5 Things You Need to Know Today, July 5

1. Give the gift of life. The American Red Cross has a public blood drive at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, at 219 Bean Ave. Blood is needed for accident and trauma victims, premature babies and patients undergoing treatment for cancer and many other life-threatening diseases. One donation may help save the lives of up to three people. Details: 1-800-RED-CROSS.

2. This summer, the Montalvo Service Group hosts its famous summer luncheons at the Historic Villa at Montalvo Arts Center. Wine and salad lunches will be featured every Wednesday, starting this week, through Aug. 24. Dine al fresco on the front and side veranda of the villa, just as U.S. Sen. James Duval Phelan and his guests did nearly a century ago! Seating times are at noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m.; reservations fill quickly. View the luncheon menus. Visitors also enjoy a fashion show at each lunch, with various outfits from Los Gatos- and Saratoga-based clothing stores. Details: Montalvo Service Group at 408-961-5823. All proceeds benefit the restoration and preservation of the Historic Villa, built in 1912 by Phelan. Tickets are $38.

3. Enjoy the third concert Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., featuring singer/songwriter Claudia Villela. The Wednesday concerts are free and continue through Aug. 24 at Town Plaza, at the intersection of West Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue near the post office. Details: Teri Hope, 408-354-1155.

4. Summer photo contest! Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, a Los Gatos resident and former mayor of our town, is sponsoring a photo contest this summer. Send your favorite image that represents summer in Santa Clara County District 1. It can be anything from kids eating ice cream at Vasona Lake County Park, families boating at Anderson Lake, a barbecue in your neighborhood, a farmers market, or your favorite trail. Be sure that whatever you choose shows off the distinct flavor of our community. Wasserman will frame and proudly display the winning photos in his office. Three winning photos will be picked with no separate categories, just the theme: summertime. Get moving, get creative and show the supervisor what your summer in Santa Clara County looks like! Deadline: Aug. 1. Complete photo contest rules and entry form can be found on Wasserman's website.

5. Don't miss the family film "Cars 2" Fun Night Out at the Los Gatos Cinema, 41 No. Santa Cruz Ave., 5:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 7, sponsored by Los Gatos Luxury Cars, to benefit the Friends of Los Gatos Library fundraising campaign for the new library. Tickets are $20 and include movie, popcorn and beverage. Details: Katherine Cance, 408-425-7306.