Team owner John York says he made the decision to move with his family of players, and that they challenged themselves to think about it from the fans’ perspective.  It’s true that the Candlestick stadium is far past its prime, but many fans still remember it for its iconic playoff matches.  While the vote may seem sacrilegious to some 49ers fans, history is never made easily. The as-yet-unnamed stadium (expected to start construction in 2012) could turn out to be just as iconic as Candlestick—and a lot more environmentally friendly.   If everything goes according to plan, it will be the first stadium with a green roof and solar panels.  The 49ers Stadium Authority is also currently exploring options with the Environmental Protection Agency, including nearby public transit (VTA, ACE, and Amtrak), recycled water for irrigation and plumbing, no CFC-based refrigerants (which contribute to ozone depletion), and permanent ventilation monitoring systems.

Though not even named, you can already visit the stadium online at www.49ersnewstadium.com.  Information is still sparse, but there are General FAQs up which should alleviate some fans’ concerns.  “Will the team still be called the San Fancisco 49ers…?”  The answer:  absolutely.  Ticket prices and seating relocations for premium seating holders is still being determined, but there are plans to set up a marketing center in Santa Clara for the stadium where fans can get their first look at their favorite team’s new favorite home.

Next, you should check out the new exhibits at the Intel Museum. Listen as Arti, an artificial intelligence robot, tells the story about how Intel’s technology helps teachers and students who need it in South Africa.  Be sure to get digitized before you leave, as your digital photo is taken and turned into a digital postcard.

Another new event worth celebrating is the opening of California’s Great America 2010 season. The theme park reopened on March 28, and welcomed a new addition. If you haven’t already, head over to California’s Great America and experience the all new “Planet Snoopy!” In this cartoon world, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and the Peanuts gang will greet visitors daily and provide a new world of fun for those already familiar with the theme parks preexisting attractions.

For a more cultural experience, the Triton Museum of Art will begin offering cool new exhibits for your viewing pleasure. First, on June 19, the Erin Goodwin-Guerrero: Caught Between Heaven and Earth’ exhibit and the ‘A Child’s World’ exhibition will open for public admittance. On June 26, the museum will host the Midsummer Art Celebration where you can view the art of over 150 regional artists under the shade of the redwoods in the sculpture garden.  You will have the opportunity to purchase paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, and jewelry by some of the Valley’s most noted artists.

If music is your calling, be sure to attend the opening performance of Concerts in the Park season with “The Sparklestones,” a band specializing in 50s rock. The concert will be FREE from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Pavilion at Central Park at Kiely and Homestead.  Other performers of Concerts in the Park will include Silicon Valley House Rockers (June 30), Mission City Opera & Santa Clara Chorale (July 7), and Shabang Steel Drum Band (July 11). If you like more mainstream music, you’ll definitely want to attend Movin 99.7 Red, White and Boom! concert on July 3^rd that will feature current day phenomena B.O.B., Kevin Rudolf, New Boyz, Travie McCoy, and Shontelle.

In addition to giving back, volunteering in Santa Clara is a chance to really get connected to your community. You get an inside look at how the local government works while at the same time sharing your skills and talents. Volunteering is also a great way to expand your social network. By putting yourself out there, you can make friends interested in the same activities as you and form lifelong connections.

If you like to work with people, you should try filling a volunteer position at the community recreation center, senior center, teen center, or youth activity center. If you’re more interested in a desk job, perhaps a position at the police department or finance department would be the right choice for you. The city of Santa Clara welcomes any volunteers and has a position suitable for just about everyone. Too see a full listing of volunteer opportunities, visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=1642.

For those of us who prefer to be watching from the sidelines while outdoors, there are several Santa Clara sports teams that make for a great afternoon of fun.  The San Jose Earthquakes are a Major League Soccer Team that play their games at Buck Shaw Stadium located at Santa Clara University.  Football fans can make their way to Cow Palace in South San Francisco for a San Jose Wolves game.

One of the many attractions of living on the West Coast is the outdoor activities available to everyone, so don’t miss out on all that outdoor Santa Clara has to offer.

One of the first things that you will want to do is make sure that you have a job when you arrive. The city of Santa Clara and the surrounding area has many different types of jobs available, including many jobs in the area of Silicon Valley. McAfee is headquartered in the Santa Clara, as is the U.S. office of Namco Bandai Games.

Once you have a good job lined up, you will want to check the real estate listings in the area to see what types of residences are available. If you want to buy a home, you will find a number of properties, but you need to remember that the cost of homes in California is much higher than many other areas of the nation. You can also find many apartment complexes as well as houses for rent. The apartments generally start at around 800 dollars per month for studios or one bedroom units. If you need more space, the cost will naturally be higher.

With your new job and your new home in place, the next thing you need to do is take care of your utilities. The city is quite green-minded, and you can even choose to use 100% renewable energy. Call the cable company and see if they have wireless Internet service plans. Make sure that you know the trash schedule if you live in a house, and make sure that you have forwarded your mailing address.

Moving to Santa Clara is easy, and it might be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Just be prepared before you start!

The public parking area at the Great American Train Station will be using a photovoltaic system that can help control energy costs by providing a renewable source of energy into the electric system. The city owned vehicles are efficient as well. A large number of the vehicles in their fleet are hybrid vehicles, and this helps to reduce the CO2 emissions. The power company receives some of their power from the Big Horn Wind Power Project in the state of Washington. This means that much of the energy used in the area comes from clean resources.

The residents of Santa Clara get involved as well. The city offers curbside battery collection as part of their recycling program, which means that fewer batteries that are harmful to the environment will end up in the landfills. Residents will also be able to choose the type of power that they receive, and they can choose to use 100% renewable power at affordable rates.

Anyone who cares about the environment and who wants to do more to change the way that people are living, and reduce pollution and greenhouse gases would do well to take a page from Santa Clara. They are already taking steps that other areas of the nation will soon have to follow, and they are showing just how easy being green can be.

When it comes to making sure that your home is safe, you can do a few simple things that will increase your security. Make sure that your doors have good locks. Deadbolts work very well. You should also make sure that you have plenty of lighting around all of the entrances of your home. Know who your neighbors are, and never open a door for someone that you do not know. While it can get hot in Santa Clara, even in the evenings, you should keep your windows closed and locked overnight. You do not want to give criminals easy access into your home.

One of the best ways you can increase the safety of your home is to have a home security system installed through one of the professional companies, such as ADT Security. Statistically, homes that have systems such as these installed are at much less of a risk than those homes without a system. Thieves often avoid homes with an alarm system because the chance of the police arriving before they leave is too high.

The city has many wonderful things to offer residents and visitors alike. It is a great place to live, and it is safe with relatively low crime rates. However, making sure that you have all the security you need in case the unthinkable should ever happen is important, regardless of where you live.

The Mission is the eighth of 21 missions built in California, and it has an interesting history. The first mission on the site was built in 1777, but it was abandoned because of a flood. A new Mission was built on higher ground, but in 1818, an earthquake destroyed it. Finally, a third Mission was erected and finished in 1825. It still stands today on the grounds of the university, and it is a popular attraction.

The Harris-Lass House Museum is located on Market Street in the downtown area of Santa Clara. It is the last standing farm site in the city, and guests will be able to visit the house, the barn, the summer kitchen, and the landscaped gardens. The admission price for adults is $3, for seniors aged 60 and over it is $2, and for children between 6 and 12, the admission is only $1.

The South Bay Historical Railroad Society contains a museum within the historic Santa Clara Depot. Visitors to the site can see the historic buildings in the area, railroad artifacts, and scale model displays. Admission to the SBHRS is free.

You can also take the “Stroll into the Past”, which is a self-guided tour that you can take, leading you around the city to many historic sites. The tour offers 28 plaques that will take you from the first Native American settlement in the area all the way to the present day.

California’s Great America Theme Park is only a short distance from the town, and it is one of the most popular attractions in the area. You can enjoy the roller coasters, the family rides, and the shows. The theme park also has a concert series. Visitors will also be able to check out the Santa Clara Mission, and the Intel Museum.

Whether you are a vacationer in the area or you are a long time resident, you might find that you want to get out in the evenings and enjoy a bit of nightlife. Fortunately, you will be able to find many great places to go in the area, and you should be able to find something fun no matter your taste, whether you want to dance the night away in a club or watch the game in one of the sports bars that has satellite TV. Many great restaurants are in the area as well, so your taste buds should always be able to find something enjoyable.

Everyone should find plenty to do in the Santa Clara area, whether they want to take in the museums and the local history, watch the sports teams from the university, or enjoy the thrills at a theme park. If you are vacationing in the area, take some time before you leave for your trip and make note of all of the different places you might want to go. With so many activities, you might find that you need to make a second trip!