LosGatosObserver.com

No more congenial way to enjoy music on a summer evening exists than Los Gatos’ venerable Jazz on the Plazz. The setting retains a small-town Americana feel, and the town’s many coffee shops and restaurants are easily at hand for pre-show snacking or an after-concert meal.

The talented Robin McKelle will be featured at tonight?s event. Influenced by her mother who sang in a church choir, McKelle paid her dues in small R&B groups.

From Family Fun Tennis Tournaments and Cirque du Magique at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley, to Sunset Concerts at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town this week.

From helping fight blood cancer at Los Gatos Neighborhood Center, to viewing local art at the Los Gatos Town Council Chambers, to the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center’s annual gala — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town this week.

LOMA PRIETA WINERY’S Paul Kemp is a pinot pioneer. But not that pinot. I’m talking pinotage. The pinotage grape is relatively unknown outside South Africa, where it was developed 85 years ago as a cross between pinot noir and cinsault.

From a hands-on Microsoft Excel workshop at the Los Gatos Recreation Center, to Uncle Jer’s Bee Show at the Library, to a Chamber of Commerce March Mixer at Moore Pontiac Buick GMC — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town this week.

Green dots the crowd of 750 runners lining up at the start line. Socks with leprechauns and four leaf clovers decorate the assembled. As the start is called, the group surges forward.

From Irish celebrations at C.B. Hannegans, to knitting groups at the library, to the Blind Pilots jamming at Number One Broadway — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town.

From blood drives at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, to Jam Funkshus at Number One Broadway, to tours of Testarossa Winery — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town.

The town of Los Gatos needs to find new ways to save money, according to a recently released mid-year budget report.

Amateur photographers in Los Gatos will be snapping pictures all over town until April 16. That’s when entries for the annual Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Photo Contest are due. The award is still being sorted out, but the prizes given out in past years have included photography lessons, bottles of wine and gift certificates to local restaurants.

A Simcha Fair at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Fitness Bootcamp at Mulberry School and Spanish story time at the Los Gatos Public Library — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town.

Valentine’s Day Brunches at Testarossa Winery, to live painting demos at the Peabody Fine Art Gallery, to dancing to DJ Tangerine Dream at the Lupin Lounge — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town.

Police in Los Gatos are being followed. Kids biking around town keep an eye out for patrol cars in the area. They aren’t worried about getting in trouble, they just want a free ice cream.

From Super Bowl Parties at the Pavilion, to a pinot nior release at Testarossa Winery, to stress reduction classes at El Camino Hospital — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town.

Two recent back-to-back traffic fatalities in Los Gatos brought surprised gasps from the audience at last night’s town council meeting.

Town manager Greg Larson addressed the accidents at the begining of the meeting, calling them “tragic and sad.”

Mayor Diane McNutt said that these ‘‘horrific accidents’’ should be used as a reminder to town residents to slow down and drive more safely.

‘‘No one needs to be somewhere badly enough to endanger themselves or others like this,’’ McNutt said.

From Fleming Jenkins ice skating parties, to Rotary crab feeds, to dancing to Spang A Lang at Number One Broadway — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town.

Singles Travel Company, based in Los Gatos, gained international attention last month when their first sold-out cougar-themed cruise set sail.

275 single men and women looking for mates inhabited the Carnival cruise ship Elation for three nights in December 2009, garning a huge amount of press along the way for the local travel company.

From studying cool animals at the Vasona Nature Center to e-waste fundraisers at Los Gatos High School to an Obamarama party at the Toll House Hotel — Los Gatos offers citizens plenty to do around town.

Been nursing a toothache, but can’t afford to go to the dentist? You are in luck, because Los Gatos dentist Dr. Richard Evans will be offering his services free of charge on Jan. 22.
Evans and his staff at 14501 S. Bascom Avenue in Los Gatos will be performing complementary X-rays, oral exams and teeth cleanings for up to 50 people next week.

From Bingo at the Neighborhood Center, to student paintings at town hall, to cocktails and smooth jazz at Number One Broadway — Los Gatos offers plenty to do in the third week of the new decade.

Hand-painted cat sculptures by 21 award-winning local artists will go on display throughout downtown Los Gatos on Jan. 5, as part of the upcoming Touch my HeART 2010 fundraiser for the Museums of Los Gatos. Families are encouraged to bring their children to tour the feline figures, who’ve been adopted by local businesses, to find the hidden heart on each sculpture.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos for Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Check out this community calendar for December 24-31, 2009.

Los Gatos Police arrested two suspects yesterday for a string of auto burglaries that occurred Sunday along Camino Del Cerro in Los Gatos. Ten cars were reportedly broken into in the early morning hours of Dec. 19, 2009.

Ten questions with Nick Difu, owner of Los Gatos culinary fixture Nick’s on Main. What does this busy chef like best about the town, what does he do on his days off, and what’s his favorite spot?

On Saturday October 3, the town of Los Gatos and city of Monte Sereno are holding garage sales as part of a community wide effort to promote recycling, reuse and community building.

Ten questions with Los Gatos resident Jonathan Knowles. What does this very active resident like best about the town, who are his favorite residents and what’s his favorite spot? And how does he feel the town can be improved?

Look here for police reports taken by the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department for the days of Aug. 20-25, 2009.

The League reached out to underprivileged mothers and newborns at a charitable baby shower.

British jazz legends Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth will perform at the last Jazz on the Plazz of the summer this Wednesday.

The performance by the 82-year-old duo will close out the seventh season of the annual Wednesday-night concert series at the Los Gatos Town Plaza.

Look here for police reports taken by the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department for the days of Aug. 11-18, 2009.

In 1934, 60,000 gallons of wine were used to battle a fire at the Jesuit Novitiate Winery above Los Gatos because there was not enough water.

The current Lockheed fire raging just over the hill in Bonny Doon is a reminder to take precaution during the fire season.

Local blogger Mary Pope-Handy writes about how to lower your own risk of fire, without wasting any wine.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for August 19-26, 2009. Some highlights of the week: County High School All Stars at Jazz on the Plazz, Joel Nelson at the Toll House, Preston Metcalf at the Art Museum of Los Gatos, Bill Brosseau at Testarossa Winery, Led Zepagain at Music in the Park.

Who knew that playing catch was a crime in Los Gatos? An outdated law was discussed at Monday’s Town Council meeting.

A former Los Gatos gynecologist was found guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery Friday afternoon. Dr. Jose Bolanos inappropriately touched a female patient during an examination in August 2008, according to a news release from the Office of the Santa Clara County District Attorney.

Look here for police reports taken by the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department for the days of Aug. 3-9, 2009.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for August 12-19, 2009.

From checking in on housebound seniors to greeting every new town resident with a smile and packet of information on their doorstep, the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department has made it a priority for the last year to reach out to the community.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for August 6-12, 2009.

Video: We hit the streets to find out what Los Gatans really thought about text messaging while driving. One woman said her method allows for “some vision of the road,” while another man said he stopped texting after nearly crashing on Highway 17. Text messaging while driving makes you 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident, according to research released last week from Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute.

One Los Gatos Police Officer was bit and another nearly struck by a car last Thursday evening as an out-of-control intoxicated Monte Sereno woman led them on a car chase through Los Gatos.

Dave Schaub is about to embark on a journey that seems almost impossible. In his 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster, the 59-year-old Los Gatos resident will be traveling through all 49 of the mainland United States in a mere 9 days.

Video: A two-alarm fire ripped through a historic house on Camino Del Cerro near Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos on July 28. Watch firefighters battle the blaze and hear neighbors’ reactions.

Looking for something interesting to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for July 23 through July 29.

Video: We asked Los Gatans for their thoughts on Swine Flu, which claimed its first Santa Clara County death earlier this month. Although it was declared a global pandemic in June by the World Health Organization, one Los Gatos man wasn’t worried, calling it “a waste of time.” And one student was excited her school might close down after a possible infection. There have been 40,617 confirmed cases and 263 Swine Flu deaths in the United States, 52 of which were in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Los Gatos oil painter Riki R. Nelson will be debuting her new collection of jazz portraits, cityscapes and local bar scenes at Peabody Fine Art Gallery next Monday.

The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is turning up the heat for their tenth anniversary. On Saturday, June 18, revelers will dress up as gangsters and flappers from the ’20s during a “Some Like it Hot” themed party at the Toll House Hotel.

Despite rampant rumors that the Lakeside Elementary School will be closing, community opinion was almost unanimously in favor of keeping the school open at a public forum Wednesday evening.

The Los Gatos Council Chambers are receiving a makeover with new art displayed on the walls this week, highlighting the town’s natural beauty.

Titled “You Are Here,” the exhibit’s theme is “California Landscapes and Locales” and features photography and paintings from local artists Bob Newick, Ed Lucey and Nancy Martin.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for July 15 through July 25.

Though July is “Summer Energy Savings” month for the town of Los Gatos, local environmentalists are worried that the community is not taking advantage of the many carbon footprint-reducing services offered in town.

There were two points of contention at Wednesday’s Los Gatos Planning Commission meeting. One was the stature of a private residence and the other was a permit request for a veterinary clinic.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for July 10 through July 17.

While it’s well known that the History Museum of Los Gatos is full of historical artifacts from back when the town was still called Forbestown, few people realize that the museum also houses an extensive collection of records listing every death in Los Gatos for over eight decades.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos this week? Check out this community calendar for July 6 through July 9.

June 23, 2009

Narcotics, 634 W. Parr Ave., Los Gatos, 11:35pm. A 20-year-old woman was cited for possessing less than one ounce of marijuana.

Assault, Andrews Street at Rose Ave., Los Gatos, 8:19am. A 21-year-old man was arrested for battering his girlfriend, using force to keep her from getting away from him, and fleeing from police when they arrived at his residence.

Marcia Jean Newhall, a longtime Los Gatos resident, died June 13, 2009 at the age of 69.

Community members and commissioners grappled over the proposed construction of an 80,345 square foot commercial self-storage building along Los Gatos Creek at yesterday’s Town of Los Gatos Planning Commission Meeting.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for June 25-July 2.

People filled the Los Gatos Town Plaza Wednesday evening to enjoy the kickoff of Jazz on the Plazz. Concert goers sat in chairs, sipped on wine and listened to Dennis Rowland and the Full Spectrum Jazz big band. The weather was perfect as Los Gatans danced the night away or people watched with friends. Residents also weighed in on the new blanket ban.

Jazz on the Plazz is back this summer with hot lineups of some of the Bay Area’s best jazz performers, along with new restrictions. The annual Wednesday-night concert series deputes its 2009 season on June 24 with the musical stylings of crooner Dennis Rowland and the Full Spectrum Jazz big band. However, attendees will have to abide by a new “no blanket policy” at all Los Gatos summer concerts this year.

Enrico “Tony” Armando Motroni, a longtime Los Gatos resident and PG&E employee, died April 27, 2008 at the age of 85 after battling bone cancer.

Hundreds of business professionals gathered at the Silicon Valley Auto Group dealership in Los Gatos yesterday for an evening of fun and spirits tasting hosted by Infobayarea.com.

Looking for something to do around Los Gatos? Check out this community calendar for June 18-25.

With a public career on the Los Gatos Town Council marked by controversy and open hostility toward his fellow councilmembers, Steve Glickman now seems to want to retire from politics with as much tumult as possible. As the main financial backer of two initiatives currently being floated, Glickman has caused tempers to flare around the idyllic community. Citizens are picketing at the Farmers Market, and shouting at Town Council meetings about him and his initiatives.

A summer entertainment calendar for the Town of Los Gatos.

Look here for upcoming Town Council, commission and committee meetings for the months of June and July, 2009.

David Paulides, a Los Gatos resident and Bigfoot expert, introduced and signed his new book “Tribal Bigfoot” in Felton on Sunday.
Paulides spoke to about 50 people who had gathered at the Bigfoot Discovery Museum off of Highway 9 to hear his theories on the mythic forest-dwelling biped. A former Santa Clara Valley detective who now heads the Los-Gatos based North America Bigfoot Search, Paulides says Bigfoot is far more human than mainstream culture is willing to believe.

Los Gatos author David Paulides will be discussing and signing his new book “Tribal Bigfoot” Sunday, June 7 at the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton.
At the event, titled “Bigfoot BBQ,” Paulides will speak on the relationship between Native Americans and Bigfoot sightings. A 20-year Santa Clara Valley detective and Los Gatos resident, Paulides is the driving force behind the Silicon Valley-based North America Bigfoot Search, an organization dedicated to the research and investigation of Bigfoot living in northern California.

Los Gatos citizens who want to help shape the town’s general plan are invited to give input at a community workshop on June 6. Greg Larson, town manager, said he is confident that the general plan update will address the needs of youth, seniors, recreation, and environmental concerns in the town.