BREAKFAST AT THE MOVEABLE FEAST: The Depression had Shirley Temple, and the folks who breakfast at the Moveable Feast have Mallory. She's a 3-year-old who comes with her mother Linda before mother has to go to her Big Basin marketing company job.
The curly-haired youngster knows well the names of the regulars and makes the rounds to inquire about their well being, charming all with her delight in her surroundings—and her delight in her fans, who are watching her grow up.
The steady customers at the Feast in the Quito Shopping Center are a varied lot. Each cluster is different, but they all know quite a bit about the comings and goings of the others, even though they may not know full names.
There's a group that appears after Mass. There are those who come after aerobics. Some come nearly every day, mainly retirees, such as orchardists Daisy and Milan Popovich, about-towners Olive Stocking and Ruth Bauer, Dr. Keith Fraker and wife Dorothy, John Rohrback, Natalie Clark and Bob Hartman.
This last clutch has been convening steadily for at least eight years. Before that they congregated at the Coffee Break. Then, when Emily Glumac transferred to the Feast to work, the faithful followed her there. Though Glumac has now retired, the regulars continue to meet.
KIWANIS PRESIDENT: Newest president of the Cupertino Kiwanis Club is Saratogan Kristin Gragnola, the second woman to lead the club since its founding in 1955. Gragnola has also served as president of the Cupertino's De Oro Club and is a leader in Bible Study Fellowship.
As the mother of four, she has served on numerous school committees at Redwood and Argonaut schools in Saratoga. Cupertino Kiwanis benefits a number of charities: it provides an annual Spring Basket for the needy for Cupertino Community Services. The club also helps fund the Northwest YMCA.
In addition, Kiwanis has built and maintained some of the buildings at Camp Costanoan. Key Clubs at both Monta Vista and Cupertino high schools are under its sponsorship. An annual golf tournament funds many Kiwanis projects. New members always welcome; the number is 408.252.3830.
ASPIRING ASTRONAUT: E.J. Lux, an astronomy and chemistry teacher at Saratoga High School, experienced partial gravity, simulated a spacewalk and tried out computer-based robotics simulators during a recent trip to Houston. He's competing to become an astronaut and there are 19 contenders left. Ten or fewer will be chosen.
He met astronauts, including one who walked on the moon, as well as the other candidates, during his stay. Lux will hear in February if he's one of those chosen. If he is chosen, he'll spend the summer in Pensacola at Navy flight school, then to Houston for astronaut training.
Since the Class of 2004 won't fly until 200910, if chosen he would face a long stretch before his childhood dream is realized.
YOUTH SERVICE: Saratogans Joel Booker, 16, Jay Shen, 17 and Justin Shen, 16, are members of Youth Service America and as such they work at Second Harvest twice a month packing food. They also hold flea markets at Prospect High School to raise money for Second Harvest.
In addition, they help with the H-P run fundraiser. Money earned through the flea markets will be given to Second Harvest and to the Saratoga Adult Day Care Center. These teenaged Second Harvest workers have probably racked up more than 100 hours of service this past year, Carolyn Booker estimates.
GUESS WHO'S GOING TO DIE: It may sound macabre, but fascinating, nonetheless. There's a competition for people to guess what well-known people are going to die in the coming year. Winners win cash at the end of each year, based on how many correct answers they had listed.
Elizabeth Fox and Pat Brundage of Campbell operate the Dead Club and the website is www.pokeintheeye.com/pool.html. Lists of guesses are 25 names long and it costs $5 to enter each list.
YOUNG PHILANTHROPISTS: Bellarmine students have been named Outstanding Philanthropic Youth Organization of 2003 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The award recognizes outstanding community service by young people in philanthropy.
Bellarmine students provide more than 30,000 hours of service each year to those in need. In 2002, students collected nearly 7,000 pounds of food for Second Harvest. They coach and assist in Special Olympics sports and tutor at elementary and junior high schools.
The YMCA, Agnews Developmental Center, Sacred Heart Community Services and The Family Giving Tree are other agencies the students benefit. Josh Burroughs is president of Christian Service Program core group and other officers are Mike Hausle, Jamal Howard, David Kelly, Greg Kimma, Robert Pedersen and Brady Ruebusch.
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By Mary Ann Cook