Saratoga Sampler

Dragon a symbol of diversity and change

By Mary Ann Cook

YEAR OF THE DRAGON: The Chinese New Year celebration sponsored by AAUW found Don and Ethel Worn, Louise and Michel Quenon and Jim MacDonald displaying the dragon with each holding up a standard, and undulating between the tables. Chinese parade dragons are supposed to move like a wave, which was a bit difficult given the crowded conditions at Hong's Gourmet Restaurant in Saratoga.

Since this is the year of the dragon, that creature has special significance. Shanghai-born speaker Rose Marie Twu explained that in Chinese culture the dragon is a benevolent being, not the threatening one of Western myth that imperils heroes and ravages maidens.

Rather, the dragon is a symbol of transformation, since it is composed of parts from nine different animals. Herewith its heritage: head of a camel, horns of a deer, ears of a cow, eyes of a rabbit, neck of a snake, belly of a frog, paws of a tiger, claws of a hawk and scales of a fish. Thus the dragon is also a symbol of diversity and change, the only constant in life. The lantern parade dragon is preceded by a pearl of wisdom, indicating that the dragon is constantly pursuing wisdom.

Those who man a parade dragon need to be particularly adroit. Their vision is so impaired the only thing they are able to see while impersonating a dragon is the person directly in front of them.

Twu is co-chair of the Chinese Historical Project in Kelley Park, a re-creation of life in San Jose's Chinatown of 100 years ago. The Chinese New Year dinner was a fundraiser that benefits a re-entry woman.

HIDDEN RESOURCE: One of the best health information resources around is the Community Health Library of Los Gatos, located at the Community Hospital of Los Gatos but not affiliated with the hospital. And not many people seem to be aware of it, so tucked away is it. But since such treasures should be public knowledge, consider yourselves newly reminded of this service.

One Saratogan who volunteers at the library is Ivan Fawley. He serves a weekly stint and reports that fibromyalgia is the condition most asked about these days. Fawley helps people find their way through the labyrinth of the Internet to research answers to questions.

Los Gatans who help out are Dolly Krumm and Mae Olson. There are books, magazines and a computer--dispensing information about several hundred diseases. Mike Liddicoat is the librarian and he's also chairman of CHIP (Consortium of Health Information Providers).

He is as up-to-date as anyone can be and able to access the latest information from other area libraries. The hospital library hours are expanding, so volunteer help is needed for alternate Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or alternate Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m.

TEA FOR HOMELESS: The AAUW Committee on Homeless Women and Children will host a benefit tea/silent auction March 4 starting at 12:45 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Saratoga. Tea will be served up at 2 p.m. The theme is All Dolled Up and work by Saratogan Edith Jones will decorate the room.

Jones is a photo/sculptor who fashions poster-sized photos of people mounted on wooden standards. In this case the people will be committee members' children or grandchildren. The photos are blown up from negatives and then are mounted on foamcore, similar to posterboard.

Co-chairwomen of the tea are Nancy Anderson and JoAn Lambert. Decorations chairwoman is Nancy Shelly.

ART FOR INDUSTRY: Two large photos of the Japanese gardens at Hakone snapped by photographer Felicia Pollock recently were purchased to hang in the entryway at NEC Systems. They echo the landscaping glimpsed through the large windows, says the Saratogan, providing a fitting accent.

DEDICATION: A dedication ceremony for the brick courtyard at West Valley College was held recently to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the school. The courtyard is near the old oak on campus. Bricks were sold at $50 each and funds created provided a $1,500 scholarship for a transferring student.

The student book loan fund also got a $1,500 boost. Some 50 people attended the ceremony and President Marchelle Fox told those hardy souls braving the rain that of all the anniversary activities last year, the courtyard was the only lasting memorial to the college. Bricks can still be ordered by calling 408.741.2526 for an application.

AT THE VILLA: Recipients of the Phelan and Jackson Awards have published a book called Writing Home, a collection of stories, essays and poems. James D. Houston, contributor, and Brian Bouldrey, editor, will read selections from the book at Montalvo Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.

The event is free and will include a book signing and a question and answer period.

In other Montalvo news, photographs by Daniel Anizon are on display at the Milpitas Community Center. Anizon is a French documentary-portraitist who chronicled 15 people from Milpitas during his Montalvo stay.

Photos: Great Race and Highway 9 closure

Editorial: Yes on Measure N

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