Los Gatos High Cross Country coach honored
Los Gatos High School Boys Cross Country Coach Paul Lawryk was selected for the 2023 Fall Sport Honor Coaches Award presented by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), Central Coast Section (CCS).
With more than 100 schools as members of CCS, the Honor Coaches Award is presented to those coaches whose colleagues believe have made outstanding contributions at their school, within their league, in the community and to the CCS.
With coaching experience at both Raymond J. Fisher Middle School for three years and Los Gatos High School for the past seven years, Lawryk has coached 20 cross-country state qualifiers, five DeAnza League Championships and two CCS Championships.
“Paul works tirelessly to provide a home for any and all athletes that want to run,” Los Gatos High School Athletic Director Ken Perotti said. “He cares as much about the kids out there running just for fun as he does our kids who will be running at the NCAA level.”
The 2023 Cross Country season is coming to an end with Los Gatos High School Junior Aydon Stefanopoulos winning the CIF Division II State Title at Woodward Park in Fresno, covering the 5K course in 14:58.4, finishing 6.9 seconds faster than the runner-up. Stefanopoulos’ time was eighth-fastest overall.
Kiwanis Club celebrates 100 years with new event
The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos is celebrating 100 years of community service since being established on Dec 20, 1923.
As the oldest international community service organization in Los Gatos, long-term projects and events include the Turn-Around Scholarship for at-risk teens, the traditional egg-hunt with the Easter Bunny at Oak Meadow Park, the Kiwanis Special Games for special needs kids throughout Silicon Valley and the Los Gatos Art & Wine: Fiesta de Artes, which serves as the fundraiser to support these projects and more.
This year, there’s a new event: the Los Gatos Holiday Market on Dec. 16 at the Civic Center. The market will feature 100 artisans, offering handmade wares, and the Key Clubs from Los Gatos High School and Bellarmine Prep will be providing holiday entertainment.
There will also be a food cart from Grocer+Goddess and a beverage booth.
The event benefits local youth programs and the Los Gatos Live Oak Senior Nutrition Center. This program delivered meals throughout the pandemic and continues to be a vital service to the many senior citizens in the area.
Local youth programs that are supported include leadership and community service clubs at the local schools, the robotics team at the high school, art programs and more.
For information, visit lgkiwanis.org.
Behavioral Health Board seeking nominations for awards
The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Board is seeking nominations for the 13th Annual Behavioral Health Community Heroes Awards.
These awards recognize community members who have made a difference in the lives of people with behavioral health challenges.
Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 12, and can be made at bit.ly/2024HeroesNomination.
The Behavioral Health Board will recognize a total of 11 heroes, one in each of the following categories:
• Agency
• Consumers/Clients
• Educator
• Elected Official
• Faith-Based
• Family Member
• Mover and Shaker
• Young Mover and Shaker
• Media
• Program
• Volunteer
Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Behavioral Health Community Heroes Awards on May 1.
Health officers recommend actions to stay healthy for the holidays
As levels of circulating respiratory viruses increase and people spend more time indoors for the holiday season, Bay Area health officers recommend the following actions:
Get vaccinated against Covid-19, flu and RSV
Staying up to date on vaccination is the best way to protect against severe Covid-19, influenza (flu) and RSV disease, officials said. These viruses pose the greatest risk to infants, older adults and persons with certain health conditions.
One dose of this year’s updated Covid-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, at least two months after their last dose. Children 6 months to 4 years of age and immunocompromised persons who have never been vaccinated are recommended to get additional doses.
People without insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of vaccines can get the updated Covid-19 vaccine for free through the Bridge Access Program. Visit vaccines.gov to find a location.
Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine. Children 8 years and younger need two doses the first year they get the flu vaccine.
Adults 60 years and older can get vaccinated against RSV to prevent severe illness. Pregnant people should also get the RSV vaccine at 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect their newborn. RSV vaccines are available at many pharmacies and healthcare providers. Covid-19, flu and RSV vaccines can be given at the same time.
Stay home if you are sick
If you are feeling sick, the best way to keep from spreading illness to others is to stay home as much as you can until you have recovered, no matter which virus you have.
People who need urgent or emergency medical care, including testing or treatment, should not hesitate to seek it.
Test yourself if you feel sick
Reduce the chances of infecting someone else with Covid-19 by finding out if you have the virus. Test right away if you have symptoms of Covid-19, so that you can get treatment if you test positive.
This fall, every household can get up to eight free Covid tests from the U.S. government.
Get treatment
If you test positive for Covid-19, treatment is available. Medication for Covid-19 helps prevent hospitalization and is available to most adults and some teens with even mild symptoms.
Covid-19 treatment works best when started right after symptoms begin, and within five days of symptoms starting.
Talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options or visit Covid19.ca.gov/treatment.
If you test positive for flu, treatment is available for those at high risk for severe illness.
Wear a mask in indoor public places and improve ventilation
For added protection, consider masking in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk for severe disease (over 65 years of age and/or persons with certain health conditions). Wearing a well-fitting high-quality mask, such as a KF94, KN95 or N95, can prevent infection with Covid-19, flu, RSV and other respiratory viruses all at once.
Improve ventilation indoors by turning on HVAC systems, filtering the air with a portable HEPA filter, pointing fans out open windows, or opening doors and windows when possible.
