Saratoga News

SEEN AND HEARD

SARATOGA CHEF WARMS THE LINKS WITH HOT CUISINE

Saratoga Country Club's executive chef, Robert Pearman, played a key role at last week's abbreviated AT&T Pebble Beach Golf Tournament, not on the links but in the kitchen.

Pearman was one of six chefs chosen from throughout the country to cook for the tournament. His job was to provide hot food for the celebrities and the corporate sponsors.

When not cooking, he stayed in a house on 17-Mile Drive. Tough duty for Pearman, who has worked at the country club for nine years.

Verlene Schermer, a regular performer at the International Coffee Exchange, was there Feb. 2 to celebrate the release of her newest recording, Dreamtime, produced on her Karmalu Records label ($15 CD, $10 cassette, plus $2 shipping and handling, to P.O. Box 24412, San Jose, 95154).

Schermer, who sings and plays keyboards, guitar and harp, as well as giving lessons in all of the above and running a DJ business, calls what she does "acoustic-eclectic music." Check it out the first Friday of the month at the Coffee Exchange.

Speaking of music, Mariani Winery has a full slate of entertainment for the Mustard Festival this weekend. On Saturday, it's Jumpin Blues, on Sunday Steve Kritzer provides the music, and on Monday, Mike Northcutt will perform. They'll croon their tunes from noon to 4 p.m. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with wine and mustard tasting and vineyard tours. Admission is $6. Located at 23600 Congress Springs Road, the winery offers a view of the whole valley and is a great place for a picnic.

Kelly Miller, Prospect High School's homecoming queen, was selected as a finalist for the California homecoming queen contest March 9 and 10 in Buena Park. The winner will receive a scholarship, plus a chance to compete for the national title. This month, Kelly's working on raising funds for her trip to the state competition. Contact us at the Saratoga News and we'll tell you how to get in touch.

Seeking contributions of another kind is Kristin Davis of the Front Window shop at Azule Crossing. She has a box in the store for used eyeglasses and cases being collected by Saratoga High School's Octagon Club. This teen branch of the Optimist Club takes in glasses to give the gift of sight to those who can't afford to buy them on their own. If you've got some glasses lying around in a drawer, it's a good way to get rid of them and help someone at the same time.

--Sue Fagalde Lick