Saratoga News

Saratoga Sampler

Mary Ann Cook

Virginia Saso's wreath workshop welcomes the season

HOLIDAY SEASON: One of the harbingers of the holiday season is the workshop Virginia Saso teaches each year on making grapevine wreaths. She's been giving this class for nearly 20 years now at her herb garden, and this year proved one of the most popular. Since there were nearly 30 people, she had to offer two sessions--one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Participants in her workshops get a lot of individual attention and work at their own pace. The $45 price includes materials. Not surprisingly, the materials offered at the herb garden include dried herbs, pods, cones, eucalyptus and holly.

"Many people learn by making a wreath for themselves in the class, and then make others for gifts," Virginia says. The first part of the class is learning how to make the base; the second is decorating it. Deciding how to decorate their wreath is the most time-consuming part for most people, Virginia says. Where else can you create a finished product in two hours?

In March Virginia will offer a wild-twig wreath workshop. She'll have the schedule for 1998 in January. Send her an SASE if you want to be on the mailing list. The number is 867-0307, and the address is 14625 Fruitvale Ave. One thing to give thanks for is the fact that the Sasos continue to offer workshops and tours even after their recent retirement. Tours will be offered one Saturday a month, April-September.

ADOPT-A-PARK: The adopt-a-park program has been in operation about a year now, and several groups have signed on in a contract with the city. The city provides new plantings, and any group can volunteer to help enhance the parks' environment. Scout Brian Francis, with the help of friends and family, worked on the historical park near the history museum as part of his Eagle Scout project, clearing the land and repairing the water system. Now a row of tree roses, as well as bush roses, adorns the 400-square foot park, promising spring splendor. There are 13 parks in the Saratoga system. The Church of Latter Day Saints, Linda Stanley and the Saratoga Tree Company have all adopted parks this year. Call David Mooney of the Parks Department at 868-1245 to adopt a park of your choice.

SIZZLING SENIORS: The Sizzling Seniors entertained at a recent Wednesday lunch at the Saratoga Senior Center. The Sizzlers are members of Saratogan Bev Myers' dance aerobics class that meets at Los Gatos Recreation Center. Myers also has a Santa Clara class she draws on for hoofers. None of the troupe claims a professional background in dance. They're just seniors who enjoy getting together to entertain and stay in shape all at one and the same (gasp) time. The Sizzlers pride themselves on mingling and getting to know their audience after the performance. They perform weekly or more at senior centers, mobile-home parks and schools.

SENIOR DINNER: Saratoga High California Scholarship Federation members helped serve the traditional annual Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors at the Los Gatos Neighborhood Center Nov. 22. Dinner is prepared for 250 people, says volunteer coordinator Sue Hamilton, even though the number varies from 160 to 250. Leftovers went to a San Jose soup kitchen. The 12 turkeys were donated by Andy Pavichich of Los Gatos Brewing Company. Other restaurateur/donors were Marcella's, C.B. Hannegan's and Icing on the Cake.

STEP LIVELY: Judi and John Gingerich are building a house at Tahoe and can relate the usual homebuilders' woes, trying to locate and order the right quantity of materials so colors and textures match and blend. So all seemed well when an additional supply of tiles arrived. The color was perfect, the amount seemed right. There was only one hitch. The tiles ordered are to be used for the floor, and these tiles were far too lumpy and grainy to walk on. So it was back to the vendor with that package. How do people keep their sense and sanity (to say nothing of their marriages) when faced with the myriad decisions demanded in the throes of building? So many choices to be made, so many variables, so many things that can go wrong.

REALTORS SERVE IMPAIRED: The Saratoga and Los Gatos offices of Century 21 Contempo Realty (along with offices in Willow Glen and Campbell) have contributed $5,000 to the American Musical Theatre of San Jose so that the theater can provide help to those with diminished sight or hearing this season. The money will be used to present six audio-described and two sign-interpreted performances at each of the AMT productions. Jeff Culbertson is president of the realty company.

THANKSGIVING HOSTS: St. Andrew's Church will host the Interfaith Thanksgiving service Nov. 27 at 10 a.m., playing host to all area churches and synagogues. It wasn't St. Andrew's turn, but because it's celebrating its 40th anniversary Nov. 30, it wanted the entire week to be a special one.

MEN'S CLUB: Joe Kusick is putting together a history of the Saratoga Men's Club. If you have any information that could add to the project, call him at 356-2213.

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