Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Longtime Saratogans return after ranching stint

WELCOME BACK ANNIVERSARY: Back in town and celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary are Nadine and J. Aldridge (John) Johnson. The formerly longtime Saratogans have been ranching in Paicines for the past eight years, but decided it was too much at this stage in their lives, put the ranch up for sale and moved back here. The couple met at Northwestern, were engaged for five years. John worked for Lockheed for 34 years; Nadine was president of the local AAUW in 1964-65 and has rejoined the chapter since coming back.

Daughter Suzan Russaw of Palo Alto hosted a dinner on their anniversary date of Feb. 17, but Nadine says they celebrate all month long. "We're still in love," she confides. The other offspring are Steven Johnson of Eureka and Louise Victoria Ohren of Austin, and there are two granddaughters.

On their 50th, the Johnsons were treated to the Olivia de Havilland suite at the Saratoga Inn, and for their 60th they are counting on an overnight at the Brothers Lighthouse near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge ("If I lose enough weight to be able to navigate the ladder [up to the lighthouse] from the rocking boat," Nadine laughs.)

OUTSTANDING MUSICIAN: Flautist Clement Kiew of Saratoga won a solo spot in the annual California Youth Symphony Senior Soloist competition.

He will solo May 17 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and May 24 at the Flint Center in Cupertino at 2:30 p.m., part of the regular youth symphony season.

Clement is a senior at Lynbrook and a native of Malaysia who started playing the piano at age 7 and the flute at age 11. He's played with the CYS for four years and has won a number of awards during that time, including the principal flute slot in the California All State Honor Band.

Other awards have come his way from the California Music Educators Association Command Performance Solo Ensemble Festival. In addition, he plays the piccolo and has won principal piccolo positions. (Try saying that fast.) He is in the National Honor Society, and in his so-called spare moments he works as administrative support for Tyecyn Systems. Future plans: a double major in music and biology wherever he goes.

FIFTH-PLACE RELAY: The Festival of Life Relay held at Los Gatos High last summer has been named fifth in the nation for money raised--more than $275,000--for the American Cancer Society. Pam Dunnett of Saratoga was the chairwoman of both the '97 and '96 committees. Its growth in just a few years was phenomenal: in '95 the event raised $40,000; in '96, $175,000.

The top 20 out of 1,700 nationally were recognized. The ranking is based on income per capita earned per event. The Los Gatos event raised the most money in communities of 600,000-plus population. For next year planners are developing three more sites for relays--Gilroy, Hollister and Salinas.

Brookes Brown, past president of the Santa Clara unit of ACS, says, "Raising the dollars to fund research will lead to finding a cure for cancer." The '98 relay will be held June 26 and 27 at LGHS. The ACS goal is a 50 percent reduction in cancer mortality by the year 2015. Some 1,000 people participated in the '97 relay, "walking and running their hearts out," as Dunnett puts it.

ROTARY ART SHOW: Some 175 artists out of 400 applicants have been selected to exhibit their works at the Saratoga Rotary Art Show to be held May 3 on the West Valley College campus. Jurors were Carol Hutchinson, Bay Area painter and wife of Saratoga Rotarian George Hutchinson; Charles Escott, jewelry designer and art instructor from Grass Valley; and Lissa Jones, corporate art consultant whose specialty is photography. These three have acted as jurors for the art show for the past few years.

Proceeds from the show go back to the community in the form of grants, and last year--a banner year--more than $100,000 was raised. Recently two grants were presented, totaling $1,250. The first went to Eastfield Ming Quong for hardware for its photography lab, and the second to San Jose Cleveland Ballet for a ballet to be presented at three area schools, including Redwood in Saratoga.

Tax-exempt organizations can apply for grants by calling Fred Peterson at 867-5850. Will Hood is chairman of the art show this year.

ST. PAT'S FOR SENIORS: The Saratoga Kiwanis club will host a corned beef and cabbage dinner March 17 at the Saratoga Senior Center. Since the Kiwanians supply the food and labor, the $10 admission price benefits the center. Some 120 are expected to attend in this second year for the event. The full club name is De Anza Kiwanis Club of Cupertino/Saratoga.

AAUW & JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN: Penny Blake, of the juvenile section of the district attorney's office, will speak on "Children and the Justice System" at the March 12 meeting of the AAUW at Manhattans Restaurant in Azule Crossing, Saratoga. Open to the public; the cost is $25. For reservations: 867-6237.

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