Saratoga News

LOUISE WEBB

SARATOGANS WERE 'YOKELS' TO DONNA REED

Saratogans keep sharing celebrity stories with me. Dr. John Cox reminded me about the time Donna Reed came to Saratoga for a Life magazine cover shoot in l946. The article said she came "to visit sleepy little Saratoga, Calif. (pop. 2,645)." According to Life, "the town's
farmers and friendly yokelry greatly enjoyed her visit."

Cox said the Saratoga residents jokingly referred to themselves as "local yokels" after the article appeared. A copy of the story is on display on the wall of The Bank in Saratoga. Owners Leonard and Lou Sullivan invite you to come see it.

Michael Gevarigiz, owner of Mishka's Cafe, has photos on the walls of his cafe autographed by the Pointer Sisters, Kenny Loggins, Crystal Gale, Johnny Cash, Andre Agassi and Steve Young.

Gerald Uelmen, an O.J. Simpson lawyer and Santa Clara University law school professor, has become a celebrity. While he was working on Christian Brando's trial, he was in the San Luis Obispo jail waiting room. A couple came up and asked Uelmen for his autograph, not recognizing Marlon Brando in the same room. Uelmen thinks it was because people were so inundated with Simpson at the time.

San Jose State University student Marta Dorman took a course last semester focusing on author Isabel Allende's books Paula, House of Spirits and Of Love and Shadows. After meeting Allende in person and talking to her in her home, Dorman saw what a strong, charismatic woman Allende is. As a result of meeting her and through her studies, Dorman understood the positive women's role in Latin American society and plans to continue studying Latin American female writers.

Lori Puccinelli does public relations work for Planet Hollywood in San Francisco. Through her job, she has met numerous celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Don Johnson. Her favorite is basketball player Shaquille O'Neal. Pucinelli recently picked up the orangutan Dunstan (starring in the movie Dunstan Checks In) from the San Francisco airport. Dunstan was involved in a pie-eating contest at Planet Hollywood.

Rosalie Hauer, U.S. skating judge and former competitor, was in charge of the trial judges at the recent U.S. skating championships. She was thrilled to see Rudy Galindo win. Hauer's been judging Galindo since he was a child.