Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Only one of foursome missed hole-in-one

BEATING THE ODDS: What are the odds of getting a hole-in-one? Whatever they are, it's a long shot. But three local golfers confounded the odds over a recent weekend.

Starting it off was Alice Schwinn, who carded a 1 on the 12th hole at Castlewood in Pleasanton one recent Friday. Also in her foursome were Rona Wells and Joan Braucht, both of whom posted holes-in-one two days later while playing with their husbands at La Rinconada. Rona's feat was at No. 13 with husband George Wells and Joan's at No. 7 with husband Ted Braucht. They were in separate groups but on the same courseon the same day.

All three women are low handicappers--Rona a 16, Alice an 18 and Joan a 19. Mae Locke, the last member of the foursome that drove to Pleasanton to start the string rolling, is feeling mighty left out.

POETRY SUB: Santa Cruz poets Maude Meehan and Joseph Stroud read at Montalvo Sept. 1. Stroud teaches writing and literature at Cabrillo College in Aptos; Meehan teaches poetry workshops at UCSC Extension.

Meehan's most recent collection is Washing the Stones. Her others are Chipping Bone and Before the Snow, all from Papier Maché publisher. Tillie Olsen calls Meehan's work "tender yet powerful, written with profound candor, compassion and courage."

Joseph Stroud's latest book of poetry is Below Cold Mountain, published by Copper Canyon Press and not to be confused with current bestseller On Cold Mountain. Stroud's work has been published in Ironwood, Choice and Quarry West, among others. An avid outdoorsman, he spends his summers in an island cabin on Tutka Bay, Alaska, or at Shay Creek in the Sierra. He has lived in Spain and Greece, traveled widely in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.

Another reading--this one from Phyllis Koestenbaum's latest book, Criminal Sonnets--was also held at Montalvo a few days before the over-the-hill gang read. The Koestenbaum contingent drew raves for the afternoon's warmth and intimacy, as well as the strength of the reading.

Criminal Sonnets is published by Jacaranda Press, a consortium of six local poets, including Saratogans Mary Lou Taylor and Rose Pashos.

FEELING FIT: Prince of Peace Church sponsors a Center for Wellness at the church. Tai chi classes meet Mondays at 7:30 p.m.; Yoga classes meet Wednesday and Friday at noon and Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Marriage and family counselors Beverly Fisher and Maureen Rhodes are available by appointment.

Physical therapist Marie Jo Grazioli offers massages; Mezzo-soprano Mary Elizabeth Enmann acts as the voice and drama teacher; and Joe Deisher is tai chi chuan instructor. Fees are on a sliding scale. To schedule appointments for counselors or massages call 253-7167. Karen Idler is site director.

PIANO RECITAL: Polonsky Piano School students will hold a recital Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Santa Clara University. Russian-born pianists Viktor and Anna Polonsky run the school and just opened another location.

In Russia, Anna headed the Piano Pedagogy Department at the Institute of Art in Vladivostok and was professor of piano and chamber music ensemble. Viktor was artistic director and pianist for the Vladivostok Philharmonic chamber music ensemble, as well as a soloist on radio and TV and a recording artist. Their number is 241-6662.

CARIBBEAN CHARITY CRUISE: You can cruise the Caribbean in the company of former San Francisco Giants favorites Vida Blue and Orlando Cepeda, and $300 of your tour fare goes to Child Advocates. The trip is aboard the Sea Princess Feb. 20-27 and is sponsored by Travel Advisors of Los Gatos, 354-6531.

Child Advocates serves 990 kids in foster care in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. They train and manage volunteers to serve as advocates for children in foster care and speak on their behalf in court.

The cruise leaves from Ft. Lauderdale and features daylong stops in Princess Cays, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Prices range from $1,269 to $1,699 for double occupancy.

MARRIED WOMEN SOUGHT: A Saratogan to carry the standard of Mrs. California United Nations is sought by pageant organizers. Married women from across California will compete Jan. 9-10 in San Diego for the title.

Community involvement counts for 10 percent in the scoring; other categories are interview, evening gown and tennis wear. For more information, contact Sarah Boothe at 619/674-1961. The winner selects her own cause or group to further during her reign.

CATTLE BARON'S BALL: The Cattle Baron's Ball has a Wild West gold rush theme and will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at Moffett Field Sept. 26. Admission is $150, and one highlight is the porcine race, betting on the pig of your choice. The ball, a model fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, is directed by Saratogans Zoe Alameda and Lynda Evjen. For tickets, call 879-1032, ext. 133.

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