Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Gigi Clarke of Los Gatos and Roma Rieker of Saratoga, members of the Montalvo Service Group, work on
craft items which will be for sale at Yuletide at Montalvo.

Montalvo Yuletide recreates Senator James Phelan's era

For the 36th year, the Montalvo Service Group will welcome friends to the Mediterranean-style residence of former California State Sen. James D. Phelan for tea and holiday shopping.

Yuletide at Montalvo 1996, a replica of Christmas in Phelan's time, will take place Nov. 15-17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $6 for children 3-16 and free for infants. Tickets are available at the door, and tea is included in the price.

Villa Montalvo was completed in 1915, and Phelan lived there until his death in 1930, leaving it in his will for the people of California to enjoy. For Yuletide this year, vintage cars, antique furnishings and genial hospitality will be featured.

The Montalvo Service Group will decorate both the upstairs and downstairs of the villa with one-of-a-kind exhibits, crafts, handmade articles, gourmet food items and seasonal decorations, all for sale. In addition, the pavilion adjacent to the main villa will feature garden and decorative items.

Tea will be served in the Spanish courtyard, with special menu selections each day.

Donation drawing items include a gourmet dinner for 10 at Montalvo, round-trip tickets to Hong Kong donated by Saratoga Travel, a box at the San Jose Arena for a Sharks game donated by Lucas Dealership Group, a 14K gold bracelet donated by Vardy's Jewelers, a weekend on the town donated by Hotel DeAnza and two Montalvo Gala tickets for dinner and a concert in the Garden Theater.

A special children's puppet show will be staged on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Jim Gamble's puppet version of The Nutcracker will be shown in the Carriage House Theater, with tickets at $5.

Free parking and shuttle service is offered as follows: Nov. 15, from Sacred Heart Church, 13724 Saratoga Ave.; Nov. 16 and 17, from Saratoga High School, at Herriman and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. For more information, call 741-3421, ext. 315.