Main Street
Gold discovered in town--a gold exhibit, that is
By Mary Ann Cook
GOLD RUSH: Vice Mayor Sandy Decker and Saratoga High teacher Carol Gruetzner dressed as saloon girls to present a lively kickoff for the Gold Rush exhibit at Forbes Mill History Museum recently. The exhibit, which runs until Sept. 15, has "lots of cool, rusty things," says Laura Bajuk, museum director.
The display includes such things as an ore cart, lumbering tools, a poker table from the gold country, quicksilver artifacts and three paintings by Andrew P. Hill. The curator is Willys Peck. The Gold Rush defines the very spirit of California, Bajuk points out, embodying risk-taking, adventure and independence.
She titled the show "Feeding the Elephant: the Impact of the Gold Rush on Santa Clara Valley, 1849-1899." The Gold Rush brought freedom and legitimate work to many blacks and women. Gold was found in Lexington Creek, but nothing like the chunks from the Sierras.
The quicksilver from the Almaden mines was this area's most significant contribution to the gold rush, since quicksilver is used to isolate gold.
Levi Strauss brought denim to make tents for prospectors. One miner asked him to make him a pair of pants instead. And thus was born that worldwide fashion statement for everyone from toddlers to grannies--blue jeans.
BOTTLED WATER: This water isn't for consumption--it's to remind the collectors of their travels. Marguerite and J.D. Van Vanderlaan have been collecting small vials of water from every body of water they've visited for the past 37 years, starting with a trip to New York.
A ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty prompted the first seizure of water. Marguerite convinced Van to capture a liquid memento. With that start of a sample of the Atlantic, the couple next targeted Santa Cruz for a taste, figuratively speaking, of the Pacific. They use those small liquor bottles one gets on a plane.
Some waters from unusual locations they've snared: Loch Ness (sans monster), the Galapagos, the Yukon, Lake Baikal in Siberia and the Glow Worm Cave in New Zealand.
During the Loma Prieta quake, none of the 41 different water bottles broke. Since the collection is displayed on a shelf above the couch, the bottles were well-cushioned.
SECOND ACT: Los Gatan Betty Auchard found a new calling after bereavement and is taking her story, "My Second Act," to women's groups in the Bay Area. Auchard tells how in dealing with the grief of losing her husband four years ago, she discovered the writer within. "After suffering a loss, surviving and thriving are imperative for recovery and should be celebrated," says Auchard.
Her work is in three books of the Chocolate for a Woman's Soul series, published by Simon & Schuster. The most recent, Chocolate for a Teen's Spirit, will be in bookstores June 1. "I love reading the stories to an appreciative audience. I love reading aloud as much as I love writing," Auchard says.
Her next reading will be at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Foxworthy and Union avenues, June 1.
IRIS ON VIEW: Now's the time to view the iris garden at Blanchard Drive and Winchester Boulevard in Monte Sereno, the home of Philippa and Jack Alvis. At this time of year they open their garden to the public. If a flower takes your fancy, bulbs can be ordered from them for delivery later in the year.
Neighbor Kyle Lanza calls viewing the garden "a gem experience." The Alvis' are longtime Monte Serenans with a wealth of knowledge about gardening and, in particular, irises. Wonder which came first--the name of the eye's coloration or the flower?
ESSAY WINNER: Caroline Chase, a junior at Los Gatos High, won $100 and third place for her essay about factory farms that inflict needless suffering on cows, pigs and chickens. The contest, sponsored by the Humane Education Network of Menlo Park, is called "A Voice for Animals."
YACHT CLUB: Los Gatos Yacht Club (small but mighty, as its adherents describe it) meets the second Tuesday of the month at Los Gatos Lodge. New sailors are always welcome: 408.395.5822. The club's newest project is getting inner-city kids in Oakland sailing on San Francisco Bay, a respite from their often-troubled environment.
"Hearing their laughter and squeals of delight as they sit on the bow, letting the spray slap their faces, seems to wash away their cares for at least one day and is a great reward for all our efforts," says Larry Brown, vice commodore.
INSECTS, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: The Youth Science Institute's annual Insect Fair will be May 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Sanborn Nature Center in Sanborn Park. Some treats in store: watching a silkworm caterpillar spin silk; meeting an anthropod; or touching a tarantula. The Youth Science Institute's number is 408.867.6940.
OLIVER IN MOUNTAINS: This is the last weekend to catch Oliver! at Theater in the Mountains, located between Loma Prieta and C.T. English schools. Jeff Hicks is the director and Bob Russell is the conductor. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $16 for adults; $14 for students/seniors; and $10 for children.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
