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Where every generation can find their place under the sun
In the classic Bruce Springsteen song, Rosalita “(Come Out Tonight),” the protagonist pleads with his sweetheart to escape the confines of her daddy’s high expectations. He complains that “your papa says he knows that I don’t have any money.” Rosalita’s dad thinks the protagonist...
Utility: Just the ‘hard water’ facts
In nature, water always contains dissolved minerals and nutrients. Water “hardness” is determined by the concentrations of minerals present in a particular water source—specifically calcium and magnesium. Simply put, hard water is mineral water that comes from your tap.
Water containing high amounts of calcium...
Lessons I’ve learned from ‘How Big Things Get Done’
I did not inherit my father’s handyperson skills, although I remember observing him install central air conditioning and successfully accomplishing other large projects at our house in Kings Point, New York. Perhaps seeing a booklet lying around his workroom describing how to build a...
Letters: Losing the forest for the fairway
There’s something deeply unsettling about driving through the gates of La Rinconada Country Club these days. Where there was once a canopy of oaks and the hum of nature, there are now piles of downed logs—a haunting reminder of what’s been lost in the...
Letter: There are more development stories to be told
The recent Los Gatan article describing a scary chapter in Los Gatos history by Alan Feinberg jumped from the horrific 1960s plan to raise the Almond Grove District to the creation of the Almond Grove Historic District in 2008.
Unfortunately, this entirely omitted the several...
How should you respond when someone asks ‘the question’?
“Where are you from?”
It’s a common question, and one that can be quite loaded for people of diverse ethnicities.
On its face, it’s a plain question based on curiosity, filled with nostalgia, or awe.
But it could also carry covert racism and hatred, carrying the connotation...
Red tape and senior services
The Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC) has spent years building programs and resources to help residents thrive. As someone who serves on the commission, I’ve witnessed the positive impact of this work. Yet this year, new rules have made progress harder to...
Letters: Strategic priority hypocrisy?; Kudos for train writing and the Masons event notice; Ralph DiTullio lauded
Why aren’t veterans a priority?
I recently attended the Los Gatos Town’s strategic planning meeting, and noticed a conflict.
Under the goal of Fiscal Stability, “Sell or Lease Certain Town Properties” is listed; yet under the goal of Civic Engagement, “Community Engagement” is listed.
As the Town...
Here’s how Los Gatos can keep its commissions active
During the past few years, I’ve served as a member of the Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC) in Los Gatos. For most of that time, our commission, which is supposed to have six adult members and one youth member, has had one...
Letters: Supervisor says thanks; Girl Scouts fighting plastics pollution; seniors try the bus
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...
