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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 Spring SaratoganSAR ATOGANthe Spring 2016 Saratoga may be a relatively small city but its packed full of caring residents who volunteer their time to organize events, look out for their neighbors, and keep Saratoga’s high-quality of life. Community celebrations have become a part of Saratoga’s identity. Thousands of people attend the annual Independence Day Celebration every Fourth of July, and the yearly Blossom Festival has a history dating back to the early 1900s. There are also numerous arts, music, and dance festivals, as well as events that celebrate nature, such as Arbor Day. Turn to Page 2 to learn more about local Saratoga events. Community is also nurtured when neighbors care for each other’s well- being. One way to do this is through Neighborhood Watch programs, which not only keep communities safer, but also promote a sense of camaraderie among neighbors. Read on to Page 3 for more. Lastly, winter storms have hit Saratoga with more expected to move in over the coming months. Make sure to be prepared. Check out some storm preparedness information on the back page. Creating Community In This Issue This issue of Saratoga’s quarterly newsletter focuses on the positive impact that creating community has, and will continue to have, in Saratoga. Read about upcoming community events, storm preparedness, neighborhood watch programs, and the America in Bloom program. Happy reading! Door-to-door solicitors must have a permit. Always ask if they have one. If they do not, call the Sheriff’s Offi ce non-emergency number at (408) 299-2311. Keep track of crime in your area. Visit www.crimereports.com. Be notifi ed 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:www.saratoga.ca.us/saratogan Upcoming Community Events Blossom Festival Sat., March 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Heritage Orchard 13777 Fruitvale Avenue www.saratogahistory.com State of the City Address Saturday, Feb. 27, 3 to 5 p.m. Saratoga City Hall www.saratoga.ca.us/StateoftheC i t y Saratoga Arbor Day Friday, April 29 Beginning at 3:30 p.m. www.saratoga.ca.us/ArborDay The City of Saratoga recognizes the value of community events and their role in bringing residents together, building community, and establishing an identity for the City. In 2012, the City Council established the Community Event Grant Program by which event organizers can seek funding to support community events in Saratoga. The grant program has supported numerous Saratoga events, including the Saratoga Historical Foundation’s Blossom Festival, the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce’s Classic Car Show, the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council’s Health Fair, and the annual Independence Day Celebration. The City is currently accepting applications for events that will take place between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. Only events that are held in Saratoga and open to the public will be considered for funding. Applicants should be able to demonstrate the ability to produce a well-planned and safe event. For more information on the program, and to download an application, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/EventGrants. Applications are due to City Hall by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1. Applications will be brought to the City Council for consideration and decision on Wednesday, March 16. Applicants are encouraged to attend the March 16 City Council meeting in order to answer Council questions about their events. Event Grants Celebrate Good Times Community celebrations are more than just fun events; they also create a sense of belonging. Below is a list of annual events in Saratoga. Keep up at www.saratoga.ca.us/CommunityEvents. FebruaryLunar New Year Celebration(Hakone Gardens) MarchBlossom Festival(Saratoga Historical Foundation) Easter Egg Hunt(Odd Fellows) AprilArbor Day(City of Saratoga) MaySpring Wine Stroll(Chamber of Commerce) Memorial Day Observance(Saratoga Foothill Club) Concert in the Park(Saratoga Community Band) Matsuri Spring Festival(Hakone Gardens) June Saratoga Movie Nights, also held in July and August (City of Saratoga) July Independence Day Celebration (Community Volunteers) Classic Car Show (Chamber of Commerce) September Brews and Blues (Chamber of Commerce) October Health Fair (Saratoga Senior Center) November Holiday Tree Lighting and Wine Stroll (City and Chamber) Since the 1970s, Neighborhood Watch programs have become an increasingly popular tool for reducing and solving crime. The program grew out of the Los Angeles Police Department’s efforts to engage residents in community policing by being aware of activities in their neighborhoods and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. The foundation of the Neighborhood Watch program’s success is community. A neighborhood of people who know one another, as well as the typical behaviors and happenings that take place on their block, are better able to identify and report unusual activities to law enforcement. Furthermore, active Neighborhood Watch programs promote a sense of camaraderie and encourage residents to look out for one another. There are a number of Neighborhood Watch groups in Saratoga. These groups have helped bring awareness to public safety and strengthen ties between residents in their neighborhoods, as well as with the City and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Offi ce, to effectively reduce property crimes and other illegal activities. Thanks in part to the efforts of Saratoga’s active Neighborhood Watch groups, Saratoga remains one of the safest cities in California and the United States. Neighborhood Watch programs are easy to start and the City and Sheriff’s Offi ce provide resources to residents looking to reinvigorate existing programs or start one from scratch. The fi rst step is to engage fellow neighbors and determine the foundations of the program, such as the boundaries of the Neighborhood Watch program and how the group will keep the residents involved. Sheriff’s Offi ce staff is available to assist with the formation of a Neighborhood Watch group and will attend Neighborhood Watch meetings to provide information about what to look for and how to report public safety concerns. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Offi ce will work with the City to install Neighborhood Watch signage once the program is formalized. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/StayingSafe. Staying Safe Through Community In Fu� Bloom Once a year, America in Bloom visits cities across the United States seeking out communities that are great places to live and work and have vibrant landscaping, clean environments, a rich heritage, and spirit of volunteerism. It is a distinct honor to be recognized by American in Bloom; and last fall, Saratoga won top honors in the City’s population category (30,000 to 40,000). The City’s participation in the America in Bloom program was inspired by the Saratoga Village Gardeners, a group of dedicated volunteers that work diligently to keep Saratoga’s downtown fl owers and landscaping in gorgeous condition. Volunteers meet at least once a week to sweep sidewalks, plant fl owers, pull weeds, and help maintain more than 60 tree wells, and over 30 pots and urns along Big Basin Way. Not only does the America in Bloom recognition showcase Saratoga’s beauty, it celebrates the wonderful volunteers and residents who have helped make Saratoga a respite from the hustle of Silicon Valley where residents and visitors alike can fi nd solace in this community’s stunning fl oral displays, beautiful tree canopy, and pieces of Saratoga’s history that have been preserved for future generations to enjoy. Saratoga Recognized for itsBeauty & Community Spirit Be Prepared: Winter has Come to Saratoga 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 http://goo.gl/Wyb58b. C I T Y o f S ARATO G A CALIFO R N I A1956 Ask Our Staff featuring Kate Bear Have a question? Send your question(s) to bbabcock@saratoga.ca.us or (408) 868-1275. Q: I have a dead tree in my yard. What is the process to have it removed? A: The City Council recently amended the Tree Regulations in the Saratoga City Code to make it easier for property owners to remove dead trees. There is no longer a processing fee or appeal period as part of the Dead Tree Removal Permit application. Waiving the appeal period means that it is now possible to receive a permit to remove a dead tree in a day or two rather than waiting 15 days for an appeal period to pass. Residents must provide verification that the tree is dead—usually through photos— when applying for a tree removal. The photo should show the whole tree rather than just a portion of the tree. If no photos of the tree are available, the application can be submitted along with a $125 application fee. The fee will be refunded after the City Arborist inspects the tree and confirms that it is dead. Applications can be submitted to the Community Development Department Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, contact City Arborist Kate Bear at (408) 868-1276 or at kbear@saratoga.ca.us. Kate Bear is the City Arborist for the City of Saratoga. She oversees tree protection and preservation measures in Saratoga, processes tree removal permits, and inspects and cares for City-owned trees. &Q A While Saratoga is still very much in a drought, winter is here and residents should prepare for winter storms. Possible consequences of these storms include flooding, fallen trees, and landslides. However, there are things residents can do to prepare for these possible scenarios. Know Who to Call Residents can report fallen trees, landslides, and flooding on roads and public property in the following ways: • Emergencies: Call 911 • Weekdays between 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.: City of Saratoga at (408) 868-1245 • Weeknights after 3:30 p.m. and Weekends: Santa Clara County Communications at (408) 299-2507 Sandbags Pre-filled sandbags are available inside the City’s Corporation Yard, 19700 Allendale Avenue, during regular business hours. The City also has a 24-hour sandbag station available right outside of its Corporation Yard. There are bags, sand, sandbag fillers, and shovels available all day and night. The City has a 20-bag limit per household. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/WinterStorms.