A PLACE for Teens, known to the high school set as The Outhouse, is pleased with a generous grant of $500 from the Los Gatos Community Foundation. The funds will be used for both educational and fun programs for the teens, directors say. The Outhouse now has a computer lab with five computers, including three networked Apples and two PCs. One is a Pentium processor with a high-speed modem, providing access to the Internet via an account donated by Ablecom, a Los Gatos network provider.
NEWLY named as 1997 Los Gatos Yacht Club Commodore is Liz Maestre of San Jose. She succeeds Commodore Jeffrey Zarwell, who was honored at the club's Commodore's Ball Jan. 18 at Villa Felice. Yacht Clubbers berth their boats at Santa Cruz or in San Francisco Bay; in warmer weather they'll be cruising to visit other Bay Area yacht clubs.
THE OWNER of the Wooden Horse toy store, Karen Holland, recently welcomed Sergei Pilipchatin, an intern from Rostov, Russia. A distributor of toys to the Middle East, he is here as part of an economic development program by the San Francisco-based Center for USA/USSR Initiatives. Holland escorted him to toy producers and stores.
THE DIRECTOR of Los Gatos Family Services, Lori Birch, reminds seniors that they can obtain free income tax consultation by phoning 354-1514 for appointments. Beginning Feb. 3, trained volunteers will be at the Neighborhood Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays and at the Great Western Bank, 449 N. Santa Cruz Ave., on Tuesday mornings.
TWENTY first-grade students from Louise Van Meter School will be among the guests at the History Club open house Jan. 22 celebrating its centennial. Mayor Joanne Benjamin is to present a commendation, and congratulations have been received from the White House.
A GROUP of young women from Sapporo, Japan, ages 18 to 20, are expected in Los Gatos from Feb. 23 to March 16, under the auspices of Cultural Homestay International, a nonprofit organization that provides student exchanges. During their visit, the Japanese guests will attend English classes and go on field trips, according to teacher-coordinator Caryn Lawson of Los Gatos, who is seeking families willing to host the visitors. A private room isn't required, Lawson says. Volunteer hosts can phone her at 358-2193.
MEMBERS of Los Gatos Kiwanis Club took a vicarious "trip" to Paris Jan. 9 by way of a slide show presented by Los Gatos attorney Floyd Frisch, who described the month he and his wife spent living in a rented apartment in the Montmartre district. Even a cooking class at the Cordon Bleu was pictured.
LOS GATOS pianist David Dubin, who plays at the California Cafe, performed New Year's Eve at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco.
MUSICIANS are often in search of venues where they can perform. It's not too early to audition for the free Music in the Plaza concerts offered on 12 summer Sundays in the Town Plaza from 5 to 7 p.m. Directors are now looking for groups interested in performing. Send demo packets to Music in the Plaza, 229 Wedgewood Ave., Los Gatos, 95030. Tapes will be reviewed and final decisions made by March 15. Phone Arts Commissioner Sue Gilmore, 376-0756, with any questions.
HIS venue already established, pianist/vocalist and arranger John Landgraf will appeal to audiences of all ages with an evening of "songs of love and hope" at The Terraces of Los Gatos, 800 Blossom Hill Road, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. Reminiscent of the 1930s through the '50s, his music includes pieces by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and others. Landgraf is a minister, psychologist and cable network broadcaster. A champagne reception will follow. The concert is $5 per person and reservations are required. RSVP to Pamela Bancroft, 356-1006, ext. 157.
VOLUNTEERS from the Eastfield Ming Quong Service League operate the Village House and Garden Restaurant, 320 Village Lane, which serves lunches Monday through Friday. Proceeds and tips are donated to EMQ. These volunteers were recognized for their years of service: for 30 years, Tess Hetzner, Lee Nater and Beverly Rouse; for 25 years, Gloria Blackwell, Grace Sautter, Bert Supran and Marie Tompkins; for 20 years, Doris Lucas; for 10 years, Barbara Duren, Ann Fenolio, Marie Gordon, Jeanette Leonardi, Helen McConnell, Ronnie Rabedeau and Mary Wiedel.
AT this writing it's uncertain if an attempt by the Friends of the Arts and theater lovers will have any effect on keeping the former school auditorium in Old Town from being converted to retail space. Regardless of the outcome, Los Gatos should have a theater where there can be live performances. Saratoga, Sunnyvale and other modest-sized communities have theater groups. If the Old Town Theater is to be lost, there ought to be some long-range planning for construction of a theater (or perhaps, on a grander scale, an arts center that would include space for exhibits) somewhere in town.
Money? With all the highly successful corporate entities in and about Silicon Valley, a campaign to secure sponsors and financial backing is one possible way to go. The public-relations value and goodwill engendered by donations should appeal to company CEOs. Obviously such a drive would require crafty planning and perhaps the services of a professional fundraiser, and it could not be done overnight.
Build it and they will come? It's true that several theater companies started here and then laid an egg, but theater has always been chancy. With community backing, a good and well-managed group could survive with perhaps a minimal subsidy. At any rate, the desire of theater buffs for a home here should not be merely a discarded dream.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 22, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.