About Saratoga's Saratoga, Ca

The 54th Annual Saratoga Rotary Art Show and Wine Tasting is Coming this Saturday, May 1, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The show is recognized as "the largest one day juried fine Art Show in the West". It's held on the beautiful grounds of West Valley Community College in Saratoga. Click here for a map. Admission and ample parking are free.

Two hundred artists from around the country show their work including: paintings, sculptures, glasswork, ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, textiles, photography and more. To view a sample of the artist's work click here. Artists are usually present to talk about their work.

In addition to art there is entertainment, a large food selection, and Kids' Korner which is an area with a range of children's activities. The winner of 2011 Saratoga Idol will also be announced. The spacious, oak-studded campus grounds have room to sit and relax.

Children's art from 30 area schools is also displayed, as well as West Valley College student's work.

Best of all, net proceeds from The Show go to the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation, which has returned over $2 million to local non-profits through its grant program. Art Show organizers say it's an Art Show with a heart.

For more information click here.

Snow in Saratoga California!

The recent 3-4 day storm weathered by Silicon Valley residents left the bay area experiencing unusual heavy rain, hail and snow. Yes - SNOW.

The photo of Mount Hamilton was taken this morning from a Blossom Valley in San Jose. You can see Silver Creek Valley homes on the left side of the mountain ridge.

Snow on Mount Hamilton is common. I am a native to the bay area. I see snow on mountain tops that I have never seen before!

Saratoga California was showered with snow. Many local residents were able to drive 15-20 minutes to Saratoga and play in the snow.

While I rarely watch the news ... last night I caught 10-15 minutes of the news showing kids and families playing in the snow in Saratoga Ca.

It's rare to see good things happening in the news. which is why I rarely watch it. The good news, the fun, the frolicking did not last long however. The park ranger kicked the families out of the area. When they returned to their vehicle they found a citation for parking their vehicle after sunset. One resident laughed it off ... saying "we got a citation for playing in the snow." Many families said they will return today to play in the Saratoga snow. Many reported their children had never seen snow!

Other areas hit by unusual storms were not so lucky. Juli Vosmik reported storm damage in Scottsdale Arizona.

Snow in Saratoga California! - by Kathleen Daniels, Saratoga Real Estate and Saratoga Ca Homes

The Golden Triangle, Saratoga

by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe and the Get Re$ult$ Team, Your San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook & Cupertino Schools Experts

The Golden Triangle is a much-desired area of Saratoga, California. Primarily comprised of large comfortable homes of 2000 to 4000 sf on spacious, usually 10,000-sf minimum-sized lots, and cohesive neighborhoods of wide streets and meticulously maintained yards--the Golden Triangle neighborhood looks like the lifestyle most people dream of when they think of California.

With some of the best elementary, middle and high schools in the nation, the Golden Triangle continues to hold steady in value, especially as compared to the rest of the country. Short sales and foreclosures are rare--although they can be found by especially diligent real estate professionals.

Saratoga itself is an exceptionally desirable enclave of Santa Clara County. The town of Saratoga strives to balance a blend of artistic sensibilities with understated elegance. Overall, Saratoga primarily features large comfortable homes of 2000 to 4000 sf on spacious, usually 10,000-sf minimum-sized lots. Homes are nestled on cohesive neighborhoods of wide streets and meticulously maintained yards--these neighborhoods look like the Northern California lifestyle most people dream of.

Saratoga Avenue leads from San Jose at Highway 85, and changes name to Big Basin Way as it meanders through Downtown Saratoga (and becomes Saratoga-Los Gatos Road as you travel towards Los Gatos). Saratoga Village features an abundance of charm, from Corinthian Antiques to the Plumed Horse and La Fondue Restaurants. Big Basin Way becomes Highway 9, which leads to Paul Masson Mountain Winery, Saratoga Springs and Sanborn Park.

West Valley Community College, arguably one of the loveliest natural community college campuses, is located across the road from the Saratoga Post Office, City Offices and Library.Villa Montalvo, located on the estate of former California Governor Phelan, is home to fabulous walking trails, museum and numerous artist in residence programs. Montalvo also hosts a wide variety of musical artists in a variety of intimate venues.

With some of the best elementary, middle and high schools in the nation, Saratoga continues to hold steady in value, especially as compared to the rest of the country. However Saratoga is home to several different school districts (Moreland, Campbell and Saratoga for elementary and middle schools; Campbell and Los Gatos-Saratoga for high schools.) Click here to see 2009 API scores.

Short sales and foreclosures are rare in Saratoga--although they can be found by especially diligent real estate professionals; when found, the home will often be either a long-term rental, a teardown or an unfinished speculation property.

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe is a Silicon Valley-based Multi-Million Dollar real estate consultant specializing in Saratoga properties, and an internationally-published freelance writer with over 1,000 articles in print and online. Visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com or www.lynbrookhighhomes.com. For RE$ult$ ... Just Call ... (408) 252-8900.

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe and the Get RE$ult$ Team / Altas Realty - 408.252.8900