Two superstars—Renée Fleming and Sally Lucas—will be honored Feb. 9 at Montalvo Arts Center’s “One Enchanted Evening” Gala. Headliner Fleming, world renowned opera diva, will perform selections from Broadway to the Great American Songbook, jazz and classical. Dinner with wine pairings will be curated by Le Papillon. Montalvo is fortunate to have Sally Lucas as its champion and super supporter. Sally has given her time, energy and financial support to Montalvo (among many other institutions) and will be deservedly honored. Event chairs are Gretchen DiNapoli (Los Gatos), Marica Hansen (Saratoga) and Debbie Stolle (Saratoga). Tickets: montalvoarts.org/enchanted
Congratulations to Howard Miller, Saratoga’s new mayor, and Mary Lynne Bernald, vice mayor. Both will serve a one-year term. Manny Cappello and Miller’s four-year terms of office will be completed next December, opening two council seats for terms that will last until 2024.
Mayor Miller reports the popular Saratoga Retirement Center will be expanding. And plans for a 91-unit condominium development at Quito Village have been submitted to the city under the new state law that streamlines the development with little say from the city.
My grandson loved riding the Coast Starlight sleeper train from San Jose to Eugene, Oregon (honestly, it was terrific). We join others who would love to see the light rail extend (once again) to our West Valley. You can see how the rails used to connect San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell and Palo Alto from 1903-33. Red cars ran every hour, every two hours in the evening. The cost to ride from Saratoga to San Jose was 35 cents, or about 3 cents per mile. A new exhibit, “Riding the Rails” runs through April 26 at the Saratoga History Museum. A rare, restored Interurban passenger stop is featured. 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road. The museum is open from 1-4 Friday, 10-4 on Saturday and 1-4 on Sunday. Admission is free. www.saratogahistory.com
Los Gatos and Saratoga partner in many ways! The Los Gatos Rotary’s annual Crab Fest and Auction will be held at St. Andrews Church on Saratoga Avenue on Jan. 25, 5 p.m. The event provides grants and local and international nonprofits, “Raise the Paddle for our Next Generation” youth programs and Rotary charities and scholarships. Auction items include vacations in Tahoe, Hawaii, Switzerland and San Francisco, Mexican cruises, art, fine dining in local restaurants and privately hosted dinners. Thanks to sponsors Travel Advisors of Los Gatos, Spectrum Eye Physicians, Testarossa Winery and Gali Vineyards. Tickets are $80, $30 (ages 6-12), Children 5 and under are free. losgatosrotary.org
A free concert by the Saratoga Symphony is coming up Jan. 26 at 3pm at Mcfee Center. The program, “French Sweets and Suites” is all by French composers, who used Romantic Period music to present stories in a world of fantasy and dreams. No tickets or reservations needed. www.saratogasymphony.com
Also, on Jan. 26, National Human Trafficking Awareness Month will be recognized by a special event, free to the public. “Hope in The Darkness” will feature the play “Lilly’s Wings.” A panel will discuss the importance of awareness of human trafficking in our own backyards. Saratoga Federated Church, 2-4pm.
It’s a ways out, but you won’t want to miss the Foothill Club’s Garage & Treasures Sale March 7-8. The event will support the preservation of the historic Saratoga Foothill Club. It’ll be a super sale with artwork, costume and fine jewelry, china, home decor, collectibles, housewares, linens, CDs, toys and more. Saratoga Foothill Club members are collecting items that also include linens, holiday decorations, small appliances and those unique items that are special finds for someone. If you have something to donate, visit www.saratogafoothillclub.org.
With Valentine’s coming up, I’ll be featuring “What I Love About Saratoga and Los Gatos.” Here’s what Saratoga Citizen of the Decade (and more) Jack Mallory listed among his favorite things about Saratoga: Hakone Gardens, Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room and Montalvo Arts Center.
Barbie Newberry and Jenny Creech of Los Gatos Safeway say, “We love Pedro’s Mexican.”
Tim Lundell votes for We Olive and the Los Gatos Theater.
Palo Alto visitor Kristina Vetter loves the entire downtown with the Los Gatos Theater and walkable shopping. “I can spend a whole afternoon with my family, and everyone has a good time.”
Taylor Hildrith chooses the Bywater and says, “Their Shrimp Po Boys are terrific.”
Please let me know what you like best about Saratoga and Los Gatos, and if you have business or social news about Saratoga: debby@debbyrice.com
Please let me know what you like best about Saratoga, and if you have business or social news about Saratoga: debby@debbyrice.com