Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Main Street

Mary Ann Cook

They came, they saw, they conquered

CONQUERING THE TRAIL: Jenny Coughlin and her boyfriend, David Ferguson, are back from their five-month adventure conquering the Pacific Crest Trail with new resolve and a new appreciation of the simple things in life. The two will head for Chico soon, she to complete pre-med requirements, he to work toward a degree in business. Jenny advises anyone who can take five months off to consider such a trip. "It's the most incredible experience they'll ever have," she promises.

The scariest part of the trek through California and Oregon came in the southern Sierra, where Jenny slipped about 20 feet while traversing an ice shoot in Forester Pass. She credits an ice ax with saving her from serious injury or worse. She managed to stop her slide by using the ax and then crab-walked back up over ice, aided by the ax. "I was focused and calm on the way back up. But when I got to the top, I let loose and cried." After that hair-raising incident, "I knew I could do anything. The trip changed our lives forever, gave us an appreciation for simple things. Now when we walk, we notice small flowers, the clouds, trees." Heat and ants were other discomforts of the trip. And though they consumed 5,000 calories a day (they carted food designed to last five months) they were always hungry. After two weeks at home, stuffing on fresh fruits and vegetables, that incessant hunger is finally dissipating.

FIRST-PLACE winners of the current juried member show of The Los Gatos Art Association are Catherine Politopoulos, Amy Finger, Susan Grant and Cheryl Boudreault. Second-place winners were Janet Kerr, Judy Anton, Ruth Rainie Condit and Garey Wood. Third place: Susan Grant and Maralyn Miller. Honorable mentions: Jolene Anderson, Ella Fisher, Mary Ann Henderson, Amy Finger, Ted Glauser, Jan Moss, Jean Tannhauser, Catherine Politopoulos and William Cunningham. West Valley College art instructor Terry Choy, a veteran of 15 solo shows and 70 group shows of his own, was judge. Choosing the winners is never easy, he says, but prize winners "stand out because they bring you back to them again and again." The show will hang at the Tait through October, and museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

BEER 'N' BANDS: Emerson Shaw is just back from a two-week trip to Germany and Austria, escorting the Chico Bavarian Band to engagements in Munich, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Stuttgart. Emerson's nephew-in-law is a trombone player with the band, and Emerson went as his support staff. Nephew is a San Francisco lawyer when he isn't blowing his own horn. About that name: the nucleus of the band was formed by members of the music department faculty at Chico State University. The wife of one band member is a travel agent and put the trip together for some 80 people. The group circled through southern Germany and western Austria, with the band oompah-ing all the way, even on the bus. Emerson came back full of good beer and good German food and with ringing ears. In Germany they get a jump on Octoberfest celebrations. E.S. was home Oct. 1.

BIRTHDAY PARTY: Some 40 neighbors, friends and relatives helped Marie Wark celebrate her 94th birthday at a party at C.B. Hannegan's. Marie, who lives in Los Gatos with her son Ed, was born in Saratoga and was a secretary for Standard Life. She later worked at Foster Freeze across from the high school and then at Frontier Village and Happy Hollow, managing the fast-food operations there, and didn't retire until she was 75. Her husband, Walter Wark, was a mechanic for Gateway Garage and Paul Swanson Ford, among others, and their son is Ed Wark, commander of the American Legion Post in Saratoga. Marie's party co-hosts were neighbors Nelson and Laura Goldsmieder and Glenn and Amy Kelly and their daughter Judith Kelly. Sidenotes: Marie's mother baby-sat for Barbara Baggerly, and her father, Peter Albini, started the first fire department in Saratoga.

ACROBAT: Robin Stevens, a student at Fisher School, is in Cirque San Jose's newest show, Spaced Out '97. Robin, who will perform as both an acrobat and a contortionist, has studied five years and been a member of the performance group for the past three. Her father, Bob Stevens, is part of the stage crew. Spaced Out will play Fridays and Saturdays, Oct . 24-Nov. 22 (except Oct. 31), with matinees Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. Shows are at 634 N. Eighth St., San Jose, and tickets are $10-$14. Phone: 295-2276.

NEW PLAYWRIGHTS Festival is set for Oct. 25 and 26 at Montalvo's Carriage House Theater. The Road to L.A. by Oliver Mayer on Saturday at 1 p.m.; Uncle Gunjiro's Girlfriend by Brenda Wong Aoki Sunday at 1 p.m. and Icarus by Edwin Sanchez Sunday at 4 p.m. A reception will follow the first and third performances. Tickets are $5 each, $12 for the weekend. I went last year, and it was impressive. San Jose Rep and Montalvo co-sponsor.

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