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By Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor When you walk down North Santa Cruz Avenue, it is easy to feel insulated from the harsher realities of Silicon Valley. But every so often, the contrast hits close to home. You might see an unhoused neighbor pushing a shopping...

Like many municipalities, the Town of Los Gatos constantly wrestles with how to manage a complex, high-stakes legal landscape without draining public coffers. As State mandates on housing tighten, and land-use and California Environmental Quality Act issues become more prevalent, the cost of legal counsel...

Seniors make up roughly 14% to 15% of Santa Clara County's current population, but a massive demographic shift is underway. Projections show older adults aged 60+ will account for over 25% of the county's total population by 2030 and could reach 30% by 2060. Roughly...

If you open tourist brochures for Los Gatos, you are likely to see the historic Town Plaza, a Victorian porch in the Almond Grove district, or a parade of shoppers on North Santa Cruz Avenue. It is a highly cultivated, frozen image. However, while downtown...

On Memorial Day weekend in 2003, after attending a convention, my husband Carman L. Smith and I toured our nation’s capital. My last visit was in 1962 a brief one at the White House graciously hosted by then President John Kennedy for young Red...

What Is happiness? Everyday terms: Happiness is feeling joyful, content or satisfied with life. It includes small pleasures as well as a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment. Psychological perspective: Psychologists define happiness as subjective well-being—a combination of positive emotions, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. It...

Who’s ready for a day at the races? The legendary Annual Zucchini Car Races are making a comeback. They’re scheduled to return to the Los Gatos Farmers’ Market Sunday, June 21.  Landing on Father’s Day, this will be a fun way to bond with...

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which means it’s a great time to check in with our loved ones. These days, staying connected online helps us do everything from paying bills and video chatting with family, to finding the perfect recipe. But just like we lock our front doors at night, it’s important to protect ourselves online, too.  Unfortunately, scammers are getting more creative...

There is a specific kind of serenity that comes with life in Los Gatos. It is a stage of existence where “high stakes” usually involves the outcome of a Town Council vote on the precise height of a neighbor’s new perimeter hedge, or whether...

When we were touring our home in Saratoga, the realtor walked us through and pointed out the things that would need updating. The hand-painted ceramic backsplash in the kitchen, with its fruit baskets and trailing ivy, was dated, she said. The oak parquet floors in...