No Prohibition in Los Gatos

Carrie Nation is probably turning over in her grave.

A strong advocate for the Women's Christian Temperance Movement, Carrie Nation was opposed to alcohol in a very big way. History has it that she attacked dozens of bars together with a band of praying & singing women and eventually wielded a a hatchet to make her point. In fact, in later years this seems to have become her "niche market" as her newletter was called "The Hatchet". Though jailed some 30 times, she paid her fines with lecture fees and  (believe it or not) the sales of small souvenier hatchets. 

I suppose it is true that "actions speak louder than words".  But it's also true that irony is one of the funniest forms of humor.

And so it is quite humorous indeed to most folks in Los Gatos that the town's most popular bar (and there's no shortage of them)  is named none other than "Carrie Nation's".  In case you don't know this colorful bit of history, the beveled glass in the main door portrays an ax.  (If nothing else, it's a conversation starter!)   Located at 8 North Santa Cruz Avenue (close to Main Street), Carrie Nation's is a fun place to stop in for a drink if you have a sense of humor and enjoy the old "fern bar" atmosphere.

Of course, I'm not saying that the folks who run the bar have a sense of humor themselves. Once, when my kids were small, we'd seen the Holiday Parade on a cold December morning and one of small our kids desperately needed to use a restroom. My office was too far down the street for practical purposes (that is, when the child says "I need to go" he or she usually means NOW). We went in the back door of Carrie Nation's, and zoomed down the stairs like folks on an urgent mission to the restrooms. There was no walking through the bar area or anything like that. When we emerged, two minutes later, there was a scowling employee waiting for us and quite ready to escort us out.  You'd have thought we had pick pocketed our way down the stairs.

All I could think of was that the dour disposition of the gal for whom the bar was named had somehow been imparted on a unsympathetic employee.  (That was a lot of years ago, and I imagine that person has since had children of his own and perhaps has learned to think about the urgency of a young person's need for a restroom.)

I have never been back since! But even so, I love that front door. It tickles me every time I see it.

There are many fine bars in Los Gatos. I was intent upon writing about them here until I found an excellent article in the San Jose Mercury News which did a beautiful job reviewing them. Depending on your mood and the circumstances, you may prefer Viva (at Los Gatos Blvd and Blossom Hill), Mountain Charlie's, The Black Watch, or Johnny's, or Double D's or any of the great sites in town from Steamer's or The Wine Cellar or who knows what. Read the article.  If you have kids in tow, I do suggest Double D's  (at Highway 9 and North Santa Cruz Avenue) or Johnny's Northside Grill (532 N Santa Cruz Ave)Both are most welcoming!

But whether you frequent bars or not, next time you are in downtown Los Gatos, take a gander at 8 North Santa Cruz and enjoy a chuckle at the image of the hatchet on the door there.  Imagine what Carrie would have to say!

Blog entry by Mary Pope-Handy,
Los Gatos Enthusiast,
Los Gatos & Silicon Valley (San Jose area) Residential Real Estate Specialist and
Realtor, CRS, ABR, SRES, ASP, CNHS, RECS, E-Pro,
Intero Real Estate Services, 518 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030
www.PopeHandy.com
Do not use without permission, please.

Holiday Mailing Tip

In the spirit of holiday cheer, I'm going to share with you one of my holiday secrets.

Immediately adjacent to Los Gatos is a very small city named Monte Sereno. ("El Sereno" is the name of the large mountain to the right of the pass to Santa Cruz. "El Sombroso" is the name of the large one to the left.) The Monte Sereno Post Office, located on Hightway 9 (aka Los Gatos-Saratoga Road) and Rose Avenue, is usually the best place around during the holiday season when you need to mail a package. This year they have cut back on their hours and it is only open from 9am - 1pm, Monday through Friday.   The lines are typically far shorter than at other nearby post office locations, but it is a small office and they don't take credit cards or do express mail.  So go armed with your simple mail and checkbook, and be delighted that the line is half as long as at other PO stations.

Cheers!

Kid Friendly Restaurants in Los Gatos

Los Gatos is home to a great many restaurants. But your kids may not want to try Romanian or Thai food, or perhaps a great steakhouse won't be well appreciated by teens and younger people. But there are many, many places with simple fare, simple decor and sometimes too other things going on inside to keep your young people happy.

So here is the Mary Pope-Handy list of kid friendly restaurants in Los Gatos. Have I missed one? If so, let me know and I'll add it.

The Diner of Los Gatos  235 Los Gatos Saratoga Rd Los Gatos, CA 95030   (408) 354-4886

Andale (Mexican) 21 N. Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos. 408 (395)-4244

T-Birds Pizza 444 N Santa Cruz Ave Los Gatos, CA 95030-5313 (408) 395-2525

The Iron Skillet 15662 Los Gatos Blvd  Los Gatos, CA 95032-2504 (408) 356-0600 

Gallo's (Italian) 14180 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032-5118  (408) 358-3661

Jasmine Chinese Cuisine 20 S Santa Cruz Ave Ste 204, Los Gatos, CA 95030-6827

Double D's Sports Grill 354 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030   (408) 395-6882

Live Oak Kitchen 15531 Union Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95032  (408) 371-7600

Of course, we do also have chain and independent "fast food" hamburger type places along Los Gatos Boulevard too. The kids may prefer the chain stores because they have play equipment. But the independent ones have far, far better food. You'll have to negotiate that trade off!

Los Gatos Websites to Know

Important Links to Helpful Los Gatos Information

The Town of Los Gatos official website: http://www.losgatosca.gov/
The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce website: http://losgatoschamber.com/
Parks & Recreation Department: http://www.lgsrecreation.org/
Town of Los Gatos Parks: http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.asp?NID=102
Santa Clara County Parks: http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/ (Vasona is a Co. Park)
The fall town newsletter (pdf): http://www.losgatosca.gov/archives/38/Los%20Gatos%20Vista%200906.pdf Wineries of Los Gatos: http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.asp?nid=63
Senior Services: http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.asp?nid=52
Youth and Teen Resources: http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.asp?NID=53


Being a very highly education-conscious town, Los Gatos has many, many schools. They will be listed in a separate blog entry.