage, history, and culture will take place Saturday, May 23, in Los Gatos. The event features Afrobeat and traditional African music,
storytelling circles, a flag parade, food, and art, with live music from Riddim Exchange. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
AROUND THE COUNTY
MARVEL ARTIST LEADS SUPERHERO COMIC WORKSHOP MAY 13
Marvel Entertainment comic artist Jerry Decaire will lead a superhero drawing workshop at the Campbell Express Library, 77 Harrison Ave., on Wednesday, May 13, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Decaire has illustrated titles featuring the X-Men, Thor, Deadpool, Hawkeye, and others. The event is geared toward teenagers. Registration is required. Learn more at sccld.org.
BOOGIE MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN CAMPBELL
The 47th annual Boogie music festival will take place May 16-17 in Downtown Campbell. The free two-day event features four entertainment stages, live music, food vendors, beer and wine, artisan booths, and a Kids Zone. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
JAPANESE PAPER ARTS WORKSHOP AT CAMPBELL LIBRARY MAY 17
Campbell Library will host a Mizuhiki Japanese paper arts workshop on Sunday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will learn to create the Awaji Knot using traditional paper cords in a craft with 1,500-year-old roots. Registration is required. Learn more at sccld.org
KIWANIS HOSTS DIVISION MIXER MAY 21
The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos will join a division-wide get-together on Wednesday, May 21, from 5-7 p.m. at The Garrett, 1777 S. Bascom Ave., Unit E, in Campbell. Kiwanians from across the division are welcome.
CAMPBELL MIXER FOR AGES 50+ SET FOR MAY 26
A social mixer for adults 50 and older will be held Monday, May 26, from 7-9 p.m. at Tessora's Wine Bar, 234 E. Campbell Ave. The event features a structured icebreaker game. Advance tickets are $45; $55 at the door.
A guide to hearing health
BY MARCIA FARISS, M. A., F-AAA
May is National SpeechLanguage-Hearing Month. This month, we’re tackling the hearing side of the equation, answering some of the most common questions about hearing health and hearing loss.
Q: What can I do to hear and understand better?
A: Face the person you're speaking with and stay in the same room. Facial expressions, mouth movements, and gestures all help. Avoid loud environments when possible, including power tools, concerts, and construction sites. When you can't avoid them, wear proper ear protection, ranging from foam earplugs to noise-canceling earphones. Don't put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. Use over-the-counter ear wax removers or see your doctor for excess buildup.
If you notice sudden hearing changes or have ear pain, bleeding, or drainage, seek medical attention promptly. And don't wait years between suspecting a hearing loss and getting it evaluated. Finally, a healthy lifestyle helps. What's good for your heart and brain is generally good for your hearing.
Q: My family thinks I have a hearing loss, but I think my hearing is fine. Who's right?
A: Your family may well be correct. People with mild to moderate high-frequency loss often don't notice it themselves, while those around them observe missed words and misunderstood conversations.
Q: Who should I see if I think I might have a hearing loss?
A: If you have ear pain, bleeding, or other symptoms, start with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor or otologist to rule out treatable conditions.
If you have no symptoms, you can go directly to an audiologist. Audiologists hold an Au.D. (doctorate in audiology) and perform comprehensive hearing evaluations, explain results, and recommend next steps, which may include monitoring, hearing aids, or aural rehabilitation.
Hearing aid specialists receive more limited training focused on basic testing and fitting aids. Some are excellent, but the level of education and clinical oversight varies.
Q: I can hear fine, but I struggle to understand conversations in noisy rooms. Is something wrong?
A: Not necessarily, up to a point. When background noise matches or exceeds the speaker's volume, difficulty understanding is normal. But starting as early as age 35, our ability to separate wanted speech from competing noise begins to decline.
Difficulty understanding speech in groups and noise is also a hallmark of hearing loss.
Age-related (presbycusis) and noise-induced losses tend to affect high-frequency hearing, which is critical for word clarity. You may hear "boo-boo" clearly while missing "sue-sue" entirely, especially in noise.
Q: How often should I get my hearing tested?
A: Immediately if there's a sudden change or ear problem. Otherwise, a comprehensive audiology evaluation every 12 to 18 months is generally sufficient if neither you nor your family suspects a decline.
Q: I can't afford hearing aids. What about over-the-counter options?
A: OTC hearing aids are a relatively recent option and can help people with mild losses. However, they come without professional fitting, follow-up, or guidance on what's best for your specific loss. Consulting a
trained professional remains the better choice when possible.
Q: Can hearing loss be corrected?
A: Sometimes. Conductive losses caused by ear infections, otosclerosis, or perforated eardrums may be treatable with medical or surgical intervention. Inner-ear losses typically cannot be corrected that way.
The exception is a cochlear implant, which is reserved for those whose hearing loss is too severe for standard aids. The surgery is complex and requires a specially trained physician. After implantation, intensive therapy and consistent practice are essential for learning to interpret sound.
Questions? Contact The Outlook or Marcia Fariss, M.A., F-AAA, at hear@gizmology. com
Between the Pages: A little different, a little the same — top reads from 2011-2018
BY LLOYD RUSSELL
I've got something a little different and a little the same for this month. How is that possible, you ask? Well, it's a legitimate question. I started writing my blog — booksage. blogspot.com — in 2011, and at the end of every year I posted my top books. Why am I telling you this? Because most of these books have not been mentioned in my Outlook articles, and they are definitely worth mentioning. Some will look familiar, but I think most might not. Allowing for the fact that a few are part of a series (you'll have to discover that for yourselves), here are my top books for 2011-2018. If you have not read them, take a look. They cover a wide range of genres. In the order read, starting with 2011:
Hart, John – “The Last Child” Hart, John – “Iron House” Diffenbaugh, Vanessa – “The Language of Flowers”
Picoult, Jodi – “The Storyteller”
Hoffman, Beth – “Saving CeeCee Honeycutt”
Moyes, JoJo – “Me Before You”
AI scams are getting smarter.
Here's how to stay one step ahead
BY JAMES CHE
Your phone rings. The caller sounds exactly like someone you love, and they need urgent help. You hear the familiar voice of a child, a relative, or a spouse. Your heart rate climbs. Then the caller tells you not to tell anyone else, just to send money fast. Something feels off, though. There's a slight delay in the speech, and the words feel oddly flat.
What you may not realize is that you're not talking to a loved one at all. The caller is an AI-generated voice built from just seconds of audio scraped from the web, and you were seconds away from losing thousands of dollars.
It sounds like science fiction, but reports of AI-driven scams are rising fast.
With the rapid spread of AI tools, some bad actors are exploiting these advances to scam victims by instilling fear and manufacturing urgency. Three types of scams are most common: voice clone calls, AI deepfake videos, and
Franklin-Willis, Amy – “The Lost Saints of Tennessee”
Hoffman, Beth — “Looking for Me”
Diaz, Sue – “Minefields of the Heart”
Kline, Christine Baker –“Orphan Train”
Archer, Jeffrey – “Be Careful What You Wish For”
Moyes, JoJo – “After You”
Andre, Bella, and Skully, Jennifer – “Breathless in Love”
Jio, Sarah – “Goodnight June”
Follett, Ken – “Edge of Eternity”
Archer, Jeffrey – “Mightier Than the Sword”
Gawande, Atul – “Being Mortal”
Andre, Bella, and Skully, Jennifer – “Reckless in Love”
Herron, Rachael – “Splinters of Light”
Eisler, Barry – “The God's Eye View”
Coben, Harlan – “Fool Me Once”
Backman, Fredrik – “A Man Called Ove”
Archer, Jeffrey – “Cometh the Hour”
Towles, Amor – “A Gentleman in Moscow”
Oakley, Colleen — “Close Enough to Touch”
Jenoff, Pam — “The Orphan's Tale”
Hepworth, Sally — “The Things We Keep”
Quinn, Kate — “The Alice Network”
Belle, Kimberly — “The Marriage Lie”
Hepworth, Sally — “The Mother's Promise”
Shaffer, Mary Ann, and Barrows, Annie — “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”
Tahir, Sabaa — “An Ember in the Ashes”
Hepworth, Sally — “The Secrets of Midwives”
Andre, Bella, and Skully, Jennifer — “Irresistible in Love”
Harmel, Kristin — “The Life Intended”
Senate, Melissa — “The Love Goddess' Cooking School”
Harmel, Kristin — “The Room on Rue Amelie”
Harmel, Kristin — “The Sweetness of Forgetting”
Moyes, JoJo — “Still Me”
Poeppel, Amy — “Limelight” Chamberlain, Diane — “The Dream Daughter”
Center, Katherine — “How to Walk Away”
Wingate, Lisa — “Before We Were Yours”
Owens, Delia — “Where the Crawdads Sing”
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.)
AI-generated text messages. Fortunately, most of them share five telltale warning signs.
The first is urgency and pressure. Scammers weaponize urgency to make victims feel cornered, as though they must act immediately or something terrible will happen. Common phrases include "ACT NOW!", "Don't tell anyone else," and "Time is running out."
The second sign is a request for payment through untraceable channels such as cryptocurrency or gift cards, which scammers favor precisely because they can't be easily traced.
The third sign is a refusal to verify identity. Most scammers only know surface-level details about you or the people you know, so they'll stumble over personal questions like, "What's your mother's maiden name?"
The fourth sign is noticeable imperfections: frequent pauses, a flat tone, or slightly unnatural cadence caused by AI models imperfectly mimicking a human voice.
The fifth is an unfamiliar number or a slightly altered
email address. An email from "contact@paaypall.vip" asking for your password is almost certainly not legitimate, and the same suspicion applies to calls from unknown numbers. While scams are growing more sophisticated, protecting yourself doesn't have to be complicated. Knowing the signs matters, but so does slowing down. When you receive a sudden call from an unknown number, don't respond immediately. Take a moment to check whether you recognize the number. If the caller claims to be someone you know, ask a specific personal question,
something only that person would know. Try to verify with a second person before taking any action. And before doing anything else, step away and take a breath. Urgency is a scammer's most powerful tool, and the best thing you can do is refuse to let it work.
The next time you get a message from an unknown number or an urgent request from a suspicious email address, remember that recognizing the signs can protect you. As scams grow more sophisticated, staying informed about technology helps you navigate an increasingly complex digital world.
Right here in Saratoga, SASCC offers free, hands-on technology support through SASCC Tech, where volunteers are available to answer questions about devices and applications. Drop-in sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the Saratoga Senior Center, next to Saratoga City Hall. Scammers are exploiting AI to deceive unsuspecting people, but pausing to assess the situation can make all the difference.
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May is Better Hearing Month
Christine Throm, Au D
Each May we raise awareness around communication and hearing, and the goal is to give you the tools you need to achieve the best hearing health possible.
Healthy hearing is vital to our ability to communicate with others and navigate the world around us. In America today, however, approximately 15 % (37.5 million) of people experience some form of hearing loss, and about 10% of Americans struggle with a communication disorder. Knowing your options for prevention and treatment is key, so here are six things you can do now to make sure you and your loved ones have healthy hearing and communication for many years to come!
1. Prioritize education. The first step to understanding and taking control of hearing loss or communication disorders is knowledge. In this age of information, we can learn anything, and this is no exception: a couple of great websites to start are www.hearingloss.org and www. idainstitute.com/tools
2. Educate others. Once you have learned something new, spread the word! Your friends and family may not understand the things you’ve just learned, so take the time to tell them that way, you will all be on the same page, and they can help you in your healthy hearing journey
3. Get examined. Hearing screenings are so easy they are quick and painless, and they can make a huge difference in your hearing health. Just one quick hearing screening a year can alert you to any changes in your hearing health, so you can take steps to stop hearing loss in its tracks before you even notice it yourself and prevent further damage.
4. Protect yourself. Do you watch fireworks shows at sporting events or holidays? Do you go to concerts or use a lawnmower? Or maybe you work in a noisy factory setting. If you are ever in a noisy environment, hearing protection is vital to preserving your hearing health. Any noise exposure over 85 decibels (about how loud it is at a restaurant) can cause irreversible hearing damage so grab those earplugs!
5. Give up the cotton swabs. You may have heard that cotton swabs are not the best way to clean your ears, but did you know they can be dangerous? Pushing a cotton swab too deep into your ear can even puncture an eardrum, or they may push earwax more deeply into your ear canal. Instead, use a gentler method of cleaning your ears, if you do it at all, such as using a towel to gently wipe the outer portion of your ear.
6. There is an app for that. It seems there is an app for everything these days and noise levels are no exception! Download a decibel app on your phone, and you can measure the noise pollution anywhere you go. If it goes above 85 decibels, whip out your handy ear plugs and protect your hearing health! No matter what your current hearing health, you can take control of your situation to prevent further hearing loss and prolong your hearing health as long as possible.
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, 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, AIdriven audiology tools
Friday, August 21, 2026: Hearing Loss, Cognitive Decline & Dementia (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
Resolve to optimize your hearing! If you have even minimal hearing loss, consider hearing aid options. Hearing aids can help to keep your brain active and prevent further hearing loss, so if you have minor hearing loss, hearing aids are a worthy investment to.
Owner/Audiologist
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.
Audiologist
Suite 8, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (on the corner of National and Los Gatos-Almaden Rd.) www.LosGatosAudiology.com
Dr. Christine Throm
Dr. Kelly Brennan
Is Your Mouth Driving Your Health Complications?
by James Lin, DMD, FAGD Los Gatos Dentist
We spend our later years hyper-focused on heart health and blood sugar, yet we often ignore the very gateway to our well-being It isn't just a coincidence that systemic health declines as we age it’s often driven by a hidden passenger
Long term scientific research has shown that gum disease is a primary engine behind many of the health complications we face after 65. Despite this, nearly half of all older adults are living with an active infection in their mouth and don’t even know it
Dementia and Alzheimer Disease: Gum disease may contribute to altered brain function, potentially increasing the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease, even in individuals with initially “normal cognition ”
Heart Disease: Gum disease increases inflammation throughout the body Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and contribute to clogged arteries, raising your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Diabetes: Gum disease makes it harder to manage blood sugar, while high blood sugar worsens gum problems It’s a cycle that requires proactive care
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Common in older adults due to medications, dry mouth reduces saliva’s protective effects, increasing the risk of cavities and infections
There are two paths in how we age One path is Preservation: a proactive strategy to eliminate or manage disease before it causes more damage The other is Crisis: a vicious cycle of reacting to pain and patchwork repairs
choose to take a proactive approach with their own health rather than be reactive If you’re looking for a partner who values your long-term vitality as much as you do, you’ve found the right place
No Insurance? No problem!
We understand that many older adults still want thoughtful, comprehensive dental care, but put off dental visits due to a fixed income or no longer having dental insurance We listened, and created our very popular Dental Savings Plan to make dentistry more affordable with clear, honest pricing This year we’ve added even more savings and exclusive partnerships with local specialists
Are you ready to trade a cycle of crisis for a life of stability? We specialize in customized plans for people who want to feel like themselves again socializing without hesitation and eating without worry We want to hear your story Give us a call to regain control of your life!
“I highly recommend Dr Lin and his staff I have had quite a bit of dental work done over the past year and they have done a remarkable job They are professional, skilled, thorough, great communicators, and transparent with pricing
Dr Lin explains his rationale behind treatment plans and makes sure they align with my dental health goals I am usually very anxious about going to the dentist but I feel comfortable and confident in the care I receive with Dr Lin ”
YOU ARE THE KEEPER OF BEGINNINGS, THE SILENT ARCHITECT OF WHO WE BECOME, YOUR PRESENCE WOVEN INTO THE MARROW OF OUR EXISTENCE. YOU HOLD THE WEIGHT OF GENERATIONS IN YOUR HANDS, PRESSING LOVE INTO THE FABRIC OF TIME, A QUIET FORCE SHAPING THE UNIVERSE OF OUR DAYS. YOUR VOICE IS THE ECHO IN THE CHAMBERS OF MEMORY, A GUIDEPOST IN DARKNESS, A SANCTUARY IN STORMS.
YOU ARE THE BREATH BEHIND OUR FIRST WORDS, THE STEADY GROUND BENEATH OUR FALTERING STEPS, THE UNSEEN GUARDIAN OF EVERY BROKEN MOMENT. AND WHEN WE ARE LOST— ADRIFT IN THE VASTNESS OF LONGING YOUR TOUCH YOUR KNOWING YOUR BOUNDLESS
