HAPPY HOLIDAYS! @losgatan
vol . 5 , no. 17 : december 24-30, 2025 : losgatan.com
fatal tesla crash p5 : charitable cookies p7 : boys soccer p8 : ny times crossword P9 Faizi Samadani / Los Gatan
AMID STRIDENT DISAGREEMENT, COUNCIL VOTES TO ADVANCE PRIDE FLAG PLAN Mary Badame is the lone vote against Rob Moore’s first regularagenda item as mayor Drew Penner, Editor
After years of avoiding the issue, Los Gatos is moving forward with a policy that could allow a rainbow flag to fly above Town Hall within months. High school students and members of the LGBT+ community faced off with senior citizens and religious adherents Dec. 16 at Council, as Los Gatos considered whether a “Progress Pride Flag” should flutter above its civic buildings (which would make it the 12th municipality in Santa Clara County to take such action). Ken Windham (who told this reporter he’s a resident of “None of your business”), argued that displaying a 49ers or Baltimore Colts flag on your vehicle—or slapping a sticker on your bumper—is one thing, but raising a Pride Flag at Town Hall may invite demands from Nazis (or “Save the Dolphins” / “Save the Turtles” activists) to elevate their insignia. “You’re opening the door to ➝ Flag, 4
RESILIENCE Lisa and Eric Hoffner, owners of Peacock Tree Farm, say despite challenges with hiring workers this season, it’s been a pretty great year, thanks to good weather and consistent demand.
ARTIFICIAL TREE INDUSTRY NO MATCH FOR LOCAL FARMERS Christmas tree growers stand their groundin the face of Americans warming to artificial ones Faizi Samadani, Contributor
The mountains of Los Gatos have housed several Christmas Tree Farms for decades.
It can be tricky to keep the business afloat when sales are concentrated around one month each year, particularly given the rise in popularity of artificial trees. So, how have these family farms been able to maintain such a loyal customer base? And will there eventually be a change in trend, or is this industry
resilient enough to persevere through anything? According to the American Christmas Tree Association, more than 80% of American families will put up a fake tree this year. But here in Los Gatos, our local Christmas tree farms aren’t deterred by statistics. There are other trendlines ➝ Trees, 6
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