Opinion

Happiness is something we all pursue, but sometimes we take it too seriously. Some people treat happiness as a goal to be achieved, while others treat happiness as if it is a key business performance indicator. But in doing so, we miss the things...

The Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC) recently reported to the Town Council, detailing deficiencies in the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services in Los Gatos. CHSSC’s possible next step, subject to council approval, will be to develop a roadmap to...

Is it really bye bye to Dinah’s Log? Bye bye to Dinah’s Weekly Log? Please no no! This little “log” provides a sense of belonging in our small town. It’s the place where we check out the delightful highlights of the coming week, where we’ll see...

We live in a society that often views aging through a lens of decline. From advertisements promising to “reverse the aging process” to assumptions that older adults are disengaged or deteriorating, the cultural script is clear—and frequently wrong. But a growing body of research...

I am a lifelong Los Gatos resident and an active member of our community, including serving as vice-president of the Los Gatos Morning Rotary and other community groups. I am very involved in mental health education and advocacy, including serving as co-chair of Santa...

While serving on the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission, I became familiar with many regulars who engaged with local government. One man stood out for his persistence. He wasn’t a crank. He was sharp, well-prepared and articulate. Yet, despite his constructive contributions, he became...

Produce army seeks recruits We are FruitShare.org, an organization founded and run by high school students, dedicated to reducing fruit waste and combating food insecurity in our community. Our mission is to collect and pick surplus fruit from homeowners' backyards and donate it to local...

On a recent car trip, I drove across a set of railroad tracks and noticed a large white sign in bold black letters: “Do Not Stop on Railroad Tracks.” Of course, the sign has a serious purpose. Sadly, there are people in crisis who have...

In our increasingly digital world, it seems we can’t buy a belt or call a bank without being asked to take a survey. These requests have become a routine part of modern life. But not all surveys are created equally, and some are far...

Simitian’s gratitude Thank you for the opportunity to serve in public office for more than 40 years at five different levels: as a local school board member, city council member and mayor, county supervisor, state assemblymember and state senator. At the end of next month, by...