Laurel Curve

Two weeks ago after a heavy rainstorm, Caltrans made a unilateral decision to close the Highway 17 turn-off at Laurel Curve that connects to Laurel Road. Although Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) had reportedly been considering this closure for awhile, there was never a public forum to discuss the impacts on the surrounding community. At last week’s Regional Transportation Commission meeting, we heard about the problems this closure has caused for the over 100 families who live off Laurel Road and count on that turn-off to facilitate getting their kids to and from school and themselves to and from work. They described how they are now forced to make dangerous U-turns on Highway 17, while nearly 30 minutes is added to trips that used to take half that time. Planners have stated that this closure is a temporary measure. In an effort to ensure that affected community members are heard from, Caltrans and CHP representatives will attend my monthly constituent meeting at the summit on Wednesday, April 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. I encourage your attendance to share your concerns and ideas.

On a beautiful sunny morning, the Skyland Church Women’s Group hosted the festive Easter buffet in Whitaker Hall. The brunch followed the Easter service led by the Reverend Stephen Glauz-Todrank. The church service was centered around the children of the congregation. After the service, the adults gathered in Whitaker Hall for a delicious buffet while the children ran gleefully to the backyard for the Easter egg hunt. The Easter bunny greeted the children and they began searching the area for hidden Easter eggs. The parents stood on the balcony above the yard, watching the hunt. Special thanks to Gina Adams and members of the Religious Education Board for the Easter egg hunt.

Members of Skyland Church share Easter brunch in Whitaker Hall. Those pictured include John Gaffney (under clock), Carolyn Glauz-Todrank (talking to John), Gina Adams (blue top) seated at table, Kim Gautho (at Gina's right), Morgan Gautho (girl facing wall.) Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

The Easter bunny and Jessy Rosen wait behind Whitaker Hall for the children before the Easter egg hunt. Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

Deadly Laurel curve claims a driver during today's rain. Photos by Phil Siebert

Traffic was stopped at 10:45 and did not reopen until 11:30am and then it was a single lane in each direction. Traffic continued to be plagued by slowdowns when another accident occurred at Sims Road around 12:30.

This SUV was struck today when a sedan crossed over the highway, killing the driver of the sedan.

Laurel curve is a deadly curve located between Glenwood Drive and Glenwood Cutoff on Highway 17. There are a number of different elements that contribute to this dangerous curve. This portion is missing the center divider and the sharp curve can catch motorists off guard. The large turnout that contains construction equipment and the occasional law enforcement officer contributes to the distractions at this deadly curve.

When driving on Highway 17 it is imperative to pay attention to the road, leave plenty of space between vehicles, drive at an appropriate speed and if the road is wet (especially if it is a first rain) remember that it can become very slippery.

Visit the Summit Store for everything you need!

Are you wondering where you can find a huge selection of local wines? A place where even the hard to find wines are stocked? The Summit Store has an amazing selection of local wines, as well as other spirits including Rum from Venezuela! Pair your wine with a cheese like the Miticana Sheep cheese from Spain, and grab some rice crackers to go with it.

If you are on your way home, to the beach or to a nearby park, hit the deli counter and order one of their famous and delicious deli sandwiches made to order. If you are in a really big hurry, grab a pre-made sandwich or a tray of freshly made sushi. Sushi? Yes! The sushi is made on site right in front of you. It’s an unexpected treat!

Are you looking for top notch meat? You can choose from any number of tasty meats including their famous Bloody Mary marinated tri-tip, teriyaki tri-tip and anything you want to order can be yours! You can special order cuts of meat for the holidays or other events by simply talking to the butcher.

This little store has so much to offer it’s hard to fit it all in. There is a coffee bar, a salad bar, fresh, local produce, Santa Cruz Mountains branded hats, t-shirts and local books covering the history of the area. There is also take and bake pizza, a wide selection of bread and virtually every staple you could imagine.

Stay tuned as we will be covering the store as they constantly improve and offer new products and services.

Local mountain resident Harold Hoyt is a Sheriff’s volunteer at the substation on the Loma Prieta School campus. Mr. Hoyt has been serving the local community for 13 years. In 2009, Mr. Hoyt received an award from the Sheriff’s office for ten years of outstanding volunteer service.

Sheriff's volunteer Harold Hoyt at the Sheriff's sub station. Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

Hiway 17: “Harold, how long has this Sheriff’s substation been here?”

Hoyt: “Well, according to my little plaque over there, it started in 1999. We were originally in the old CT building. After the earthquake they moved us down to the fire station and then after they got everything back going again, they moved us back here.”

Hiway 17: “When did you become a Sheriff’s volunteer?”

Hoyt: “Like I said. 1999. When it first started as a substation, my wife and I and several others were here. We’re down in numbers at the moment. Some of our previous members passed away.”

Hiway 17: “How does one become a Sheriff’s volunteer?”

Hoyt: “Well, you just talk to us and we have a form you can fill out. You fill out this form and send it in, they check you out and make sure you’re… not a felon.”

Hiway 17: “No criminal record?”

Hoyt: “No criminal record. That’s one good thing. You get fingerprinted too. And they have training, and this morning I spoke to the sergeant who’s in charge of this area, training for people. We have a turnover in personnel just like most jobs, so you need to have a continuation going. Some people just feel like they’ve had enough. They retire. Some of them, more elderly, they just can’t do it any more. Some times I think I’m getting up in that area.”

Hiway 17: “What’s it like being a Sheriff’s volunteer in this community?”

Hoyt: “I’m only speaking for myself. Personally, I enjoy it. People know me, and I don’t know who they are, but I see their faces, and I speak to them. It’s a good feeling. On Friday afternoons, when school gets out, I direct traffic right over here on the intersection by the two schools. I do not go out on the road.”

Hiway 17: “You don’t go out on Summit Road?”

Hoyt: “No, I do not. It’s hectic enough right over here. The fact is, I was gone for a couple of weeks in October and November, and when I got back somebody said, I’m glad to see you back.”

Hiway 17: “When you’re on duty here, do you drive a squad car?”

Hoyt: “No, we have no vehicle here. It would not actually be a squad car per-say. It would be a volunteer car. We do not carry firearms or anything like that. We strictly write minor reports and assist in other things wherever we can. We have gone down to the Wharf-to-Wharf Race and helped with the traffic. We go to the Santa Cruz County Fair usually in September and assist with the child ID equipment, and at the Firemen’s Barbecue I usually have child ID equipment up here, and at the craft fare in December.”

Hiway 17: “Child ID, is that where they fingerprint the children?”

Hoyt: “On the form we print the first and last name, it’s up to the parents for the rest of it. We take a picture, we take the fingerprints and use a Q-Tip for a DNA swab, and on the back of the form is a place for dental records. We hand that to the parents or guardian, and we delete it off our computer. We keep no information.”

Hiway 17: “I understand you served in the U.S. Air Force?”

Hoyt: “I did 25 years active duty and seven and a half years active reserve.”

Hiway 17: “Were you a pilot?”

Hoyt: “No, no, I maintained the air traffic control radar. I’ve been stationed in Mississippi, Texas, England, Korea and Alaska.”

Hiway 17: “Were you in a combat zone?”

Hoyt: “No, the closest I ever got was when I was in Korea, that was during Vietnam.”

Hiway 17: “What’s your favorite TV show?”

Hoyt: “I watch TV, but as to my favorite at the present moment, I like the NCIS, CSI and some of the others, you know? Sometimes I get to watching Antique Roadshow or some other documentary.”

Hiway 17: “Do you watch the TV series Cops?”

 Hoyt: “No, I don’t. My son does, I believe, since he is a cop.”

Hiway 17: “Is he a cop in this community?”

Hoyt: “San Jose. He’s been there about eleven years now.”

Hiway 17: “Would you say this community needs more Sheriff’s volunteers?”

Hoyt: “Yes, we do. We’re the only ones up here. We don’t have a sergeant or a regular deputy assigned up here in the office itself. They’re short staffed and we only have four of our volunteers that actually come in and spend time here. We did have five, but I’m not sure if the other one is up to it at the present time, and most of them only spend three or four hours a day. When we first started we had ten people, each of them spent four hours a day. I’m the only one that comes in on Friday, and I’m here from roughly ten o’clock to five o’clock.”

Hiway 17: “Is there a volunteer here every day?”

Hoyt: “No. It would be nice if we could. We answer the phone and help people as much as possible. I’ve had people call and they want to report something stolen, back in Chicago or somewhere else, we can’t help them there. It has to be our area. The fact is, we’re in Santa Cruz County. I’ve had people calling from Santa Clara County, they need to call the Santa Clara County office to make their reports.”

Hiway 17: “Do the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s meet here with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s?”

Hoyt: “That desk you’re sitting at is actually theirs, but I don’t know if they come up here or not. The deputies could come up here at night because they have access and work on reports. They also have an office in Redwood Estates. Santa Cruz County has one here at the Summit, they’ve got one in Watsonville, one is in Aptos, one down in Live Oak, there’s one in Felton, and they actually have volunteers at the Sheriff’s office itself at the courthouse in Santa Cruz.”

According to Mr. Hoyt, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s volunteers contribute over 1000 hours of work per year.                 

The Reverend Minister Stephen Glauz- Todrank. Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

Skyland Community Church, a member of the United Church of Christ, has been serving the Summit area since 1887. Stephen Glauz- Todrank accepted the position of Reverend Minister of Skyland Church in 1990. The Reverend is a graduate of Harvard Divinity. He lives in the Summit community with his wife, Carolyn.  He is the author of Transforming Christianity: Ten Pathways to a New Reformation.

I have known Stephen for several years; he is my minister and neighbor. He is a humble and highly intelligent individual who cares deeply about his congregation. I met Stephen for this interview in his office on the lower level of Whitaker Hall located next to the sanctuary.

Hiway 17: Stephen, when did you decide to become a Minister?

Glauz-Todrank: Well, I was in Seminary at Harvard Divinity School and while I was there I was planning to become a professor, I was in an MA program, but I just felt the sense of call while I was there. I transferred to the Masters of Divinity, which is the Vocational Degree for Ministry. It was about 1975, something like that.

Hiway 17: How did you become the Minister here, at Skyland Church.

Glauz- Todrank: Well, the United Church of Christ, which Skyland Church is a member. That’s the name of the denomination. The way it works is the church forms a search committee, and it works with the conference minister, who’s from the northern California area, and they put out a message through a denominational magazine that there’s a job opening. I saw the job opening, and I submitted a resume. It was a ten-page resume. The search committee worked through that, and hired me.

Hiway 17: What’s it like to be the minister at Skyland Community Church?

Glauz –Todrank: I really love being the minister here. I’ve been here twenty-one years and one of the things that I like is being part of the community. This is a wonderful church community and I love the people here, and I like being part of the wider mountain community as well, and it has always felt like home to me.

Hiway 17: Have you ever considered televising your services?

Glauz-Todrank: Well, the sermons are available on MP3, we haven’t thought of televising. Anything’s possible.

Hiway 17: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to be a minister?

Glauz-Todrank: Well my dad was a professor, and I thought that’s what I would want to be when I grew up. When I got older, I found that I really wanted to work with people. Not so much from an academic or thought point of view, but more from a heart point of view and a spirit point of view, so that became more important to me.

Hiway 17: What’s your favorite TV show?

Glauz-Todrank: I don’t get any TV, [Laughs].

Hiway 17: If you were granted one wish. What would you wish for?

Glauz-Todrank: That’s a good question. World peace. Harmony among all people on Earth.

Hiway 17: Where do you see Skyland Church in one hundred years?

Glauz-Todrank: I think there will always be a place for people to gather face to face and be in a spiritual community together. I think this church is really evolving and I think society is really evolving and lots more things are done on the Internet and people have made connections with each other all over the world on the Internet. I think there’s always going to be people who want to gather face to face and do what people do, pray together, to sing together, to eat together, to do projects to hopefully make the world a better place. I can imagine Skyland Church being here a hundred years from now and not looking greatly different from Skyland Church today, because I don’t think the Skyland Church of today is much different from how it was a hundred years ago, because this church has been going over a hundred years. I think people have been doing similar kinds of projects all that time. It’s never become a really huge church, it’s never completely died out. It’s always found some people in the community who have a spirit that wants to work together.

Hiway 17: I heard someone once called this church, ‘the little church that could.’ Who came up with that?

Glauz-Todrank: [Laughs] Actually it was one of our seminary student interns who was here and she said this is ‘the little church that could.’ [Laughs] She meant that we’re a small group, and that we do a fair amount due to our size.

The Reverend delivers his weekly sermons every Sunday at ten- thirty AM at Skyland Community Church at 25100 Skyland Road, Los Gatos CA, 95033.

Photo courtesy of Don Wolf

Doug Beattie (November 9, 1939 – January 13, 2012)
Doug first joined the Los Gatos Kiwanis in August 1966. An irrepressible Cardinals fan, I always assumed that he had attended Stanford. He worked with optics and cameras in Los Gatos in the 1970s. (You don’t know how little you know about your friends until they suddenly pass.) He re-joined the Kiwanis club in May 1993, and he served ably as the club’s treasurer for most of the subsequent years. In this role, Doug attended monthly board meetings, wrote scholarship checks to worthy students, and handled the accounting for the annual Fiesta de Artes event each August.
Doug provided a calm, steady voice and reliably sound advice to his friends, and he had a great sense of humor and a wry wit. He will be sorely missed.

A memorial for Doug was held Tuesday, January 17, at 1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, 16575 Shannon Road.

Gabriel Benjamin striking what he calls the raja hanumanasana pose on the beach. Photo by Chris Bratt.

There are many kinds of Yoga practiced in the U.S. today. Three kinds seem to be very popular. These include Bikram, Hatha and Kundalini Yoga. Bikram Yoga’s namesake is Bikram Choudhury. Bikram teaches his craft at the Bikram College of India in Los Angeles. Bikram studios must be kept at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 70% humidity so that students can perform the twenty- six postures. Bikram states in his book, Beginning Yoga Class, “These twenty-six poses are meant to systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to each organ and fiber of your body, and to restore all the systems to healthy working order.” This practice improves flexibility and helps detoxify the body. It does not emphasize the spiritual. I once tried Bikram Yoga. It seemed too hot for me and I would prefer to practice another form of Yoga without the heat.

Hatha Yoga is a slower paced class with stretching asanas (poses) and
breathing exercises. It is relaxed and meditative. I really like Hatha Yoga
because it seems to be a good fit for me because it increases my flexibility and is meditative. It has a physical aspect and a spiritual aspect. Supermodel Christy Turlington, in her book Living Yoga, stated, “It is a system of Yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a Hindu sage of 15th century India”. Through Hatha Yoga, the practitioner tries to achieve balance between his body and his mind. This involves using asanas and combining this with pranayama that is a kind of breath control.

The spiritual energy in Yoga is called Kundalini, which is located in the sacrum of the spine. By practicing certain physical exercises along with breath control, the Kundalini will travel up the spine and open seven chakras on the way until it reaches the seventh chakra (at the top of the head) and unites with Ultimate Reality.

Kundalini Yoga is “a physical, mental and spiritual discipline for developing
strength, awareness, character and consciousness”, said Christy Turlington. This kind of Yoga has an emphasis on the spiritual awareness of the practitioner and requires speaking the truth, compassion and serving others. This is an advanced form of Yoga.

Lotus flowers have long been associated with yoga

Yoga is being used to treat patients who have suffered severe trauma. Peter A.
Levine, Ph.D., is a psychologist who has 35 years experience in treating patients
for stress and trauma. In writing about the positive effects of Yoga to treat his
patients, he said, “This should be of no surprise when we realize that a common
denominator of all traumas is an alienation and disconnection from the body and
a reduced capacity to be present in the here and now.” He also said, “I
have seen various kinds of body interventions work dramatically – but none more
so than the physical practices of Yoga.” He added, “I have spent most of my
adult life studying Yoga. And I have come to see that it can be a particularly
healing intervention for those tormented by the unhealed effects of trauma.” In addition to treating patients suffering from physical trauma, Yoga is being used
to treat returning soldiers who are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Thich Nhat Hanh, the world-renowned Zen Buddhist Monk said, “If you have
mindfullness, you have love and understanding, you see more deeply, and you can heal the wounds of your own mind. For when you touch deep understanding
and love, you are healed.” This is how Yoga helps.

Some Yoga practices emphasize the spiritual more than others and there is a
wide array of practices available to the average person today. Some people
don’t want a spiritual practice if they already have one, say, a Catholic or
Protestant believer. These people take Yoga classes the way they take any
exercise class, it’s just exercise. But according to ancient practice, the entire
purpose of Yoga is spiritual in nature and the asanas really just represent a
small portion of a Yoga practice. One could say that Yoga is a spiritual practice
with a physical aspect rather than Yoga is a physical practice with a spiritual aspect. In my opinion, either way, it’s a good thing and each person has to determine what he or she needs in their lives and what is to be gained.

A person will change with the practice of Yoga and then their practice will evolve
as they evolve, as will their spiritual goals evolve. Ancient Yoga has had profound effect on the modern world and has changed us and benefited us physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Local Realtor Cassie Maas, pictured below second from left, was honored as the 2012 Chair of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, Los Gatos/Saratoga District. The gala, in celebration of the passing of the gavel, took place on December 8th at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos. It was preceded by a cocktail party and was followed by a dinner.

Passing the gavel to Cassie Maas, 2012 Chair, Los Gatos/Saratoga District. Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

In attendance (and pictured above) were Chairs representing the past ten years, with several past Chairs absent. Doug Evans (far left), manager of Coldwell Banker, Los Gatos was the 2011 Chair. Also pictured above is Bill Rehbock (third from left), Ian Macrae (fourth from left), David Tonna, Dennis Byron, and Jeff Barnett (far right), and John Tripp, a local mountain resident, (second from right). Each past Chair took the gavel and ceremoniously tapped it before passing it down the line where it was handed off to Ms. Maas in recognition of her upcoming year as Chair.

Upon accepting this honor, Ms. Maas said, “I’m the only one wearing a dress up here, because it’s been a long time since a woman has had this position.” This comment was greeted with loud cheers and applause. She also said, “I was originally licensed in 1977. I ended up working for Jeff Barnett of Alain Pinel Realtors, and Jeff was very involved in real estate and he encouraged all of us to get involved and he was actually the very first person to set me on this road. I really appreciate this opportunity and I really appreciate the support that I’ve been given from the beginning. I look forward to this coming year.”

Karen Trolan, Chair Elect, and Cassie Maas, Chair, 2012 SILVAR, Los Gatos/Saratoga District. Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

Ms. Maas also acknowledged Karen Trolan who will be the Chair-Elect for 2012.  Ms. Maas also expressed her appreciation for her Broker, Dennis Byron, who has supported and encouraged her.

Ms. Maas is a second-generation Realtor with Luxor Real Estate Group, in Los Gatos. She is a long-time Los Gatos resident and mother of two. She is an inaugural graduate of the Bay Area Real Estate Leadership Academy and was co-founder and Vice President of Smartphones Technologies.

John Tripp and Cassie Maas, local mountain residents with Paul Cardus, SILVAR Executive Officer. Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

Ms. Maas will be responsible for conducting over 40 meetings this coming year.  She will also represent local homeowner’s interests and Los Gatos and Saratoga Realtors at the California Association of Realtors (CAR) meetings as a CAR Director.

This year’s attendees included Paul Hume, founder of Alain Pinel Realtors, his wife Helga and his children who have assumed ownership of Alain Pinel Realtors. Jeff Barnett, Managing Broker of the Los Gatos office and Carol Burnett, Managing Broker of the Saratoga Alain Pinel office were also in attendance.

Cassie Maas talking to Paul Hulme and his family at the gala. Photo by Anthony Petrillo.

Other attendees included past Presidents of SILVAR, and Suzanne Yost, 2012 President of SILVAR. If you want to learn more about SILVAR, visit their site at www.SILVAR.org.