Holidays are coming up, but remember that we are still in fire season. Our Los Gatos neighborhood had a heart-stopping reminder recently when a brushfire erupted in a heavily wooded hillside. Many thanks to the firefighters who responded quickly to extinguish the one-acre blaze. It could have been a far different outcome. The Saratoga Fire District and County Fire remind us all to clear brush for a defensible space around our homes. Their website has what could be life-saving fire safe tips: www.sccfd.org.
A fall movie fundraiser presented by the Los Gatos Rotary Club benefits the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Foundation. The family comedy “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will be shown Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. at the CineLux Plaza Theater, 2501 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell. This is a chance to thank and support our public safety officers and their K9 emotional support dogs. Tickets are $40 until Nov. 6, and $50 thereafter at https://losgatosrotary.ticketleap.com.
Seasonal events continue Nov. 23-24, when the Los Gatos History Club will host a holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days, at the clubhouse, 123 Los Gatos Blvd. www.historyclublosgatos.org
Families are invited to kick off the winter season with the traditional lighting of the town Christmas tree in Town Plaza Park on Friday, Dec. 6,, at 6 p.m. Along with the lighting, activities include a performance by the Fisher Middle School Chamber Strings, the Winter Wonderland Light Show and a visit from Santa.
Los Gatos will add a cable car holiday trolley to the winter celebration to take riders through the historic downtown Dec. 13-15. No reservations or tickets are needed, but donations are welcome and will benefit a local children’s charity.
Dec. 7 is the date for The Los Gatos Lions Club and LGS Recreation’s 68th annual Children’s Christmas/Holidays Parade. It’s a crowd pleaser for all ages and a terrific way to kick off the holiday season. www.lgsrecreation.org/parade
This year’s National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 14, when more than 2 million volunteers and supporters will place wreaths on veterans’ gravesites at more than 4,600 locations in all 50 states. You can sponsor a wreath to be placed at a veteran’s grave at Los Gatos Memorial Park. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
The annual Fantasy of Lights in Vasona Lake County Park is always a sell-out. Advance tickets are a must. Get them early so you and your family can enjoy this wonderful drive-through event. For those who want to walk through the display, tickets go on sale Nov. 7 at https://parks.sccgov.org/fantasy-lights-walk-thru
Music makes the holidays special. On Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., the Los Gatos High School choir and band will perform their winter concert at Saratoga High’s McAfee Performance Arts Center.
Readers may remember that my wallet was lifted from my purse last July. The sheriff’s department was responsive, followed up and earned my respect. I never expected to see the wallet or its contents again, but almost four months later, an anonymous package with my wallet was delivered. Some items were missing, but those tortuously difficult items to replace were intact. There are good people out there!
If you have business or social news about Los Gatos, I’d like to know: debby@debbyrice.com.
