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vol . 2, no. 37 : may 17-23 , 2023 : losgatan.com
’c a t s r o u n d u p p 11 : o p i n i o n p 12 : u p c o m i n g e v e n t s p 15 : n y t i m e s c r o s s w o r d p u z z l e p 17 Courtesy of Whitney Modern Contemporary Fine Art Gallery
UNION-HIRING RULE BROUGHT INTO FOCUS OVER PROJECT Questions surround Saratoga project’s labor requirements Ben Christopher, CalMatters
From the parking lot, there's nothing to suggest that Quito Village is the California housing policy equivalent of a unicorn, or that the seemingly low-key project is sitting at the center of one of this year's biggest political fights. Peek through one of the gates of this dirt lot in the San Jose suburb of Saratoga. Trenches, a few foundations and an excavator pawing at a mountain of dirt are the only indication that, if all goes to plan, this will be the site of 90 new townhouses next year. But though it may not be obvious—even to one of its developers, who was surprised to hear the news—this easyto-ignore housing development appears to be one of a kind. What makes Quito Village unique dates to early 2020 when Sand Hill Property Company agreed to follow a strict labor standard, promoted by some of the state's most powerful organized labor groups, that favors the hiring of union workers. The Silicon Valley real ➝ Housing, 8
TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN ‘HUB’ GROWS IN LOS GATOS Simitian evaluates the results of new grade he helped introduce across California Drew Penner, Reporter
Transitional kindergarten teacher Kajsa Byrne had the children in her Lexington Elementary class gathered around a circular table, engrossed in a literacy assignment. They scarcely noticed some of the region’s most powerful educational figures enter the room. Michael Stock, a science, technology, engineering, art and math teacher on special assignment was instructing others on engrossing blocks that ➝ Kindergarten, 6
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EVOKING NOSTALGIA Los Gatos artist Gordon Smedt sits in front of his oil on canvas piece, “Happy Place.” The Whitney Modern Contemporary Fine Art Gallery is showcasing his work in a new solo exhibit, “Reminisce.” For the story, turn to page 13.
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