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Articles by Jeffrey Blum
My perspective on Los Gatos’ electoral race
Jeffrey P. Blum. (Submitted) With the Nov. 3 Town Council election approaching, Los Gatos is experiencing something more consequential than an ordinary contest for three council seats. The campaign has become a revealing test of our town’s political culture, and of whether we can disagree about important issues without allowing those disagreements to undermine the community we share. The signs are everywhere.
Community, endurance and an eagle-eye view
Runners by 巻 (Maki） from Pixabay. There is something quiet and restorative about early morning in Los Gatos before the town fully stirs. The air bites, the blue sky stretches uninterrupted and the green ridgelines of the Santa Cruz Mountains stand in the distance. On Sept. 26, that scenic backdrop framed the 48th annual Great Race.
Guest View: The value of neutral ground
Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay Small towns run on delicate, unwritten contracts. In a close-knit community like Los Gatos the person sitting across from you at a civic luncheon might also coach your grandchild’s soccer team, run a shop on North Santa Cruz Avenue or volunteer alongside you. And our shared civic life functions best when we respect the unstated boundaries of our public spaces. Lately, however, those boundaries feel fragile.
Opinion: A Scarlet Knight’s heresy
CTE - Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a syndrome caused by repeated concussions. (Shutterstock) Youth athletics is outside my usual subject matter when writing for the Los Gatan. I generally prefer local politics, planning debates and the town’s quieter corners. What follows will likely ruffle feathers, particularly for the faithful, my wife, Lissa, included, who treat football like secular scripture.
Why we still need the ink
RICH PRESS HISTORY - The Los Gatos Mail newspaper building on W. Main Street, pictured in the early 1890s. The paper was established in 1883 by H. H. Main, former editor of the San Jose Herald. (Los Gatos Library and Museum History Project) During a walk along North Santa Cruz Avenue, it is easy to take for granted the stack of newspapers sitting in Los Gatos Roasting Company and in other local coffee houses.
Would an Attorney Committee help or hurt Los Gatos?
LAWYERS - If the Town Council appoints a standing committee to advise them on legal matters, that committee must meet in public, post agendas 72 hours in advance and open the floor to public comment. (Image by LEANDRO AGUILAR from Pixabay) Like many municipalities, the Town of Los Gatos constantly wrestles with how to manage a complex, high-stakes legal landscape without draining public coffers.
Blum’s View: Confessions of a town ‘sugar daddy’…Inside East Los Gatos
Jeffrey P. Blum. (Submitted) If you open tourist brochures for Los Gatos, you are likely to see the historic Town Plaza, a Victorian porch in the Almond Grove district, or a parade of shoppers on North Santa Cruz Avenue. It is a highly cultivated, frozen image. However, while downtown sits on its historic laurels, its sibling to the east is working a double shift to pay most of the mortgage. Welcome to East Los Gatos: the town’s ultimate, unsung sugar daddy. Passport control at the overpass?
Blum: Out of the shower, into the gallery
ARTNOW PARTICIPANTS - Taken on the steps outside NUMU at the awards ceremony on May 2. (NUMU) I usually get my ideas for articles while showering. I don’t know why this is. When I was in college, I used to sing Neil Young songs in the shower, so I guess this shower brainstorming routine is an improvement. Recently, however, I received an idea from outside the bathroom.
The Glorious Republic of Monte Gatos-Gatoga
Jeffrey Blum. (submitted) There is a stretch of the Silicon Valley foothills where the manicured lawns are greener, the Teslas are plentiful and the property lines are arbitrary. If you drive down Highway 9, you pass through Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga. You might not have noticed the transitions, because your eyes were fixed on a deer or an aggressively driven Porsche, but you crossed three distinct municipal borders. It is time to end the cartographic madness. It is time for consolidation.
The quiet cheerleader
AT THE THEATRE - Bob and Susan Buxton, local community event organizers, stand beside Jeffrey P. Blum, just before a screening of The Devil Wears Prada 2, which was a fundraiser for Los Gatos Thrives. (Drew Penner / Los Gatan) I have reached an age where certain physical activities are no longer in my repertoire. You will not see me performing a somersault on the Town Plaza, nor will I be seen in a preppy, logo-laden sweatshirt attempting a cartwheel.
Blum: A lawyer’s evolution
Jeffrey Blum writes that he was "the lawyer who understood that a stable community relies on a predictable legal system." Now, he's shifted his focus to the municipal realm. (Pixabay) For more than 47 years, I made my living as a divorce attorney and mediator. I was the one asking the questions, navigating the intricacies of the law, and trying to find a path through the wreckage of human relationships. I was a traditionalist who respected the decorum of the bench.
The civic union breakdown
Ruins. (walkerfritz / Pixabay) After decades spent as a divorce attorney, I’ve realized that most people view the end of a marriage like a disaster movie: there should be a massive explosion, a dramatic betrayal, or a 1989 Loma Prieta-magnitude earthquake leveling everything. But in my experience, the collapse of a union is much more mundane.
The Great Vanishing
FLATTENED - On Monday, the Los Gatos Lodge sign—not to mention the entire former garden motel—was nowhere to be seen, as plans proceed for a 155-townhome development from SummerHill Homes called “Solana.” (Faizi Samadani / Los Gatan) If you drove down Los Gatos-Saratoga Road this morning and felt a strange, existential chill, as if a beloved landmark had been quietly snatched in the night, you aren’t alone.
The cost of Jewish joy
LGMSPD CRUISER - A police SUV pictured Monday at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center. Jewish Silicon Valley sent out an email on March 12 stating its security costs had skyrocketed by 200% over the past three years. (Drew Penner / Los Gatan) Walking through Town Plaza Park on a Sunday morning, it is easy to feel insulated. We live in a town that prides itself on “Small Town Service” and quiet, manicured peace.
The great wardrobe change
HEADGEAR - Jeffrey Blum reflects on the various “hats” he dons in his life. (Drew Penner / Los Gatan) For nearly half a century, my identity was topped by a piece of headgear: the Attorney Hat. It was a fedora of authority. As a divorce lawyer for over 47 years, I was the one who asked the questions to command the room, the one who smelled the traps, and the one who steered the ship through the choppy waters of “who gets the timeshare.” I was the professional navigator of other people’s chaos.
The quirky wisdom of funny sayings
AN AUTHOR’S SMILE - Jeffrey P. Blum is pictured at the 2026 Crab Fest auction in support of Rotary Club of Los Gatos’ charity efforts on Saturday night in Los Gatos. (Drew Penner / Los Gatan) Every town has its sayings, little nuggets of wisdom, humor or caution, passed down through generations. In Los Gatos, a town with a personality as distinctive as its name, the sayings we use can reveal a lot about our culture, our humor, and even our legal sensibilities.
Where every generation can find their place under the sun
IN THE NETHERLANDS - Bruce Springsteen pictured at a May 25, 2023 concert in Amsterdam. Columnist Jeffrey P. Blum says teenagers are facing a modern version of the restlessness the classic rock artist famously described. (Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock) In the classic Bruce Springsteen song, Rosalita “(Come Out Tonight),” the protagonist pleads with his sweetheart to escape the confines of her daddy’s high expectations.
When public service is met with personal attacks
Jeffrey Blum. (submitted) For the past several years, I have served the Town of Los Gatos as a volunteer commissioner and code enforcement hearing officer. Throughout that time, my goal has been to contribute constructively, help resolve problems, and support the town I call home. Nothing in that service prepared me for the ordeal I would face over the past several months.
Survey Fatigue? Some questionnaires deserve our attention
In our increasingly digital world, it seems we can’t buy a belt or call a bank without being asked to take a survey. These requests have become a routine part of modern life. But not all surveys are created equally, and some are far more important than others, especially when it comes to shaping the services and future of our community. I recently bought a leather belt after doing research on Amazon.
Shrinking commission would hurt senior services
*Editor’s note: After press time, this issue was debated by the Town Council, who voted 3-2 to retain 7-person makeup of the commission (with Mayor Matthew Hudes and Councilmember Mary Badame voting against). As a current member of the Los Gatos Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC), I write this column on my own behalf not in my official capacity but as someone deeply familiar with the challenges and value of the commission’s work.
Channeling Twain pt. 2: Voyaging beyond the 101
I’m still reading the biography of Mark Twain by Ron Chernow. The book is more than 1,000 pages long, so cut me some slack. My last column channeled Twain’s propensity to write fake news stories when he was a journalist. Prior to picking up Chernow’s tome, I didn’t know that Twain was a purveyor of tall tales. I also didn’t know he traveled around the world. Twain was a terrible businessman, so he toured to give talks and thereby earn money to pay off his debts.
Blum: A little local humor, inspired by a literary master
It’s time, once again, for a humorous column, dear reader. In that vein, I welcome Mark Twain to the conversation. Ron Chernow’s recently published biography of the famous author serves as the backdrop. According to Chernow, before he was America’s most celebrated humorist, Mark Twain was a cash-strapped newspaper reporter in the American West with a gift for exaggeration.
Blum: When Grown Men Cry
I cried at the end of “How to Train Your Dragon.” I’m talking lump-in-the-throat, dragon-soars-into-the-sunset crying. I was moved. And I don’t regret it. That wasn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last. I cried when I watched “Casablanca.” What kind of person sends Ingrid Bergman away like that and still walks off with his dignity intact? I cried then, too. Hollywood heartbreak, wartime sacrifice, emotional sleight-of-hand—it got me. But that’s not all. I cried when I proposed to my fiancée.
Legal legend acted with grace under pressure
The world of family law is often a battleground. Yet, even in such a demanding arena, some individuals rise above the fray. Bob Hoover, a Santa Clara County family law attorney who practiced for over 60 years before his passing at 93, was one such person. A display of character I once opposed Bob in a horrific case. My client, consumed by the anguish of his marriage’s end, made a desperate, tragic choice that dramatically altered his life, his wife’s life, and his relationship with his children.
Thriving with Age: How Santa Clara County’s older adults are defying expectations
We live in a society that often views aging through a lens of decline. From advertisements promising to “reverse the aging process” to assumptions that older adults are disengaged or deteriorating, the cultural script is clear—and frequently wrong. But a growing body of research reveals that what we expect about aging profoundly shapes our actual experience.
Opinion: Gadflies, free speech and the future of civic dialogue here in Los Gatos
While serving on the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission, I became familiar with many regulars who engaged with local government. One man stood out for his persistence. He wasn’t a crank. He was sharp, well-prepared and articulate. Yet, despite his constructive contributions, he became known by an unfortunate label: a gadfly. If you’re like me, you may need a quick refresher on what “gadfly” means.
Opinion: Draft code of conduct policy raises concerns
In early May 2025, the Los Gatos Town Council introduced a proposed Boards, Committees, and Commissions (BCC) Code of Conduct Policy designed to set expectations for commissioners’ behavior, public communications and interactions with Town staff and the public. The intent is reasonable: to promote ethical standards, align with Town values, and provide a clear process for addressing misconduct.
The ‘Perfect Day’ in Los Gatos?
The Laurel and Hardy film “Perfect Day” is a masterclass in irony. In about twenty minutes, it captures the unraveling of a well-intentioned Sunday outing. The boys and their wives are dressed and ready for a relaxing picnic. But the car won’t start. Tempers flare. A next-door neighbor gets into a petty feud with them over a minor inconvenience. And soon, the day spirals into a comic disaster.
Remembering our roots, building our future
It’s easy to get caught up in the present, but sometimes looking back helps us understand where we’re going. So, let’s take a trip in the wayback machine to 1966. The Beatles were dominating the charts, “Star Trek” premiered on television, and the Vietnam War was escalating. It was a time of change, social movements, and a growing sense of community in many places.
Blum: Los Gatos in the lab
Please indulge me as I dive into this puzzle of Los Gatos and its potential identity. As someone who’s read books about the atomic bomb, the enigmatic Oppenheimer, and the playful genius of Feynman (though I wouldn’t dare call myself a scientist!), I’ve come to appreciate the power of a central idea, a unifying principle. That got me thinking: could Los Gatos benefit from a more pronounced, well-articulated theme?
Everybody needs a lifeline in the blood bank
For two years, I’ve organized blood drives, transforming St. Luke’s Church in Los Gatos into a hub of hope, in partnership with the American Red Cross and our dedicated Rotary Clubs. What began as a logistical dance of appointments and volunteers has become a visceral understanding of community power.
Blum: It’s time for a funny column
I aim for humor in my Los Gatan columns. The kind that elicits a chuckle, maybe a snort, not the kind that has readers questioning my grip on reality (though, fair point, the jury is deliberating on that one). Of course, I also try to sneak in some local relevance. Lately, though, my columns have been heavier than a San Francisco fog. My New Year’s resolution to lighten up? Let’s just say it’s progressing at the speed of government bureaucracy. Nevertheless, I press on.
Lessons I’ve learned from ‘How Big Things Get Done’
I did not inherit my father’s handyperson skills, although I remember observing him install central air conditioning and successfully accomplishing other large projects at our house in Kings Point, New York. Perhaps seeing a booklet lying around his workroom describing how to build a bomb shelter scared the living daylights out of me, to the point of curing me of ever having any interest in learning how to successfully putter. I was not much of a user of the well-stocked workroom my dad cherished.
Navigating the social landscape
Have you ever wondered how prominent figures like Benjamin Franklin achieved remarkable success? One key factor in his rise as a writer, publisher and politician was his mastery of “social intelligence.” What follows is my analysis of how Franklin’s lessons might apply to our dear town of Los Gatos. Essentially, social intelligence is about navigating social interactions with awareness, empathy and a deep understanding of others’ perspectives.
The secret life of caregivers
November is Family Caregiver Month, a time to shine a light on the unsung heroes among us—those incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for their loved ones. In Santa Clara County, the theme “Yes, I am a caregiver” captures the often-hidden work that these caregivers do and the profound impact they have on our communities. In California alone, millions of family members and friends provide unpaid care, making contributions that are as significant as they are selfless.
Blum: Here's my whimsical plea for civic engagement
In our quaint town of Los Gatos, nestled amidst rolling hills and serene landscapes, reside dedicated public servants whose hearts beat in rhythm with the pulse of the community. These individuals tirelessly serve on the Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC), their passion for improving the lives of seniors and others, unwavering.
Cawing crows and community service
The loud and obnoxious squawking of crows used to bother me. I am generally a quiet person who likes to grab a book, find an empty noise-free area to sit at and read for hours at a time. I still cherish times when my environment is completely quiet. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why I like living in a suburban, relatively quiet town, like Los Gatos. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve mellowed.
Blum: How can I shape the future?
Is your current definition of “community center” a dusty gym with dodgeballs older than your grandma’s knitting needles? Fear not, fellow Los Gatos residents. We’re tossing out the tired old model and crafting a vibrant, all-encompassing space that would make Michelangelo himself ditch his chisel and sign up for a pottery or painting class. Are you passionate about building a thriving community center that caters to everyone?
Transformative Mediation: A tool for balanced growth
This is the second of two articles highlighting constructive ways to consider the difficult issue of development in Los Gatos. The first article focused on the importance of remaining civil with one another as we navigate the Housing Element and Builder’s Remedy law-related issues. This article goes a step further, focusing on a mediation method called Transformative Mediation. Imagine Los Gatos as a cozy, small-town cabin in a sprawling forest.
Blum: Student absences have exploded
The familiar hum of a well-oiled machine is a comforting sound. It suggests efficiency, precision, and a harmonious system. This is an analogy I provided to Town Council at a council meeting on Aug. 6, as I, along with Chair Eleanor Yick, presented the annual report for the Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC). Our goal, I emphasized, is to make the delivery of senior services operate with such seamless efficiency.
Community, not theory, should be at the heart of Town’s planning
Urban planning thrives on informed decision-making. However, the increasing influence of game theory—a branch of mathematics that studies strategic interactions—can be a recipe for disaster in the messy world of governance. While game theory offers insights in some areas, relying largely on its models for urban planning can lead to policies that neglect a community’s character—and the well-being of its residents.
The paradox of progress
News cycles spin with relentless negativity, bombarding us with stories of conflict, division and environmental woes. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the volume of problems the world faces. Sometimes, the most tempting response is to bury our heads in the sand, hoping the troubles will pass. However, this approach offers little solace and ultimately contributes to a sense of helplessness. Despair is a luxury we can’t afford.
A transformative mediation approach to homelessness in Los Gatos
Homelessness is a complex issue plaguing communities across the globe, and Los Gatos is no exception. While Los Gatos boasts prosperity and scenic beauty, it also faces individuals and families struggling with housing insecurity. Transformative Mediation (TM) can be applied to bridge the divide between stakeholders—unhoused individuals, service providers, local government, and residents—to develop a more holistic approach to homelessness in Los Gatos.
Help us craft a community center that rocks
Ever feel like Los Gatos is missing a certain…spark? Do you observe, as I and many others have, that our town revolves around adorable boutiques, great restaurants, and cozy coffee houses but lacks a central hub for community gatherings and connections? Fret no more. The Los Gatos Foundation for Older Adults to Thrive (yes, it is a mouthful) is on a mission to rectify this situation.
Lights! Camera! Community!
Attention, movie buffs, social butterflies and champions of connection! Clear your calendars for May 6,beginning at 10 am, because the Los Gatos Foundation for Older Adults to Thrive is throwing a blockbuster event at the historic Cinelux Los Gatos Theatre. The Los Gatos Foundation for Older Adults to Thrive is a non-profit corporation following investigative work determining gaps existed in the delivery of core services.
‘Fugitive Dreams’ and forgotten realities
I’m not a movie reviewer. In fact, I wasn’t even much of a movie watcher, until the pandemic hit, which pretty much coincided with my semi-retirement (more like 90% retirement) from working as a family law attorney. Since then, I’ve watched hundreds of movies.
Closing the gaps in mental health care
I learned from a panel discussion held on Dec. 14 at the Los Gatos Town Hall, that mental health care is riddled with gaps, leaving many individuals struggling to access the services they need.
DailyJournal
During my years of litigating and consulting, I often worried about being on the receiving end of a lawsuit against me or a referral to the State Bar for supposed bad behavior. In my post litigation/consulting status, those stressors are gone. I now can objectively consider the action of attorneys who have done dumb things, leading them to experience a pile of trouble. Two recent California cases are illustrative. Case One: In Re Paul M.
Fewer blizzards for North America as snow lessens
A warming world means milder winters and softer springs. It will also mean fewer blizzards, with milder impacts. LONDON, 12 June, 2020 – It could soon be safe to think with nostalgia of the snows of yesteryear. Snowstorms in the future in the US could happen less often, with less intensity. And they would be of a smaller size. This is on the assumption that humans go on burning ever more fossil fuels to release ever more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to fuel global heating.
I Am Glad We Ended Social Distancing So That Our Economy Can Thrive During All This Death
“President Trump said he wanted the U.S. ‘opened up and just raring to go by Easter,’ a goal top health officials have called far too quick.” — New York Times, 3/24/20 - - - A few weeks from now… I am so glad President Trump ended social distancing and said we could all go back to work. The economy is booming again. Stores have re-opened, restaurants are serving meals, and millions of Americans have returned to their jobs.
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