Los Gatos Girl Scouts Beautify LGS Recreation Building

As part of Bronze Award, Blossom Hill Elementary School fifth-graders gave facility a much-needed face lift.

Los Gatos Girl Scout Troop 60082, made up of 17 fifth-graders from Blossom Hill Elementary School, devoted time, energy and their own hard-earned money to give the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation building a new look.   As part of the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the girls were required to design, fund and then communicate to the community a special service project. The Bronze Award is the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can achieve, according to Dana Parker, one of the troop's leaders. The girls spent more than 20 hours looking through garden books, touring local garden centers, planning and then doing the work. They received help from their parents and their Girl Scout leaders, Julie Lasher, Diane Johnson and Parker.   The girls also sold …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (8)

Los Gatos Lions Teach Students About The Flag

Two club members become a hit when they dress up as George and Martha Washington, the first president of the United States of America and his 'First Lady.'

George and Martha Washington, a.k.a. Los Gatos Lions Todd Hill and David Burt, were among a group of volunteers who visited all four elementary schools in town March 8-9 to teach youngsters about the United States flag. George and Martha, however, were quite a hit when they strolled into Mrs. Hsia's and Ms. Higgin's classes at Blossom Hill Elementary School dressed in their historical and yes, hysterical costumes. Every year the local Lions go to all the first-graders in the Los Gatos schools to talk about and answer questions about Old Glory. The event culminates with each student receiving his or her own flag.

•  5 Comments
• Photos (3)

Kim Ratcliff

11:20 am on Monday, March 19, 2012

Mr. Dave Burt was my first love in the 4th grade at Daves Avenue Elementary. Good to see that all these years later he is still as HOT as ever…   more ›

Report: Lexington School Site Viable

The LGUSD must await approval of its most recent seismic and geotechnical review from the California Geological Survey to move ahead with building new school.

The site for the proposed building of a new Lexington Elementary School is not on an earthquake fault line and does not sit where a landslide once took place, the latest project report revealed Tuesday evening. Los Gatos Union School District trustees heard the updated seismic and geotechnical findings during a meeting at Blossom Hill Elementary School. The board had approved this, the third review, in October 2011 to address concerns brought up by the California Geological Survey regarding the stability of the land on which the school will be built. Mike Kleams, a geotechnical engineer with Pacific Crest Engineering, the firm that led the review, presented the report's findings to the board. “This is the most technical project I’ve ever …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (3)

Sheila Sanchez

9:59 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012

There's no way to predict that now Dyan given that the CGS still has to respond to the latest report and the project will probably continue to be altered based on additional feedback. Expect to hear a possible groundbreaking date during the April 10 LGUSD trustee meeting. Thanks for the comment.   more ›

Live Theater at Los Gatos Schools!

Kids get to experience the fun of live performance in two spirited spring musicals thanks to parent volunteers.

In 2006, when the new Daves Avenue and Blossom Hill elementary schools were under construction, the campuses decided to produce one musical play. The first production was Aladdin and it was a huge success, according to parents. Blossom Hill fifth-grade teacher Brian Houg was the director of the joint effort. Since then, Houg has directed sensational musicals for the two schools every spring including Aladdin, Flapper, Wonderland, Wipe Out, Wrangler Ranch and the latest production, Gone With the Breeze. “Brian devotes a tremendous amount of energy to the endeavor and you can see it in the results,” said volunteer parent producer Penny Doy, who's joined by co-producers Carol Marshall, Lisa Marselli and Kelly Blough.  This year 135 children …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (3)

Bonnie Westman

9:42 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012

Thank you for your comments! The play Gone With the Breeze is a hit! We went last night and the kids had a grand time singing and dancing to 13 musical numbers, smiling the whole time. There was no star as every single young actor on the stage had time to shine. The audience laughed and cheered and finished the evening with a standing ovation. The cast, Mr. Houg, the director and the producers …   more ›

Mulberry School Prowler Alert False Alarm

San Jose police have closed the case after checking man's details, authorities say.

Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Sgt. Kerry Harris said Wednesday that the case concerning a man who approached children near Mulberry School in San Jose last week has been closed. Harris said that according to San Jose police dispatch records, the parent who witnessed the suspicious activity recorded the license plate number of the dark blue van driven by the man and reported it to the authorities. Police went to the address of the registered owner of the van, questioned him and were satisfied with his explanation, Harris said. The case has not been independently investigated by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department because it occurred in San Jose, even though the school is located in Los Gatos. The suspicious activity was a concern …

• Photos (1)

5 Things You Need to Know Today, Dec. 4

Check out the mah jongg tourney this morning at the Jewish Community Center.

1. The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley are co-sponsoring a mah jongg tournament at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, 14855 Oka Rd., Suite 201. This is a two-tiered tournament with maven and novice levels. A delicious lunch will be served. Come alone or sign up with your Mah Jongg group! The tournament includes prizes for both levels and this year will also benefit a local charitable program. Entry fee: $54. Details: Arielle Hendel at the Jewish Federation, arielle@jvalley.org, or 408-357-7501. 2. Writer Tom Fields-Meyer presents a lecture titled, "Following Ezra: What One Father Learned About Gumby, Otters, Autism, and Love from His Extraordinary Son," at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5 in the Addison-…

• Photos (1)

5 Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things You Need to Know Today, Dec. 3

Don't miss today's holiday parade in downtown Los Gatos starting at 11 a.m. and watch the Cats battle it out with the Mustangs tonight at Westmont High School for the CCS Division II football championship title.

1. The Los Gatos High School Wildcats play in the CCS Division II championship game against the Pioneer High School Mustangs at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at Westmont High School, 4805 Westmont Ave., in Campbell. 2. The 55th annual Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holidays Parade starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of N. Santa Cruz and Almendra avenues, rain or shine. Hosted by Los Gatos Lions Club and the Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Department. Details: 408-207-4904. 3. Girl Scout Troop 60337, made up of Blossom Hill Elementary School fourth-graders, will have barrels for toy donations along Los Gatos Children's Christmas and Holidays Parade route on N. Santa Cruz Avenue today, Saturday, Dec. 3. 4. Peacock Tree Farm, 17950 Mountain Charlie …

• Photos (1)

Los Gatos Friends 'Thicker Than Blood'

Since 2006, Linda Swenberg and Michelle Abene donate platelets at Stanford Blood Center, in addition to significant volunteer work in the community.

Why would someone voluntarily give up two and half hours of their time every few months to be pricked by a needle, have blood drawn from their body causing discomfort as platelets are spun out and then watch the vital fluid returned to their person? Because the precious gift could save a person's life, according to Los Gatos residents Linda Swenberg and Michelle Abene. These sister friends have been donating platelets regularly at Stanford for several years—their contribution considered an important tool medical doctors have to help those undergoing treatment for serious health problems such as leukemia and cancer. Swenberg has been donating since the late 1990s. At first, she began her selfless act thinking that it was a good thing to do …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (3)

Sheila Sanchez

8:41 am on Friday, December 2, 2011

Thank you, Bonnie, for such a great story.   more ›

Los Gatos 2011 Holiday Event Guide

Know events we're missing? Add them in the comments!

Below you'll find all the Los Gatos holiday events we've been able to compile around town. If you know of an event we're missing, please add it to the comments. NOV. AND UP TO DEC. 24 Free valet parking is available 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays in the parking lot between Elm Street and Grays Lane in downtown Los Gatos until Dec. 24. Tipping is optional. NOW THROUGH JAN. 2 The three-hour public parking lots downtown have had their time limits extended to four hours until Jan. 2, 2012. Street parking limitations remain the same as posted. Take advantage of this great way to park and enjoy Los Gatos during the holiday season. NOW THROUGH DEC. 23 Treasures 4 Teens, a community holiday toy drive that serves teens ages 11 and older …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

Sheila Sanchez

7:52 am on Tuesday, December 13, 2011

I've added six more holiday events to this guide. Please continue to check it to stay in the loop. Thanks for reading and using LG Patch!   more ›

Honeybee Choir Delights Crowd at Blossom Hill Elementary School

Blossom Hill parents make a difference for these music-loving 6- and 7-year-olds.

The Honeybee Choir, made up of 99 Blossom Hill Elementary School first- and second-graders, performs Nov. 16-18 for friends and family in the 300-seat multi-purpose room. It's the parent-run program's fourth year and its theme is "Journey Through Disneyland." The audience is entertained with a sweet rendition of "It's a Small World" with children outfitted to represent the nations of the world, all under the direction of parents Nadia Temple, Kathy Bernat and producer Kerry Lindholm. Tropical "Tiki Room" hula girls in grass skirts charm the crowd and aspiring pirates from the Caribbean belt out the words to "Yo-Ho-Yo-Ho, a Pirates's Life for Me," a favorite of the performers. Parent volunteers built a set, painted scenery, sewed costumes …

• Photos (4)