Saratoga News

Community Briefs

Hakone fundraiser is a hit

Guests sipped saki and dined on vegetarian sushi after watching Opera San José artists perform excerpts from Madame Butterfly during a May 18 benefit for Hakone Gardens.

The Sunday afternoon event was termed a resounding success by volunteer Kay Duffy, one of the organizers. Duffy said tickets, at $50 apiece, were sold out almost immediately.

Guests strolled through Hakone's gardens, created in 1916 and restored in 1966. They viewed an exhibit of antique kimonos loaned by Yasuko Ashford in the upper house and a display and sale of vintage silk kimonos from the collection of Tomi Kobara in the lower house. Sumi painting by Akiko Kikuchi and lacquer craft by Reiko Orguro were also on display.

Masahiro Hayashi demonstrated the art of Amezaiku, or candy sculpture, a 1,000-year-old Asian folk art. He is one of only two artists in the United States to practice the art.

The evening also featured wines from Cooper-Garrod Vineyards of Saratoga, flute music by Michiyo and Masayuki Koga and a release of butterflies courtesy of Magical Beginnings of Los Gatos.

Create a carefree garden

Learn the secrets of creating a carefree rose garden at the Saratoga Library on Friday, June 6, at 10 a.m. Lorri Freeman of the San Jose Heritage Rosen Garden will present a free program on rose gardening in the library's community room.

The program is part of the library's "Friday Morning Flowers" series, which continues through June 27. The Saratoga Library is located at 13650 Saratoga Ave. Call 867-6127.

Summer Luncheons on the Terrace

The Montalvo Service group continues its Summer Luncheons on the Terrace at Villa Montalvo on Wednesdays, June 25 through Aug. 30. Most of last year's lunch-eons were sold out, so early reservations are advised, said spokeswoman Ursula Millett.

Proceeds go to support the buildings and grounds of the Mediterranean-style villa, built in 1912, and its Resident Artists Program.

The three-course luncheon includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert, with a choice of beverage. The price is $20 per person, including tax and tip. There will be three seatings, at noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m. Parking is available at Villa Montalvo. For reservations, call 961-5823.

Mass of Celebration

A Mass of Celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m. on July 20 at Sacred Heart Church to honor Marge Young of Saratoga, who was installed as grand president of the Young Ladies institute in Honolulu in June.

The Young Ladies Institute is an organization of Catholic Women on the West Coast and Hawaii. YLI was founded in San Francisco on Sept. 5, 1887, by three young women who wanted to help a friend who was ill and without financial means.

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