Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Main Street

Mary Ann Cook

Allende kept hosts in stitches, even in English

SELLOUT: "I'm much funnier in Spanish," said novelist Isabel Allende. But Mary Lou Taylor and Pat Compton found that hard to believe when they picked her up for a reading recently. The bestselling author kept them in stitches all the way from her home to Montalvo, where Allende was scheduled to give a workshop and reading the next day. The diminutive writer was full of personal anecdotes. And she thought she was coming to someplace really rustic where she'd need a sleeping bag and a mammoth-sized alarm clock, instead of the fruit, flowers and suite that awaited her. Do residents of Marvelous Marin think of Saratoga as such a backwater?

It was dark when the trio reached the Montalvo gates the night before the reading, but with the aid of a flashlight, the hostesses were able to open the gate--unlike the time when former poet laureate Robert Hass had to climb over the fence when he got there after the Villa was locked.

Allende is one shrewd workshop leader, reports M.L., who audited the session. And later, at the reading, she really packed 'em in: It was a sellout crowd. Allende donated the proceeds from the reading to the artist residency program at the Villa. Long lines formed to get her autograph on Paula, Eva Luna, and House of the Spirits.

Allende, Peruvian born, spent her childhood in Chile, but her family had to flee when her uncle, who was president, was assassinated. Her latest book is called Aphrodite, but it's being published abroad and there's no definite date on when it will be published here, though probably 1998. Aphrodite is full of usable recipes, including aphrodisiacs--basically a novel about sex and food. "What else is there?" as one event-goer commented.

VILLAGE HOUSE: The top-drawer luncheon spot that benefits Eastfield Ming Quong for troubled children and families needs volunteer help. Willing workers are needed to help prepare or serve lunch to the public two or three times a month. Call 354-1040 if you can help.

RESOURCEFUL: The Whole Mountain Source Book is the resource book Michele Wittin puts together yearly. Now she's doing more mountain documentation, a video history of Chateau Boussy, interviewing former area old-timers, owners, renters, habitués and musicians, tracing its many incarnations. Our own John Baggerly will be one of those interviewed. The restaurant closed in the late '70s, when it was known as Chateau Liberte and had become a Hell's Angels hangout. Lewd activities (breast-measurement contests?) forced the closure, according to a newspaper account at the time. The Doobie Brothers were one of the most well-known groups to play there, and their first album cover was photographed on the chateau porch. Two former Doobies still live in this area, Tiran Porter in the mountains and Dave Shogren in San Jose. Present chateau owners George and Jan Rabe, longtime mountain residents, intend to rehabilitate the rambling redwood lodge and eventually turn it into the Rock and Roll B&B. Sounds like those two concepts are contradictory, but let's see what the Rabes produce. David Rapp is the producer of the video.

BEST OF THE WEST: Floyd White, Ed Leary and Bob Peck make up the TV production team Fledbo, an anagram of their names. The film depicts athletes over age 50 in action. Fledbo itself has been in action for the past 10 years, filming Mary Foster's interviews of old-timers over KCAT, for one thing.

"Our purpose is to maintain things that have been going on," White says. The three retirees met through the San Jose Movie Videomakers Club. Recent documentaries: Childshare of Santa Clara County (foster care) and the sewing circle at the South Side Center. On his own, Peck produced a video called "Gingerbread Balustrades," filmed in Florida. The team works under the aegis of the Council on Aging.

APPRECIATION LUNCH: Claire Campodonico hosted Discovery Shop volunteers at an appreciation luncheon recently. The volunteers received gold sword pins, a commemorative glass filled with chocolate kisses and gold hangers from Temia Demakopoulis, regional director of the Discovery Shops. The culinary high point was Demakopoulis' specialty, spanakopeta, the Greek spinach pie. The Discovery Shop is an upscale shop for used clothing and small household items that benefits the American Cancer Society. Last year, its first year here, the shop raised $127,000. But volunteers are still needed, says Shirley Newsom, and even four hours a month, especially on Saturdays, would be a boost. They have 29 volunteers, but 45 are needed. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the store, says Demakopoulis, who is also looking for a paid manager. The shop is at 39 E. Main St., and the number is 354-5917.

COOKING DEMO: by Marcella Calloway, owner and chief chef of Cafe Marcella in Los Gatos, will be Monday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-noon at the Saratoga Federated Church. The event is sponsored by the Butter Paddle, the kitchenwares shop in Saratoga that benefits Eastfield Ming Quong. Donna Butcher is coordinator. The audience will sample the results, which will include stuffed loin roast with mashed new potatoes. Cost is $30. Susie Schechter is president and Cathy Lynn v.p. of the B.P.; both are Los Gatans.

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