Los Gatos Weekly-Times Main Street Mary Ann Cook Los Gatos Porch owners, others get thanks THANKS FROM ARIS: Generous donors to ARIS (Aids Resources, Information and Services) were honored with a dinner in August at La Estancia, the Spanish-style estate of David Stonesifer and Larry Arzie, owners of Los Gatos Porch. The dinner paid tribute to those who had contributed $2,500 or more to the AIDS benefit for the past fiscal year. Those honored from Los Gatos Porch were David and Ervie Brewick, Ed Mireault, Diane Van Vorhees and Judy Jaeger. Others included Shantel Howards, Jackson Green; Sandra Moll and Rick Holden; Tim and Laura Harris; Ray and Sandra Farris; Vicky and Steve Kellogg; Valerie and John Hopkins; Anita and Kevan Del Grande; and Deborah and Dan Rubnitz. The Magnolia Jazz Band and "Idea of North," an a cappella jazz ensemble from Australia that had performed earlier at the San Jose Jazz Festival, provided entertainment. ARIS offers practical and emotional support for those with AIDS, as well as educational and prevention programs. BEAMING THE BRITS: Wilma Thompson, half of the two-person Los Gatos history team (Bill Wulf is the other half), is now doing research for BBC TV. The BBC called the LG Chamber of Commerce recently inquiring about land once owned by film director Alfred Hitchcock, and the call was eventually routed to Thompson. She doesn't know what the BBC wants to do with the information, but after doing the research, Thompson sent on photocopies and printouts about the parcel. It's in the Glenwood area of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is now owned by someone else. Hitchcock became interested in buying local land while filming Rebecca, which starred Joan Fontaine, who lived in Saratoga. Fontaine's mother, Lillian Fontaine, was a drama coach who helped stage theatricals in the Saratoga glen in the 1930s. She suggested Hitch look at the Vine Hill area in the mountains, and that's exactly what the master of suspense did. Now we have some suspense wondering what they're up to. "It was exciting getting calls from the BBC," Thompson reports. SECOND PRINTING: On another historical note, A Trip Through Time and the Santa Cruz Mountains is in its second printing. Billie and Reece Jensen are the authors and the book is chock-full of info, quotes and photos, many courtesy of Bill Wulf. ("I'm listed in 59 books now," he says proudly.) Billie owned the magic store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue next to the Black Watch. The shop was called the Ghastly Gallimaufry, and Billie opened it after her son got interested in magic tricks. The Jensens now live in Gardnerville, Nev. The book is available at the Curious Book Shoppe on Main Street and at the Summit Store, where it sells quite briskly, according to Wulf. It's a large paperback of 236 pages and includes recipes--presumably historic. FAIR WINNERS: Colleagues and students of Neva Argall's classes at The Makings in King Court cleaned up in county fair stitchery competition last month. Doris Wickland was a big winner--again. "I always win," she says matter-of-factly. This time it was first place and best of division for her tablecloth embroidered in hardanger, a Norwegian form of needlework. Her daughter in Susanville has custody of this prize-winner now. Wickland also won a first place for a small sampler with different forms of cross-stitching, and fifth place for a burgundy, pink and beaded fan. In 1990, the first time she entered the competition, Wickland won a first place and best of division for her freestanding, foot-tall, cross-stitch angel. Other past winners were a freestanding cat and a wall hanging of hummingbirds. Wickland took up stitchery after she retired and loves it. Other Neva grads and county fair winners were Bruce Neil, who had five entries and won four ribbons; and Linda Hardwick and Diana Miller, both of whom won several ribbons. Classes are free and are held Monday, 1-3 p.m.; Tues., 10-noon and 7-9 p.m. and Wed., 7-9 p.m. Annette Mach is the owner of The Makings. GOTHIC ROMANCE: Former Los Gatan Paulette Crain is the author of a gothic titled De Lore's Confession, which was written here. She'll be signing books at Super Crown Books on Sept. 23 from 3 p.m. on. The Crains lived in Los Gatos for 13 years, and children Steve and Ashley went to school here. Their Tourney Road house was destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, and they rebuilt but later moved. Now they live in Tiburon and New Orleans. Crain was an aerobics instructor at Move-It in Los Gatos before turning her hand to romance. OFF ICE: Peggy Fleming will guest on "Adventures with Kanga Roddy" when the new sessions air early next year. The children's show features Jennifer Montana and Karen Lott, plus five Bay Area children. It's on KTEH Saturday at 9 a.m., Sunday at 9:30. The host is a 7-foot kangaroo and martial arts expert, hence the title. Los Gatos Town Councilmember Jan Hutchins is the creative producer. Peggy Fleming was gold medalist in ice skating at the Olympics in 1968, in case you just tuned in--from outer space, say. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, September 23, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.