Firewise

Living in a Firewise community is like being part of a superhero squad, but instead of capes, you’ve got rakes, fire-resistant siding, and a deep commitment to not letting your neighborhood go up in flames. If you live in a fire-prone area like the Los Gatos Mountains, being Firewise isn’t just smart. It’s a survival skill. Let’s dive into why being Firewise is wise.

A Firewise community is a neighborhood that’s collectively decided, “Not today, wildfire!” These neighborhoods work together to reduce wildfire risks through teamwork, planning, and a healthy dose of brush-clearing. Firewise communities create defensible space by clearing brush and debris from their neighborhoods, encouraging the use of fire-resistant building materials, and educating neighbors with fire-safety tips. It’s like a neighborhood watch, but instead of looking out for suspicious characters, you’re looking out for suspicious sparks.

Being Firewise doesn’t just make you safer, it can also be better for your wallet. In wildfire-prone areas, finding insurance can feel like trying to find a unicorn. Being in a Firewise community makes your property look like a safe bet, and insurers are more likely to cover you. Some insurers even roll out the red carpet with special policies for Firewise homeowners. You might get wildfire-mitigation reimbursements or extra coverage for fire-resistant upgrades.

If you’ve ever had your insurance policy non-renewed because of wildfire risks, you know the pain. Being Firewise can help you avoid this challenge by showing insurers you’re serious about protecting your home. Buyers love a home that says, “I’m safe and responsible.”

It’s not just about your house. Firewise initiatives make everyone safer, and that’s a win for all. Being part of a Firewise community protects your home, lowers your insurance premiums, and gives you serious bragging rights at the next neighborhood barbecue.

If you’re in a fire-prone area like 95033, joining or starting a Firewise community is a no-brainer. Plus, it’s a great excuse to finally clear out that pile of brush you’ve been ignoring. Keith Kanady is a real estate Broker Associate with Compass in Los Gatos.

Call him at 408-316-1666. Mr. N's Second Chance The Power of a Second Opinion Dr. Fahimeh Zibaee When Mr. N’s family first heard the words “inoperable liver tumor,” their world stopped. Mr. N, a sweet 10-year-old pup with a gentle spirit and a love for life, had suddenly gone from a happy companion to one with a devastating diagnosis. They were told that a mass found on imaging appeared to be a liver tumor that could not be surgically removed. Their only option, they believed, was to prepare for the inevitable. Trusting their instincts, Mr. N’s family sought a second opinion at Summit Veterinary Hospital.

A Fresh Look, A Different Answer. During Mr. N’s evaluation, our veterinary team performed a thorough physical exam, reviewed previous diagnostics, and recommended additional imaging. Upon closer evaluation, it appeared to be a large splenic tumor. Unlike many liver tumors, certain splenic tumors can be surgically removed through a splenectomy.

While still serious and requiring urgent care, this diagnosis meant Mr. N had a fighting chance. Surgery was recommended promptly. A Critical Surgery and Careful Recovery. The very next day, Mr. N was taken to surgery. Splenic masses can be fragile and prone to bleeding, making these procedures both delicate and intense. We worked carefully and efficiently to remove the affected splenic mass and control any internal bleeding.

The hours that followed were focused on stabilization, pain management, and close monitoring. Recovery from splenic surgery requires vigilant care, especially in senior pets, but Mr. N proved to be a fighter. After surgery, the mass was sent out for biopsy so we could better understand exactly what Mr. N had been facing. Day by day, he regained strength. His appetite returned. His tail began to wag again. When the biopsy results came back, Mr. N’s family received the news every pet parent hopes for: the mass was benign. What had once been feared to be a devastating diagnosis turned out to be something that surgery had fully resolved.

Thanks to quick action, careful evaluation, and a little persistence from his family, Mr. N was given the chance to move forward with a healthy future. Living His Best Life. Today, Mr. N is back to doing what he loves most, enjoying time with his family, soaking up sunshine, and living fully. His journey is a powerful reminder that hope sometimes lies beyond the first opinion.

Mountain Bikers Cheer New Trail In mid-December, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board voted to develop a new trail at the Beatty property, east of Lexington Reservoir. This is a significant win for the Los Gatos outdoor community. The tentative date for construction to start is in 2028. The last time a multi-use trail opened within the Lexington Reservoir basin was the Aquinas and Serenity Trails (around 25 years ago), which followed the Serpentine Trail (around Midpen funded this project through a $650,000 grant for the Alma Bridge Road Newt Passage Project. This project offers ways to protect newts from being killed around the Beatty property, where there has been a significant rate of mortality documented. Santa Clara County has owned Alma Bridge Road since 2021, and Midpen has partnered with them to resolve this ongoing issue. The new agreement addresses this issue by opening the trail seasonally, when newts aren’t migrating during the rainy “This compromise proves that the tension between resource protection and public access doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game,”

said project manager Mark Brandi. Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that advocates for increased mountain-bike trail access with land-management agencies. Whether that means opening existing trails to mountain bike use or developing new ones, SVMTB builds relationships and advocates for that cause. Mountain resident and realtor Ed Dee is the vice president of SVMTB, and speaks with great excitement about this recent development. It promises hope for this trail and potentially more opening in the future.

“This is huge for the community,” said Dee, explaining that local mountain bikers will be able to get out into previously inaccessible areas. There was a trail used in the late 1970s that was closed about a decade later, to the dismay of the Los Gatos biker community, New trails on the horizon. Another reason that outdoor enthusiasts are thrilled with the news is because it sheds light on the potential for other closed-off regions to be opened. “This is an example of environmental concerns and the mountain- biking lobby working together for a solution,” said Dee, stating that any trail that’s open for multi-use is going to include hiker access. Local hikers will be able to access the trail from downtown Los Gatos.

Jeff King, one of the SVMTB directors, wants local youth to be able to reap the benefits of the nature that surrounds the town, rather than being on their phones at home. Another SVMTB official, Dirk Franklin, shares his enthusiasm over the new trail. “I am really excited for the upcomingcommunitycommunity Beatty Property trails and the additional projects funded by Measure AA,” he said.

“These will help make Los Gatos a true trails destination. It’s great for recreation and local The first step, according to Dee, is to educate the residents of Los Gatos with the hope of gaining some traction around the less visible territories in the mountains of Los Gatos.

“The mountain-bike community has been greatly misunderstood by land managers for a long time,” he said. “The misunderstanding comes from land managers thinking all mountain bikers want an abundance of man- made technical features like jumps and burns.

We love the environment and we just want to get on our bikes and ride. We are responsible, and we’re not going to run people off the trail. Most mountain bikers just want to ride Dee explains that the work that he and his peers do at SVMTB is to educate and work with other trail user groups—many with environmental concerns. Dee said that mountain biking is one of the largest growing segments of the outdoor-recreational industry in the world, and that in his role