It's out with the old and in with the new as 2004 rolls in to take over for 2003. It's an opportunity to celebrate another year of memories while also looking ahead to the new events and experiences that are sure to come in the 12 months ahead.
And as one year gives way to the next, we have an opportunity to recall many of the stories that made 2003 a memorable year before the events of 2004 take over the headlines.
Here are headlines that summarize some of the local stories in 2003:
TIP a Pip—The Theater Improvement Project began, and the effort to improve the deteriorating performing arts facilities at Los Gatos High School has proven to be a resounding success. While there is still much left to do, the community has come together to support the effort with spirit and enthusiasm.
Road Work Ahead—The Streetscape Project had downtown merchants crying for a detour, and the town complied by halting work from March of 2004 to March of 2005 to give local businesses a little relief. The town had already postponed its color-coded parking system plan earlier in the year.
All That Jazz—There was much ado about music in Los Gatos in 2003. When the Los Gatos Town Council voted to keep the popular summer Music in the Park series at civic center rather than move it back to town plaza, it was greeted by a chorus of controversy. But out of that discussion, a new series began—Jazz on the Plazz.
Winchester Cathedral—The Sobrato Development Companies had gained approval in 2002 for the construction of the largest development project ever in Los Gatos, but scaled back its plans in August for the facility on Winchester Boulevard near Highway 85. The new plan calls for 295 apartments and 120,000 square feet of office space on the 12.3-acre parcel. But just when it appeared the new plan would be approved, the soccer community turned out at the Los Gatos Planning Commission meeting to make a plea for Sobrato to include a soccer field for youth in its plans.
American Bandstand—It was truly an all-American celebration when the town turned out in September for the Lyndon Bandstand Celebration at Oak Meadow Park. The construction of the bandstand, complete with the Lyndon cupola on top, marked the end of more than a decade of work by the Los Gatos Community Foundation to complete the project.
Cool Cats—Community pride and spirit came together to create a very unique fundraiser for local groups. The first-ever Los Gatos Art Cat Project featured fiberglass cats in myriad artistic designs and placed at locations throughout the town. When the cats were auctioned off during the Lyndon Bandstand Celebration in September, $46,373 was raised for several local organizations.
And with that we say goodbye to 2003, and welcome the new headlines that will come in 2004. Happy New Year.
