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vol . 2 , no. 4 : september 28-october 4, 2022 : losgatan.com
silicon alleys p4 : masters athletes excel p10 : upcoming events p15 : ny times crossword puzzle p17 Erik Chalhoub/Los Gatan
VOTERS WILL HAVE A SAY ON SCHOOL ARTS FUNDING Seven state propositions are on the Nov. 8 ballot
Business owners, pointing to Los Gatos’ program, seek help in covering costs
Todd Guild, Reporter
In 2008, as the economic recession was ravaging communities nationwide, school districts were forced to take a close look at their budgets, and in many cases make massive cuts to preserve the meat of their programs. The first casualties of this across-the-board slashing were often art and music programs. In the intervening years, many districts have reversed this. Still, the programs are not at the levels they once were. That could change under Proposition 28, a proposed state law that would require the state to increase its funding to K-12 music and arts programs statewide. The proposition—also called the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act—would not raise taxes. Instead, it would shift approximately 1% of the state’s $128 billion education budget to be used for that purpose. State officials say the increased funding would total an extra $1 billion for schools, 80% of which must go toward ➝ Propositions, 6
PARKLET PLANS SUBJECT TO CHANGES IN CAMPBELL Heather Allen, Bay City News
The Campbell City Council met on Sept. 20 to discuss a proposed semi-permanent parklet system that would replace the temporary system currently in place, but decided to hold off on taking action on the proposal until at least next month. Parklets have been a popular solution to restaurants and their patrons during the Covid-19 pandemic, including in Los Gatos. Restaurants could remain open while providing diners with space to socially ➝ Campbell, 4
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STRIVE FOR PEACE Los Gatos artist David Middlebrook describes the basalt monument he created that was unveiled Sept. 21 at the Morgan Hill Civic Plaza in honor of World Peace Day. Middlebrook, a retired San Jose State University art professor, works with a variety of stones and bronze materials for his pieces, which have been shown throughout the world. The nine-foot-tall basalt column features the word “Peace” carved in more than 25 languages. At the top of a sculpture sits a dove with an olive branch. Three basalt benches also surround the artwork. Middlebrook said he chose basalt because it contains “the building blocks of life.” “You can’t get any more inclusive of a material that represents life than basalt,” he said.
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