The Community Newspapers are getting an online facelift, and the Image Cultural and Charitable Events Calendar is going interactive, thanks to a partnership between the Community Newspapers and Artsopolis Marketing Partnership, a program of the nonprofit Arts Council Silicon Valley.

Our relationship with Artsopolis, the online arts and entertainment calendar, began several months ago with the realization that the information we had been developing for Image about charitable fundraising events was something that would be useful to Artsopolis.

By the same token, we realized that we were spending long hours developing weekly updates for the arts portion of the Image Calendar, when Artsopolis was already maintaining a comprehensive--and interactive--arts calendar.

We both brought something to the table that could expand and improve the efforts of the other. So, beginning this week, when you go to the Image Calendar at www.image-magazine.com, you'll find an interactive calendar that includes an advanced search function, event images and user-friendly event listings. Additionally, selected events will offer direct ticketing and discounts through Artsopolis.com.

Although our relationship with Artsopolis began with the customized calendar engine, it evolved into a redesign of our website. Now when you visit our home page at www.community-newspapers.com or the home page for your local newspaper, you'll still find stories and information from our weekly newspapers, but it will be presented with a fresh new look. You can also access the Image calendar at the Community Newspapers website. This transition will take place over the next few days.

We are delighted to be able to bring our readers expanded arts and entertainment coverage through this online partnership, and we hope readers will find our Community Newspapers website redesign livelier and easier to navigate.

--Dale Bryant, Executive Editor

Glad to see voters make
North Campus decision

During a special city council meeting, the members addressed the question of placing the sale of the North Campus on the June ballot. The meeting was held in the administrative meeting room, where there was standing room only.

Perhaps the mayor and city council members became aware of the ease with which signatures were being collected for a petition to have the fate of the North Campus property decided by Saratoga voters. It was no secret that the petition circulators were experiencing no difficulty gathering signatures: in fact, nearly 700 signatures had been collected in less than one week.

I want to acknowledge the unanimity with which the city council agreed to place the matter on the June ballot. It took courage for three members to admit that perhaps their initial vote to sell the property was hastily made or that there might be other options.

I look forward to open, honest discussions with Saratoga voters being provided valid arguments on both sides of the issue. The North Campus is definitely valuable to nine developers who want to build new homes on the site. It is also valuable to those who feel that this property is more of an asset as a community activity and meeting facility.

Now the matter will be on the June ballot; that is exactly what the petition signature gatherers wanted. It is up to all of us to decide whether immediate gain is more or less valuable than having a place for our children, youth, seniors and families to gather now and in the future.

Marcia Fariss

Saratoga Glen Place

St. Paddy's Party is a
special Village event

Thank you to all the merchants that donated gifts for the drawing at the St. Paddy's Party in the Village on March 17. The event was a grand success thanks to you: Viaggio, Echo Shop, Indo Teak and Gifts, Skin Prophecy Boutique, AFM Promotions, Bank of America, Village Jeweler Watch Repair, Curves Saratoga, The Plumed Horse, Paperfunalia Gifts and Wraps, Preston Wynne Day Spa, FloBell, Rapunzel Salon, Rockwood Design, Harmonie European Day Spa, Sent Sovi, The UPS Store, Morning Glory Stationery and Gifts, Rez One Salon, Saratoga Chocolates, Floral Fantasia Saratoga Florist, DivineWear and Deja and Co. Exquisite Jewels.

Marilyn Marchetti

Event coordinator

'Behind-us' issues more
important than TV, WiFi

Bill Elhoff called the Saratoga city offices on two issues he felt were important to all residents, hoping they were still not mired in Kevin Moran and other hopefully behind-us issues ("Saratoga needs to get on to other important issues," March 8). What he felt was more important was not receiving "On-Demand" television and WiFi broadband wireless service.

Sorry, Bill, but as a 35-year resident, the expenditure of thousands of dollars for the vested interest of those who want to turn Kevin Moran Park into a soccer field is more important to me than watching TV. And, no, receiving WiFi broadband wireless is way down my list of concerns, behind allowing Starbucks as a gateway entrance to Saratoga and the possible addition of a Subway franchise that will compete with existing, well-established businesses that are more in keeping with what is rapidly being lost in Saratoga. Somehow, Bill, I don't see TV and WiFi as "important issues that could make life better for our residents."

Dan Eastman

Pierce Road