🌱 Patch AM: How much could Los Altos pay you to ditch gas appliances?

Hey hey Los Altos! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How much could Los Altos pay you to ditch gas appliances?
• Why downtown Los Altos streets are torn up near Main and San Antonio
• How Los Altos High students just raised $28,000 for local families

Also on today's calendar: Portraits of Los Altos and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Fog will lift in the morning, with a high of 60 and low of 50 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy, a shower in the p.m., temps: high: 66, low: 54.
• Saturday: Chance of a little p.m. rain, with a high of 67 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Los Altos OKs awaited electrification rebate program for residents (losaltosonline.com) — Los Altos is rolling out a new rebate program to help residents replace gas water heaters and HVAC systems with electric heat pump models, potentially saving thousands per appliance. Funded initially with $75,000 and coordinated with Silicon Valley Clean Energy, the program supports the city’s Climate Action Plan and aims for a spring 2026 launch, with straightforward steps for homeowners to apply.
   

2. Cal Water water main project continues near downtown (losaltosonline.com) — Cal Water is testing and connecting new water mains at North San Antonio Road and Main Street as part of a major upgrade in downtown Los Altos. The project will replace over 7,000 feet of aging pipe to boost drinking water reliability and fire protection, with paving expected after the new year.
   

3. How Los Altos High School's student body has supported the community this winter (midpenpost.org) — Los Altos High students are rallying around local families this winter through three big efforts: a record‑breaking $28,000 Second Harvest Food Bank fundraiser, a toy drive with the fire department, and a warm‑clothing collection. Their projects offer easy ways for classmates and neighbors to share holiday cheer with those who need it most.
   

4. Judge Sentences Therapist Who Sexually Abused Riverside Girl (mynewsla.com) — A 23-year-old Los Altos resident and former behavioral therapist has been sentenced to 17 years in state prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a young disabled girl in Riverside. Under a plea deal, he must also register as a sex offender, with authorities saying no additional victims have come forward so far.
   

5. Midpeninsula luxury market sees record-breaking year in 2025 (rwcpulse.com) — Los Altos’ luxury housing market had a standout 2025, with 46% of all home sales topping $5 million and the median price jumping 9% to $4.8 million. The article explains how AI-driven wealth and tight inventory are fueling record prices across Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park, and why ultra-luxury sales still trail neighboring cities despite strong overall gains.
   

📸 Around Los Altos

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Los Altos

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• A Christmas Carol
  Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Portraits of Los Altos
  Los Altos History Museum , 51 S San Antonio Rd , Los Altos
  12:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Alvin Mata: Live Music @ Shashi Hotel
  Shashi Hotel Mountain View Palo Alto , 1625 N Shoreline Blvd , Mountain View
  5:30 pm
• Girls JV Basketball @ Alisal
  Alisal High School , 777 Williams Rd , Salinas
  5:30 pm
• Girls Varsity Basketball @ Alisal
  Alisal High School , 777 Williams Rd , Salinas
  7:00 pm
• Choir Holiday Concert
  Mountain View High , 728 W Fremont Ave , Sunnyvale
  7:00 pm
• A Christmas Carol
  Bus Barn Theater , 97 Hillview Ave , Los Altos
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Santa Paws at Dogma!
  Dogma , 149 2nd Street , Los Altos
  12:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Sing in the choir!
  Foothills Congregational Church , 461 Orange Ave , Los Altos
  9:00 am
• David Green speaking on "Dream"
  Foothills Congregational Church , 461 Orange Ave , Los Altos
  11:00 am

Tuesday December 23

• Widow and Widowers Association Meetings; Visitors Welcome
  460 S El Monte Ave , Los Altos
  7:30 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Service of Lessons & Carols
  Foothills Congregational Church , 461 Orange Ave , Los Altos
  4:00 pm

📣 Los Altos Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Los Altos PatchAM possible:

• Super Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Air - San Jose — (408) 351-1994
  Serving San Jose & Bay Area – HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical
• Cool Aid Air Conditioning and Refrigeration — (800) 266-5243
  Voted Best HVAC & Refrigeration Company in the Bay Area
• Amara — (650) 486-1703
  A California cuisine restaurant with mediterranean leaning.

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Coyote visit last night on top of our pool shed.
  If you think your yard is "protected" by a fence, this sucker had no-problem leaping over a fence topped with trellis and onto the roof of an 8-foot… (Nextdoor Woodland Acres - The Highlands)
• "We are happy to report that production of the first flying car has started on schedule," CEO Jim Dukhovny announced last week.
  https://www.ktvu.com/news/production-worlds-first-flying-car-underway-bay-area-delivery-could-come-within-months (Nextdoor Sunshine)

• Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Mountain View. Apply here.
• Flir Systems posted a job opening for Production Supervisor in Mountain View. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Los Altos here.

Ok Los Altos! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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