TAKING FINALS: I went to the finals of Judith Sutton's poetry writing class at Saratoga High, along with a roomful of 55 students, parents and other literate types such as Marge and George Bunyard, Mary Lou Taylor, Kevin Skelly, Jon Swartz (the Sutton husband) and the Peripatetic Pecks.
These finals were held at a breakfast meeting at Bella Saratoga. When one has been trained to respect the fact that adjectives are dirty words and the arm's length approach is the only acceptable one for a news story, it's hard to switch gears and dig down deep for emotional response.
But that, of course, is what poetry demands: it's archaeology of the heart, as someone once put it. Student works were used as prods to get us warmed up enough to spew out sensuous reactions to the seasons, along with childhood reminiscenses.
Since most of these student poems had been accepted by national or international publications, you can see the standard we adults were up against.
Students who read their poetry as a wakeup call to the rest of us were Irene Fan, "Steinway Delight"; Jensine Lee, "Acquarium"; Jessica Shen, "Waiting"; Esther Chang, "Opal"; Jacquelynn Molzon, "Balloons"; Mandy Misle, "Summer Rain"; Karen Ives, "Princess Winter"; and Jessica Tina Chang, "Apple Tree."
May I suggest that writing alongside them was no easy walk in the park—even a park stung with shards of winter light (note poetic insight). Sutton even gathered up the guest poems for critiquing. (Insert scream here a la Howard Dean's at the end of the Iowa campaign.)
PEN PALS: A thriving pen pal program has been set up in the past few months between those who attend the Saratoga Adult Care Center and their about-to-be pals in Japan. The program was initiated by two Japanese visitors to this community—Keiko Morimoto and Chikage Hashimoto.
Chikage had worked with the elderly in Japan and offered her services at the center during her temporary stay in Saratoga, as did Keiko. Their husbands had been transferred here on business. So far, some 42 seniors have put pen to paper, this being the third go-round for the exchange.
Those at the center send out their pictures—taken with the center's digital camera—and tell something about themselves. In return, they get news, gifts and the artistry of calligraphy from their counterparts at a senior center on the other side of the Pacific.
The Morimotos do the translating. Responses are posted on the bulletin board to display the beautiful artwork from abroad. Keiko, who has since moved back to Japan, became so interested in working with the elderly that she is continuing her work there. Debi Snyder is program manager at the center.
Assistance League members cook lunches at the adult center four days a week and lead art projects. Suzy Seigler oversees the lunches; Jan Cavali is the craft coordinator.
NAMED PRESIDENT: Cynthia Chang of Saratoga was recently named president of the Asian/Pacific Islanders School Board Members Association, a statewide organization. Her term is for 200405. The goal is to provide the best quality education for all children, not just API kids, Chang says.
The association aims to provide different perspectives and experiences in shaping educational programs so that students will become global-minded and better equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.
RINCON GALA: Rinconada Hills will sponsor its fifth annual Gala Charity Dinner on Feb. 28, 610:30 p.m., in the Rinconada Hills Clubhouse to benefit Courageous Kids of the American Cancer Society. Champagne dinner, live music, dancing, silent auction and donation drawing are all part of the event that's the brainchild of Fran Rude.
Cost is $50 per person, black tie optional. Some $10,000 was raised at last year's gala, which meant 500 kids undergoing cancer treatment and their families could revel in Great America for the day. To sign up by mail, checks can be made payable to Rinconada Charity Events, Rinconada Hills, 100 Avenida del Sol, Los Gatos, CA 95032.
For tickets, the daytime number is 408.374.5750l; the evening number is 408.370.1127.
SENIOR CENTER: Free tax preparation will be offered at the Saratoga Senior Center every Thursday from Feb. 5 to April 8, 9 a.m.3 p.m., by appointment only. The number is 408.868.1257.
FAHRENHEIT 451: A critique of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury will be held at the Saratoga Library at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 9. The book was chosen for the Silicon Valley Reads program—to encourage both reading and community-building.
Betsy White is library facilitator.
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By Mary Ann Cook