Now these wise-men stories have been written down by the husband/wife team of Wind Eagle (wife) and Rainbow Hawk (husband). The old wisdom needs to be broadcast to the world, the two said, "to create the kind of world we all wish to have."

That would be a world where people walk the earth with harmony and dignity, a world that conveys the sense of "we" more than the notion of "I," the authors explained. It would be a world where close attention is paid to others' needs.

Yearning is one of the major themes of Heart Seeds. The presentation to introduce the book included drumming, group singing and a dramatization of the council of the animals. In this drama, nine animals are grouped around a campfire and each has a message for the humans. Volunteers in the audience played the animal roles, reading from printed scripts.

The philosophies of the book can be applied to individuals, families, organizations and nations. Heart Seeds emphasizes people's relatedness to each other and defines what is needed to come together as a people on the planet.

The second part of the book covers the dreamers. The dreamer chiefs were uninhibited dreamers so powerful they could guide their followers into other kinds of consciousness. Attendees were asked to examine what they dream for the earth and what part they can play to achieve such a dream.

The third section focuses on present-day concerns. "What is the brightness we have, what the pain?" the authors asked. The book comes alive if you read it aloud, suggested Sue Blondell, whose Native American name is Lightening Dove. That's the way she read it—to herself.

Members of Ehama were well represented at the booksigning; that's a group that embraces the principles of Native American culture. Ehama Press of Edina, Minn., is the book publisher. The Pecks met the authors when they purchased some Santa Cruz Mountain property from the Pecks, and the two couples kept in touch.

ELEPHANT SEALS: If you didn't know what you were looking for, you would have thought you were viewing rock formations along the Ano Nuevo State Preserve coastline. Until, that is, you spotted one of the alpha male sea creatures rise up on flippers to bat off a male interloper threatening his harem.

It's nearing the end of the season for the elephant seals' pilgrimage to Ano Nuevo to birth and wean their young, but you can still spot some action in the mostly somnolent wildlife. Judy Bingman of Los Gatos is a docent at the preserve and she generously offered a handful of friends an after-hours tour of the facility recently.

There were plenty of 2-month-old elephant seals around, sleeping in pods, splashing in tidepools. They're called weaners because they've recently been weaned. The mothers go off to sea after weaning and the youngsters have to learn to find their way out to sea on their own.

Though the birthing season is nearly over—January to March—there's usually something going on at Ano Nuevo. Some weaners that haven't gotten the knack of going out to sea yet linger. And other varieties of seals stop in for a while, too.

Docents lead human visitors the 1¹/2 miles from the museum/gift shop to the seals' beach area and are the reason the preserve is able to remain open to the public.

REP REPS: Here's the roster for the Republican Women: Ann Collins, president; Verna Davis, v.p., programs; Audrey Thompson, v.p., ethics; Maria Fischer, v.p., social; Luanda Hallam, recording secretary; Betty-Jo Watkins, corresponding secretary; Helen Gaetano, treasurer.

The group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at La Rinconada Country Club, Los Gatos. The contact is June Fromm at 408.354.3231.

SISTER CITY: A few places remain for those who want to go to Muko, Japan, with Saratoga's Sister City group this fall. The dates are Nov. 8­22 and the cost is $2,750. This marks the 20th year for the Sister City relationship with Muko, a significant milestone.

Next year Italy is the Sister City destination. The Sister City Taiko Group will perform March 20 at a benefit dinner for the Costume Bank in Los Altos, sponsored by that area's chapter of the National Assistance League.

Funds raised from the Costume Bank provide housing for those with emergency medical problems and also provides shoes, meals and eyeglasses for needy children. Anyone interested in joining the taiko group can call Aki Okuno at 408.867.4297.

There's a Japanese American Museum at 535 N. Fifth St., San Jose, and the current exhibit is 1942: Luggage from Home to Camp, a look at the artifacts involved in that shameful part of WWII history. The museum number is 408.294.3138.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.