Goodbye 2024.
Have you resolved anything for our new year?
We are still in recovery mode from recent challenges. A favorite restaurant and disco closed recently. We can hope to see old and new friends at new hangouts—and around our extraordinary town. Time continues to march on.
We Los Gatans are resilient, with Covid in the rear view mirror. And now, looking ahead to the bird flu…We got this, Los Gatos! Let’s tear up the 2024 calendar—Oh wait! It is computerized for most of us. What satisfaction is there in that?
I resolve to keep both computer and paper calendars this year, which promises to be a good one.
Welcome 2025.
OUT & ABOUT 2025
DOWNTOWN ICE Circle of Palms, 120 South Market St., San Jose, ice skating open daily through Jan. 20. sjdowntownice.com
HAPPY DRAGON For the first time in 65 years, the thrift shop benefiting Pacific Clinics, a nonprofit organization, is open on Sundays, 1-4pm at 245 W. Main St. And Saturday-Monday 10am-1pm, Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm. Donations accepted Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday 10am-noon. happydragonthriftshop.org
ENVIRONMENT Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District preserves are an ideal setting for a wide range of activities, such as “Habitat Restoration: French Broom Removal” Jan. 2, “History On Two Wheels” Jan. 4, and “Fungal Fun” Jan. 5. openspace.org/where-to-go/what-to-do
FANTASY OF LIGHTS Vasona Park’s light show continues through Jan. 5. Begins at 4pm. For 13-and-up $18.76, youth aged 4-12 $9.35, children 3-and-under are free.
MMMM Monday Monthly Morning Movie at CineLux Los Gatos Theatre, 43 N. Santa Cruz
Jan. 6, at 9:45am. $10 includes: movie, coffee and a pastry. January’s movie? “Mufasa,” the orphan who would be king. Original songs partly by Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame. The primary purpose of MMMM is to provide community socialization for older adults. Any profits go to the LG Thrives Foundation, which supports future events and our new community center planning. losgatosthrives.org.
NATURAL Los Gatos Creek Trail cleanup. Los Gatos High School Key Club, Los Gatos Kiwanis Club. Jan. 11, 10-11:30am, meet at Old Forbes Mill parking lot behind 55 Church St. lgkiwanis.org
URINETOWN THE MUSICAL comes to Saratoga Civic Theatre 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, Jan. 25-Feb. 15. Tickets: southbaymt.com/ A Broadway hit and a Tony Award-winning hilarious satirical musical. Presented by South Bay Musical Theatre.
SLACK KEY Keola Beamer and Jeff Peterson at the Carriage House, Villa Montalvo Feb. 6, 7:30pm, tickets $73-$78. An evening of superb Hawaiian guitar, with dancing by Moanalani Beamer.
GALA FOR BLUE Police Officers Ball, Testarossa Winery, 300 College Ave., March 8, 6:30pm. It’s never too early to plan for a glamorous evening of culinary excellence and fine wines. Black tie optional, seated gourmet dinner supporting Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. lgmspolicefoundation.org
ASIDE Silicon Valley Pizza Week is coming to Los Gatos. It will be a 10-day celebration (Jan. 31-Feb. 9) dedicated to—what else—pizza! The world’s favorite food. Look here for participants, special offers, menus and on website Silicon Valley Pizza Week. Fun Fact: “The first pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria, opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.”
With winter’s chill setting in, most trees now are without their leaves. They look a little forlorn. It’s as if they’re saving up for a springtime burst. Where else in our world do you see palm trees next to statuesque redwoods? The exotic palms and stately redwoods are much like our residents, a mixed bag of amazing folks who choose to make Los Gatos home.
Gotta love it here, winter’s chill and all.
