Dances, music, drums, crafts, arts, Chinese calligraphy, games and more are part of the Chinese Lunar New Years Celebration being held Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Saratoga Community Center in Saratoga, CA 95070.

Admission is FREE, but donations are welcome. Please make your tax deductible donations to Saratoga-Monte Sereno Community Foundation. Net proceeds benefit the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries.

The event is sponsored by:

• Saratoga-Monte Sereno Community Foundation
• Friends of the Saratoga Libraries
• Organization of Chinese American Women, Silicon Valley Chapter
• Saratog Vision Chinese School
• Bank of the West, Saratoga Branch

For more information, contact Cyntia Chang 408-867-7111 or Emily Lo 408-808-9982

Wores had a studio in Saratoga from 1924-1937 in the building that is now occupied by Bell Tower Bistro. He entered the world just as the art world blossomed into the Modern Period; when he died, Abstract Expressionism was about to be born. During his lifetime, he was exposed to French Naturalism, Japonism, Impressionism, Post Impressionism, Art Nouveau, Cubism and Dada.

As Wores traveled from California and the American West to Germany, Japan, Spain, Italy, Japan, Samoa and Hawaii and back to California, his work deepened with his academic, worldly, emotional and visual experiences.

Outlook Highlights

• Economic growth will likely strengthen to about 2.5 percent in 2012.
• The U.S. unemployment rate will decline but likely remain above 8 percent.
• Mortgage rates will likely remain very low, at least through mid-2012.
• Housing activity will be better in 2012, but not robust.
• Expect less single-family originations but more multifamily lending in 2012.

According to Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac, vice president and chief economist, ”While the headwinds remain strong going into 2012, there are indications the economy and the housing market are gaining ground, albeit slowly. Sustained and increased job growth beyond the average monthly payroll gains of 130,000 so far this year ending in November are essential. In housing, look for the rental market to lead the way and for some improvement in the single-family space in parts of the country. All told, next year will be another bumpy ride.”

Get the latest information from Freddie Mac’s Office of the Chief Economist on Twitter: @FreddieMac

A new special exhibit, “Enjoy the Merry Traditions of Christmas” runs from November 11, 2011 through the end of January 2012 at the Saratoga History Museum, 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA.

Charming turn of the century dolls, toys, ornaments, and Santa Clauses are some of the many items that will be on display.

Enjoy the magic of Christmas as the exhibit explores the origins of some of today’s Christmas traditions from Christmas trees, sending cards, music and gift giving. The gift shop will feature special holiday gifts, too. Discover local history and visit the Saratoga History Museum.  The Saratoga History Museum is open from 1 PM to 4 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Free parking.

The Saratoga Historical Foundation is a non-profit organization and operates the Saratoga History Museum. The Saratoga History Museum contains one of the largest collections of history and memorabilia on the town and people of Saratoga. Docent tours are available as well as for the nearby historic McWilliams house, a restored 1860′s home. A walking tour of some of the town’s historic buildings and landmarks is also available.For more information contact Annette Stransky 408-867-7468 or annette@saratogahistory.com

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is being presented by West Valley Light Opera at the Saratoga Civic Theater (northwest corner of Allendale and Fruitvale in Saratoga, CA) from November 5-December 3, 2011.

Returning to this theater is the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical comedy; an irreverent satire about Corporate America, based on the book by Shepherd Mead in which J. Pierpont Finch owes his meteoric rise from window cleaner to Chairman of the Board of the World Wide Wicket Company. He accomplishes this not through hard work, but by his ability to make others work hard for him.

This musical opened on Broadway in 1961, receiving a Tony Award for Best Musical, starring Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee, who also repeated their roles in the movie. A new production of this delightful musical opened on Broadway in 1996 and the National Tour appeared in San Francisco.

Memorable songs include “Coffee Break”, “The Company Way”, “A Secretary Is Not A Toy”, “I Believe In You”, and “Brotherhood of Man”.

Go to Artsopolis or Brown Paper Tickets for more information.

Jwala, The Immortal Flame dance concert will be presented by Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose at McAfee Performing Arts and Lecture Center in Saratoga, CA at 6 PM, Saturday, November 19, 2011.

This performance explores the role of fire in Hindu mythology and contemporary episodes. Seven dancers and six musicians are scheduled to be featured.

Tickets are $10-$15; $25 Donor; $45 Family (2 Gen. + 2 Stu./Sr.); free for “Friends of Abhinaya” Members. Buy Tickets

For more information call 408-871-5959.

The sights and smells this time of year are wonderful to experience first-hand, plus there’s a new release to sample:  our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Nothing like tasting wine right where the grapes are grown!  Here are two events to put on your calendar:

1. The First Saturday Wine Walk at Cooper Garrod Winery will be on  November 5, 2011, lead this year by 5th generation Ben Cooper (working his second harvest).
2. On Sunday, November 13, 2011 join Bill and Doris Cooper of Cooper-Garrod Winery and 14 other producers of Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon for a very special tasting event: Premier Cruzat the Los Gatos Opera House.  For only $75/person, meet the winemakers as you sample current releases of Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet plus selected library vintages alongside tasty, Cab-friendly morsels. Click here for Event tickets.

Fun for the whole family is planned for Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 1-4 PM on Big Basin Way in downtown Saratoga, CA.

It’s a safe and friendly community event where children are encouraged to dress in costume and visit participating Saratoga Village businesss for Halloween treates.

Parents and cildren of Saratoga Parent Nursery School will also be on hand with tables (abetween The Echo Shop and Michael Anthony Salon) for activities, crafts, face painting and other Halloween fun.

The event is presented by the Saratoga Village Development Council in association with Saratoga Parent Nursery School.

Top 10 Cities in California are:

1. Palos Verdes Estates, CA
2. Los Altos, CA
3. Hillsborough, CA
4. Los Altos Hills, CA
5. Rolling Hills, CA
6. Villa Park, CA
7. Monte Sereno, CA
8. Belvedere, CA
9. Saratoga, CA
10. Palo Alto, CA

The ranking is based on cost of living, crime, education, employment, health and safety, housing, transportation, local businesses, weather, and city reviews.

On September 7, 2011 at 6:30 PM Addison-Penzak JCC of Silicon Valley is presenting a FREE showing of the film Love Hate Love at McAfee Performing Arts and Lecture Center.

Love Hate Love is a feature-length international documentary chronicling the stories of three families as they are torn apart by terrorism and subsequently rebuild their faith in humanity through acts of love on personal, local and global levels. The film is a Tribeca Film Festival 2011 feature, Executive Producer Sean Penn.

The film will be followed by a Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, 2001: Transformation through Community Engagement at 7:30pm. Local police, fire and paramedics will be honored. South Bay area interfaith leaders and government officials will speak about how community service can transform tragedy into hope. You are invited to join in remembering and honoring all the heroes of 9/11.

This event is sponsored by the APJCC, the JCRC a program of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, the Islamic Networks Group and Dr Howard M. May & Jamie Jacobs May.

This event is free and open to all.