Grant awarded to Hakone Estate and Gardens
On June 7, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a County Historical Heritage Grant to Hakone Estate and Gardens in Saratoga. The grant will support the restoration of the 1932 Mon (Main Gate) roof originally built by brothers Shinzaburo and Gentaro Nishiura.
“I’m delighted that our County can provide continued support for Hakone, one of our region’s cultural treasures,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian. “Each incremental step we take to restore Hakone’s traditional Japanese architecture preserves opportunities for future generations to learn and appreciate the culture and history.”
Hakone Estate and Gardens is a designated City of Saratoga Historic Landmark, as well as a designated Historic District. In 2013, Hakone was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Owned by the City of Saratoga and operated by the non-profit Hakone Foundation, Hakone is amid a multi-year, multi-phase capital campaign to restore the property and address deferred maintenance. Due to significant age and deterioration, the cedar shingles are no longer able to protect the Mon from water damage, impacting the integrity of the roof.
“The support the County of Santa Clara gives to maintain historic properties will ensure that these gems will be here for future generations to enjoy,” said Shozo Kagoshima, executive director of Hakone Foundation. “Hakone Estate and Gardens has been an important asset to the community for over 100 years. Since becoming a public park, it has helped play an important role in providing an outlet for visitors to connect with Japanese culture through its gardens, programs and exhibits.”
Prior grants from the County have supported the restoration of the Lower House, Wisteria Pavilion, Tea Garden Gate, Moon Bridge, Wishing Well, pond system restoration, and Azuyama foundation and roof. In 2021, Hakone also received support to replace and improve the outdated pathway system which will make the pathways more stable and level and improve safety and access for visitors.
Santa Clara County residents receive free admission the first Tuesday of the month from March to October, and the first Saturday of the month November through February.
For information, visit hakone.com/home.
Hike nude at Lupin Lodge
Lupin Lodge in Los Gatos will participate in International Hike Nude Day on June 21 at 6pm.
Lupin members and guests are invited to hike nude on the Lupin trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains. After checking in at the office, meet at the Lupin pool lawn for stretching with Myla followed by a hike lasting between 45 minutes to an hour.
In addition to hiking, Lupin has a pool, sauna, hot tub, billiards, table tennis, volleyball and pickle/tennis courts, camp fire pit, overnight accommodations, full service restaurant and picnicking on more than 100 acres surrounded by nature.
This is Lupin Lodge’s first time hosting a hike for International Hike Nude Day. Participation for this event in U.S. National Parks began in 2005. Lupin was founded in 1935. The hiking trails were created in the 1940s by founding members and enjoyed and maintained ever since.
This is a non-sexual environment. Lupin is woman-owned and -operated and has a no photography policy.
Registration is $30 per person from 9am to noon. The hike is free for Lupin members.
A weekly hike is held every Sunday during the summer. The hiking trails are open from dawn to dusk for self-guided hikes, 365 days a year.
Attendees are encouraged to bring walking shoes, a water bottle, towel and sunblock. A yoga mat is optional for stretching. Dinner is available from 5-6pm.
Lane closures scheduled in Monte Sereno
Caltrans will perform daytime closures at the intersection of Highway 9 and Austin Way in Monte Sereno.
Temporary closures are needed for crews to construct the Bike Safety Improvement Project. Lane closures are scheduled to begin on June 15 and be complete by August.
Northbound and southbound lane closures will take place Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm.
Camposano recognized at Lehigh University
Max Camposano of Los Gatos was named to the Dean’s List at Lehigh University for the Spring 2022 semester.
Dean’s List status is awarded to students who earned a scholastic average of 3.6 or better while carrying at least 12 hours of regularly graded courses.
Lehigh University is based in Bethlehem, Penn.
Locals inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
The following Los Gatos residents were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines:
• Charles Chadwick, at San Jose State University
• Raquel Boales, at San Jose State University
• Westin Bolliger, at San Jose State University
They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.
Phi Kappa Phi’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”
Korb named to Dean’s List at Hofstra University
Cassandra Korb of Los Gatos excelled during the Spring 2022 semester at Hofstra University, achieving a GPA of at least 3.5 to earn a spot on the Dean’s List.
Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university in Hempstead, N.Y.
