Santa Clara County Parks celebrates 25 years of Fantasy of Lights
Santa Clara County Parks is commemorating the 25th anniversary of Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos.
More than 25,000 vehicles are expected to drive through the park for the duration of the event.
From Dec. 5-30, the public is invited to experience the 1.5-mile drive-thru adorned with holiday lights and more than 50 themed holiday displays. Displays include a dinosaur den with an erupting volcano, penguins, Santa shooting hoops and a tunnel of moving lights.
To secure admission, tickets must be purchased in advance as no tickets will be sold at the gate. Tickets can be purchased by the desired day and time of entrance (30-minute periods between 6-9:30pm).
Admission is $30 per vehicle (up to 12 people), $50 large vehicle (capacity 13-20) or $100 oversized vehicle (capacity 21-plus). Processing fees are additional.
Vasona Lake County Park is located at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. For information and tickets, visit parkhere.org or call 408.355.2201.
‘Fentanyl High’ screening sells out
Los Gatos High School senior Kyle Santoro is hosting the premiere of his documentary film, “Fentanyl High,” on Dec. 6 at the CineLux Los Gatos Theatre.
Open to the community at no charge, this event sold out within days of being announced, and is currently accepting people on the waiting list at tinyurl.com/4brj6b72.
Shot from the perspective and experiences of high school students in Santa Clara County, “Fentanyl High” is a documentary film about fentanyl poisoning that explores the brain chemistry behind why fentanyl kills and the cartel to social media to smartphones pipeline.
The film also explores how teens are dealing with their emotional pain with peers and at home, the high school party culture, how they have gotten to the point where they have decided to buy what they mistakenly think are Adderall, OxyContin, Percocet or Xanax from a stranger on social media, and what needs to change in the community, at school, and at home to save lives.
Initially screened this past spring to a sold-out audience of more than 400 people, viewers had the opportunity to stay for a panel discussion with members of the cast, experts of fentanyl poisoning, parents of teens who died from fentanyl poisoning, school administrators and members of the community. In addition, audience members had the opportunity to submit feedback on the documentary, including the film’s content, structure, style and emotional impact.
“Our staff and students have been incredible champions in this fight against fentanyl,” Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson said. “From training all our staff on Narcan last Fall, hosting events to educate students, parents and our community on this epidemic, and Kyle’s incredibly talented work showcased in this documentary, each touchpoint is an opportunity to save a life.”
While this screening is sold out, Santoro said that he is currently arranging for another date to share his film following the December screening. Additionally, people can join the waiting list to see the film on Dec. 6 or work with Santoro to schedule a screening in their community.
Author series welcomes Mitch Albom
Santa Clara County Library District’s Distinguished Author Series will present a discussion with Mitch Albom on Dec. 1 at 11am at the Orchard City Banquet Hall, 1 W. Campbell Ave.
Albom’s latest novel, “The Little Liar,” explores honesty, survival, revenge and devotion in a story set during the Holocaust. The novel was released on Nov. 14.
“The versatility of Mitch Albom is unparalleled, as he has covered a variety of genres in the fiction and nonfiction fields of writing,” County Librarian Jennifer Weeks said. “He made a name for himself as a renowned sports journalist, touched our hearts with the beloved memoir ‘Tuesdays with Morrie,’ and enthralled readers with ‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven.’ This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to learn about Mr. Albom’s brand new book, The Little Liar.”
The talk will be followed by Q&A and a book signing.
The Distinguished Author Series is free and open to the public. Register in advance to attend this event at sccld.org/authorseries.
Campbell Library renovation project breaks ground
After years of planning, the City of Campbell and the Santa Clara County Library District held a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 10 for the Campbell Library renovation project.
Officials taking part in the ceremony included Campbell Mayor Anne Bybee, Vice Mayor Susan Landry, City Councilmembers Sergio Lopez, Dan Furtado and Elliot Scozzola, City Manager Brian Loventhal, Santa Clara County Library District County Librarian Jennifer Weeks and the Friends of the Campbell Library.
“Campbell is a friendly, dynamic and diverse city, reflecting our residents,” Loventhal said. “We are very excited to be breaking ground today on the Campbell Library Renovation Project and to provide our community with the modern conveniences and excellent facilities and services they deserve.”
The fully renovated Campbell Library at 77 Harrison Ave. is designed as a flexible space. The library will offer popular collections of materials for all ages, family programs, free WiFi, meeting rooms, a Community Room, children’s play spaces, and dedicated spaces for children, teens and adults.
“The Campbell Library is a cherished resource for the residents of Campbell,” Weeks said. “With the full renovation offering bright, open and welcoming spaces, we look forward to providing Campbell residents a destination to read, relax, attend a program, learn a new skill, or get together with others to work, study and socialize.”
Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2025.
For information about the Campbell Library renovation project and the new Campbell Police facility, visit campbellca.gov/574/Measure-O—Civic-Center-Improvements.
San Jose Downtown Ice prepares for skating season
San Jose Downtown Ice opens Nov. 17 for families from throughout the Bay Area who have made ice skating at the iconic rink a holiday tradition.
“This is Downtown Ice’s 26th season since its debut in 1994,” said Alex Stettinski, CEO of event partner San Jose Downtown Association. “Children whose parents took them to skate downtown years ago are now moms and dads bringing their kids to enjoy our rink and all that downtown San Jose has to offer during the holidays.”
The circular rink located in and around the Circle of Palms plaza at 120 S. Market St. will be open daily through Jan. 15. Ninety-minute sessions will occur every two hours.
Special Ice, the largest operator of seasonal outdoor rinks in California, will produce this year’s skating experience.
“Downtown Ice is an iconic event that leaves a lasting impression,” said Emery Lykins, president of Special Ice. “We’re excited to be a part of the rink’s history, to contribute to this amazing city and hopefully usher in a revitalized future for the rink.”
Tickets can be purchased online at sjdowntownice.com.
