Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Main Street

Mary Ann Cook

Ira Spector shares a chicken soup tale for book

IN THE (CHICKEN) SOUP: Ira Spector is one of the authors included in the latest "Chicken Soup" book, Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul. Ira's contribution is called "Our Mysterious Passenger" and tells how he and his wife, Barbara, abruptly gave a stranger a ride in their small plane when coming back from Mexico. They were apprehensive about the stranger until a sudden storm came up, and then they were really worried. But you'll have to read the book. Or at least that chapter. "Chicken Soup" books are written by people who are not necessarily professional writers, about a lesson learned in their lives. Some 7,000 stories, quotes and poems are submitted to the book's editors, and 101 are chosen. This is the 12th in the series, and these books are traditionally on the bestseller lists for months.

OCTOBERFESTS: October is when Ned and Marian Gault kick up their heels and knees the most, performing several shows every weekend, as many as five a day. The Gaults, of Monte Sereno, head up Ensemble International, a folk dancing group that's been polkaing for 30 years. The Gaults met in a folk dancing class that Ned's parents (Ed and Ruth Gault) taught, and they've been partnered ever since, through 39 years of teaching folk dancing in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose. They are both retired teachers: He was a chemistry teacher at Leigh; she was an elementary teacher in the Cambrian district. They'll be performing with their group of 18 at the Hochburg von Germania Restaurant in San Jose on Oct. 10, 11 and 17, demonstrating different dances three or four times during the evening.

STANFORD CELEB: Cully R. Plant was a proud grandmother recently as she witnessed her grandson, Ryan Renteria, arrive at Stanford University along with Chelsea Clinton. Stanford is Ryan's grandfather Walter T. Plant's alma mater, too, which made the day that much more significant. Plant received his doctorate there. Cully reports that security was tight at Stanford, what with the president, first lady and first child there. Ryan was a three-sport threat at Sacramento High and an academic high-achiever. His mother is Jan Plant Renteria, LGHS grad, now a kindergarten teacher in Citrus Heights. Grandmother Plant is locally famous for being the only person--so far--who has donated four benches through the downtown Adopt-a-Bench program. "Her" benches are located outside the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company and Nector's, one of the most popular gathering places in town, hence four of the most-used benches. Cully Plant is probably one of the few people on the planet who threw a birthday party for a car; hers is a '55 Thunderbird, and she gave it a 40th party two years ago.

NEW DIRECTOR: Beverly Pevarnick is the new executive director of the Los Gatos Museum Association. One of the challenges she is setting herself is to enlarge the educational programs for children and lecture series for adults. She also will work on refining both the content and the process of the two museums in order to seek accreditation from the American Association of Museums. She was director of the American Museum of Quilts and Textiles before taking this job. She has a degree in anthropology from SJSU and has "always been interested in museums and history." Pevarnick is on board Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Tait Museum (art and science) and the Forbes Museum (L.G. history) are open Wed.-Sun. from noon to 4 p.m. Catherine Politopoulos is fine arts curator; Alice McCammon, natural sciences curator; and Mary Foster, history curator. Volunteer helpers for both museums are always needed. Phone: 395-7375.

ON THE AUCTION BLOCK: Old Town artist Bruni created a bold and expressionistic 2-by-4 oil painting of a mask in typical Bruni fashion, which was part of the Triton Museum's first annual fundraiser. The museum asked her for a donation to be auctioned off, and she honored the request with her usual zest.

SECOND CHANCE: Second Chance Week is Oct. 18-26, and here are more places in Los Gatos where you can reuse or resell: Curious Book Shoppe, 354-5560; Diana's Hang Ups, bedding, 395-8046; Kid's Trading Co., clothing, shoes, furniture, games and toys, 395-8046; Mailboxes, Etc., bubble wrap and polystyrene peanuts, 356-9194; Operation Exodus, automobiles in running condition and furniture, 356-7576; Sound Techniques, stereo, audio and video equipment, 356-3333; and Toner Products Ltd., toner cartridge refills and fax cartridges, 356-7240.

In Saratoga there's the Echo Shop, 14477 Big Basin Way, 867-3995, and The Second Act, 12882 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, 741-4995, for clothes and small household items. In Campbell there's DLK Auctioneers, computer and office equipment, 866-1300, and Ski's Royal Furniture, 378-2075.

For nearly anything there's Cal Max-California Materials Exchange, where they'll list free ads for items wanted or to give away or sell. The number is 1-800-553-2962. United Cancer will pick up most items. Call 1-800-443-4224.

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