SUPREME COURT JUSTICE HONORED: Justice Edward A. Panelli, retired associate justice of the California Supreme Court, has been presented with the Peter Burnett Award for Distinguished Public Service, an award seldom given. The presentation was made during commencement ceremonies this year at Santa Clara University.
Panelli served on the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees for 40 years and was chairman of that body for 19 years, retiring from the position in June. A 1955 graduate of Santa Clara University Law School, Panelli was commencement speaker at the law school graduation in May.
When the longtime Saratogan retired as chairman of the board, the university recognized his birthplace, which is now the student center, with a plaque on the center's wall. The plaque commemorates his service as the 100th justice of the California Supreme Court as well as his service to the university.
Since his retirement nine years ago, Panelli has been doing private mediation and arbitration work. Other recipients of the rarely given award include Earl Warren, former chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; and Sen. John Vasconcellos.
CHILDREN OF EDEN: Playing Eve in the Peninsula Youth Theatre production of Children of Eden is Fiona Lawson of Saratoga. Other locals in the cast are Rachel Balma of Monte Sereno and Lisa Schwebke of Saratoga. The musical, based loosely on the book of Genesis, will run July 26Aug. 3.
The production will be held at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. It's the story of the age-old conflict between parents and children and is a retelling of the Adam and Eve story and the Noah saga. Stephen Schwartz, who created Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, is the composer/lyricist. Performances are 2 and 7:30 p.m. on July 26, 27 and Aug. 2; 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 1; and 2 p.m. on Aug. 3.
Tickets cost $16 for adults and $13 for children and seniors. The box office phone number is 650.903.6000. Like all the arts, Peninsula Youth Theatre is in danger of having to curtail its offerings, what with corporate and foundation funding down, and fees for studio and performance space up.
So the ticket response to Children of Eden is particularly crucial to PYT's continuing financial health, say theater spokespeople. Readers of Bay Area Parent voted PYT the "best family theater" in the area.
Saratoga youngsters Clint Hamilton and Sahana and Sanjana Rajaseker were also in the cast of the Peninsula Youth Theatre show that just closed, The Hobbit. Los Gatans in The Hobbit cast included Emma Cherniss, Mariah Head and Kit Strong.
AWARDS FOR ACTOR: Lee Actor, assistant conductor of the Palo Alto Philharmonic, has been named composer in residence for that group in recognition of the work he has done in the past two years in writing new works for the Philharmonic to premiere.
Composers in residence programs support the creation of new music in general and a living composer specifically.
The former electrical engineer spent 20 years in video and computer game design, creating computer game soundtracks and musical effects. Both an engineer and musician, Actor graduated from Renssellaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. and has a degree in music composition from San José State University.
SLIDE SHOW—JAPAN: Avid travelers Audrey and Chris Christianson of Los Gatos will present a slide show July 31 on Japan at the Sanborn Park Hostel. The presentation will follow a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the hostel. Bring any type of dish to share. This is a reschedule of a May listing.
Chris is the photographer. The hostel phone number is 408.741.9555.
BRIDGES: Foothill College will present a play titled Bridges prior to mounting it at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August. Bridges will be presented July 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. in Appreciation Hall at the college.
It's a blend of five different 10-minute plays, and two of the playwrights are locals: Riva Rubnitz and me. Discussion time afterward will allow the audience to vent its reaction. Admission is free, but parking at Foothill costs $2.
GOURMET PICNIC/HIKE: The annual hike and wine tasting sponsored by the Loma Prieta chapter of the Sierra Club will be held July 26. Hikers will meet at Sanborn Park at 9 a.m. for the three-hour walk. At noon the group will rendezvous at Savannah-Chanelle Winery on Highway 9.
The winery is 3.3 miles up Highway 9 from downtown Saratoga. Picnic reservations are $10 in advance, $12 at the picnic entrance. For reservations, call 408.867.4576. Another upcoming event for the club: a beach walk Aug. 9 that is also an off-leash dog hike. Lunch and layered clothes are called for. For time and carpool info, call 408.867.4576.
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By Mary Ann Cook