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For the Love of Los Gatos
Working toward a common goal
(adapted from letter in Los Gatos Magazine)
What a long strange trip 2022 has been. Dear Los Gatos, we survived and persevered, and dare I might add, our Town is thriving. We have a new Council, which includes the youngest Council member ever. We have some great new Town staff members. Our Chamber is stronger than ever. We have many exciting new business ventures and some interesting building projects on the Boulevard, and we might hopefully have more rain in our near future.
While I love the holidays and all the trimmings that go along with this time of the year, I'll admit I get a little overwhelmed. I love giving gifts - especially when I know that the gift inside my wrapped package was purchased locally, and will be met with great delight. The act of giving has also been easy, but I have yet to master the art of receiving gifts. That art is called ‘grace’.
A few weeks ago I attended an event at the Palms Restaurant here in Los Gatos. The event was a First Friday Happy Hour for the older adults in the community. More than fifty folks attended. As organizers, we were beyond thrilled, as we have been trying to encourage our older adults to get back out and socialize again. Understandably, these post-Covid months have been met with some trepidation. I stopped at a table to say hello to a few friends, and they sincerely thanked me for my work at the Chamber and for doing what I could to help our downtown rebound after the pandemic. They talked about how they loved the new parklets for outdoor dining, how the employee parking program was finally helping with congestion, how they thoroughly enjoyed the Sounds of Summer programming, as well as the Thursday evening Promenades and our Fall Beer and Wine Walk. I thanked them for their kindness and moved on to the next table.
Later that evening, that moment came flashing back, and I tell you, it was bright. I realized those people should not have been thanking me; I should have been thanking them. All along it has been these citizens of Los Gatos who have inspired me to try to keep Los Gatos as golden as it is. They set the stage. Ten years ago, they were among the citizens doing what I am doing now. I am simply trying to carry on their legacy. Sure, my methods and ideas might be a little different than theirs were, but it is all for the same end goal. We want to live, work and play in a nice, safe and thriving place.
So to Sandy and Ginger, to Teri and Isabella, to Alan, Joe and Michael, to Carol and Denise, Lee and Barbara, and to Tom and Danice and to so many others who have worked to make Los Gatos what it is today - Happy Holidays, and cheers to you! You all have given me one of the best gifts ever. You taught me how to love a place so much that I will work hard to preserve its character and its charm, and yet be open-minded to embrace inevitable change. You have taught me to question authority and still respect all people who venture into my office. You have indeed taught the art of grace as I navigate these uncharted times.
Catherine Somers
Executive Director
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