Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Newcomer learns to respect El Niño

TAKE THAT, EL NIÑO: Rick and Judy Rowe are recent arrivals from Minnesota, having transferred here to work for Honeywell/Measurex. They've only lived in Saratoga a few weeks, and they are glorying in the warmth of the weather and the warmth of the people they are meeting. Host and hostess Tom and Bonnie Marantette feted them at a recent dinner party and introduced them to other neighbors, Tom and Nancy Morris and David and Linda Mighdoll.

At the end of the evening it was raining. Maybe not lions and tigers as it does in Minnesota, but at least a cats-and-dogs-type downpour.

Rick, who describes himself as Minnesota Macho, said "Phoo, this little rain is nothing where I come from" and led his pack in sprinting back to their house through the downpour, eschewing any aid.

The rest of his family--wife Judy and children Ben, 14, and Rachael, 12--watched in horror as father spread-eagled before them. His chiropractor says Rowe's ribcage and wrist will be back to normal in as soon as three weeks. Welcome to the West Coast and El Niño, Rowes.

DISCIPLINE THROUGH STORYTELLING: Saratogan Betty Peck hosted her twice-yearly Kindergarten Forum on Twelfth Night with a visit from author/storyteller Nancy Mellon of Concord, who spoke on "Perspective on Discipline through Storytelling." Mellon is the author of Storytelling: the Art of the Imagination, so well received that it is now in its seventh edition.

At a program for parents held a day earlier, Mellon spoke about learning ways to cultivate young imaginations. The imagination, which Einstein said is more important than knowledge, needs all the nurturing it can get and is especially receptive during kindergarten years, Peck says.

PAINTINGS/POETRY: Artist-in-residence Karen Nagano will read from her poetry and display her paintings Jan. 17, 1-3 p.m., all of which was inspired by her fall and winter stays at Hakone. She'll share her insights and discoveries made while working in the gardens.

Refreshments to follow, with a donation of $10 requested. Nagano will continue her residency with a week in the spring and a week in the summer. After that time, she'll conduct a creativity workshop so that others may participate in a "journey into the gardens and into self." Call Hakone if you want to be notified: 741-4994.

HAIKU AT HAKONE: Michael Dylan Welch will conduct a session in haiku poetry Sunday, Jan. 18, at Hakone Gardens. Beginning haiku will be studied from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at a cost of $20; continuing students will hold forth from 1 to 5 p.m. for $10. Cost of the all-day session is $30. Call Gerry Furman at 867-2634 to register.

AWARDS CEREMONY: Montalvo's poetry competition winners will be feted at an awards ceremony and reading at Montalvo Jan. 18, 2-4 p.m. First-prize winner is Christine Hutchins, who earlier had earned a Montalvo residency. Second-place winner is Melissa Stein, and third prize went to Elizabeth Rosner. Jewell Gomez, executive director of the Poetry Center and American Poetry Archives at SF State, was the judge for the Biennial Poetry Competition. Honorable mentions were won by Marjorie Roberts, Margo Mercedes Rivera, Kari J. Brooks, Janell Moon, Rusty Morrison, Susan Terris, Arlene Biala and Jennifer Arin.

A GIRL NEEDS CASH: Investment guru Joan Perry will autograph copies of her book, A Girl Needs Cash: Banish the White Knight and Take Charge of Your Financial Life, at the Saratoga Book Market (downstairs from Blue Rock Shoot) on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Perry owns Take Charge Financial! in Los Gatos, but she was formerly stationed in Saratoga on Saratoga Avenue, where she owned Perry Investments, a municipal bond firm.

WEDDING BELLS: Alfred Lindsay Powell and Harriet Collens, both residents of the IOOF Retirement Home on Fruitvale, tied the knot Dec. 1 and the Oddfellows followed that up with a reception for the newlyweds Jan. 6.

Toasting the new year and new marriage were Lindsay's son and daughter, Saratogans A.L. Powell Jr. and wife Dorrie and Beverly Powell Goldman and her husband Michael, as well as sister-in-law Jackie Graham. The newlyweds had known each other about a year.

DIDJA KNOW: Some 7,399 people spent the night at the Santa Clara Valley American Youth Hostel in Sanborn Park during 1997, down 10 percent from the previous year (their busiest ever). Supposition is that it was because the strong dollar meant fewer foreign visitors: 20 percent, as opposed to the usual 22 percent. Sanborn's Youth Hostel sponsors litter cleanups, gourmet dinners at area restaurants and potlucks and slide shows at the hostel. Next potluck/slide show is about New Zealand, with Norton and Ann Bell, on Jan. 29. Dinner at 6:30; show later.

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