Nature Center prepares for reopening
The Youth Science Institute Nature Center is set for a grand reopening on May 28 from 11am to 1pm.
The public is invited to explore the new nature dioramas depicting the wildlife community living along Los Gatos Creek as it flows into Vasona Lake. Guests can also view drawers of wildlife artifacts to learn how animals thrive in their native habitats.
The YSI Nature Center is located at Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. The center is open to the public from Monday–Friday, 9am–4:30pm, and Saturday from 11am–3pm.
Local school administrators honored
The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 8 recognized the 2022 Administrators of the Year at its Recognition and Awards Celebration at Villa Ragusa in Campbell on April 29.
ACSA Region 8 recognized 18 total Administrators of the Year from eight Santa Clara County school districts and the Santa Clara Office of Education.
Among the honorees were Mary Lonhart and Misty Hartung of Los Gatos Union School District.
ACSA Region 8 is made up of nearly 400 schools and more than 30 school districts, serving over 260,000 students within Santa Clara County.
“We are so proud of the Santa Clara County administrators recognized at both the regional and state level,” said Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools. “Your outstanding work continues to have a positive impact on the County’s students, families, staff and community. We are truly grateful for your dedication to student and school success.”
County shows support for low income, senior services
On a motion from County Supervisor Joe Simitian, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan May 3 to continue support for projects serving adults, older adults, and families who have lower incomes in the West Valley.
“When wisely deployed, federal grant funding has tangible benefits right here in our West Valley communities,” Simitian said. “Older adults and families of modest means will be able to continue to access local programs that affect their daily lives, including housing opportunities and choices and supportive services.”
Programs and projects receiving support include:
• Adult Day Care programs in Los Gatos and Saratoga through Live Oak Adult Day Services and the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council
• Legal assistance for older adults in Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Campbell through Senior Adults Legal Assistance
• Case management and assistance connecting families and individuals who are low income to needed resources through West Valley Community Services’ Community Access to Resources and Education program
• Capital upgrades to the Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center.
Funds will also be used to support the Opportunity Services Center in Palo Alto, which provides housing counseling and services for households at risk of eviction and/or homelessness.
Funding for these services was approved as part of the county’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan for use of federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Act programs. The county anticipates receiving an estimated $4.2 million from these programs, which will be distributed to fund 16 public service projects, two capital improvement projects, fair housing services, minor home repairs for homeowners who are low income, and the development of affordable housing projects.
“This funding gives local communities the ability to decide how to best support the needs of their residents,” Simitian said. “It really does give local folks the ability to make local choices about local needs.”
The Action Plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for final approval and allocation of funds. For information, visit bit.ly/3shNfoD.
