We have much to be thankful for this holiday season: family, friends and a wonderfully vibrant town.
The 69th Los Gatos Children’s Christmas/Holidays Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, rain or shine. This year’s grand marshal is Los Gatos High School English teacher Kurt Kroesche, who says, “It’s a thrill to be this year’s grand marshal and to be able to celebrate the parade with Los Gatos friends and neighbors. I’m grateful that I’ve found a place to belong at LGHS and the LG community.”
The criteria to be named grand marshal is specific: Individuals must have made significant contributions to the town’s youth. Kroesche’s students past and present attest to his classroom and extracurricular leadership and mentoring. The parade is sponsored by the Los Gatos Lions and Los Gatos Parks and Recreation. The route begins at the corner of Santa Cruz Avenue and Almendra and ends on Main Street near the high school. https://www.lgsrecreation.org/parade
The holiday season officially kicks off in Los Gatos on Friday, Dec. 5, with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. There will be music provided by Fisher Middle School and the Harker School Downbeat Show Choir, a holiday message from our mayor, and a visit from Santa. 5-7 p.m., Town Plaza Park.
Santa will also be in Old Town Los Gatos for afternoon photo ops Dec. 12-14. We can thank the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce for arranging his visit, all the way from the North Pole. www.losgatoschamber.com
The Civic Center lawn on Main Street will morph into a European-Style Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 13 ,and Sunday, Dec, 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., when local and regional artists will be selling their goods. The market also features entertainment, children’s activities and free popcorn. Proceeds benefit local youth and the Live Oak Senior Nutrition Center. The Los Gatos Holiday Market is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos.
No doubt about the fact that we have a vibrant downtown. To keep it that way, you’re encouraged to shop local this holiday season. Los Gatos shops can provide suggestions and items for your Christmas list. Hat lovers will love the Black Cat, 59 N. Santa Cruz Ave. You can’t go wrong with gift cards to our Cinelux movie theater or the many fine restaurants in town. The Butter Paddle has great holiday items as well as year-round household goods.
We can be thankful that we now have two bookstores in town that embrace a trend for smaller, more intimate and more community-focused shops: Beyond Text and Barnes and Noble.
Beyond Text owner Tanya Sedneva wanted to emphasize the physical experience of reading a real book rather than an e-book. “I was excited when Tanya opened Beyond Text because Los Gatos had not had a bookstore in many years,” says Los Gatos resident Jo Toy. “I think independent book sellers are special; they are passionate about books, and they care about the community. They want to be a part of it and to help it thrive. Tanya has added her personal touch to make it a cozy and inviting place.” Beyond Text, 318 N. Santa Cruz Ave., www.beyondtextbookstore.com.
Barnes & Noble has shed its big box image and is going for a smaller, more intimate shop in in downtown Los Gatos, which they believe is an old but now a new market trend. 122 N. Santa Cruz Ave., www.barnesandnoble.com.
The monthly Monday Morning Movie is a wonderful way to start the week. Coming up is “Wicked: For Good” on Monday, Dec. 1, at the Los Gatos Cinelux Theater. A big thanks to organizers, including Ginger McDonald and Teri Hope, owner of the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company. Hope donates coffee and pastries for the event. www.Losgatosthrives.com
If you have business or social news about Los Gatos, please let me know: debby@debbyrice.com.