The 'Guide Me Home to San Jose' Blog

Now that the “dog days of Summer” are almost upon us, what’s a dog to do?

San Jose routinely places among the best places to raise children (Forbes 9/09). If you live in San Jose, and have a dog, you might also be asking: Where can I take my dog in San Jose?

If your dog is the outdoorsy type, San Jose has numerous dog parks where Fido or FiFi can romp, chase, and chew. You will find them, with directions and maps, at www.sjparks.org. In Almaden Valley, Fontana Park has a dedicated dog park area; other San Jose dog parks include Olinder, which has areas for both small and large dogs, and 11 dedicated parking places for their owners!

The County of Santa Clara has also “gone to the dogs.” It’s too late to go on their Wild Dogs Hike through Uvas Canyon County Park, but go to their website, www.parkhere.org, to learn about upcoming dog-friendly summer adventures. What caught my dog Sadie’s eye: Dog Days of Summer at Hellyer County Park on Saturday, July 3rd. A park ranger will lead dogs and their companions on an easy short hike and go over some tips for trail safety with your dog. If you or your dog are night owls, you might enjoy the Paws for Thought Dog Hike on July 10th. For reservations or more information go to the county website or call 408-842-2341.

Some additional web resources for Fido-friendly information:

• www.Wagntrain.com
• www.BringFido.com

(photos courtesy of www.BringFido.com)

Posted by:  Colleen Badagliacco

“I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree.” Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

San Jose has long promoted the planting of trees; it even has a tree ordinance which makes it VERY difficult to take down a tree of any size.

Tree pulling up your sidewalk? Tree blocking all sun? Tree dropping sticky (ginko), prickly (liquid amber), or inky (privet) things all over your sidewalk? Might just take a visit from an arborist, a permit, and a lecture to be able to remove that tree! The rationale: trees contribute to clean air and, of course, provide shade in our summers; many even accommodate the chilly winter afternoon sun by dropping their leaves in late fall. The San Jose tree ordinance also requires homeowners to replace trees in the easements if problem trees are removed.

As Realtors we must give a copy of the tree ordinance as a disclosure to all buying homes in leafy San Jose.

However,
“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way.” William Blake, 1799.

Now trees are pegged for removal in the Almaden Valley neighborhood of San Jose. Although no less a luminary than Ralph Waldo Emerson penned “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn,” PG&E later in March and through 2011, plans to remove 140 trees. Light green dots mark the trees, some pictured here, marked for removal. While some of these trees are the relatively fast-growing liquid ambers and Monterey pines, others take generations to mature, such as sycamores and oaks. One wonders why the trees could not just be pruned; a citizens group is trying to work with PG&E right now. More on this in an upcoming post!

Posted By: Colleen Badagliacco

This year San Jose’s Christmas in the Park celebrates its 30th year bringing holiday magic and joy to the young and young at heart. The city’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez becomes a two acre forest of Christmas trees, over 300 of which are wonderfully decorated by Scout troops, kindergartens and pre-schools, service groups, local businesses and global corporations. Santa arrived Dec. 6 with the season’s kick-off Christmas Parade. He is available for local children to share their holiday gift wishes and for photos as well.

As is so often the case, this very special Christmas setting began with the generosity of one dedicated citizen, Don Lima, a long-time community leader and businessman. In 1970, Lima donated to the City of San Jose the decorations that had made his business a seasonal landmark. Since that time countless volunteers have preserved and expanded his holiday vision, truly making a wonderland of our city center. Stop by on a winter evening to see the Lima Train in action, elves hard at work, and a Victorian Village decked for the holidays. Twinkling lights, whispers of man-made ‘snow,’ chorale groups and other entertainment fill out the picture. Donations and volunteers keep this super family event free to one and all.

Across the street you can even ice skate at San Jose’s own signature Skating Under the Palms.

This is but a snapshot of the holiday Season in San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley.

Images source: christmasinthepark.com

Posted By: Colleen Badagliacco