Saratoga News Saratoga: the soul of Silicon Valley By Don Wolfe Saratogans enjoy the great fortune of traveling a lot. I mean a lot. We're off to here and there on business. Sometimes we scoot around California or the nation. But often, our residents who are captains of industry find themselves in fantastic far-off places around the world. On other occasions, we are with our families at the destination of our choice on a well-deserved vacation. Have you ever found yourself comparing those "other places" to our own town of Saratoga? And at those times, don't you get a warm and grateful feeling knowing that we live in one of the best towns in the entire, whole wild world? Isn't it always great to be back home in Saratoga? Home, after that trip to ... wherever? It's not just the splendor of our hillsides or the bounty of trees that line our lanes that gives us that glow of hometown feeling. It is that and more. To have as our home this safe haven of such special quality on the edge of the vibrant, exciting, innovative technological center of the planet is a gift beyond measure. That's our town, our home. Our Saratoga. How pleased and delighted we are when we're able to share it and show Saratoga off to visiting relatives, friends and coworkers. We point with pride to our great schools. Several years ago, the Saratoga Business Development Council dubbed Saratoga a "Place of Arts, Culture and Theater and the Best Dining in the West." Those characteristics are certainly identified by such venues as the beautiful Hakone Gardens, Gallery Saratoga, our Historic Museum, Villa Montalvo and the sensational concerts at the Mountain Winery, the Shakespearean plays in Wildwood Park right in the Saratoga Village, the Children's Musical Theater, the Rotary Club Arts Show, the Celebrate Saratoga event, the Saratoga Parade and the West Valley Light Opera, to mention just a few. And before or after the show, we can step into the best restaurants to be found anywhere. We could fill a page with the wonderful places and events available to our visitors and us. I must not neglect those places we have enjoyed for many years: the Garrod Farm Equestrian Center and the wonderful historic Saratoga Springs resort where so many can dance away the evening. Our fine wineries are becoming famous, as well. A number of the great attractions that are ours to visit in town are only possible because of the volunteers who give their time and energy. Volunteerism is possibly the finest characteristic and quality of Saratoga. These volunteers are the people who exhibit a sense of joyful responsibility for the well-being of others. Sincere thanks to the generous souls who gladly make themselves available so that we all might experience pleasant moments. I think we'd all agree the Village, which extends along Heritage and Big Basin ways, is the signature of Saratoga. But not far from Heritage Orchard and our beautiful rustic library is another outstanding and beautiful feature of our city. That is the quiet but bustling and busy West Valley College. A few months ago, I had the privilege of addressing the 1998 Commencement and extended to faculty, families and graduates warm and cordial greetings from the people of Saratoga. It is clear to me that because of the presence of the community college, Saratoga has become a prouder and better community. The challenge the students have accepted to expand their minds and grasp the opportunities afforded by freedom is the essence of a democratic society. I expressed to the graduates that we are privileged all of this takes place in our city. I assured them that when they have traveled to many places around the world, they would always be welcome in Saratoga. Yes, our beautiful community has largely remained unspoiled by progress and is a special place in all the world. How comfortable, warm and welcoming is our town when we return from far-away places. Saratoga is surely the soul of Silicon Valley. Don Wolfe is the Mayor of Saratoga. This column originally appeared in Sept. 9 edition of the Saratoga News Arts Calendar; however, his name was left off. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, September 23, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.