Main Street
The wind gave Rios a run for her money
By Mary Ann Cook
SPEEDY MARATHONER: The fastest U.S. woman in the Boston Marathon was a Los Gatan--she's Maria Trujillo de Rios, 40. She came in third in the masters' division and 18th overall. Her time was 2 hours, 42 minutes, 24 seconds. Her hopes to better her previous time were dashed because "we were battling the wind the whole way."
Rios has competed in 52 different marathons since tackling her first in 1983. Her fastest Boston marathon was in 1990, when her time was 2:28:53, and she came in third. She's been running since she was a student at Hartnell Community College and got interested in track through an exercise class.
Now she and her husband, Carlos, have an 11-month old baby, Alina, and talk of having another one before long. "I'm just happy to be running," no matter what the results, she says. This summer she'll compete in the Grand Masters in Minneapolis and the International America in Sacramento at the end of the year.
For her, the American masters' title of 2:35:08 seems to be within reach and a "worthwhile goal," says Carlos, an electrical engineer for 3Com, who is also a runner. The two met at the San Francisco marathon in '97. Maria ran 12th in the U.S. Olympic Trials in South Carolina in February.
ENVIRONMENTAL MENTOR: Emily Kohl, 16, was born an environmental activist, says her mother, Nancy. So it's no surprise that she's co-president of HELP and helped organized the recent week-long Earth Day events at Los Gatos High School.
Her HELP co-president is Erin Lewis. HELP stands for Helping Earth Live Peacefully. The group targeted different themes every day--Rainforest Action; Animal Rights, Human Rights, Daily Tidbits (what you could do in your own life) and Deforestation.
Saturday was landscaping day at the high school, planting trees and flowers, creating pathways in conjunction with the Interact Club, a teen arm of Rotary. HELP also took its message to elementary schools. Those involved were Nisha Hakhu, Jayne Drose, Caroline Chase and Jess Kerlin, in addition to Emily.
When Emily was at Fisher School she organized an environmental club which sold T-shirts as a fundraiser and established a butterfly garden at the school. Recently Emily was one of the counselors at the science camp at Walden West.
Her environmental agenda may be in the genes: father Rick runs two companies: Go-Green.com, a clean energy company; and Preferred Energy Services, an energy auditing company.
ANNIVERSARY: Normandin Chrysler Plymouth Jeep dealership is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, one of the country's oldest. It was founded as the Pacific Carriage Factory in 1875 by Amos Normandin. Hence the horse and buggy on the roof of its Capitol Expressway showroom.
Chairman and fourth generation leader of the dealership is Lon Normandin, who lives in Monte Sereno. Sons Mark, president and general manager, and Paul, general sales manager, live in Los Gatos and are fifth generation, natch.
The buggy manufacturing gave way to horseless carriage sales in 1906, and Franklin was the first franchise, followed by Hupmobile, Saxon, Hillman and Hudson-Essex. The Plymouth connection came in 1933 as DeSoto-Plymouth.
Then, in 1958, Chrysler replaced the DeSoto line. Jeep was added in 1993. The dealership averages more than 100 new vehicles sold each month.
JURIED SHOW: The Los Gatos Art Association's open juried show will be on exhibit May 4-28, with an artist reception on May 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. Last year the show drew 400 entries from all over the western U.S. Linda Spencer is president of the LGAA, and Laura Bajuk is executive director of the Los Gatos Museum Association, the co-sponsor of the exhibit.
RETIREMENT PARTY: Here's a retirement party with a twist. Industrial Arts teacher Ron Cassel is throwing a party for all his former students--that's 37 years worth of students from LGHS. The big doings will be held on June 4, at Vasona Park Pavilion from 1 to 4 p.m.
RSVPs are requested for the barbecue from former students and their spouses. To reserve a place call Rod Bennett at 408.379.2390.
ARBOR PROJECT: Michael Lee Kilgore is working on an arbor project to be displayed outside the Tapestry Restaurant. Kilgore teaches at Cabrillo College, and an example of his work can be spotted on Santa Clara Street across from the San Jose Arena.
He fabricated that metal sculpture, called "Remembering Agriculture in Santa Clara Valley." It's visible to drivers exiting the Guadalupe Freeway at Santa Clara Street. Tony May was the sculpture designer, and others worked on it as well.
WINEGROWERS: The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association will hold a tasting and auction on May 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Hayes Mansion in San Jose. Tickets are $45. Call 831.479.9463 for more information.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
