First-year teacher named Los Gatos High's Educator of the Year
There are many unsung heroes working behind the scenes to further education, among them Joanne and Joe Rodgers. Since 1992 the Rodgerses have given a nontaxable gift of $2,500 each year to the Los Gatos High School Educator of the Year. The spin is that the winning teacher is voted upon by the students and differs from the Teacher of the Year award from the Los Gatossaratoga Union High School District. The winner is announced at the yearend picnic on the front lawn of LGHS.
This year's winner is
Ken Nakamoto, director of bands, who is finishing his first year at LGHS. His students say, “He's Nakamazing!”
“For his first year, Mr. Nakamoto has gone above and beyond to make the band environment (both marching and concert) continue to thrive,” one student said.
Rider appreciation
July is Rider Appreciation Month at the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad in Oak Meadow Park. The man who started it all will be celebrated on July 24, when riders get to name the amount of their donation for each ride on the train or the carousel. The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad is a nonprofit organization and receives no outside funding. This popular attraction operates solely on the generosity of customers. Train and carousel hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the snack shack is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the barbecue will be cooking from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Music in the park
Los Gatos has some wonderful summer music programs to enjoy. The free Los Gatos Music in the Park takes place Sundays, 5-7 p.m., at the Civic Center. The first of six concerts is coming up July 23, featuring Traveling Wilbury's Revue. https://www. losgatosca.gov/350/musicin-the-park The 2023 Jazz on the Plazz series features “An Etta James Summer.” Concerts are every Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., through Aug. 23 at Los Gatos Town Plaza on the corner of Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue . https://www.facebook. com/jazzontheplazz
Chamber farewell
The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce will be saying goodbye to executive director Catherine Sommers as of June 30 and saying hello to her replacement, Jennifer Linn. “I have had a wonderful eight years here,” Somers says. “We are so proud of the work we have done. Going forward, I think the board may focus their efforts on building our Chamber membership as well as destination marketing. Word is they will bring back the monthly summer Promenades because everyone loves them so much.”