Village Briefs

County park is site for night hike

The Youth Science Institute holds one of its two autumn Night Hikes on Oct. 20 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Sanborn-Skyline County Park in Saratoga. The hike, open to all ages, begins at the institute's Nature Center at 16055 Sanborn Road. Manager Patricia Kucker will take participants through the evening woods and teach them to use their various senses in spotting and identifying nocturnal animals. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $5 per person.

The nonprofit institute offers science education classes, hikes and day camps to develop children's understanding of and appreciation for the interrelationship between humans and the natural world. Call 408.867.6940 for night hike reservations.

St. Nicholas Church celebrates

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, at 14220 Elva Ave. in Saratoga, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy co-led by His Grace Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco. Following the service is a banquet, charity auction and music and dancing by the Balka Balalaikas and The Russian Collection. Everyone is welcome.

The banquet location is St. Archangel Michael Orthodox Church, at 18870 Allendale Ave. That evening St. Nicholas members will be serving grilled Slavic sausages during Celebrate Saratoga. For more information, or to make banquet reservations, call 408.867.0628.

Geologist talks at local breakfast

Harry Cook, a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, will speak at the Saratoga Federated Church on Oct. 13 at 7:30 a.m., during a breakfast sponsored by the men's fellowship.

Cook lived and worked in the former Soviet Union during and after Communism, from 1987 through 2000. He conducted field expeditions along the Great Silk Road, traveling through the mountains of Siberia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. He also developed a multi million-dollar international project with eight U.S. and European oil companies and several Russian and Kazakhstani research institutes.

Cost for the breakfast is $8. For more information, call 408.867.1000.

Saratogan awarded Tall Club scholarship

The Tall Club of Silicon Valley awarded Michael Teng, who graduated Saratoga High School in June, a $500 scholarship. Scholarship applicants had to meet academic and achievement requirements, as well as height qualifications.

Teng, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, was a National Merit Finalist, president of his school's National Honor Society and played soccer and tennis. He was also active in science and math programs. Teng, the son of Kwei San and Ling Sue Teng of Saratoga, will attend Stanford University this fall. He will study the business aspect of biotechnology.

Male members of Tall Clubs International must be at least 6 feet 2 inches, while females must be at least 5 feet 10 inches.

Sheriff's Report

Local home sale listings

Engagement: Daryl Bothwell and Susan Thorpe

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

High school sports

High school football

Saratoga residents play for Air Force, Purdue