Saratoga Sampler

Cremations, cows and crowds wow travelers

By Mary Ann Cook

RIVERS OF CHOCOLATE: The major fundraiser for Social Advocates for Youth is their annual Rivers of Chocolate, held this year at the Mountain Winery on April 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. The cellar area boasts chocolate concoctions of every description, one more tempting than the next.

Local restaurants offer appetizers at booths at ground level, while cooking demonstrations by area chefs are held in the chateau. There are wine booths, music by Mike Sloan's Big Band and a live auction. The romantic Danube River is the theme this year.

Tickets are $75. All proceeds benefit Social Advocates for Youth, an agency that provides services to thousands of at-risk youth and their families annually. For more information, call 408.253.3540, or www.riversofchocolate.org.

Local businesses participating in Rivers of Chocolate include Chateau La Cresta and Viaggo of Saratoga, Equinox Methode de Champenoise in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Fleur de Cocoa Patisserie Chocolaterie of Los Gatos. As one who has been blissfully afloat in this river in previous years I can attest that the aroma alone is worth the price of admission.

FASCINATING TRIP: Theresa and Carl Robinson are recently back from a trip to India and Nepal, a trip they term one of the most fascinating and unusual they've ever taken. "You can't begin to describe the street scenes," says Theresa. The smells, the sounds, the sights--just the sheer number of people is staggering.

"You have to constantly be on guard: you are bombarded with stimuli." And there's the ever-present danger of being run down by a cow. Walking along one narrow street, big enough for barely three to walk abreast, the Robinsons had to flatten themselves against a building when a cow sauntered by.

Since cattle are sacred--and larger than your standard pedestrian--they have the run of the place. People selling merchandise are everywhere and aggressive. Shop owners appear out of nowhere when tourists check the window display, are urged inside and only then are the lights turned on. Energy-conscious Californians can take note.

Rickshaws and bicycles bearing all manner and quantities of loads abound. Dung is an important commodity, since it's mixed with mud and used for housing, particularly roofs. Abundant piles of dung patties can be found wherever one looks. Usually it's the responsibility of one family member to make the dung patties.

The travelers witnessed ritual cremations of the dead along the banks of the Ganges. At sunrise they watched people bathing in the river. It was eerie, other worldly, Theresa says. Religion plays such an important part in Indian lives, with rituals, daily prayers and offerings of food and flowers at their many temples.

Women riding in rickshaws looked especially elegant in their beautiful saris. The wealthier women may own as many as 30 to 40 saris. Most marriages are still arranged. The Robinsons took in Delhi, Agras, Jaipur and Vernasi, went on safari to see lions, and rode on elephants.

"I loved it," says Theresa about getting an elephant-eyed view of things. Coming home after being in Third World countries for nearly a month, "makes you realize how good we have it here."

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED: Saratogan Ken Levy, chairman of the board and one of the original founders of KLA Tencor, has set up a foundation for educational scholarships for children of Tencor employees. The foundation is so new that applications are just now being accepted.

Tencor produces the machinery that produce discs. A few years ago, it merged with another company, run by Karle Urbanek, making the merge one of the largest semiconductor companies worldwide. Urbanek has since died, but his wife will help oversee the Urbanek-Levy Educational Fund.

COSBY TO HEADLINE CHARITY BALL: Comedian Bill Cosby will be the headliner at the Silicon Valley Charity Ball on April 21, at the McEnery Convention Center. Sponsors hope to reach their goal of $1.5 million for the fundraiser that will benefit some 61 nonprofit agencies.

The evening includes dining and dancing, with music provided by Bill Hopkins Rockn' Orchestra and the Dueling Pianos. Emcees are Terilyn Joe and Allen Denton of Channel 11 news.

Irresistibly Italy is the theme. The ruins of Rome, gondolas on Venetian canals, a piazza and a trattoria will all be replicated in different sections of the convention center for the gala. For reservations and information, call 408.260.0594, or email to Joyce@svcb.org.

PROSE READINGS: The California Writers Club holds Open Mike Night for Writers at Borders Books the first Friday of the month, 7:30-9:30 p.m. The next date is April 6.

Mike Welch at Borders Books asked the group to hold readings from the list of books banned in the United States, as published by the American Library Association last September.

Sheriff's Report

Editorial: Montalvo has earned community's support

Home sale listings

Obituaries

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

High school baseball

High school softball

Photo: Redwood Middle School boys basketball team