Lunar New Year Celebration 

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit! Join the 15th Annual Lunar New Year Festival at Hakone Estate and Gardens on Sunday, January 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can purchase tickets online, which range from $8-$12. A free shuttle will be available from the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. No parking will be available at Hakone. 

The event will feature a Traditional Lion Dance, Dynamic Kung Fu Martial Arts, Tai Chi performance, Qi Feng Tang Chinese costume fashion show, Chinese music ensemble, calligraphy, arts & crafts corner, fun games, local vendor booths, food & Boba tea for purchase, and more!

Love Notes in the Saratoga Village

The Saratoga Village Development Council invites you to create an original love note to honor those you hold close to your heart. Love notes should be no bigger than 8.5x11 inches and must be flat. Drop your note off at any business on Big Basin Way after January 29, and they will be displayed in windows until February 15.

Winter Storm Loans for Businesses 

Following the Biden Administration's Major Disaster Declaration due to the recent severe winter storms, the Small Business Administration has made Economic Injury Disaster Loans available for businesses in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. 

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are working capital loans to help small businesses and private, non-profit organizations meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the storms. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period, which began on December 27, 2022. Eligible businesses include: 

• Small businesses
• Small agricultural cooperates
• Small businesses engaged in aquaculture
• Private, non-profit organizations of all sizes

Businesses can apply online and call (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov with any questions. 

Prevent Sewer System Backups 

The recent heavy and persistent rains have been challenging for homeowners, as well as for West Valley Sanitation District, which has been experiencing extremely high flows in the collection system. West Valley Sanitation District would like to remind homeowners that the disposal of stormwater in the sewer collection system is not allowed and will result in the system being unable to carry out its purpose of wastewater collection, such as toilet flushing. 

Please do not discharge sump pump drainage into the home sewer system or connect storm drains to the wastewater system. Preventing stormwater from entering the wastewater collection system will ensure reliable collection and operation of each residential home's toilets, sinks, and showers. Your help to prevent stormwater from entering the wastewater sewer system will help prevent backups from occurring, making you unable to use your home's drain system. 

West Valley Sanitation District provides wastewater collection, transport, and disposal services for two-thirds of Saratoga, as well as the Cities of Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and areas of the County.

CERT Academy - Prepare Today for Tomorrow's Disaster 

Sign up for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Academy hosted by Santa Clara County Fire to learn how to prepare for a disaster and assist your community when first responders are not immediately available. In addition to learning disaster preparedness, training includes disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, fire suppression, light search and rescue, and terrorism awareness. Classes are held online on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. January 25 through March 22. Additionally, in-person skills training will take place on Saturday, March 11 and Saturday, March 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Youth Commission Application Period Open

We're looking for five Saratoga teens to serve on the Youth Commission. Applications are due April 28, and interviews with the City Council will be held in May. Applicants must be Saratoga residents in grades 7-11. Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac to learn more and apply.

#SaratogaROCKS 

Saratoga’s rock painting program encourages you to paint, place, and share to let the world know that #SaratogaROCKS! You can find and decorate rocks on your own, or borrow a kit with everything you need from the City. After you complete your masterpiece, mark your rocks with the hashtag #SaratogaROCKS and place your rocks in City-landscaped areas. Use the hashtag to share photos of rocks you’ve created or found on social media. To request a kit or submit photos of your painted rocks, please visit www.saratoga.ca.us/rocks

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