Saratoga Sampler

Water adventure seasons Karen Huck's couples course

By Mary Ann Cook

CASCADE ADVENTURE: It's called Cascade Couples Adventure, subtitled "A Sexy Summer Vacation in Central Oregon." It's an adventure combination of white water rafting and relationship building, which is taught by 1971 Saratoga High grad Karen Huck.

Huck is an associate professor of communication at Central Oregon Community College in Bend. She has taught interpersonal and small group communication for 14 years. She received her doctorate in communication from the University of Utah in 1993.

The week-long adventure program she designed will be held July 24-28, and will feature five mornings of Hot Monogamy skills training and three afternoons of guided outdoor activities, such as hiking and white-water rafting. Hot Monogamy is based on the work of Dr. Patricia Love, a marriage and family therapist from Texas.

When Huck and her husband read Love's book after their 22nd wedding anniversary, the professor got hooked. "It's sexy and it worked for us so I want to share it with others," Huck says. She took Hot Monogamy training from Love two years ago.

Hot Monogamy is designed for married couples who want to revive the intimacy and sexuality they may have lost over time. Huck's number is 541.383.7525, or email her at luvdoc@bendnet.com. Registration is due by June 15. Cost is $375 per person.

HALF A CENTURY: The big five-oh was celebrated with a surprise gathering of some 40 friends for Marsha Shain recently. The group went by chartered bus where even the guests didn't know the destination, which turned out to be Mission College. The director of the college's hospitality management program rallied his troops for the gala celebration. A salmon demo was presented before the guests sat down to dine.

Besides her birthday, Shain recently returned from a four-day trip to Mexico with six others, who call themselves the Lucky Ladies. The LLs take trips twice yearly, sans husbands and children to treat themselves and be decadently self-indulgent.

The seven met through school, book club and the Brookside swim team. They are Debi Schwartz, Mimi Thomas, Leslie Roberts, Paula Thoren, Esther Murray and Kat "Flint" Mandell. This was their longest trip to date.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION?: A representative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation stopped by Hakone recently and said he would like to support the garden in some way, now that he has seen it. He's Richard Moe, president of the trust.

"I hope the people of Saratoga know what a rare thing this is," Moe added. "There is literally nothing like it in the whole country." He said gardens fall under the purview of the trust but are often overlooked. Lon Saavedra, CEO of the Hakone Foundation, says he is confident that Hakone would qualify to be on the National Register. Stay tuned.

HONOR THY CHILDREN: Reiko Iwanaga and Pam Dunnett are event coordinators for a benefit and special showing of a documentary film called Honor Thy Children to be unveiled May 19, at the Discovery Museum. The film is the story of Al and Jane Nakatani, the San Jose couple who lost two sons to AIDS and one to murder. Molly Fumia of Los Gatos wrote a book about them titled "Honor Thy Children." The Nakatanis also founded a nonprofit with that name to combat the denigration of children.

The Nakatanis had originally not accepted the fact that two of their sons were gay, had even disowned the oldest, Glen. They didn't realize the prejudice each son had to combat as one of the few Japanese Americans in his neighborhood and schools.

By the time the youngest son, Guy, announced he had AIDS, the Nakatanis had learned acceptance. During the last few months of his life, Guy became an avid AIDS activist and, with his father, brought his message to thousands of school children.

His memorial service was held at Saratoga High School, at his request. Guy's original self-hatred fueled his parents' desire to spread the message of understanding and support. Founding Honor Thy Children was the result.

The Nakatanis' message is that outside prejudices can be internalized and lead to extremely damaging self-hatred. Benefit proceeds will be used to help finance the mission of Honor Thy Children and to complete the documentary.

Asian Americans for Community Involvement, a group with many Saratoga members, is one of the sponsors. The Nakatanis, who now live in Hawaii, will be there, as will Molly Fumia. Cost is $75 for the whole program, $50 without the movie. For more information, call Dunnett at 408.867.2546, or Iwanaga at 408.867.4525.

A SELL-OUT--AGAIN: Neil Hogan performed at another sold out performance at Montalvo recently. Hogan, a guitarist, was on the same bill with Al Stewart. Last year he shared the Carriage House stage with John Renbourn of Scotland.

Hogan is a musician, composer, guitar teacher and co-owner of Joplin & Sweeney Music Studio in Los Gatos. His latest album, On the Horizon, features 10 guitar solo pieces and one duet. My favorite title is "Self Serve Kiwi." The J & S number is 408.395.7818.

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