Weight loss is the No. 1 priority on many people's lists of New Year's resolutions, and it is also the city of Monte Sereno's newest challenge to the community.

Mayor Erin Garner will be leading the first annual "Monte Sereno New Year's Blubber Buster Challenge" as part of a series of events in 2004 promoting health and wellness awareness.

Participants should first seek a health expert's advice in establishing a personal goal of how much weight would be healthy for them to lose in the first eight weeks of the year.

Open enrollment featuring a "weigh-in," waiver signing, optional photograph and setting of weight-loss goals will begin at city hall Jan. 2 and end Jan. 16.

The challenge will include Saturday walks and guest speakers on nutrition and physical fitness, followed by a "weigh-out" and "Monte Sereno Wellness Champion T-shirt" distribution to participants on March 1. More information is available at city hall, located at 18041 Saratoga­Los Gatos Road, Monte Sereno, or by calling 408.354.7635.

Plea entered in creek trail killing

Defendant Sean Viehweg entered a plea Dec. 18 for the voluntary manslaughter of Russell Jordan.

A student at Los Gatos High School, Jordan was initially considered a missing person when he disappeared in 1982.

Viewheg, a former classmate, was arrested last May after Jordan's bones were found on the Los Gatos Creek Trail. He will be sentenced to six years in state prison, the maximum possible sentence for a voluntary manslaughter committed in 1982.

Sentencing will be held on Jan. 20 before Superior Court Judge Ronald T. Lisk.

Santa Claus comes to Los Gatos

Santa Claus will visit Los Gatos on Dec. 23. The jolly man in the red suit will be at the town plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call Judy Glickman at 408.358.7889.

Public offices closed for the holidays

Numerous offices and institutions will be closed for the holiday season. The Los Gatos Library and the Civic Center will be closed on Dec. 24­25 and Dec. 31­Jan. 1. The Neighborhood Center will also be closed on Dec. 24­26 and Dec. 31.

Donate blood at St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church will be holding a blood drive on Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 219 Bean St. For more information, contact Karen Carr at 408.354-4061 ext. 17.