Saratoga News Saratoga Sampler Mary Ann Cook Travelers discover a musical treasure in Italy ROMAN TREASURE: Talk about the romance of travel. Here's one that's hard to top. Saratogans Phil and Tessie Young sank into their room at the Hotel de Ville at the top of the Spanish steps in Rome after an exhausting ride and opened their courtyard windows to hear the wondrous strains of violin music drifting in. Turned out it was coming from the room next door, and there was a Do Not Disturb (well, whatever the Italian is) sign on the door. Later, when they asked who was practicing, the concierge said Julian Rachlin, and he's giving a concert tonight. On the instant the Youngs decided going to the concert was a must, even though there wasn't time to dress. They were still in traveling khakis, and the rest of the audience was outfitted to the nines. Still, the Youngs were delighted they made it to the concert because the performance was a thrill. Now they feel they've discovered the latest international violin sensation. Not only did they revel in the concert, but were treated to practice sessions daily from their hotel room. The entire Young trip took in more than five weeks and Switzerland, England, Elba and Tuscany. Tuscany was the site of a family reunion: they had rented three farmhouses and at their max totaled 12, which included their children, grandchildren, friends and three former Italian exchange students. The elder Youngs spent days hiking in the Engardine area of Switzerland and in the lake country of England. But as for Elba, "I'd never send anyone there," vows Tessie, a travel agent. Napoleon probably shares those sentiments. VALLE MONTE TREES: You've probably never seen the likes of the trees Valle Monte League displays at its Christmas Tree Elegance to be held Dec. 1-4 at the Double Tree Hotel in San Jose. This year's fundraiser will include a brunch, coffees, teas and a grand ball with the Alfie Dreifuss Orchestra to finish off the festivities. Beneficiaries of the event are four mental health agencies--Adult and Child Guidance Center, Alzheimer's Activity Center, John XXIII Multi-Service Center and the Center for Living with Dying. Saratogans feature prominently in Valle Monte. For example, these Saratoga are turning trees into works of art: Sally Allen, Florence Barker, Judie Butler, Loretta Gambill, Joanne Kennedy, Sherri Pollack, Wanda Pollack and Mickie Wilkinson. Some big names are lending a hand this year, as witness Louis Vuitton, who will be providing decorations for the Macy's tree with a French theme, and his leather pieces as gifts. There will be fashion shows at each event, and Jessica McClintock will be on hand at one of them, too. The Valle Monte hotline is 278-8001 and the address is P.O. Box 5874, San Jose, 95150-5874. FANTASIA: Saratoga artist Dennise Meier donated one of her paintings to the KTEH art auction and it brought in $220 to the public TV coffers. The painting was a watercolor of irises in yellow and orange tints titled "Fantasia." Meier exhibits at Gallery Saratoga, has been painting for 30 years and was one of the founders of the late, lamented El Gatito Gallery. HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Summit League house tour, "Homes for the Holidays" will be held Dec. 3 and 4 and will feature three Los Gatos homes--a Tudor estate, a craftsman country house and a Mediterranean-style villa--all decked out for the holidays by area designers. Caryl Armstrong and Elaine Knoernschild are in charge of the event, which benefits the San Jose Family Shelter. There will be a shuttle pick-up at 15985 Rose Ave., Los Gatos, to take care of transportation. Included this year will be a Christmas Boutique under the care and feeding of Gigi Spinazze, Gretchen Mair and Carol Parker. Tickets at $25 can be purchased from the Summit League, 14656 Stoneridge Drive, Saratoga. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The information line is 395-5040. BAMBOO ORCHESTRA: Three members of the Japan Bamboo Orchestra--Ohzan Shibata, Tomoe Irino and Reiko Komatsu--performed at Hakone Gardens recently. This was the first in an annual cultural exchange sponsored by Hakone Foundation, Satsuki-kai, the women's group, and Nichi Bei Times. The Japan Bamboo Orchestra is made up of either 11 or five performers who play on 20 different bamboo instruments of Japan and Asian origin. The orchestra sponsors workshops wherein participants create bamboo instruments. When playing the instruments, the emphasis is on being with nature through music. Also part of the program was a demonstration of five styles of home-made sushi, prepared by members of Satsuki-kai. Those attending had a chance to sample same. OVATION: Baritone Le Roy Villanueva received a standing ovation at the opening concert of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Concert Series. The audience was particularly enchanted with his operatic renditions from Wagner's "Tannhauser" and Mozart's "The Magic Flute." [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, November 18, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.