Red, white and blue flowers are planted in a shape that may symbolize a key or a scepter. This is on the Herriman side, along with a clock and a temperature gauge, a mailbox in the shape of a barn, and various signs that say "American Heroes," "Remember Dec. 7" and "Some Gave All; All Gave Some."

A gardener of note lives here: The citrus trees on the property are lush with lemons and oranges; roses, azaleas and geraniums abound; evergreen shrubs along the periphery are sculpted. A dead tree or two remain as standard bearers, stars and whirligigs hanging from their branches.

A Statue of Liberty replica tops one birdbath. There's a wishing well. A bower with painted red, white and blue garlands leads to the backyard, another to a side yard. Owner John Irwin has produced his personal patriotic statement using the flora of nature and the fauna of pop icons: a mixed-media message.

SCULPTURE ON DISPLAY: The work of Saratogan Mary Kaprielian Guth is on display at the indoor sculpture exhibit at Santa Clara City Hall, 1500 Warburton. Guth's copper sculpture is titled My Donna and will be on display through September. The show was juried by the Santa Clara Arts Commission.

Guth set out to create a charging horse but through the process realized that this horse had unconsciously acquired some of the characteristics of Guth's golden retriever, Donna. Perhaps it was something of a memorial: Donna died about the time Guth was creating the sculpture.

Guth has an art degree from San José State University and periodically takes art courses at West Valley. She works in all manner of different media—watercolor, ceramics, painting, print. At an international print show in Richmond she won one of the top prizes. She is a member of Saratoga Contemporary Artists.

WHERE'S THE CHOCOLATE?: Several history-loving Saratogans attended a reception for author/historian David McCullough, who was in these parts to speak at the Foothill Speakers Series. McCullough is the author of Truman and John Adams and is a Pulitzer Prize winner.

The handful of Saratogans, however, caught up with him at a more intimate gathering at the California History Center at De Anza College. There they heard him tell a story about how he won a gold medal award and a young grandchild asked him where the chocolate was inside.

His listeners included Willys Peck, Louise Webb, Bob and Anne Louden and Mary Jo Vitek.

FINAL PUSH: The Final Push fundraising campaign for the PAL Center chalked up $1 million in donations and pledges in just over two months. Last week $139,275 was received in donations from 48 donors. Since fundraising started in mid-2000 a total of $2.98 million has been charted.

Still needed: an additional $580,000 by May 30 to break ground on the center, according to Bill Barmeier, head of the fundraising foundation.

NIECE GOES NATIONAL: Here's a new media darling: Natalie Gilbert, 13. She won a promotional contest called "Get the Feeling of a Star" by dint of popular votes via the Internet. The winner was to sing the national anthem during an NBA playoff game, but when the time came Natalie forgot the words midway through.

To the rescue came Portland Trailblazer coach Maurice Cheeks, who helped her sing the rest of the song. The crowd soon joined in and at the end gave Natalie a standing ovation. Since then Natalie has been written up in USA Today and appeared on TV News, Inside Edition and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

She was asked to audition for a Broadway play, and Juillard has offered her entrance to their voice program. She is the niece of Saratogans Matthew and Claudia Gilbert.

YES, YES, NANETTE: A dessert buffet theater party May 29 will benefit the Saratoga Senior Center. The play is No No Nanette, produced by the Saratoga Drama Group. Tickets are $20 for the play and dessert combined. The dessert party will be held at the senior center from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

Then on to the Saratoga Civic Theater next door for the play. Tickets can be purchased at the senior center.

SEE JAPAN AT SANBORN: The featured presenters for the travel show at the Sanborn Park Hostel on May 29 will be Los Gatans Audrey and Bob "Chris" Christianson, who will be taking listeners on a trip to Japan via slides. The action starts at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner.

Audrey and Chris are native Brits, widely traveled, who now live in the distinctive Magneson Loop house that looks as though it's straight out of a fairy tale.

Visitors to the hostel are invited to bring any food they like for the potluck. The hostel is tucked away in scenic Sanborn Park; the number is 408.741.9555.

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