Los Gatos gears up to celebrate America's 250th birthday

Hi Los Gatos patriots (and less-so patriots),

I don’t have to tell you tomorrow is the Fourth of July.

But I’d like to remind you that the Town of Los Gatos is holding its big July 4th celebration at Oak Meadow Park, starting with a welcoming speech by Mayor Rob Moore at 10:45am.

A Town of Los Gatos official told Dinah Cotton about the story behind the revival of the Los Gatos Liberty Bell ringing (to occur at 11am):

"Through the research and dedication of Los Gatos community member Jeff Des Jarlais, in coordination with the general manager of Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Will Whitney—both United States veterans—we have the good fortune of bringing back the tradition of ringing the Los Gatos Liberty Bell on the 4th of July," a Town spokesperson said.

"In 1963, a bell was first brought from San Francisco to Los Gatos to ring at 11am in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Residents then raised funds to purchase a dedicated Los Gatos Liberty Bell which was rung for many years at 11am on the 4th of July."

(That’s followed by the Children’s Bike and Stroller Parade and a San Jose Wind Symphony performance.)

I probably don’t have to tell you that the United States will be playing Belgium in the Round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup on Monday night.

Gary Singh wrote about how the competition has turned the South Bay into a global village.

In case you haven’t noticed, Canada still has not become the 51st state. Their men’s soccer squad has also had an unprecedented run in the World Cup, and will play tomorrow at 10am against Morocco. Happy belated Canada Day to all my readers who celebrated on July 1!

(One opinionated fellow from West Los Angeles had a different idea about America’s "51st state" in this week’s Letters to the Editor section—although that’s a separate issue.)

Metro Silicon Valley has a fantastic round-up of cool events going on around San Jose and the Silicon Valley for Independence Day.

Giveaway to see comedian Marc Maron on Aug. 22.

Good Times intern Gwyneth Holcomb created a round-up of the different parades happening tomorrow in Santa Cruz County.

San Jose Inside has a list of fireworks displays happening in Santa Clara County.

Are reminding the public about the dangers of the gunpowder-based items:

"One illegal firework can spark a fast-moving vegetation fire, threaten urban neighborhoods, or cause devastating property damage anywhere in Santa Clara County—from the hills of Los Altos Hills to the unincorporated communities of South County, including San Martin and beyond," said Santa Clara County Fire Chief Suwanna Kerdkaew.

Over at Tri-City Voice, Stephanie Uchida writes about how Fremont’s 4th of July Parade has returned after a year hiatus (America’s 250th coincides with Fremont’s 70th).

HEAD’S UP: The Best of Los Gatos nomination period is currently open, and it sounds like there are a number of categories that could use a few more entries put forward. Do you know a business or organization that’s deserving of recognition? Well, you have through July 26 (when Round 1 ends) to give them a digital shout-out: Vote.LosGatan.com

The Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company was recently given a "Business of the Year" award by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin.

However, their efforts to reopen half of their business have been frustrated by permitting issues.

Our cover star this week is William McClure Stout, a dancer and filmmaker who got his start at Los Gatos Ballet.

Sports Editor Emanuel Lee has the story about how local youth Finn Allan, an avid fly fisher, is helping to bring the renowned International Fly Fishing Festival (IF4) to the CineLux Los Gatos Theatre on Aug. 23—for a single screening at 10am.

This is the lone IF4 showing in the Bay Area–the next closest screening location is Redding on Nov. 6.

Finn makes custom lures and flies—and he builds custom rods, too:

"I used to make a lot of lures from wood, but lately I’ve been making my own rods and the flies," he said. "It’s just a skill you kind of practice. I got into rodmaking through San Jose Flycasters and since then have made six of them. On average, it takes five days to a week to make one."

If capturing creatures isn’t your cup of tea, well, Obadiah Casperson has seven totally different reasons to get out and explore the natural world (or just learn more about it).

She’s curated a list of stops for fossil hunters, history buffs and visitors providing avenues to come to a more complete understanding of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The first on the itinerary? The San Lorenzo River:

Local historian Linda Ulbrich worked on digitizing Santa Cruz history, understands the importance of the San Lorenzo River Valley over modern history better than most. "The geography around the river is changing so much, it’s been really impactful," said Ulbrich in a morning phone call, referring to a local history of floods over the last century-and-a-half.

Calvin Nuttall wrote about how Morgan Hill City Council declined to join an effort to oppose an ICE facility in Gilroy.

BTW, Garlic Festival mass shooting victims have until July 28 to apply for compensation.

Someone was reportedly watering marijuana plants outside his car at CVS Pharmacy on Blossom Hill Road. Read this entry and more in this week’s Police Blotter (covering June 21-27).

Jeffrey Blum was wowed by the student art currently on display at New Museum Los Gatos.

FOODIE LIFE: Mark C. Anderson has a fresh review of bookstore-and-eatery Bad Animal at 1011 Cedar St., Santa Cruz.

Daniel Ekonde examines, in the North Bay Bohemian, how winemakers are turning to soundwaves to hone their craft.

The Town of Los Gatos answered our questions about the MyLosGatos311 app, which is providing a new method of interacting with community services—and reporting potholes.

Stan Popovich has some tips about how to be happier. Who wouldn’t want that?

—Drew Penner, Editor

Wildcats junior Finn Allan helps bring international fly fishing film festival to CineLux Los Gatos

Finn Allan is a go-getter. An avid fly fisher, Allan helped bring the renowned International Fly Fishing Festival (IF4) for a single screening to the CineLux Los Gatos Theatre on Aug. 23 at 10am. This is the lone IF4 showing in the Bay Area–the next closest screening location is Redding on Nov. 6. That was […]

Subject reportedly watering marijuana plants outside his car at CVS Pharmacy on Blossom Hill Road (Police Blotter, June 21-27)

June 21 June 22 June 23 June 24 June 25 June 26 June 27 These reports are compiled from publicly available information released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Prepared by Anika Kapasi

Q&A: Town responds to questions about new MyLosGatos311 app

We reached out to the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department to learn about the way the Town’s new MyLosGatos311 app interacts with overall public safety matters. They directed us back to the Town Manager’s Office. An official there provided the following responses. The Town continues to focus on finding ways to modernize how people connect […]

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. named ‘Business of the Year’

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, the artisan roastery that serves as a community hub, was founded by Teri Hope more than 45 years ago. That makes it the longest-running coffee roaster in Silicon Valley. But the enticing smell of roasting beans has been absent from our town, ever since a speeding Volvo crashed into the […]

Join us at our next monthly flea market on Saturday, July 4, from 8am to 2pm at De Anza College in Cupertino. There are more than 800 vendor stalls selling plants, clothes, antiques, jewelry, books, records, games, tools and tons of other treasures. You’ll also find a delicious variety of food like Asian/Korean, Mexican, chicken sandwiches, crepes and kettle corn, shaved ice, and ice cream. If you're interested in selling at the August 1 market, visit the De Anza Flea Market website or email us at DAFleaMarket@fhda.edu.

7 curiosities of the Santa Cruz Mountains

The history of the Santa Cruz Mountains is still underneath the soil of the redwoods—until it gets dug out. Millions of years ago, the region was submerged in water, leaving leftovers of marine sediment to molt into the sandstone and limestone we have today. Since then, the ground we stand on has included storylines about […]

Independence Day 2026: America Turns 250!

Back 250 years ago, after 11 years of war with Great Britain, the United States Declaration of Independence was signed by the revolutionists. The American Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783. Thirteen original colonies broke free from the British Crown. The Kingdom of Great Britain would no longer rule the colonies. The Treaty of […]

Blum: Out of the shower, into the gallery

I usually get my ideas for articles while showering. I don’t know why this is. When I was in college, I used to sing Neil Young songs in the shower, so I guess this shower brainstorming routine is an improvement. Recently, however, I received an idea from outside the bathroom. Skip Brewster, a colleague in […]

The future is looking bright for this young filmmaker and ballet dancer

William McClure Stout attended three separate high schools to pursue a future in the arts. After completing two years at Los Gatos High School, his Los Gatos Ballet instructors, Peter Doll and Kristin D’Addario, suggested he consider transferring to a program at San Francisco Ballet School. He ultimately landed at Columbia University. In his junior […]

Delightful Sunday at the ‘fastest zucchini track in the world’

On the first day of summer, in perfect weather, the annual Farmers Market Zucchini Car Races were held. This year, the race day also fell on Father’s Day. The “fastest zucchini track in the world” was assembled on top of the children’s fountain that remains under repair. A large crowd, with zucchinis in hand, formed […]