Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Main Street

Mary Ann Cook

These pranksters say they have a running problem

RED DRESS RUNNERS: Remember those runners in red dresses spotted the day before Easter? Got the skinny on them from Scott Duinder and Sarah Burgei, who are both members of the running group. They're called the Hash House Harriers, and they try not to let running interfere with partying. In fact, their motto is "We're a drinking club with a running problem."

The group originated in Malaysia in 1938, and there are chapters in 150 countries--a good connection for business or holiday travelers--and five chapters in the Bay Area.

Here's how it works: Two members play hare (hence the name Harriers) before each race, tracing the route the runners will take by trailing flour behind them. Along the way at intersections are circles with crosses where the harriers may have difficulty knowing which direction to go next.

That's when the older folks catch up with the more fleet-footed, and those slowdowns keep the contingent somewhat together. The red dresses started as a taunt to one of the members in San Diego, whose knockout date was dressed in red. The next week several runners showed up in red dresses. There are three chapters in Silicon Valley alone. Make that Sillycon Valley.

ARTISTIC RECOGNITION: Time was when artists weren't recognized until they were old men. Some, like Van Gogh, aren't recognized in their lifetime. But times change. And sometimes even 5-year-olds get recognized. Evan Anglin, a student at Casa Maria Montessori, had been tucked into bed for the night by parents Jeff and Jamie Anglin. But about 10 p.m. he came downstairs bearing a completed piece of artwork that he intended to enter in a Kinko's contest. His confidence was well placed: he won a basketful of goodies, including his own artwork, laminated. Evan is the great-grandson of Los Gatan Gigi Firenzi and the grandson of Carol Anglin.

HONORED: Lee Bowman, director of the Los Gatos Planning Department, was recognized recently for his 25 years of personal dedication to the Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center. Bowman was in on Live Oak's inception and "worked tirelessly in many board capacities and hands-on repairs to provide for the physical and social needs of elders in our greater community," said Marion Lyon, fellow board member.

BARBERSHOPPERS: "Barbershoppers on Broadway" is the name of the concert the Garden City Barbershop Chorus will present at 7:30 p.m. May 15 at Los Gatos High School. The chorus has won the Northern California Championship at the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Singing event every year for the past six years.

And the group was ranked among the top 20 internationally, no small feat when you realize there are 780 such groups harmonizing around the world. Five of the 85-member chorus are Saratogans: Greg Brock, Bob Cancellieri, Jerry Larkin, Archie Pritchard and Greg Sawyer.

Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and students at the door, or call Kandee Linden at 799-4075. An ice cream social follows the concert. New members are often recruited at these concerts, says John Laws, who started the tradition eight years ago when his daughter was part of the LG color guard. They've been harmonizing with the chorus ever since.

QUIMPER ARTIST: Maria's Antiques of Los Gatos and Los Altos played host recently to a visiting artist from Quimper Faience of Brittany. Marie-Laurence Furic demonstrated the 300-year-old French folk art she practices at the factory, a flick-of-the-brush painting done on pottery, often depicting a peasant figure on a plate or vase. Furic was chosen over 52 others, thanks to her enthusiastic essay. The demo was at the Los Altos Maria's.

EARTH ANGELS SOUGHT: You can help the frail elderly who no longer drive by volunteering to take them to the doctor's office, the grocery store, on errands, etc. Catholic Charities Independent Aging Program does the training at John XXIII near SJSU, and hours are flexible. If you can help, contact John Ruzzo at 282-8608.

DOWN GARDEN PATHS: A tour of five valley rose gardens will be held May 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Two of the gardens are in Los Gatos: Bob and Judy Bergthold's and Katie Duggan's. The Bergtholds have 140 rosebushes, mainly hybrid tea roses and floribunda. The Santa Clara County Rose Society, which has been blooming for 50 years, is the sponsor, and tickets are $10. Call 356-8560. Proceeds go to the society's annual public rose show.

HOLE IN ONE: Here's a hole in one with a difference: this one went in the car, not the cup. At a recent golf tournament at Rinconada, Jerry Houston sent a ball through the window of a Mercury Cougar, the hole-in-one prize courtesy of Harlan McHugh.

No one claimed the shattered prize, but Saratogan Mary Albanese came close on the 13th hole--only half an inch separated her from the Cougar, reports Bart Raynaud, one of the witnesses to the feat. Others in her foursome were Mark Raynaud and Mike Konopik. However, Albanese did win closest-to-the-pin, which carried an award of $50--some consolation, I guess. Bocce ball directional skills must carry over into golf. The Albaneses own Campo di Bocce in Los Gatos. Houston, the hole-in-car hitter, works for Alain Pinel in Saratoga.

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