Saratoga Sampler

Wanderlust poet will speak at Montalvo

By Mary Ann Cook

WANDERLUST LAUREATE: Pico Iyer, termed the poet laureate of wanderlust, will speak at Montalvo on Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Carriage House Theatre. His subject is "The Global Soul: Looking for Home and Self in a World on the Move," which explores new definitions of home, self and community in a global society.

Iyer is best known for his travelogues, such as Video Night in Katmandu and Falling off the Map. Tickets are $25­$30, through the box office at 408.961.5858 or online at villamontalvo.org.

Iyer's latest book is The Global Soul: Jet Lag, Shopping Malls, and the Search for Home. It's a collection of essays that looks at the consequences, both comic and serious, of a global society with dissolving borders.

Born in England of Indian parents, Iyer attended Eton and then Oxford, where he received a master's degree in English. He earned a second master's degree from Harvard, where he taught for two years. Iyer lives in California and Japan and has been a regular contributor to Time magazine since 1982.

His work has appeared in publications from Harper's and National Geographic to Germany's Lettre International and the Kyoto University football magazine. Issues such as airports, and the need for silence and space will be discussed from the perspective of a man who spends most of his life traveling.

LOOK WHO TURNS 80: Pat Compton held a gala birthday party for her husband, Jim Compton, on New Year's Day. Jim recently turned 80, and his wife marked the philanthropist's arrival into octogenarian status with an open house on the first day of 2002.

The invitation showed Jim on the slopes with skis slung over his shoulder, snow covered hills and pine trees in the background, and the intrepid skier decked out in Scottish tam, boots and shorts, no less. Daredevil sports at any age are a Jim Compton trademark.

ART LEAGUE CHOOSES POEM: A poem by Saratogan Mary Lou Taylor, called "Balancing Act" has been chosen as one of those on display at the San Jose Art League, part of its Peace Between Worlds exhibit. "It was a poem I started long ago," says Taylor. "But after 9-11 it coalesced and I finished it off."

A reception and reading will be held Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the league's Victorian home at 563 Minor Ave., San Jose. Another Taylor poem, "Catholic" was recently selected for Tundra, a publication edited by Michael Dylan Welch, who teaches haiku classes at Hakone.

Thirdly, Taylor was also one of those named to the Saratoga Arts Commission.

CHILDCARE CENTER: Creative Corner Childcare Center for infants and preschoolers opened in September in two buildings at Saratoga High that formerly housed home economics classes. Susan Sawyer is director of the center and has directed before-school and after-school childcare programs for 13 years.

She also taught preschool enrichment programs for three years. Three other professionals at the center assist her. The infant program can handle eight babies and six are currently enrolled. The preschool program can accommodate 28 and six are enrolled.

High school students who are in the Exploring Childhood program interact with the preschoolers at the center, so one agency enhances the other. High school students are also active in the Preschool Buddies program, a part-time program initiated at the center since it's not yet at capacity.

Jill McFarlen and Elizabeth de Lima of Saratoga High School integrate the Buddies and Exploring Childhood programs with the childcare center. Ten district teachers can receive a discount at the center since the space is rented from the school district.

DONATION FOR TEENS: Tom Olds, president of Generations Health Care, the parent company of the Plum Tree Care Center on Los Gatos Boulevard, donated $500 to the Teen and Family Counseling Center, whose target area is both Los Gatos and Saratoga. Jim Geddie is the new administrator of the rest home.

"We want to be more actively involved in the community," says Geddie. He's new to the area, but his family isn't: his father, Larry Geddie, now retired, was building and grounds supervisor for the LG Union School District for 30 years.

GLOBAL WARMING TALK: "Global Warming--Problems and Solutions" will be the subject of the talk by Kurt Newick at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Harker School, sponsored by the Sierra Club. The club regularly meets at Saratoga library, but with construction there, the group switched to Harker.

NATURE HIKE: To compensate for holiday bingeing, there's Rancho San Antonio nearby for hiking and exploring. Docent Bob Segalla will lead a hike there Jan. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. called "Lunch at the Farm." Bring a bag lunch.

It's a moderately paced, 5-mile hike that travels along the Wildcat Loop Trail with steep climbs through three wildlife habitats. For more information, call 650.691.1200.

FINDING UNDERSTANDING: Layne Hackett's group, Finding Understanding, designed to bring together those of different cultures and religions will meet Jan. 8 at Chandler Tripp School at 7 p.m.

Photos: Eucalyptus tree and planting daffodils

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