Los Gatos Weekly-Times Studies included front-row seat to Hurricane Mitch Mary Ann Cook STUDENT OF GLOBE: When Stephanie Workman elected to study Third World Development in a semester-abroad program, she could hardly predict she'd be caught up in what has been called the worst natural disaster in the Western Hemisphere--Hurricane Mitch. But that's exactly what happened. Fortunately for her and the other 19 students in the program, their housing and schooling was high enough up in the Honduran hills of the capital city, Tegucigalpa, to escape the devastation. Those who suffered the most were the poor, whose homes were at a lower level and were washed away by the flooding. Though the students were safe, they helped others in the evacuation process and could see houses sliding down the hills and bodies being washed into rivers created by the flooding. Some 50 percent of Honduras was under water. In the capital city, the water came up four stories high in the downtown area and flood waters reached the tops of telephone poles. Some 70 percent of the banana and coffee bean crops were wiped out. It is estimated that it will take 10 years before the banana trees will bear fruit again. After the hurricane, the students used the top level of the school building, so that displaced families could be housed on the lower two levels. Workman studied Spanish, the history and culture of Honduras, its underlying problems and its relationship with the U.S. as part of her Global Studies at Azusa Pacific College. She's no stranger to travel, having spent shorter stints in Ecuador and India. She'd like to work with inner-city children in community development once she graduates. She is the daughter of Dale and Bonnie Workman of Los Gatos, and her family is very active in Saratoga Federated Church. Her aunt, Becky Dugan, is one of the music pastors there. WOMEN & MONEY: Two well-known investment gurus will offer a presentation called "Women and their Money" at Hyatt Rickeys in Palo Alto Jan. 25. The financial mavens are Joan Perry, president of Take Charge Financial in Los Gatos and David Bach, senior vice president of investments for the Bach Group at Dean Witter. Joan Perry is author of the book, A Girl Needs Cash. The title comes from a quote from Mae West--who said that after 40, a girl needs cash. Perry is the founder of the first municipal investment banking firm owned by a woman. David Bach, a scion of the investment firm that bears his name, is the author of Smart Women Finish Rich. He is well known for his educational investment seminars. A light buffet dinner at 6 p.m. will be followed by the program at 6:45 p.m. Cost is $25 for Commonwealth Club members, $35 for guests. Closer to home, Perry will present a talk Jan. 20, 7-9 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amundsen Hall, 14103 Saratoga Ave. The sponsors are the Los Gatos- Saratoga and San Jose chapters of AAUW. For more information, call 741-0652. GUEST DAY: The Los Gatos History Club presents a Guest Day Tea at 2 p.m., Jan. 20 featuring the Los Gatos Art Docents. The Art Docents are one of the beneficiaries of the History Club's fundraising. Joanne Brice and Marion Hegeman are co-chairwomen of the tea, assisted by Joan Brown, Gwen Davis and Eviva Schwaderer. TEXTURA: A reception for two Los Gatos artists whose work is on display at the Tait Museum will be held Jan. 17, 1-4 p.m. at the museum. Henri O'Conner has taught art through the Los Gatos-Saratoga Adult Education program. His work is representational. A native of France, O'Conner exhibits there as well. Textile designer Anne Lamborn is the other artist represented. Her work combines metal with traditional fibers and has been commissioned for 20 corporate offices. Public art is of particular interest to her and promises to be a new venue. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION: The Junior League is accepting applications for exemplary volunteers for the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on April 16. Nominating forms must be submitted by Feb. 2. Effectiveness, creativity and leadership are some of the qualities sought. Leslie Beemer and Louise Pahl are co-chairs, and the number to call for application forms is 536-0988 GARDEN CAFE: May Miller's acrylic paintings are on display at the Garden Cafe in Burlingame through January. The Garden Cafe is at 1447 Burlingame Ave. and is run by volunteers, with a percentage of its sales going to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Miller studied at the Academy of Art in San Francisco and has a B.A. in Fine Arts from UC-Berkeley. A view through a window is often a favorite subject matter for Miller. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Los Gatos Rotary celebrates its 75th birthday Jan. 15. The group contributes more than $30,000 annually to 40 local charities. Rotary has some 125 members, and the club meets Tuesdays at Los Gatos Lodge. PAINTING DEMO: Artist Mike Linstrom will demonstrate his oil painting techniques at the Saratoga Contemporary Artists' meeting Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Library. Guests are welcome. Call 354-9046 or 378-7659. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 13, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.