Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Main Street

Mary Ann Cook

This was a good trick for student to learn

FORTUNATE FEEDBACK: Most teachers don't get a chance to see what kind of impact their teaching makes on their students, but Gayle Shank got an immediate and dramatic response. She teaches CPR, the Heimlich maneuver and other first-aid skills to sophomores at Los Gatos High School.

It's a state and local requirement. She insists the students perform the maneuvers in front of the class, which most students protest heartily. But she knows emergency treatment is often called for in a public place, and youngsters need to be confident and assured enough to perform such service while others are watching.

Her insistence paid off earlier this year when Vince Civigila performed the Heimlich on his older brother, who had begun choking at home during dinner. Brother couldn't breathe and was making the telltale croaking sound that indicates the Heimlich is needed. Both parents tried their best to dislodge the food caught in his windpipe.

Then Vince stepped in and on his second try, after two pumps, the food popped out and across the room. This all took place about two weeks after Vince had learned the procedure. Hometown hero applies knowledge, prevents possibly dire consequences.

WATERCOLORISTS COMPETE: Genie Even and Amy Konsterlie are two Los Gatans who are part of the Biennial Statewide Watercolor Competition and Exhibition at the Triton Museum of Art on display in Santa Clara until Nov. 5. The museum sponsors this juried show for watercolorists every other year.

CATTLE BARON'S BALL: The Cattle Baron's Ball has a Wild West gold rush theme and is set for 7 p.m. to midnight at Moffett Field on Sept. 26. Admission is $150, and one highlight is the porcine race, wherein you bet on the speed of the pig of your choice.

Some unusual auction items this year include the Courageous Kids Quilt, based on drawings made by children who have cancer. For travelers, there are tickets and tours to Berlin, New York and Philadelphia. Dress for the ball is Western chic.

Directors Zoe Alameda and Lynda Evjen say the 1,250 guests expected will think they have stumbled into a boomtown of 1848. This event is a model fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, having raised $1.2 million in its first two years, thanks to the fact that the ball is strongly underwritten by sponsors.

And this year the sponsor list has grown. Joe and Nikki Parisi of Therma Inc. are star sponsors at $50,000. For musical entertainment, the country & western band Silver Creek will play, the Peninsulaires Barber Shop Quartet will sing and Lil's Dance Hall Girls will kick up their heels. Tickets can be ordered at 879-1032, ext. 133.

HATS ON: AAUW members will wear their favorite hats to the Sept. 26 Membership Showcase from 9:30 to noon at Villa Fontana, 5555 Prospect Road, San Jose. Lorraine Blackburn's performance of "Vintage Hats: Their Styles and Their Stories" provides the entertainment. For more information, call 378-1470 or 476-2041.

GEARING UP: Fall talks and classes are in full swing up at The Meadows at 110 Wood Road. Arborist Jim Sugai will speak on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. in the lounge and share his love of nature. Sugai was park supervisor for Los Gatos for 22 years and still helps maintain the trails on a volunteer basis. He worked on restoring the carousel at Oak Meadow Park and, now retired, he also lends a hand at Hakone Gardens in Saratoga. Seating is limited, call 354-0211 for reservations.

Classes sponsored by West Valley College are also available at The Meadows. There's a contemporary-issues class that meets Mondays at 1 p.m. and an art history class on Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., both 12 weeks long.

SIZZLING SENIORS: The Sizzling Seniors will perform at The Terraces, on Blossom Hill Road from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Sept. 21. The SSers are a dance group that is an outgrowth of the aerobics class sponsored by the Los Gatos Recreation Department and led by Bev Myers. They perform at schools, fairs and senior centers several times a month.

STANFORD CLUB: Annual kickoff and welcoming party for Stanford alums will be held Sept. 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kay and John Eshleman's in Monte Sereno. Dick Gould, head coach of Stanford men's tennis, is special guest for the afternoon. Cost is $5. Dues and reservations should be sent to Howard Gaines, 1175 Sesame Drive, Sunnyvale, 94087.

OPERA GUILD: The San Jose Opera Guild holds a fall lecture series before each opera. Guest lecturers also cover San Francisco Opera's fall program. Lectures are held at the Los Gatos History Club, with optional lunch following. Lectures are free to guild members and cost $7 for non-members. Opera Guild director is Robert Skurko of Los Gatos. For information on fall programs, call 741-1331 or 867-1225.

CENTENNIAL DOINGS: Watch for October's celebration of the 100th year of the Los Gatos Library featuring a Victorian tea on Oct. 3; forums every Friday night on Los Gatos history and its writers, past and present; a genealogy research session; and a book sale Oct. 10 with appraisers, bookbinders and antiquarian experts.

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