Los Gatos, California
Los Gatos real estate, neighborhoods, condos, houses, homes, market trends, history, events, lifestyle, parks, events, businesses, home, Mary Pope-Handy
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Jan. 29, 2008
Categorized in: LG Lifestyle
Perhaps the most hotly contested and divisive issue in the history of Los Gatos has been the skatepark ballot initiative. It is upsetting to see how much hostility has emerged.
The Los Gatos Observer carries the controvery in an "up close and personal" kind of way. There have been an inordinate about of personal opinions, rebuttals, comments, and accusations - all found on this news site's pages. It's a soap opera with a political bent.
As for me: I have just one request. Please vote. My hope is that the town gets a huge turnout next Tuesday and that the voters will speak their peace and then we will HAVE peace. Truthfully, I am sick of the complaints. Most of them are coming from the "pro D" camp, but they are found on both sides. I am sick of the stolen political signs. And perhaps most of all, I am sick of the villification of the other side. There are good people on both sides of the argument and it is sickening to read the villification of folks on the other side of the argument. Arguments could be made for voting either way - so let's leave the "ad hominems" out of it.
Vote.
And then, please, let's move forward.
Jan. 1, 2008
Yesterday my family and I hiked through Belgatos Park in Los Gatos and the weather was so amazingly clear that I wish I had brought my "real camera". But I did have my Treo along, and it can take photographs, so I snapped a few.
This is a view of downtown San Jose through some oak trees on one of the crests in the park. All of Silicon Valley can be seen - and more! In fact, we could make out San Francisco in the distance (not shown). It truly was picture perfect. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!
Nov. 24, 2007
Categorized in: LG Lifestyle
.jpg) Just before Thanksgiving, the Festival of Lights reappeared at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. It is a light extravaganza in the holiday spirit!
Details on the drive-through show:
Dates: Nov 23 - Dec 31
Times: 6 - 10pm nightly (incl holidays)
Cost: $12 per car (except as noted below)
Discount: $10 per car plus goodies Mon - Thurs, Nov 26-Dec 13 ONLY
Location: Vasona Lake County Park is located at 333 Blossom Hill Road, close to University Avenue.
Encouraged: Could you bring a can of food for the less fortunate? It's not required but appreciated. Donations go to Second Harvest Food Bank, a great way to assist others who need a hand!
Need more info? Visit the county park's website, www.ParkHere.org or swing by the webpage for this fun event.
Aug. 29, 2007
Categorized in: Los Gatos Events
 Two-time grammy winning Diane Schuur belts out the grand finale of Jazz on the Plazz tonight at the Los Gatos Town Park Plaza. Get there early with your cooler & lawn chair, as this immensely popular singer will fill the park to capacity and then some. The show runs from 6:30 - 8:30.
Jul. 11, 2007
Categorized in: Los Gatos Events
 Do you like fantasy? Midieval costumes? Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings? Renaissance fairs? Mythological battles of good vs evil in books or even video games? If so, then you should be introduced to Live Action Role Playing (LARP), and you should know that it's happening right here in our own Los Gatos.
Belgatos Park is the home (at least part of the time) to Nero West,"a live-action, live-combat roleplaying game where players take on the roles of fantasy heros and heroines, waging battles with necromancers, goblins, zombies, and other mythical beasts and diving into the mystery and intrigue of this fantastic society" (from the NeroWest website, www.NeroWest.com).
So that's the description, but the reality is that if you see the NeroWest participants at Belgatos Park, you'll find a group that's all dressed up in fun costumes, doing a role playing game and having a fantastic time in a gorgeous setting. I'd been curious about it for months but Sunday, when Bella and I took our daily trek through the park, I had the chance to chat with a few of the nice participants. They filled me in and gave me a card. Very cool stuff. And it seems to be very affordable as well - low cost for the most serious participants, and free for the more casual volunteer. Do check it out!
If you're interested in learning more, visit the NeroWest website: www.NeroWest.com, or give them a call at 1-800-249-9909.
Mary Pope-Handy, Realtor, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, ASP, RECS, CNHS
Helping Nice Folks to Buy & Sell Homes Since 1993
Co-Author: "Get The Best Deal When Selling Your Home In Silicon Valley"
Intero Real Estate Services, Los Gatos, CA (Silicon Valley)
408 357-5760 (Direct); 408 204-7673 (Cell); 408 715-0201 (eFax)
www.PopeHandy.com www.ValleyOfHeartsDelight.com
emailto: Mary@PopeHandy.com
Blog: www.LiveInLosGatos.com
Jun. 23, 2007
Things are heating up now and you may be thinking about where to go for a little relief. There's the beach, of course - it's always temperate over in Santa Cruz on the water (and a nice breeze usually blows too). There are all the usual air conditioned places (stores, malls, theaters). But there's also a little place in Los Gatos, hidden from the view of most folks, where you can get a surprising amount of relief from the heat.
And amazingly, it's right in the middle of town!
 The secret location is along the Los Gatos Creek Trail under the Vasona Dam spillway. The rush of water through the gates creates a cool, light mist that floats down like some of the "misters" that you may have encountered at Disneyland, Paramount's Great America in very nearby Santa Clara, or in waterparks like Raging Waters in San Jose.
 To get there, the easiest approach is via Garden Hill Drive, which is off of Lark Avenue in Los Gatos. Follow the road almost to the very end, when it takes a sharp bend to the left. Park your bike or car and enter the park/trail and follow the path northwest (away from the freeway) and you will find the misty spot not too far up.
There are no benches or tables, so this is a spot not intended for picnicing - but I think it's a great place to do it nonetheless. (In fact, there's a warning sign to not go too close to the spillway.) It is not secluded (so ixnay on the romantic spot, this did not qualify as one of my "Best Places to Kiss" in Los Gatos) but it is cool and comfortable and refreshing.
Would you like to see some photos from the dam area? I have compiled a Vasona dam area 60-second slideshow (plus extra photos if you want to see them). Take a look!
Do you have a favorite place to cool off? I'd love to have you share it here!
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May. 24, 2007
Categorized in: LG Lifestyle
.jpg) Property lines can be such a bear. The Town of Los Gatos owns a 13 acre parcel which is being used by the county in Vasona Lake County Park (leased, at no cost, since 1960, and the lease is due to expire in 2010). The county, conversely, owns a 2/3 acre parcel of land which is being used by the town inside of Oak Meadow Park. (See image.)
Rather than continue renting, the powers that be want to sell the land in each case. The town is being offered a little more than $500,000 per acre for its land, but is being asked to purchase the county's sliver for closer to $800,000.
The townsfolk are crying foul. Some feel that the town should hold onto the land because it's too valuable to sell. Others want to keep it as town parkland so that it could be used for a sports field - as county park, it cannot be developed in that way but will be more open space recreation instead.
For now, though, the sale appears to be moving forward.
What will the town do with the money?
So far, no plans.
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