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Saratoga Sampler
Old high school chums whip up more music
By Mary Ann Cook
NEW CD: Scott Johnson and Rob Babcock have just released their second CD, Passages. It was written in homage to Johnson's father, Dr. Stan Johnson of Saratoga, who died last spring. Some 25 percent of the proceeds of the CD will go to hospice programs around the country.
Dr. Johnson died after a long bout with cancer, and Hospice of the Valley was a very real help to the family during that time, Scott Johnson says. Just a Heartbeat Away was written the day after his father died "as a song for him, a song for me."
On the CD cover is a watercolor painting of Montalvo done by Scott's sister, Kathy Johnson. The painting was also the poster art for the Saratoga Rotary Show two years ago. Babcock is co-producer of the album.
The creators recently ordered 1,000 more copies of the Passages CD. One reason being that Hospice of Boulder County, where Johnson lives, bought 740 copies for board, staff, donors and volunteers.
The two men are 1977 grads of Saratoga High School and their first CD was called Googol On! and was inspired by Johnson's two young daughters. It has been nominated for a Grammy in the children's category.
Passages includes songs about letting go, "As the Leaves Fall"; anticipating birth, "Rockabye Love"; and gratitude, "Things We're Thankful For" and "Goodnight Mom, Goodnight Dad." The CD is available at 1.877.269.5182 or online at Amazon.com. for $14.95.
COOKIE EXCHANGE: Saratogan Joyce Malia thinks big when she thinks cookies. As in 30 to 40 people baking six dozen cookies each. Those are the numbers cited for the recent Christmas Cookie Exchange held at her house. People come from all over California for this event, now in its 12th year.
The participants bake the cookies ahead of time and then bring them to the exchange to trade both cookies and recipes. The organizers are thinking in terms of creating a cookie cookbook for next year. What started as a simple neighborhood exchange has expanded so it would give even the likes of Martha Stewart pause by now.
Other locals involved include Audrey Vaggione, one of the participants, and Vic Ulmer, a member of the Bearitones. The Bearitones, a singing group composed of UC-Berkeley alums, traditionally serenade the cookie traders.
Co-hosts were Karen McCord of San Diego, Rosemary Wylie of Pleasanton and Mel Hagopian of Mammoth. Joyce Malia is a physical therapist when not wrestling with cookie dough.
TRADITION: Another tradition that has expanded through the years is the Christmastime soup sip that Theresa and Carl Robinson hold for their grown offspring and friends. The offspring now have so many offspring of their own that the traditional puppet shows or other invited entertainment of yesteryear would be drowned out.
What with 60 people attending, including babies in arms, all is "wild and hectic," Theresa relates. It's hard work, but worth it. The Robinson offspring are involved in theater work, as are many of their Saratoga High School friends, including Lance Guest and Gigi Birmingham.
In other Robinson news, Theresa will be part of the Gallery House exhibit, "New Beginnings," which opens Jan. 4. She'll have collages on view. Another Saratogan, Starr Davis, is also featured in the show with ceramic and watercolor pieces.
A reception for the artists will be held Jan. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gallery House, 538 Ramona, Palo Alto.
NEWLY NAMED: The baby camel at the A to Z Christmas Tree Nursery in Los Gatos is now named Holly and five people of different ages won the prize for naming her. They are Laura Czinski, Angela Ettinger, Jillian Geary, Mary Clabeaux and Joseph Durket. Each won a $100 gift certificate to the nursery.
One of the winners, about 10 years old, immediately spent her winnings on a fountain for her mother for Christmas. Judges were nursery owners Jon and BJ Anderson.
KOLE COMING: The Ronnie Kole Trio will perform Jan. 16 at Los Gatos High School Auditorium at 2:30 p.m. Jazz pianist Kole was physically handicapped as a child and turned to the piano as an outlet to express himself. He is also a composer and has recorded 24 albums and CDs.
Kole was championed by Al Hirt, and the performance will include tributes to Hirt, Fats Domino and Pete Fountain, with New Orleans-style music and history. Tickets at the door or from Ray Strong at 408. 377.1106 or Ruth Capps, 408.356.7014. The concert is part of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Concert Association series.
HIKING OFF HOLIDAY LBS: The next hike scheduled with Nature Outings will be at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline on Jan. 9. Plenty of bird-watching opportunities, views of Mt. Tamalpais, the Marin shoreline and San Pablo Bay. A flat, moderately easy 7 miles. On Jan. 30, it's San Francisco, including Crissy Field. Saratogans Jon and Sherry Menard are the leaders, and the number is 408.374.5981.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
