What is on your Wish List this holiday season? I have been writing mine for a few months now and while health and happiness is still at the top, I have added economic prosperity for all of you.
I was also so encouraged at the last Town Council Meeting - The Council agreed that "Economic Vitality" throughout all of Los Gatos needs to be a priority. They renamed it "Community Vitality" which I like even better - so we shall see how that plays out in the New Year. Perhaps together, we can clean our sidewalks, come up with a trolley of sorts, fill some of the empty stores with new creative businesses, fix the Civic Center Fountain, install a few park benches and picnic table, hang street banners, have more music in town and bring some new events into the warm months. Of course, we will not let down our push for better downtown parking options and a solution for the summer cut through traffic. The Chamber has a big year ahead of us - but we are up to the challenge.
I must give a shout out of thanks to the Chamber staff here - Randi Chen, Kathy Granger and Melinda Gilstrom-Rybak - You are all incredibly talented women who have truly made a difference in this organization.
Thanks to all of you members who have generously supported us this past year financially and with your time. We have so many new members - it is truly remarkable! Thank you for believing in us.
We could not do any of this without the ongoing support from our President Circle Members. You will see their names and links to their business websites to the right of this letter.
Reflecting on December and on Los Gatos Yule Love It - we have had a grand time!
- We had about 100 people come to our Open House.
- Many of you also helped trim the Town for the holidays. We have received very positive feedback on those wreaths hanging downtown. No doubt we will decorate again next year - and make it even a bigger and better project.
- Dustin David and his team outdid themselves for the Girls Night Out! The event was exceptional. The Catamount provided the ultimate space and were so gracious to all. I would specially like to thank the General Manager, Derek Schuette for his patience and generosity. Our local boutiques shined that evening and I believe you have all seen the benefits of a show well done. Thanks for your participation. We were able to donate $2000 to Art Now, the Annual Santa Clara County Juried High School Exhibition - a program sponsored by NUMU. We will be back next year!
- Carriage Rides have been more popular than ever. This 32 year long Los Gatos tradition sure makes for a special charm throughout these weeks before Christmas. If you did not get a ride this year, be sure to try one next year. The experience really is magical. Seeing the lights and hearing the clip clop of the horses's hooves is very relaxing at this busy time of year.
- The December 10th Holiday Stroll was a sweet family, fun-filled day. Santa in the Park, talking to the children is also a LG tradition we should cherish. Thanks so much to Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation, particularly Janet Sumpter, the Farmer's Market for making that day so special, NUMU for providing our crafts and the Los Gatos Library for the story walk
Enjoy the photos. Come on and visit us in the New Year and share with us what is on your Wish List for 2018.
Los Gatos is a unique and charming town and the people who live and work here have
made it so. Keep up the good work y'all and be kind.
Here's to the Holiday.
Cheers.
Catherine Somers
