The school's trustees, alums, parents and benefactors met the matching challenge grant, and the $4.4 million center will have its official opening Sept. 28. The McLaughlins will attend the ribbon-cutting.

Their son, Glen W. McLaughlin, was valedictorian of the class of '88 and is today an established inventor. He is the chief technology officer at Novasonics in Mountain View and has invented several ultrasound units with medical applications.

One invention scans the inside of the heart to locate damaged tissue, then, using heat, destroys the tissue so that the heart can return to normal. The younger Glen earned his doctorate at Stanford and his bachelor's at Carnegie Mellon, both degrees in electrical engineering.

Accompanying an earlier gift to Gould was a letter in which his parents wrote, "in appreciation of the Gould experience, as evidenced by the development of our son. We sent Gould a talented but shy child lacking in self-esteem, and he returned to us a confident and accomplished young man."

The elder Glen is a venture capitalist who has founded 15 companies and served on 32 corporate boards. For the Mexican Heritage Center, he funded the hiring of a program manager to teach children at the center how to use the donated computers.

He spearheaded the fundraising for the Knight's Inn Infirmary in Chico for children with cancer. Ellen McLaughlin is a former teacher and strong advocate of the teaching of science.

PEACE CORPS WORKER: Alison Laing is in the Peace Corps, living in a village in South Africa. Her parents, Elizabeth and John, visited her this summer, seeing firsthand the projects she is working on and the difference she is making. Alison graduated from Saratoga High five years ago.

John Laing is president and CEO of Inxight Software in Sunnyvale, an offshoot of Xerox Corporation.

SUNSHINE HARBINGERS: No matter where Sylvia and Leonard Metz went—Paris, London or the British Isles—it would quit raining and the sun would come out. They were often pleaded with to stay a few more days in one spot so the natives could have a sunny weekend.

Another sunny spot was the engagement party they threw for their son Jason Metz and his fiancée, Lisa Danziger—nearly 100 guests were in attendance. The young couple lives in Mountain View. Jason is the information technology manager at Seiler and Co., Redwood City; Lisa is working toward her teaching credential at San José State University. The mother of the groom is a retired kindergarten teacher who taught for Santa Clara Unified School District. Leonard is self-employed.

K.G. ANYONE?: Flo and Charles Sutcliffe are trying to find the teenager, initials K.G., who lives in Monte Sereno and who attended the summer program for high school students at the University of St. Andrew's in Scotland. The program covers Scottish culture and history.

K.G. is quoted on the website about the program, and the Sutcliffes would like to connect the teenager with their granddaughter, Jill Edwards, who is interested in attending the program. If K.G. is out there, would you give the Sutcliffes a call at 408.395.7475 so they can put Jill in touch with you?

ENGAGEMENT ADDENDUM: Here's the mystery of the lit-up diamond ring that A.J. Szenda recently presented to his fiancée, Stacy Seehafer, at his Saratoga restaurant, Viaggio. In fact it was the box—from Feline Jewelers—that was lighting up. It was even a surprise to Szenda to see the ring flashing.

Incidentally, the bride-to-be's parents are the Reuben Seehafers of Morgan Hill. Reuben stood up to second the acceptance for his daughter.

JOYFUL MUSIC: The first concert of the season for the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Concert Association will be the Festival of Four at 2:30 p.m., Sept. 29, at the Los Gatos High School auditorium. One flute player and three guitarists will offer Andean folk music, Spanish flamenco and classical guitar. Joyful, passionate melodies promised.

JULIA CHILD: The grande dame of the kitchen, Julia Child, will sign copies of her books at Sur La Table in Los Gatos on Oct. 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

When she came to these parts a couple of years ago to begin a book signing at 10 a.m., some disciples started lining up as early as 6 a.m. By 8 a.m. there was already quite a line. By scheduled arrival time the line stretched for blocks. So be forewarned—attending a Child book signing is akin to a pilgrimage to a shrine.

ROMANIAN ORPHAN CHOIR: A Romanian orphan choir will sing at Calvary Church on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. to raise awareness and support for the orphanage.

Got a story? My email address is maryanncook@earthlink.net.