Los Gatos Thrives Foundation seeks input on new community center
The purpose of the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation is to ensure that Los Gatos will be an age-friendly community for older adults to live engaged and meaningful lives.
The foundation is sponsoring Monday Mornings at the Movies and the first, held May 6, played to a packed house at the Los Gatos Theatre. The screenings are set for the first Monday of the month; the next one is June 3 at 10 a.m., with the movie to be announced.
The foundation’s big goal is a new community center. It’s a long-term project that is starting off the right way, gathering input from the community. To that end, a meeting is set for June 20- 5-8 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, where you’ll get a chance to see what other Bay Area community centers are like. Another way to participate is to take a quick survey at losgatosthrives.org.
“I hope everyone in town participates in this exciting project,” Los Gatos Mayor Mary Badame says. “You can help design the new LG community center that will serve people of all ages, local nonprofits clubs and charities.”
The Los Gatos Kiwanis Club has been busy. The club hosted the Special Games at West Valley College, and a week later awarded over $25,000 to 17 local seniors at the sold-out Turn Around Scholarship awards ceremony. “I’ve been a LG Kiwanian for 22 years and never have I seen more energy and teamwork than this, our 100th year,” Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman said.
Kiwanian Nancy Pearson says, “This is the 26th year of the Turn-Around Scholarships, given to graduating seniors who have overcome some pretty big obstacles and come back strong, to graduate with their peers.”
The awards luncheon at Double D’s was filled with local dignitaries, educators, the awardees and their families. Over the years the scholarship has awarded over $2 million to more than 7,000 local young people.
“Being awarded a $1,500 scholarship means that people have faith in you…that you’ve been chosen because you have risen above difficult circumstances and turned everything around to a positive outcome and are ready to graduate, with plans for college and beyond,” Kiwanis Club President Kasey Rice said. lgkiwanisgives.org
Executive director Jennifer Lin of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce reports that the Los Gatos Loyalty Card is back, with the purpose of supporting local businesses and having some fun along the way. It’s meant for both residents and visitors. Cardholders get exclusive access to perks, promotions and discounts for shopping, food and drink, services, wellness and more. Each card is $30, and proceeds benefit partnering schools, nonprofits and the Chamber. It’s a great gift! www.losgatoschamber.com
Ambrosia India Bistro recently opened its fifth location at 133 North Santa Cruz Ave. Other locations are in Monterey, Aptos and Scotts Valley. Monterey County Weekly has named Ambrosia the best Indian restaurant in the county continuously for the last 16 years. Apparently, enough customers from Los Gatos were driving to the Scotts Valley location that the owners decided to bring Ambrosia here. 408-827-4339, www.ambrosiaib.com
If you have business or social news about Los Gatos, let me know: debby@debbyrice.com.