News Briefs
Library receives $10,000 check
The Wells Fargo Foundation last week contributed $10,000 to The Friends of the Saratoga Libraries' effort to raise money for furniture for the city's new library, currently under construction at the corner of Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues.
The check was presented by Saratoga Wells Fargo manager Jack Valentine to Friends President-elect Bill McDonnal in a ceremony May 21.
The contribution will help The Friends reach its goal of raising $370,000 in its Furnishing the Future Campaign. In its first four weeks, the campaign has so far received 80 contributions totaling $36,705.
Wells Fargo makes contributions that benefit the communities in which the bank does business, said Friends spokesman Jim Givens, and has been very supportive of The Friends. The foundation made a $10,000 contribution in 2001, earmarked, as last week's was, for furnishing the new children's area, he said. It also made a $10,000 contribution to the organization in 2000, as well as a $5,000 contribution in 1999, he said.
Donors to the campaign can have their names printed on tiles, bricks and plaques to decorate the finished library. For more information about the campaign, visit www.FSLonline.org or call Givens at 408.378.5644.
Neighborhood gets approval
The city's planning commission May 22 recommended approving a single-story overlay for the Saratoga Woods neighborhood to encourage the largely single-story community to stay that way.
The city council will hold a public hearing before deciding on the overlay, probably in June or July, planning director Tom Sullivan said. It would be the first of its kind in Saratoga.
The neighborhood is bounded by Cox and Saratoga avenues, the Saratoga Creek and Prospect High School.
Staff work on the overlay was initiated by members of the community last summer who wanted to prevent new second-story construction from changing the character of their neighborhood. The overlay was supported in a staff-directed poll in April by 44 percent of the 394 homeowners and opposed by 20 percent, with 32 percent not responding. The vast majority of those who did respond supported the overlay, which contributed to the commission's decision to recommend its approval.
The new overlay would not affect the 33 two-story homes in the neighborhood. In addition, anyone wishing to add a second story to a single-story home would be able to apply for a variance to the ordinance. However, the overlay would have to be disclosed to anyone purchasing property in Saratoga Woods.
Brookview, a similar neighborhood adjacent to Saratoga Woods along Prospect Road, has also been discussing a similar overlay.
Police hold charity event at Steamer's
The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department will hold its annual Tip-a-Cop event next month--this time split into two parts. On June 5, from 5 to 9 p.m., police officers will be at Steamer's, delivering food and bussing tables. The officers will collect tips that will benefit the Special Olympics. Police officials, a K-9 unit and at least one San Jose Shark will staff a booth restaurant that will sell T-shirts, also for the Special Olympics.
A lunch Tip-a-Cop event at Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza is scheduled for June 23.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
