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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 2018 Saratoga SourcePunxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter, but this week’s warm weather has us thinking about spring and the outdoor activities that come with it. The Saratoga Community Garden has been located on the north end of El Quito Park for over 30 years. You can find your way to the garden by looking for the beautiful wood-carved sign, which was completed as an Eagle Scout project. The Community Garden is a wonderful place used by residents who love to garden, but don’t have their own space to do so. The group of Saratoga residents who come together to garden is as diverse as the produce grown there. You too can reap the benefits by starting your own garden at home. Growing your own produce ensures that you have healthy, organic fruits and vegetables for your friends and family to enjoy. Gardening also provides exposure to Vitamin D, which increases calcium levels to benefit your bones and immune system – but don’t forget the sunscreen! Working in the garden is also a form of aerobic exercise that helps you break a sweat and boost your mood. February 2018 Connect with the City of Saratoga onCITY o f S ARATO GA CALIFO R N IA1956 Coming Up Living Room Conversations February 27, 2018 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Joan Pisani Community Center 408.868.1216 General Plan Update Study Session February 27, 2018 6:00 p.m. Senior Center, Saunders Room www.saratoga.ca.us Lunar New Year Celebration March 4, 2018 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hakone Estate and Gardens www.hakone.com Deputy Justin Fernando grew up in Santa Clara County before he moved to Long Beach. Deputy Fernando attended California State University, Long Beach and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. After college, Deputy Fernando enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. His experience in the U.S. Air Force provided him the opportunity to travel and interact with people from all over the world. Deputy Fernando then continued his service as a Commissioned Officer in the California Air National Guard. He is currently assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing located at Moffett Field here in Santa Clara County. Deputy Fernando’s passion for helping others in a team environment led him to a career with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. He has now worked for the Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy for three years. Deputy Fernando is currently assigned to the West Valley Patrol Division, and works in the City of Saratoga. Deputy Fernando is also an avid sports fan. Meet Deputy Justin Fernando Cultivate your Green Thumb SOURCESaratoga City of Saratoga Commission Recruitments The City of Saratoga is currently recruiting for two vacancies on the Planning Commission, and applications are due by February 26. The City has also extended the recruitment for one architectural or building professional to serve on the Heritage Preservation Commission. Applications are now due by March 19. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac Community Event Grant Applications The City is now accepting applications for the 2018/19 Community Event Grant Program. This program helps local organizations hold community events in Saratoga. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 7, and events must be held between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. For more information, or to download an application, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/eventgrants Saratoga’s Tobacco Policies Named Top of the Class The American Lung Association awarded Saratoga an “A” grade in its 2018 State of Tobacco Control Report for California! The Saratoga City Council’s strong tobacco control policies demonstrate a commitment to public health by protecting the public from secondhand smoke and reducing youth access to tobacco products. Q: What is the purpose of the Weed Abatement Program? A: In Saratoga, there are two programs that help prevent wildfire by reducing the amount of flammable vegetation and debris. These programs are: • Weed Abatement Program managed by the City of Saratoga in partnership with the County of Santa Clara via contract. All properties in Saratoga are subject to this program. • Brush Abatement Program/Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Preparedness Inspection managed by the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Only properties in the WUI area are affected. There are a number of things you can do to make sure your home is fire safe and in compliance. Keep tree limbs at least 10 feet away from chimneys or stove pipes. Also, remove dead vegetation from landscaping, and clear leaves from rooves, eaves, and gutters. The deadline to meet Weed Abatement requirements is April 15, and properties on the list will be inspected after that date. If properties are non-compliant, they may be subject to fees and other penalties. For more information and a full list of program requirements, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/weed_brush Are you not a member of Nextdoor, or did you miss a post last month? Read about the recent trending topics right here! Sign up to receive updates from the City of Saratoga, other agencies, and your neighbors at www.nextdoor.com Quick Tip from Captain Rich Take precautions to prevent becoming a victim of mail theft. Pick up your mail promptly after delivery and never leave it overnight. Hold your mail when on vacation. Drop outgoing mail at the Post Office when possible. Install a lock on your mailbox and security cameras pointed towards it. Keep track of crime in your area. Visit www.crimereports.com Be notified when emergencies happen in your area. Sign up at www.sccgov.org/sites/alertscc Nextdoor Digest To learn more about the City’s monthly newsletter, make comments, suggest story ideas, or just ask a question, contact Lauren Pettipiece at lpettipiece@saratoga.ca.us or 408.868.1275. You can also find the Saratoga Source online and sign up for email alerts at www.saratoga.ca.us/SaratogaSourceCITY o f S ARATO G A CALIFO R N IA1956 For information on Neighborhood Watch and tips on staying safe, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/ stayingsafeAsk Our Staff featuring Crystal Bothelio Have a question? Send your question(s) to lpettipiece@saratoga.ca.us or call 408.868.1275. February 2018 Captain Rich Urena oversees the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office West Valley Division. Crystal Bothelio is the City of Saratoga’s Deputy City Manager. She oversees the City Manager’s Department and the City’s communication program, works directly with the City Council on strategic initiatives, and serves as an advisor to the City Manager. Crystal is also the staff liaison to the Library Commission and Public Safety Task Force.