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Elizabeth MacAfee's love sparks science award
By Mary Ann Cook
MOST INNOVATIVE: Elizabeth MacAfee, 12, a student at Fisher School, is an Aquamaid and a budding scientist. She combined the two disciplines this spring to win a Most Innovative Award at the Synopsis Silicon Valley Science Fair.
Her project was titled "How do you remove Knox gelatin from a synchronized swimmer's hair?" To find the answer, here's the experiment she devised: She doused seven Barbie dolls with long blonde hair (similar to Elizabeth's own waist-long tresses) with seven different materials to see which worked best.
She used Infusion Conditioner, Tang, Scope Mouthwash, meat tenderizer, Balsam and Protein Shampoo, diet cream soda and water. After tackling this experiment four times, the Infusion Conditioner won out, hair down.
It was faster drying, among other advantages. Synchronized swimmers gelatin their hair so that they can all look as alike as possible, with hair pulled back in a tight bun and no bangs, a la Esther Williams. Gelatin beat Vaseline, which was used in earlier days.
Elizabeth has been a member of the Santa Clara Aquamaids for three years. Other locals who are also Aquamaids are Courtney Hawker, Monte Sereno; Kendra Zanotto and Kim McKinley, Los Gatos; and Fiona Lundie of Saratoga. Seven of the nine synchronized swimmers going to the Olympics this summer are from the Santa Clara Aquamaids.
So reports Jill MacAfee, Elizabeth's mother. Her father is David MacAfee. The science award was presented to their daughter at Great America by Greg Brown, vice president of exhibits and technology at the Tech Museum. Elizabeth wore her hair "Knoxed" for the judging, as she does when performing with the Aquamaids.
AWARD WINNERS: The West Valley Federated Woman's Club is a relatively small but dedicated group that garnered an enviable number of awards at its district convention recently. The club captured 11 of 15 reports submitted to the competition.
Firsts were won in the categories of education, international affairs, leadership, arts, spiritual values, home life, conservation and special projects, and an honorable mention in membership. WVFWC started as a spin-off of the San Jose Women's Club.
When members outgrew the age restrictions for that club, they formed their own in 1966. The national organization of Federated Women's Clubs is the oldest in the nation, reports Adu Bagley, one of its members and the newsletter editor.
Some of the local chapter's charities include Easter baskets for children at Valley Med, back packs for chronically ill children at El Camino Hospital, pillows for breast cancer patients, hand-knit preemie caps and books for the Elmwood Literacy Program.
The club meets in the senior clubhouse on Hubbell Way and will spend an upcoming Saturday spiffing up the place. Marian Buchweitz is the president. They are adroit in selecting speakers, namely me in the recent past.
A SELL-OUT--AGAIN: Neil Hogan performed at another sold-out performance at Montalvo recently. Hogan, a guitarist, was on the bill with Al Stewart. Last year he shared the stage with John Renbourn of Scotland, also a sell-out.
Hogan is a composer, guitar teacher and co-owner of Joplin & Sweeney Music Studio in Los Gatos. His latest album, "On the Horizon," is made up of 10 guitar solo pieces and one duet, all are his own compositions. My favorite title: "Self Serve Kiwi."
The duet partner is Rich Olson. Hogan is the son of Louise Hogan, a Realtor with Coldwell-Banker of Los Gatos. Joplin & Sweeney may be reached at 408.395.7818, or e-mailed at wwwlggg.com/js.
KIDLIT TREASURER: An expert on children's literature will speak at the annual meeting of Friends of Los Gatos Library May 19, at 7 p.m. at the library. Speaker Carol Jacobs earned a master's degree in children's literature when she was past 50. Her talk is based on her book Treasuries of Children's Literature.
She then taught at San Francisco State, Foothill and Cañada colleges. She has acquired an outstanding personal collection of children's literature, numbering 3,000-4,000 books. Jacobs, a widow, raised four sons during the "hippie era."
After they were grown, she realized she didn't read the classics to them. Jacobs has a nonstop sense of humor and those who have heard her talk at Stanford offer rave reviews.
The message on her answering machine urges you to be succinct because she's expecting a call from Paul Newman. A sale of antique children's books will follow Jacobs' talk. A brief business meeting will precede it. Call the Friends at 399-5700 to reserve your spot.
TO DEATH VALLEY: Kathie and Jeff Gaylord recently spent a couple of days in Death Valley at Furnace Creek Inn, and toured Scotty's Castle. Friends recommended it as a fine trip at this time of year. And so it was, despite the 107 degree reading.
For a more temperate reading, this one on their drive, they took along the tape Mr. Murder, by Dean Koontz, which they also recommend. Jeff, who is retired from IBM, is now avidly wielding hammer and nails with Habitat for Humanity.
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