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Saratoga Sampler
Trip marks a return to Nepal for Saratogan
By Mary Ann Cook
ADVENTURE SEEKER: JoAn Lambert is off to Nepal this fall for three months, a trip she is taking strictly on her own. I mistakenly added a husband to her adventures in an earlier column and that is not the case. She is not married and is going it alone.
However, a photographer friend will spend part of the time with her. Lambert is a woman who likes a challenge, obviously. She's been to Nepal a couple of times before, loved it, and always wanted to go back for a more extended stay. She'll stay at the Katmandu Guest House, and also look into the possibility of a homestay while there.
Once there, she'll study the language in a concentrated crash course. "I hear there are 32 different dialects," she reports. But she wants to get at least a rudimentary hold of Nepali, the language of Nepal.
She also intends to check out the literacy program offered through the International AAUW. That's to see if she can return the favor and do some teaching of English.
But mostly she'll be taking photos--in Nepal, in Tibet and in Chitwan Park, where unusual birds abound. And sometimes a vigilant eye may even catch a glimpse of a tiger.
Lambert has been an avid photographer for some 10 years, is a member of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Photography Club, and won best of show recently in a contest sponsored by the American Fuchsia Society. The photo appeared on the cover of the AFS magazine. Though she's never sold any of her work before, that encouragement and the Nepal jaunt may change her M.O.
In Key Largo a month ago she swam with the dolphins and was amazed at their speed. The swimmer wears a life jacket, but is nudged along at such a rapid rate by the dolphin that it's rather like being propelled through the water by a speed boat.
When she isn't traveling, Lambert is nothing if not community-minded. She cooks monthly for InnVision Villa, (the shelter for the homeless) in a program run by her church, Emmanuel Lutheran, and she's a member of the AAUW Committee on Homeless Women and Children.
TO ENGLAND: Here's another plucky Saratogan who's going it alone for an extended fall stay--this one to England. Kay Stave is a widow, and her husband's relatives are in England, so she's been there many times. This time, though, she isn't even going to buy a return ticket.
She wants the whole excursion to be open-ended. She'll stay with friends in Ashford, people she befriended in Tokyo while visiting her brothers-in-law, so that's one international connection. Then she'll be off to Folkstone and Heath for some antiquing, in particular seeking flow-blue china.
When she wants to explore more towns, she'll hop a bus. She's 79 and says she doesn't mind if that gets in the paper, since it goes to show that people don't have to slow down just because they reach a certain age. Despite the no-return ticket, she does intend to return to these parts.
Between now and the fall season, she'll also take in a nurses' reunion in Seattle and various family doings in that part of the world.
CHOCOHOLIC ALERT: Rivers of Chocolate is the name of the fundraiser that will benefit Social Advocates for Youth (SAY). The event will be held on April 9, at the Mountain Winery from 3 to 7 p.m. Local chefs and restaurateurs participating are from The Plumed Horse, Viaggio and Chateau La Cresta of Saratoga and Sweet Pea's of Los Gatos.
Besides chocolate creations, the fundraiser will feature canapés, silent and live auctions, cooking demos and live music. SAY provides services countywide to youths in crisis, including temporary shelter, counseling and job training.
Angie Smith of Los Gatos is co-chair of the event, and Beverly Rossi, also of Los Gatos is president of the board of directors of SAY. Tickets to the chocolate festival are $75. The number to call is 408.253.3540.
OPEN STUDIOS: Maryln Mori, Starr Davis and Yoju Kondo are three Saratoga artists who will open their studios on April 29 and 30, as part of the Silicon Valley Open Studios weekend. Mori is also exhibiting in a show at 500 S. First Street at Williams in San Jose, which displays a sampling of the work of artists who will open their studios. The Cultural Initiative sponsors Open Studios 2000.
BIKING BIRTHDAY: One of the more strenuous birthday celebrations planned in the near future is the one for Terry McCambridge, a member of the Los Gatos Mountain Biking Club. The club's April 14 date to kick off the season will also celebrate McCambridge's 70th birthday. Champagne will be served after the ride.
The rain or shine ride will embark at 5:30 p.m. from 321 University Ave. This is the club's fourth season. Subsequent rides will leave at 6 p.m. every Thursday. For more info on this club call Mark Senigo at 408.399.0032.
To FILOLI: West Valley Welcomers will tour Filoli Gardens on April 13. The group will meet at the Garden Grill Restaurant in Menlo Park for lunch, then journey to Filoli for a guided tour of the mansion and grounds. Members and guests are welcome. For reservations call 408.252.7145.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
