Enjoy this month's newsletter from the City of Saratoga!

Calling All Saratoga Artists!

Twelve utility boxes have already been transformed into works of art through Saratoga’s Paint the City Program. Now, you can apply to leave your mark on the City too! Five more plain utility boxes await their transformation.

Saratoga residents ages 10 years and older can submit their applications by January 13, 2020. Groups of artists that meet this criteria may also apply. The Public Art Committee will review applications that meet the criteria and select up to 3 designs per location. The community will then be invited to rank the designs, and the highest ranked designs will be presented to the City Council for approval. The Saratoga community will be able to admire the completed paintings in April 2020!

For information about the application process or to get inspired by previous designs, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/paintthecity

Make Sure Saratoga Counts

Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes the massive task of counting every person living in the United States. The next official Census Day will be April 1, 2020. In March, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin to mail letters to every household with information on how to complete the census. Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone.

Your participation ensures that Saratoga receives its fair share of more than $600 billion in federal funds annually for critical programs that support education, housing, health, transportation, and emergency disaster relief services. Census data also determines the number of congressional representatives and sets the district boundaries for elections.

Santa Clara County has dedicated resources to develop a comprehensive, collaborative, and ongoing effort to identify hard-to-count populations and the most effective ways to encourage participation in the census. We will continue to work together—local government, community organizations, and residents—to make sure everyone is counted in 2020. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/census2020

Coming Up

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
November 28 at 8:30 a.m.
Downtown San Jose
www.svturkeytrot.com

Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 29 at 5:00 p.m.
Blaney Plaza
www.saratoga.ca.us/treelighting

City Council Reorganization
December 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Civic Theater
www.saratoga.ca.us/events

Celebration of Light
December 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Blaney Plaza
www.saratoga.ca.us/light

Nextdoor Digest

You Can Now Text 9-1-1
Anyone experiencing a life-threatening emergency who is hearing and/or speech impaired, and anyone who feels unsafe to speak on the phone, can now send a text message to 9-1-1. For more information, visit www.sccgov.org/textto911

Donate to the Food & Toy Drive
’Tis the season! Help those in need by donating to the City of Saratoga’s annual Food and Toy Drive. Through December 12, non-perishable food and new, unwrapped, non-violent toys can be dropped off at the City Manager’s Office. Non-perishable food can also be dropped off at the Senior Center and Trader Joe’s. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/foodandtoy

Saratoga Has a New Park!
Friendship Park recently opened at the corner of Quito and Pollard! The City’s newest park features native landscaping, walking paths, seating, a bike rack, and drinking fountain. This open space was named in honor of the many immigrants who had an integral role in the agricultural foundation of Saratoga.

Sign up for Nextdoor to receive updates from the City of Saratoga, regional agencies, and your neighbors at www.nextdoor.com

Quick Tip from Captain Rich

Captain Rich Urena oversees the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office West Valley Division.

Don’t let packages on your porch be a target for criminals this holiday season. If you can’t be home when your parcel is delivered, ask a neighbor to accept it, have it delivered to your workplace, utilize a shipping locker, or have the shipping facility hold it for pick up.

For more information on safety and Saratoga Neighborhood Watch, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/stayingsafe

Ask Our Staff

Q: What should I do if I see a coyote?

A: Coyotes prefer to avoid cities, but urban sprawl and habitat encroachment has led to more sightings. Santa Clara County Vector Control recently visited Saratoga to share their recommendations. We can all do our part to prevent coyotes from becoming too comfortable in residential areas. Secure your garbage bin lids and pick up any fallen fruit. Be aware that certain plants and fruits may attract coyotes and their prey.

If you see a coyote in your yard, make loud noises or turn on the garden hose. If you come across a coyote while you are on a walk, do not run away or make eye contact, and calmly leave the area. Dog walkers should not use retractable leashes as dogs could stray too far away. Pet owners should also bring in their animals every night.

If you encounter a sick or aggressive coyote, call Santa Clara County Vector Control right away at 408.918.4770. They will only trap coyotes whose behaviors are deemed a serious risk to humans. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/coyotes

Connect with the City of Saratoga

For more updates on what's happening in the City, visit the City of Saratoga's website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, join the Nextdoor community, or sign up to receive notifications you're interested in. To suggest Saratoga Source story ideas or ask a question, contact Lauren Pettipiece at lpettipiece@saratoga.ca.us

Powered by
CivicSend - A product of CivicPlus