Main Street

Artist Yoshimoto displays work in Fort Mason fair

By Mary Ann Cook

CREATIVE CATHRYN: Los Gatos ceramic artist Cathryn Yoshimoto will be exhibiting in the Celebration of Craftswomen on Dec. 9 and 10, at the Herbst Pavilion at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature the work of 135 artists/craftswomen.

The show will include furniture, jewelry, wearable clothing, toys, oil paintings, sculpture and decorative objects made from many different kinds of materials. Yoshimoto's work is in porcelain with crystalline glazes and bronzing, sculptural in nature and often incorporating botanical forms.

Her work has been called Tiffanyesque in its elegance, its use of nature images and its art nouveau feeling. Yoshimoto's degree is in graphic arts from UC-Santa Cruz and she worked as a professional calligrapher before devoting herself to ceramics.

She makes sake and tea sets and doesn't exhibit her wares in local galleries but in three shows each year. Her phone number is 408.354.4645.

SIZZLING SENIORS: Several members of Bev Myers dance aerobics class went to the Live Oak Adult Day Care Center recently to see their colleagues perform as the Sizzling Seniors, an offshoot of the aerobics class that takes its show on the road to senior centers and schools.

But the Sizzlers had such a small turnout that particular day that the onlookers were pressed into service and onto the stage. So those who came to watch stayed to strut. The surprised high kickers were Kik Sugai, Kay Fireman, Josie Steinbach and Vivian Taggart.

ON THEIR TOES: We all know how hard it is to find housing in this valley. And it's even more of a tightly wedged, shoehorn proposition when you're in the arts, because those jobs are traditionally lower paying ones.

That's why it's incredible news that four of the dancers in the fledgling Silicon Valley San Jose Ballet company have found places to rent in Los Gatos. They are Zuri Goldman, Daniel Gwatkin, Todd Fox and Jenni Chiarelli.

Fox will be dancing the role of the Prince in some productions of The Nutcracker on Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10, at 1:30 p.m.; the love interest of Maria, played by Dalia Rawson, who grew up in Saratoga. And Gwatkin is playing the Mouse King in some performances.

MOTOR-WISE: When Judy Etherington endorses a car repair shop; she knows whereof she speaks. She owned a Honda for 22 years that had acquired nearly 200,000 miles. Etherington's visage can be seen from time to time on TV ads promoting the repair shop "Made in Japan."

The ads were made six years ago. Her elderly Honda has recently been replaced, but she remains loyal to MiJ, no matter what she's driving.

SCULPTURE COMPETITION: The town is sponsoring a sculpture competition with a March 15 deadline. The winning artwork will be displayed in front of town hall and on loan for from 1 to 2 years. The applications are online at www.town.
log-gatos.ca.us.

For more details, call Tara Lang at 408.354.6820. The large outdoor sculpture should be unique and incorporate the surrounding environment.

SAN PEDRO PRESENTS: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, is the second presentation at the Theatre on San Pedro in San Jose. The musical will play until Jan. 7, an extension from the original closing date. Saratogan Gary De Mattei is the founder/producing director of the new theater.

"It's an intimate work that hits people where they live--everyday events in musical form. We can see ourselves there and laugh at ourselves," says De Mattei, about its popularity. "And it also has poignant moments." The theater, too, is an intimate one, and only seats 200.

De Mattei has had many years in theater, mostly in front of the footlights, before this venture. His partners are his wife Lisa Pontier, who takes care of the costuming and marketing, and Michael Smythe of Los Gatos.

OFFICERS: The newly formed Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga has been granted national affiliation and will dedicate itself to philanthropic projects in the community. Officers were recently elected by the 54 members.

They are Chrystie DeSoto, president; Jan Erhardt, vice president, membership; Kathy Duryea, vice president, philanthropy; Mary Swentzel, vice president, fundraising; Carole DeSantis, secretary; Becky McEntee, treasurer; Liz Iverson, education chairman; and Louise Webb, public relations chairman.

FOR THE BLIND: Lions Club workers at the Monday bingo game at the Silicon Valley Center for the Blind that benefits the center, are generating $130 per worker per night--more than double the total a few years back. Much of the credit goes to Chris Morris. Gail Miller is the Lions coordinator for the bingo project.

CORRESPONDENT: Radio personality Rush Limbaugh calls Jim Dunlay of Los Gatos his West Coast correspondent, and eagerly awaits his emails. I checked the local phone book for Dunlay, Dunley, Dunleigh, Donlay, Donleigh to no avail. Anyone out there willing to relay any more information?

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