Our son, Brian, is knee-deep in trying to decide where to go to college next year. He's been accepted at a couple of schools here in California, the "sunshine state", as well as some in chillier places - Seattle, Chicago, and Vermont. My siblings, who now live in Massachusettes, keep telling him how lucky he is to be in California, where even our cold days aren't so cold.

To that end, Brian showed me a you tube tourism video that may not capture all the diversity and high level of education here in Silicon Valley, but certainly does convey the fact that this is a state where there's lots to do and enjoy. I liked the video and wanted to share it with you, too.

Do you like fantasy? Midieval costumes? Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings? Renaissance fairs? Mythological battles of good vs evil in books or even video games? If so, then you should be introduced to Live Action Role Playing (LARP), and you should know that it's happening right here in our own Los Gatos.

Belgatos Park is the home (at least part of the time) to Nero West,"a live-action, live-combat roleplaying game where players take on the roles of fantasy heros and heroines, waging battles with necromancers, goblins, zombies, and other mythical beasts and diving into the mystery and intrigue of this fantastic society" (from the NeroWest website, www.NeroWest.com).

So that's the description, but the reality is that if you see the NeroWest participants at Belgatos Park, you'll find a group that's all dressed up in fun costumes, doing a role playing game and having a fantastic time in a gorgeous setting. I'd been curious about it for months but Sunday, when Bella and I took our daily trek through the park, I had the chance to chat with a few of the nice participants. They filled me in and gave me a card. Very cool stuff. And it seems to be very affordable as well - low cost for the most serious participants, and free for the more casual volunteer. Do check it out!

If you're interested in learning more, visit the NeroWest website: www.NeroWest.com, or give them a call at 1-800-249-9909.

Mary Pope-Handy, Realtor, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, ASP, RECS, CNHS
Helping Nice Folks to Buy & Sell Homes Since 1993
Co-Author: "Get The Best Deal When Selling Your Home In Silicon Valley"
Intero Real Estate Services, Los Gatos, CA (Silicon Valley)
408 357-5760 (Direct); 408 204-7673 (Cell); 408 715-0201 (eFax)
www.PopeHandy.com  www.ValleyOfHeartsDelight.com  
emailto: Mary@PopeHandy.com
Blog: www.LiveInLosGatos.com