Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Saratogan testifies for encryption software

ENCRYPTION: Kelly Huebner-Blough is the director of government relations for PGP, which stands for Pretty Good Privacy. It's a firm founded by Phil Zimmerman, who created the software that scrambles messages so that only the receiver can decode it. Thus does it protect what you're sending out via the Internet. It's called encryption, and it's the first software of its kind for the masses. Up till now only governments have had encryption codes. Encryption is like putting your message in an envelope and sealing it, Huebner-Bough says. Only the person receiving it has the key that unlocks the scramble. Cryptographer Zimmerman has been in court since '91 to protect his software invention. The customs department brought him to court. Huebner-Blough testified on Zimmerman's behalf, and he eventually won his case. While in Washington, Huebner-Blough also appeared on the program Endangered Liberties, which emanates from the Capitol. She is the daughter of Donna and Bill Huebner and lives in Saratoga with her husband. Most people think PGP is a better security measure than just "pretty good" privacy.

CAN'T STOP DANCIN': The audience enjoyed the Scotch and Irish tunes at a recent Music in the Plaza Sunday in the Los Gatos Town Plaza, but they were really enthralled by the impromptu dancing of a youngster in the audience. So enchanting was the performance that the Irish trio Paradise Lost invited the young Saratogan, Bridget Blackwell, 7, to come on stage with them. Her step-dancing training at a Willow Glen dance studio clearly showed. She led children on the sidelines in the movements, but she was the one who held the eye. "Not only was she skilled and professional, but also cute as could be," was one appraisal heard. And no, not from her father, Greg, who owns a building business in Los Gatos.

CENTURY CELEBRANT: Ada Geri celebrated her 100th birthday two Sundays ago at a reception for some 150 guests at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she has been a member since 1975. Daughter JoAn Lambert was the chief planner for the event, which included Bill Avery's 15-minute commentary on the highlights of Mrs. Geri's century and a photo collage. A long-distance call from London came in during the party. It was from pastor Gerald Amundson and wife Ethel, formerly of the Saratoga church, and other members of the church traveling with them. Ada Geri voted in the first election after women won the right to vote, but she can't remember who her choice was. After living independently all these years, even driving until recently, she'll move soon to Chateau Cupertino. There, meals, housekeeping and a van are all at the ready for residents. Another highlight: Geri set up the first school lunch program in Portland, Ore.

GIRLS OF SUMMER: Ladies Summer Tennis wrapped up in August with a luncheon at Adrienne Garfield's, hosted by Judy Bartee with assists from Irene Thompson, Pat Hammatt and Margo Holcomb. The group is a mix of players from different venues, public and private, but they play on private courts during the summer. Fifteen subs are on the list to fill in for vacationing regulars, 24 in number. Subs were included in the luncheon but weren't on the menu.

PO BIZ: Some 35 po biz folks attended a poetry reading at Ariel Smart's recently to celebrate Jesse Ryan's new book, Junebug Prophecy, which won the Still Waters Press Winter Poetry Chapbook Competition for '96-97. Ryan is one of eight writers who meet weekly at the Smarts' to critique each other's works, "help them over the rough spots," as Ariel Smart puts it. Junebug Prophecy was four years in the making, and the writing group considers itself a midwife to the creation.

NEW HIGH SCHOOL? Rumor has it Harker School will soon expand its offerings to include high school, as well as elementary and middle school academics. Harker is in the process of buying the former Bucknell School in Campbell. The plan is for the present elementary and middle school to move there, and the new high school to be housed at the present Harker location. If all goes as planned, the opening date for the new school is projected for the fall of '98.

DOCENT TOURS are held at Hakone Gardens on weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. from April to September, so there's only one month left this year for checking out this Saratoga resource in the company of an expert. These weekend tours are free and will help you capture the flavor of Japan for an afternoon. Special group tours are conducted by appointment only. They're held during the week throughout the year and cost $25, plus $1 for each person attending.

The need for docents at Hakone is a continuing one, and Marion Card, who started the Sister City Program with Japan, will be conducting a new daylong class for docents on Oct. 20, with individual follow-up sessions later. Two or three afternoons a month is the commitment.

The number to call is 741-4994 to reserve a tour or find out more about docenting.

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