Saratoga Sampler
Gift nearly overwhelmed Book-Go-Round
By Mary Ann Cook
BOOKS GALORE: Community commissioners at Saratoga High School overwhelmed The Book-Go-Round, both figuratively and literally. The student club collected some 1,800 new and nearly new children's books for area underprivileged kids.
The Book-Go-Round, a collection point for the drive, was daunted, space-wise, when the group brought in such a dazzling donation. Kids in Common and The Gift of Reading programs were the beneficiaries of the drive, and were quickly called to haul away the largesse.
Erika Hondel and Karanvir Signh are the leaders of the community commission. Other members are Kim Hiscox, Vinesh Viswanaphan, Sabrina Tam and Emily Fletcher. Those who helped haul the mountain of books: Casey Pack, Kevin Lavelle, Ian Hoare, Samuel Kendall and Matt Hiscox.
The community commission staged a very successful blood drive for Stanford Hospital recently, too. Indeed, it was called the most successful one ever, according to a Stanford spokesman. Some 85 people donated 67 units and nobody passed out, reports Hondel.
HIGH UP: He was the easiest person to spot in the recent Children's Christmas and Holiday Parade in Los Gatos. He's Ron Ringsrud, an emerald importer from Saratoga, who was making his stilt debut. Ringsrud makes frequent buying trips to Bogota, Columbia.
There he was alerted to a circus performing school because his neighbors were training to be stilt walkers. He'd always had a hankering to perform on stilts, so he signed up for lessons. By the time the Children's Parade rolled around it was time to try his wings, er, elongated, one-meter legs, out.
"I had a great time," he says, despite the fact that one woman on a bike, thinking he was a post, leaned against him and nearly knocked him over. He had to keep repeating to himself, "I'm a man, not a post." He now owns black pants, as well as red, so is available for formal occasions, too, at 408.741.9077.
MICE MAKERS: Brownie Troop 473, all third-graders at Foothill School, made 50 felt mice to be given out as favors at the Saratoga Senior Center's Christmas luncheon. The mice have squiggle eyes, big red ears, pom-pom noses and candy cane tails.
Co-leaders of the troop are Doris Cooper, Carolyn Doles, Marcy Lotti, Sue Hwang and Alice Chiou. Besides the favors, seniors were treated to a newly refurbished Senior Center, what with new carpeting and new paint.
PARADE WINNERS: Redwood Middle School won the band award sweepstakes in the recent Children's Holiday Parade in Los Gatos. And Sacred Heart School won first place in the chorale group division, led by Ruth Matthewson. Matthewson also directs Marshall Lane chorale, which won third.
LICENSE PLATES: Rotarians will soon have their own special license plate, once a new bill goes into effect, thanks to the efforts of Los Gatan Maggie Wilhelm. Wilhelm is a member of the Silicon Valley Rotary District 5170 and collected 7,500 signatures in support of the bill that made the plates possible.
Proceeds from the special plates will go to fund outreach services sponsored by Rotary in the fields of education and humanitarian endeavors. To order one: Rlicenseplates@aol.com. It took a year, but Wilhelm's tenacity won out.
TO BENEFIT CHILDREN WITH CANCER: Rinconada Hills will sponsor a Gala Charity Supper to benefit Courageous Kids on Jan. 20, 7-11 p.m. A champagne dinner, music by The Gary Chula Band and bidding on auction items are part of the package. Black tie is optional.
Ted Kwalick, all pro and tight end for the '49ers and Raiders will autograph pictures. The tax-deductible cost is $40 with checks payable to Rinconada Charity Events, Rinconada Hills, 100 Avenida del Sol, Los Gatos, 95032. Proceeds go to the Courageous Kids section of the American Cancer Society.
Fran Rudè instigated the event and organizers hope to surpass the $10,000 raised last year for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. For tickets, call 408.374.5750.
LION NEWS: Shirley Cancellieri was formally installed as the newest Saratoga Lion recently. The club, whose main philanthropy is to aid the vision impaired, collected nearly 900 pairs of eyeglasses to be shipped out. Kenny Herrington was coordinator of the drive.
Another drive, this one for teddy bears, is being headed by Barbara Major. They're used by Saratoga sheriffs to comfort children in traumatic situations.
ON DISPLAY: Some 25 paintings by Louise Webb are on display at the Book-Go-Round through January. The works are primarily mixed-media, with one self portrait sculpture. Webb is a member of the Saratoga Contemporary Artists.
PASSES BAR: Jennifer K. Moshier, a recent grad of Pepperdine Law School, has just passed the California bar. She is the daughter of Terry and Cathy Moshier of Saratoga. (Would that I could pass a California bar--without longing to go in.)
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
