The Bank, a Saratoga institution, is a favorite of many, including out-of-towners. Meeting Steven Godfrey, chair of the Art Department of the University of Alaska in Anchorage, I raved about just having seen Steve Martin and Martin Short perform at the Mountain Winery (I’m still laughing). He asked where I was from and when the answer was Saratoga, he said, “Oh, I love Saratoga, and especially The Bank.”
The Bank, at 14421 Big Basin Way, is best described as a “Cheers” bar, where locals and visitors alike feel welcome. Donnette Teeple represents the third generation of family ownership. Her grandparents, Lou and Len Sullivan, opened The Bank in 1972.
“I’ve been coming here for over 40 years,” Dave Sorensen of Sorensen Construction says. “It’s a comfort station and the heart of our community. Lenny (Sullivan) ran a strict place with rules of behavior. You might get kicked out for swearing!”
Teeple is welcoming customers back after the pandemic shutdown.
“We are open and invite people come in and see the history of Saratoga on our walls,” she says. “There is a lot here!”
Many are looking forward to another watering hole to open in the Village. Ted Oliveros says that he hopes to open the doors of Many Friends Brewery in mid-October. https://www.manyfriendsbrewingcompany.com
Fall means back to school, and the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District is No. 1 among students and parents who ranked it on niche.com. These same rankings put Saratoga High School as the third best public high school in California. The rankings also factor in data from the U.S. Department of Education. https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-public-high-schools/s/california
The second annual Saratoga Scarecrow Competition starts Oct. 1, and residents and business owners are encouraged to create and display their creations and be judged in four categories: most creative, funniest, most enchanting and scariest. The deadline to submit entries for public vote is Oct. 25, and winners will be announced Oct. 29. saratogachamber.org
“A huge success.” That summed up the crowd’s feeling about the Wildwood Musicfest series hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
“The concerts achieved our goal of bringing our community together in a safe setting and having a great time,” says Chamber President Chuck Page. “We’ve been asked for more, so we are already planning for next year.”
As for this year’s events, Page adds, “It’s not too early to plan to attend the Saratoga Village Open House, Tree Lighting Ceremony and Wine Stroll on Friday, Nov. 25. Tickets are on sale at the Chamber office.”
The city is asking residents to voice their opinions on the Housing Element, which calls for 1,700 new homes in Saratoga across all income levels between 2023 and 2031, and to participate in deciding possible strategies, policies, and housing opportunity sites. The Saratoga Planning Commission has set a series of community meetings before it makes recommendations to the city council. Mark your calendar for the following meeting dates (all begin at 6 p.m.): Wednesday, Oct. 27; Tuesday, Nov. 9; Monday, Nov. 22; and Tuesday, Dec. 7. More info: www.saratoga.ca.us/housing.
Here’s a way to support free cancer services for patients and families while learning to cook like a chef: Chef Daniel Nally of The Basin restaurant will be teaching a Zoom cooking class on Monday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. with Cancer CAREpoint group’s founding president Gay Crawford to benefit the nonprofit’s programs and services. To register, send a check for $50 made out to Cancer CAREpoint by Oct. 20, noting that it’s for the cooking class, to Development Manager Ariane Chapple at Cancer CAREpoint, 2505 Samaritan Drive, Suite 402, San Jose, CA 95124. 408-402-6285
The Saratoga Library is offering online financial planning help Saturdays at 11 a.m. this month: Oct. 2, Quit Like a Millionaire, features an interview with Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung, authors of the book of the same name; Oct. 16, Estate Planning for Life; Oct. 23, Proposition 19 and What it May Mean for Your Financial Future; Oct. 30, Taking Charge of your Financial Future. Registration is required to sccl.bibliocommons.com/events.
If you have news about business or social events, I’d like to know: debby@debbyrice.com.