Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Coffeehouse regulars crown queen of local chili

CHILI COOKOFF: There were 19 entries in the recent First Annual Chili Cookoff sponsored by a loosely organized group that calls itself the International Coffee Exchange. They call themselves that because they were all (and still are) regulars at the coffeehouse of that name. Some 30 club members, friends and relatives showed up and voted for their favorites. Nineteen is a lot of cups of chili to eat even on a brisk March day. And how do you keep them all straight?

Somehow the participants managed, and the winner was Fleur Kitterman. Hers was one of the spicier entries, reports Louise Webb, who was banking on her own entry to do well, since it had such unusual ingredients--namely lamb, lime juice and dark beer. Sort of a Moroccan bent to the Cincinnati specialty, straight out of a Regis and Kathie Lee cookbook.

Louise Schaefer was hostess and Doug Keener played emcee/director of the doings. He was fittingly costumed in a hot pepper necklace and matching apron. Others who helped were Jennie King, who created a rhyming flyer to publicize the event, Jim Nichols, Kim Schaefer and Gail Caratozzolo.

POETRY READING: Robert Pesich was the featured reader at Cafe Rouge in Los Gatos this month. He has helped coordinate the poetry evening, which is held the first Wednesday of each month, along with Bea Garth of Saratoga, who's been involved for the past two years.

Garth is a potter as well as a poet, and her studio is near a creek, but so far in this El Niño season, she's weathered the rising waters. She incorporates raised images and primitive motifs in her pots.

Pesich is a research associate at Stanford, investigating the genetic contributions to hypertension. His poetry has been published in several literary reviews and appears in the initial issue of the Montserrat Review, edited and published by San Jose's Cynthia and Al Lowe. Pesich's reading was one in a series marking the launch of the new journal, which will appear twice yearly and feature poetry, essays, fiction, interviews and half-tones. Mary Lou Taylor's poetry also appears in the premiere issue of Montserrat. For subscription information, call 295-2805.

BOOK FAIR: One of the most prestigious book fairs in these parts is March 28 at Villa Montalvo, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Some 10,000 books, prints and autographs will be on sale, and prices will range from $25 to $15,000. (The latter for a first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird, inscribed by Harper Lee.)

Beneficiary is the Phelan Library Committee, whose chairman, Anne Louden, says, "We are looking for books to be purchased or donated which would be authentic and reminiscent of Sen. James D. Phelan's 1930s well-known library."

Other Saratogans on the committee are Gay Crawford, Wendell Hammon, Lyn Johnston, Bob Leyse, George Lundquist and Willys Peck. Incidentally, Willys, author/columnist/lawyer/town historian, will sign copies of his Saratoga Stereopticon from 11 a.m. to noon. The book is a compilation of his Saratoga News columns.

SPEAKING OF BOOKS: The Book-Go-Round, the used-books store at Oak Street and Saratoga Avenue, is marking its 15th anniversary this month with a series of special events, including a brunch honoring its 270(!) volunteers, and a Chamber of Commerce mixer March 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Thanks to Friends of the Saratoga Library, the sponsors of the Book-Go-Round, the store is now open seven days a week, noon to 5 p.m., except Saturday, when it's 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It was primarily the success of the Book-Go-Round that allowed the library to be open on Sundays, noon-4 p.m.

Friends figures are impressive: The Friends now have more than 1,000 members. Jim Givens is membership chairman. The Friends contributed $70,000 to the library in fiscal year 1996-97. The number of items checked out hourly at the library is also impressive--270, according to library director Dolly Barnes.

That includes videos, CDs and tapes, as well as the hard-bound stuff. During one four-hour period on a recent Sunday 2,000 items were checked out. Circulation has gone up 30 percent in the past two years, Barnes says. And El Niño hasn't been around that long. Just seems like it.

TULIP TIME: Tulip Time Tea is an English tea and silent auction sponsored by the Los Gatos-Saratoga branch of AAUW that benefits homeless women and children. The event is March 28 at 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 13724 Saratoga Ave. Youngsters from the San Jose Children's Musical Theatre will entertain. For tickets at $20 each, call 867-0108 or 867-0902.

BELLARMINE BENEFIT: A Disney-style cruise ship on the Bellarmine campus will house the Golden Bell Auction March 21, 5 p.m.-midnight. Donors to the fundraiser include Sal and Laura Liccardo and Bob and Shirley Donzelli, who for the 12th straight year contributed $5,000 each to be raffled off in a $20,000 package. Two other couples also contribute. Marjorie Pierce donated books to the auction, which features more than 700 items. Tickets are $175. The phone: 294-9224.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]