Santa Clara County Neighborhoods Digest

Two East Palo Alto friends have dreamed up Brewing with Brothas—what they hope will become East Palo Alto’s first microbrewery.

Those with a 650 area code now have to dial a 1 prior to the number. This is happening to make way for using the number 988 for a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

A Costco is planned for Westgate West, but some San Jose residents are opposed. The growing number of voices agree that buildings shouldn’t sit vacant, but would like to see the city planners get more creative instead of bringing in another big-box store.

Mary McClean is celebrating her return to Los Gatos as the first purchaser of a North 40 home. Hers is one of many happy homecoming stories to come.

Santa Clara’s well-known Parade of Champions found its way back to its familiar parade route after taking a year off due to COVID-19. Turnout was higher than in previous years, as residents welcomed the opportunity for some normalcy.

A new UC Berkeley study shows which regions of the Bay Area are the most segregated, and the findings are intriguing.

A San Jose neighborhood loves a local mural that celebrates Hispanic heritage and has been responsible for a reduction of graffiti incidents. But now the new owner of the building the mural is located on has announced he will be removing it despite protests from locals.

Since October of 1921, the Garden Club of Palo Alto has kept the city green, tending to trees and gardens at libraries, schools and other public spaces.

Another local tradition is returning after a break due to COVID-19. Santa Clara residents will welcome back the popular Parade of Champions.

The 2021 Taste of Morgan Hill and Car Show has been canceled due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the area and a shortage of vendor interest, among other factors. The festival had been tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25-26.

More than a year after his Gilroy music store closied, Dave Porcella agreed to an interview about his music shop and its place in the community. “How do you let go of this legacy that has been in the family for over 120 years?” he said.

A shepherd and 150 goats are clearing land to create defensible space near El Toro Mountain.

When the Raineris purchased five acres in San Martin four years ago, Joe wanted to “dabble” in farming and Lisa wanted home-grown ingredients for cooking. That dabbling grew into a property with 2,000 heirloom tomato plants, and countless others producing zucchini, artichoke, basil, and pepper.

Owners of several Los Altos restaurants created a texting group in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has become a place to receive and offer help—proof that working together benefits all the businesses.

A 20,000-square-foot project located at 170 State St. in Los Altos, the State Street Market food hall is preparing to open this summer with a mix of local vendors and regional culinary stars.

Gilroyans are rallying behind Pinocchio’s Pizza owner Sal Oliveri, who was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago. A GoFundMe page to raise funds for his family has a goal of $10,000.

The Mountain View Whisman School District is looking to revamp Monta Loma Park following a controversial decision to fence off public access during school hours. Officials say they hope a reconfiguration will meet school security needs as well as local demand for green space.

The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill hosted Rotarians from nearby communities and staff from the El Toro Boys and Girls Club to spruce up Galvan Park, located on Crest Avenue in north Morgan Hill. The club will continue to clean and maintain the park once a month.

In a three-part series, local newspaper Milpitas Beat took a look at the issue of homelessness in the region. In the final article, it examines the challenges that homeless people face when trying to secure something that many take for granted.

San Francisco’s Wildseed will bring its plant-based cuisine to the Town & Country Village in Palo Alto. Jonathan Banasky, marketing manager for the restaurant group behind Wildseed, confirmed the new eatery would open “in late summer or early fall 2021.”

Columnist Michael Vargas and South Bay lawmakers respond to a San Diego judge's ruling that California’s assault weapons ban is unconstitutional, saying "gun policy should be set by local communities, not unelected judges."

Through Real Good Greens, the delivery service she co-founded, Helene Zahoudanis ensures that produce from small Bay Area farms finds its way to local consumers’ tables.

Morgan Hill Unified School District’s new superintendent hasn’t even started her new job yet, but a local parent has already asked the board of education to reconsider the appointment of Dr. Carmen Garcia.

The Sesquicentennial Time Capsule, featuring items that represent 2020 in Gilroy, has been sealed and will stay shut until 2070. Retired Gilroy High School art teacher Carol Peters painted the capsule.

Despite plans to wait until the end of October to reopen several streets closed during the pandemic, the Palo Alto City Council will now consider earlier dates.

In downtown Morgan Hill, the thoroughfare will be reduced by one lane in each direction before the end of this year, as city officials and downtown business owners seek to make the neighborhood safer and friendlier.

Milpitas residents picked up trash, swept pathways, and sanitizied the surfaces of garbage cans. “We’re not sure the frequency yet but we’re looking to make these a regular thing,” said Recreation and Community Services Director Renee Lorentzen.

Barb Granter, Gilroy Gardens’ longtime general manager, is heading to Santa Clara’s Great America theme park. Succeeding her will be Hoa Minh Le, who has been at the Gilroy park since 2003, most recently serving as vice president of marketing and assistant general manager.

The Los Altos Educational Foundation has struggled to raise money during the pandemic. To help, Loyola School second-grader Finley Snedigar is selling hand-drawn notecards locally.

About a month ago, Kim Henrie started looking for a companion for her two adult cats. Instead, she was allegedly bilked out of $770.