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Saratoga Sampler
Famous mother gets applause at Montalvo
By Mary Ann Cook
SOPHIA IN SARATOGA: Sophia Loren came to town and got a spontaneous round of applause, even though she wasn't the performer that night. The performer was her son, Carlo Ponti Jr., and she is his most faithful fan. He was conducting the Russian National Symphony in a program at Montalvo.
The famed star was the last one to be seated, and the audience broke out in appreciative applause as she appeared and made her way to her seat. There was a private dinner beforehand with the sponsors of the program and a reception afterward at the Villa.
"She's beyond gorgeous," said one attendee.
DO WE SEE HIS FACE--OR NOT?: Saratogan Jack Dunstan is a man of many parts--primarily a communications consultant but also educator, actor and model. He's an extra in the current film, Princess Diaries with Julie Andrews but doesn't know whether his face appears on screen or not.
He's in the scene where the niece backs into a trolley car and is nearly arrested. Dunstan hasn't seen the film yet but hopes his face is full frontal in the final version. His experiences as an extra help him teach others--both professionals and non-professionals--how best to work in commercials and films.
In the summer he teaches "Kids in TV Commercials" for Cabrillo and Hartnell's summer programs for youngsters. One of his most recent assignments was training 85 employees for a government missiles company in dynamic presentation techniques.
A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Dunstan coaches privately and in groups, as well as through colleges and universities.
ASHLAND VISIT: Mary Lou and Jack Taylor visited former Saratogans Suzanne and Sam Mitchell when they journeyed to Ashland, Ore., recently. The Mitchells moved from Saratoga as short a time ago as May, but seem firmly entrenched in Oregon soil by now.
They're in a retirement community, and Sam finally got his new house with a view. The Mitchells have also been visited by Jay and Paul Blum and Kay and Tom Kenyon in the barely three months they've been gone. All are former neighbors of theirs.
Mary Lou attended a writer's conference, with poetry her emphasis, while Jack and Sam played golf. No, there wasn't even time to attend any plays at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. Too many friends to catch up on. The Taylors also spent an evening with Leslie Garfield Parsons.
She has remarried, lives in Ashland, and is the daughter of former Saratogans Adrian and Milt Garfield. Seems like Ashland is fast becoming a Bay Area annex.
AT THE GARLIC FESTIVAL: Saratogan Kavita Singh's silk designs were on sale at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, the only Saratogan I could find whose works were on display. Singh's silk designs bedeck scarves, jackets and caftans. She also sells silk paintings for hanging, T-shirts and note cards.
Singh has worked for the likes of Yves St. Laurent and Lanvin of Paris and for Cannon, Wamsutta, Burlington and Fieldcrest in this country. She has studied art in Europe, Southeast Asia, and her native India. Her work is represented at Studio 42 in Los Gatos.
SAVING AN EYE: Some pro bono surgery by local eye surgeon Martin Fishman saved the eye of a teenager from Mexico. He's Jamie Ortega, 16, of Puerto Vallarta, and he's now recouping in Santa Cruz, Calif. Mexican doctors had told him he would lose the eye because infection was setting in.
But Alan Sims of Santa Cruz came to his rescue. Sims heard of his plight through family friends and flew the teenager here to see what could be done. He was also able to raise money from others who wanted to help.
Assisting Fishman was anesthesiologist Paul Kennedy. The operation was performed at Community Hospital of Los Gatos. Ortega had stabbed his eye with a hypodermic needle.
NEW OFFICERS: New officers for the local League of Women Voters are: Marj Bunyard, president; Margaret Bard, VP program; Sue Boyd, VP membership; Helga Ruby, administration; Barbara Mendenhall, secretary; and Dale Hill, treasurer.
Directors are: Nancy Hobbs, Patty Weber, Theresa Spinler, Marilyn Bueltman, Mandy Smith, Barbara Hawks, Barbara Lea, Karlina Ott and Doris Boyd. Off-board directors are: Marlene Duffin and Mary-Lyle Rempel. The phone number to reach the league is 408.867.vote or visit them on the web at www.lwv-lg-s-ms.org.
SYMPHONY GALA: Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be a featured performer at the San Jose Symphony Gala Sept. 8 at the Flint Center. Maestro Leonid Grin will lead the San Jose Symphony in the concert at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $330 per person and include premium seating for the concert.
The black-tie event kicks off with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner, the concert, dessert, dancing and live auction. Premium tickets are $600 .
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
