Photograph by George Sakkestad
Bridget McMahon and Samuel Livoui hang the work of artist John Gonnella at JCO’S ART HAUS new location on 805 University Ave in Los Gatos.
If you haven’t planned a summer vacation yet, why not consider a staycation in Los Gatos? The Chamber of Commerce is set to launch an awareness campaign, “Love Where You Live” to encourage residents to spend more of their hard-earned money in town.
Details will be announced soon, but the campaign is expected to include direct mailings, shopping bags emblazoned with a new “Love Where You Live” logo, print advertising and posters that can be placed in store and restaurant windows.
“One of my top priorities is to make people aware of the importance of supporting the business community,” newly elected Chamber president Patti Rice said. “That’s why it’s important for people to shop and dine in town.”
Rice owns the Spa Los Gatos at 100 S. Santa Cruz Ave. and joined the Chamber in 2000. This is the fourth time she’s been elected president of the nonprofit Chamber.
“It keeps me engaged in town,” she said. “Otherwise, I’d be locked up in my office.”
Visit losgatoschamber.com.
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The Los Gatos Youth Commission named the Cafe Dio, 151 E. Main St., the 2017 “Youth Friendly Business of the Year,” because it makes youth feel welcome when they stop in for a bite to eat or a cup of joe.
The announcement was made at the June 6 town council meeting.
“A lot of times I’ll go to Cafe Dio and all of my friends will go there,” Commission Chairman Tommy Seaman said. “They have student discounts, and it’s a great place to study, talk with friends of all ages—high schoolers, middle schoolers, elementary schoolers–we’re all there.”
Cafe general manager Kevan Smedt said the kids are always welcome. “They’re really, really nice and polite, so we’re happy to have them,” he said.
Indeed, Smedt “caters” to the kids because the cafe is so close to Los Gatos High School.
“The kids make up a fair amount of our business, but we also get a lot of parents stopping in when they’re dropping off or picking up their kids,” Smedt said.
Smedt tries to keep prices reasonable to accommodate his young customers, who often don’t have a lot of money to spend.
“We try to keep prices in a place that makes everybody happy, but that can be difficult if you’re using high-quality products from Dio Deka,” he said.
All the cafe’s food is cooked across the street at the award-winning Dio Deka restaurant at the Hotel Los Gatos.
Visit cafedio.com.
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Looking for a last minute Father’s Day gift? Grab the kids and head out to Classic Kids Photography, 155 N. Santa Cruz Ave., for a free 15-minute photo shoot with dad or grandpa playing with the little ones. Studio owner Lynn Miano calls them “Mini Rascal Sessions” and has created a flier that says, “A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.”
The Rascal Sessions are available today and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., first come, first served.
“Multi-generations are welcome,” Miano said. “Just drop in.”
Or call 408-354-9116 for more information.
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Vintages of Los Gatos, 130 N. Santa Cruz Ave., also has a selection of unique Dad’s Day gifts, from vintage cuff links to magnifying glasses, globes and paper weights.
And everything in the store is 50 percent off because Vintages is closing June 25.
Owners Bob and Susan Bortfeld aren’t retiring, however. They plan instead to distribute their popular line of custom greeting cards at the Cottage Craft Boutique in San Jose’s Cambrian Plaza and will continue making handcrafted jewelry that will be sold in other shops as well.
Vintages opened in 2003, but Susan said Internet shopping has made it difficult to maintain a brick and mortar storefront.
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C.B. Hannegan’s is continuing to negotiate a new lease with the owner’s of the building at 208 Bachman Ave. Pub co-owner Chris Benson said, “There’s nothing definitive, but we’re in ongoing, earnest negotiations. There’s no deadline set and we’re open for business.”
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The art gallery JCO’s Place has changed its name to JCO’s Art Haus and moved from downtown Los Gatos to 805 University Avenue, near Farley Road.
Art Haus director Briget McMahon said the new, 1,500-square-foot location is so big that it’s like a “playground in here.”
“It’s a fun environment,” McMahon said. “All our paintings are in one place, so we can show them all at the same time.”
The old location at 45 North Santa Cruz Avenue was a mere 450 square feet. It’s now occupied by artist Stephanie Lam.
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El Camino Hospital Los Gatos has been designated a Baby-Friendly Hospital by the group Baby-Friendly USA. The initiative was developed by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The designation is given to hospitals that have implemented a “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” education program. The steps include showing mothers how to breast feed, providing support groups for them and informing women about the benefits of breastfeeding and helping them initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
“The connection between mom and baby within the first few hours and following days has long-term health benefits that are internationally recognized,” El Camino’s Chief Nursing Officer Cheryl Reinking said in a news release.
El Camino delivers more than 500 babies each year.
More information on the program is at babyfriendlyusa.org.
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Looking for something to round out your summer reading list? If so, check out “The Dining Car” by 1975 Los Gatos High School graduate Eric Peterson.
The book is about a bartender who works for a well-known food critic while traveling on a vintage railroad car.
The book recently netted Peterson the Ben Franklin Gold Medal for Popular Fiction award and was also named a Booklist “Book to Watch.”
