IRON(WO)MAN CANADA: Renee Keane, 27, assistant director of building projects for the LGSaratoga high school district, has signed on for the Ironman Canada marathon in Penticton, B.C. The marathon is Aug. 29 and includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run—all in less than 17 hours.
The Ironman is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Keane has a personal connection to that illness: her dad, Donald Plumlee, died of leukemia in 2001. She has set her financial goal at $7,500 and hopes to meet or exceed that, as part of the South Bay's Team in Training program.
Keane has run seven marathons already, and husband Scott Keane serves as her personal trainer and main support base. To contribute to Keane's efforts, send checks payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2042 Crist Dr., Los Altos, 94024. Keane's number is 408.354.2520, ext. 324.
"I've seen the destruction the disease can have on a family," says Renee, "and I don't want anyone else to be impacted by that."
CALA PREZ: Don Wolfe has been elected president of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. Wolfe has been its executive director since 1996. Wolfe has been very politically involved locally: he was mayor of Saratoga in 1998 and president of the West ValleyMission College Board of Trustees in '02.
As president of CALA he'll oversee board development, legislative advocacy and fundraising. Lawsuit abuse translates to lost jobs, closed businesses, less innovation, higher taxes, and higher prices for goods and services, Wolfe (and CALA) maintain.
MAKING AN IMPRESSION: The Monta Vista Impressions, the high school's madrigal group, is wildly in demand at this time of year. One usually has to book them a year in advance. Which is exactly what the Saratoga Men's Club did, but as the time grew close for the club Christmas party, the one who made the arrangements last year got a bit anxious.
He hadn't heard from the madrigal songleader and the time was drawing nigh. That arranger would be Ed Porter. He finally called to make sure the group hadn't forgotten about SMC. And, by misfortune, they had. Seems the director of the Impressions had changed during the year.
Shari DePiro was now the one waving the baton and she was unaware of the Saratoga engagement. The singers were already booked that night for a biggie—the holiday program at their school was that evening. "Not to worry," said DePiro. "We'll work something out."
And that's why the men's clubbers and guests were entertained during the cocktail hour rather than after dinner this year.
RED BALLOONS, 99 OF 'EM: A new book about one-hit wonders written by Brent Mann is now available. It's called 99 Red Balloons and 100 Other All-time Great One-Hit Wonders and is published by Citadel Press. Mann is an LGHS grad of '79 who now lives in New York.
Mann hosted a weekly radio show from KRVE studios in Los Gatos in 1980, along with fellow grad Mike Moore. Some of the one-hit wonders that Mann details and comments on may sound familiar, such as "Brandy," which peaked at No. 1; "Precious and Few," which reached No. 3; and "Please Come to Boston," capped out at No. 5.
OPERA BRUNCH BUNCH: The San Jose Opera Guild will hold its winter party at 11 a.m. on Jan. 11 at the Plumed Horse. The champagne brunch is $55 per and filet mignon or salmon are the entree choices.
Michele and Jason Detwiler, Christine Major and Joseph Muir, Opera San Jose Singers, will entertain following the brunch. For more details, call Elliot Swanson at 408.867.1225.
SCA WELCOMES ART NAMES: Saratoga Community of Artists is getting off to an impressive start in the new year with two art notables set to present programs to the group. Teacher and artist Moises Roizen will show club members how to make grays using the three primary colors. Roizen taught at West Valley College for 30 years, and was the head of the art department there until his retirement last year.
LINE DANCING: A new beginning line-dancing class will start Jan. 9 at the Saratoga Senior Center, to be held on Fridays, 10:1511:15 a.m. Cost is $24 for the eight-week class. Line dancing is open to both couples and singles.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes with good support and leather soles, suggest instructors Harry and Sharon Emmett. Tennis shoes with smooth bottoms are acceptable. The Emmetts are at 408.376.0660.
SALE-ING INTO 2004: Aegis Gallery artists will hold their January sale through Jan. 25 at the Big Basin gallery. Paintings, photos, ceramics and holiday items are available with drastic price reductions. The contact is Nancy Patka at 408.867.5244.
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By Mary Ann Cook