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Home My WebLink About2016 Summer SaratoganSAR ATOGANthe Summer 2016 Summer in Saratoga is full of fun activities, outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and traditional events. Saratoga’s Recreation Department is in full swing with camps, classes, and getaways for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Check out what’s being offered by visiting www.saratoga.ca.us/recreation. The City’s parks and facilities, such as the Warner Hutton House and Joan Pisani Community Center, are also busy with birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, and family gatherings. To reserve space at a City park or facility, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/reservations. And there is much more happening in Saratoga’s 14 parks this summer, including popular events like the Saratoga Movie Nights series at El Quito Park and Independence Day Celebration at Kevin Moran Park. The Classic Car Show will be back on Sunday, July 10, at 10 a.m. along Big Basin Way. Read on to page 2 for more information on summer fun in Saratoga. The City of Saratoga wishes its residents a fun and wonderful summer! Summer Fun Save the Date Help celebrate Saratoga’s sixth decade of incorporation by attending the 60th Anniversary Parade on Sat., September 17, 2016 on Big Basin Way in Downtown Saratoga. More information to follow. Consider purchasing a secure, locking mailbox to help prevent your mail from being stolen. 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. Quick Tip from Capt. Rick Like what you’rereading? Subscribe to The Saratogan and have it sent automatically to your email account! Visit: http://bit.ly/saratogan Saratoga Pet Parade Sun., Aug. 2, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location TBD - saratogavillage.info Saratoga Summer Plans! Places to Visit Hakone Gardens 21000 Big Basin Way Koi pond & tea room! www.hakone.com Saratoga Quarry Park 22000 Congress Springs Road Open dawn to dusk Hiking trails & picnic areas! Saratoga History Museum 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road Friday - Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. www.saratogahistory.com Saratoga Library 13650 Saratoga Avenue Events, books & full-service computers! www.sccl.org/saratoga 14 Parks in Saratoga Barbecue pits, tennis courts, picnic tables, and playgrounds... More info: www.saratoga.ca.us/parks Independence Day Celebration Mon., July 4 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Kevin Moran Park, 12415 Scully Ave. Summer Movie Nights 3rd Fri. in June, July & Aug. - 7:30 p.m. El Quito Park, 12855 Paseo Presada Community Events Red Hot Red geraniums can be spotted in planters and hanging baskets throughout the Saratoga Village, seen in front of the Warner Hutton House at City Hall, and viewed in numerous gardens at residents’ homes. In March, the Saratoga City Council designated the red geranium as Saratoga’s official flower. The choice of flower was recommended by the Saratoga in Bloom Committee, a group of community volunteers who oversaw the City’s application in the America in Bloom contest. Last year, Saratoga was awarded top honors in the City’s population category (30,000 – 40,000) as well as being recognized as having the “Most Beautiful Canopy of Trees.” The red geranium, an easy to care for flower, is a perennial that enjoys full sun or partial shade and is considered moderately drought tolerant. That last part is important as the Santa Clara Valley Water District continues to encourage everyone to conserve water. Although there has been rain, California remains in a drought. For water conservation tips and information, visit www.valleywater.org. Red Geranium Designated as Saratoga’s Official Flower Home Sweet Home Tips to Keep Your Home Safe from Burglars Saratoga is one of the safest cities in California, but no city is safe enough to be crime free. Following are some tips from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office to help keep your home safe from burglars: 1. Lock Doors and Windows: All doors and windows should be secured and locked when not in use or anytime no one is home. Blinds and curtains should be closed when no one is home or after dark to avoid advertising any expensive property. And never hide a key outside. 2. Have a Well-Lit Home: The Sheriff’s Office suggests having exterior, motion-activated lighting at a home’s front door, side yard, and back yard. Installing timers on interior lights and setting them to turn on at random times during the day and night can ward off burglars. 3. Alarm Systems are Important: Be sure to test them regularly and update all contact information— including an emergency contact—with the alarm company. An emergency contact can be a family member, friend, or trusted neighbor. The emergency contact should have access to the home and knowledge of the property so they know if anything is out of place or missing. 4. Request Patrol Checks: Residents can also request patrol checks when going on vacation to make sure their homes are being watched while they are away. To request a patrol check, call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at (408) 299-3233. The Sheriff’s Office has similar tips to prevent vehicle burglary. Always lock a vehicle’s doors and activate the alarm. Don’t make it easy for criminals by leaving valuable items in the vehicle and in plain view. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/StayingSafe. To learn more about The Saratogan, make comments, suggest story ideas, or just ask a question, contact Brian Babcock at bbabcock@saratoga.ca.us or 408.868.1275. You can also find The Saratogan online and sign up for email alerts at www.saratoga.ca.us/saratogan. C I T Y o f S ARATO G A CALIFO R N I A1956 Ask Our Staff featuring Bridget Bolanos Have a question? Send your question(s) to bbabcock@saratoga.ca.us or call (408) 868-1275. Q: The Saratoga Recreation Department offers so many options for our City’s youth during the summer months. Is there a camp that you would recommend for my child? A: Great question! I would highly recommend you consider registering your child for Camp Wild Coyotes. It’s an in-house, City-run camp that’s received a lot of positive feedback from campers and parents alike. Not only do campers play active games throughout each day, but they also participate in arts and crafts, science experiments, enrichment projects, and field trips. The camp is offered in week-long sessions and has four field trips each week! Camp Wild Coyotes is offered to children ages 8 to 11, which is perfect for the high level of activity. This program is extra special because it’s facilitated by highly trained City staff, ensuring stellar quality and a great summer experience. Is your child not old enough for Camp Wild Coyotes? No problem! The Recreation Department offers many other camps and classes for children of all ages. You can view the Summer Activity Guide here: www.saratoga.ca.us/recreation or call me directly at (408) 868-1251. I hope to see you this summer! Bridget Bolanos is a Recreation Supervisor with the City of Saratoga’s Recreation Department. She is responsible for overseeing all in-house camps and programs and is the liaison to the Youth Commission. &Q A Twelve Silicon Valley communities, including Saratoga, have given the green light to a greener grid. These communities agreed to join Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), a new nonprofit public agency that will offer a Community Choice Energy (CCE) program for Santa Clara County, similar to the one in Sonoma County. The CCE will pool the electricity demand of residents and businesses and buy cleaner power at competitive prices. Additional steps are underway to bring this new energy choice to market in the Spring of 2017. To learn more about SVCE, its process to date and next steps to launch, visit www.svcleanenergy.org. Prospect Road Median Improvement Project When will construction begin? Summer 2016 What is it? This project, along a two-mile se c t i o n of Prospect Road between Sara t o g a - Sunnyvale Road and Lawrence Expressway, will upgrade the me d i a n landscaping and add bus shelte r s , ADA-compliant ramps, sidewalk s , and bicycle detector loops. How much will the project cost? $4.75 million, with 88% cover e d by grant funding from VTA. www.saratoga.ca.us/prospectroa d SILICON VALLEY CCE PARTNERSHIP