Saratoga Sampler

Metaphors burn brightly in paean to a united people

By Mary Ann Cook

RESPONSE TO HORROR: "To terrorists everywhere: We do not blame a race of people or a religious sect, for terrorists come in all colors and such violence must revolt God by any name. We emerge ... from the shock of these events ... a stronger more united people.

"We still have many differences, but those differences are small and petty. You have mistaken our bickering for division. The strength of our freedoms is so great ... It lies as a small banked fire in every beating heart. And like a small light, it is not visible on a bright and sunny day.

"On a dark day even a small flame shines brightly. Today every one of those tiny flames has been stoked to a great white heat. Combined the light is brilliant and blinding, a beacon of freedom for all the world to see.

"America will stand long after such terrorism is a footnote in history."

That's what Jeri Pollock wrote to family and friends after the national tragedies: Pollock is the wife of Robert Pollock, son of Felicia and Michael Pollock of Saratoga.

WHEELBARROW NEEDED: When Theresa Robinson, who makes art out of found materials, has an exhibit, people bring her objects they have found or want to get rid of. In short, they bring her junk, which Robinson sees as possibilities to be plumbed--to transform into art.

At her recent reception at Gallery House in Palo Alto, the artist accepted bags full of findings. It would have helped to have a pickup truck on hand, or at least a wheelbarrow. Some recent Robinson constructions at that show: "Girl.Can," a wooden construct covered with dots, outfitted with a can hat and standing on a can.

Then there's a woman with a cape-like costume made out of a rake, holding a staff with various timepieces attached. That one is titled "The Waiting Game." Two Amish-type figures standing in a wheat field are called "Two in the Brush," since the wheat field in its former life was the brush end of a push broom.

"Woman Who Won't Come Unhinged" has boots and wings hinged on. Would that we were all so supplied in these uncertain days. Son Dean, recently transplanted to Ithaca, N.Y., made a surprise appearance at the show. This is a switch: The Robinsons are usually going to one of his shows.

He's an actor, and he married fellow thespian Beth Milles in June. Milles directed the Shakespeare Santa Cruz version of "She Stoops to Conquer" this summer and is teaching acting and playwriting at Cornell this fall.

All the world's a stage for this family: The other Robinson offspring, Karen, directed "Amadeus" at Georgia Shakespeare this summer while her husband, Richard Garner, directed "As You Like It." Garner is the founder of that southern Shakespearean festival.

PEACE TREATY: The Consul General of Japan, His Excellency Nobuaki Tanaka, hosted a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Peace Treaty at Hakone Gardens on a recent Sunday. Taiko drums, a tea ceremony, kimono fashions and dances from Japan, Korea and China were all part of the festivities.

Other notables in attendance were ambassadors Shunji Yanai and Yoshio Okawara and Miss Japan.

RESEARCHERS: Two Saratoga High students were awarded Summer Science Research Fellowships by the Arthritis Foundation. Marie Hollenhorst and Chen Lin worked in Bay Area labs this summer assisting scientists engaged in arthritis research.

The program is designed to encourage students to choose arthritis research as a career.

NEW ROLE: Barbara Spector has been named hearing officer for the city of Saratoga. Spector, a lawyer, is a former member of the Los Gatos Planning Commission. In her new role, she will hold hearings and decide appeals from those challenging code and nuisance violations.

Saratoga may be the first to initiate such a position. Normally, folks have to take their complaints about being cited to the city council.

POTLUCK: The Cupertino/Sunnyvale/Saratoga Rotating Shelter Program will hold its annual Celebration Potluck on Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m. at the Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino. The dinner honors staff and volunteers who turn "despair into success."

Local churches take turns feeding and housing some 15 men who are homeless, but most of whom have jobs. The program is in its 10th year. The Saratoga churches involved are Congregation Beth David, Ascension and Grace United Methodist. Contact Mary Ellen Hennig at 408.255.6382 for more information.

BLINK MENTORS: Blink 182, a punk/pop trio, treated Prospect High music students to an afternoon of mentoring one recent Sunday, including answering questions from students. The group includes guitarists Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker, and the intro was conducted at Shoreline.

NEARTALK: Friends of the Saratoga Library will present Timothy Near on Oct. 2 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church on Saratoga Avenue at 7:30 p.m. Near will explain how she managed to sign on Holly Hunter for "By the Bog of Cats," and Lynn Redgrave for "The Mandrake Root".

Citizen alerts officials to Mountain Winery signs code violations

Commentary: World Trade Center

Local Home Sales and Property Listings

Obituary: Florence Worrell

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