COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Scott Cook, Intuit co-founder, has donated $1 million to the Myelin Repair Foundation, a Saratoga-based agency. The money will pay for a five-year research project during which five neuroscientists will focus on myelin research.
The idea is to speed the breakthrough to drug discovery. The donation will be a model for team research and should greatly accelerate scientific research for MS and myelin repair. The project emphasis is scientific collaboration, not competition.
Myelin is the protective coating around nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. When it breaks down it does not repair itself in those with MS. More than 2.5 million people suffer from MS.
MRF funds research to discover how the body's natural repair process can be improved for those debilitated by MS. Scott Johnson is founder and president of MRF. This gift could mark a sea of change in the research process for drug discoveries, leading neurobiology researchers say.
BEST OF BREED: Saratogan Joey Gadd, 9, has wrapped up the California state guinea pig competition once again by winning Best of Show, beating out a representative of every other breed of cavy (rodent), of which there were an exceptional number at that show.
His Cream American Sow also won Best of Breed, beating out 55 others. An impressive mantle clock was his reward. Joey placed fifth and received a check for total points accrued by those under 18. And he was awarded a plaque and certificate in a competition called a royalty contest. He won tops in management, was first runner-up in achievement and was second runner-up in the royalty section, which included an interview, a written test and a judging of the animals.
All of this recognition came about as the result of Joey's participation in 4-H Club action. He gave a speech to his class at Country Lane School last fall about his guinea pig accomplishments. His teacher, Irene Nishimoto, had also been a 4-H member.
IN CHINA: Mary Lou and Jack Taylor's grandson, Chris Drew, has won a fellowship to China for the summer. He's an international relations junior at USC and speaks Mandarin. While in Shanghai he's likely to link up with Jenny Lin, daughter of Jean and Peter Lin of Saratoga, who is teaching in China this year.
Jenny is a graduate of Brown University and has been teaching English at a private language school in Shanghai since October. She is fluent in French as well as Chinese and is currently studying Italian. Sounds like a head-spinning language maven.
Since her heritage is half Chinese, she had always wanted to explore that culture on its own soil. Her mother and Mary Lou are good friends, both members of the Peerless Poets group, which meets weekly in members' homes.
MOTHER'S DAY GARDEN TOUR: A Mountain Garden Tour & Brunch will be held May 8 and 9, 10 a.m.4 p.m., to benefit Loma Prieta Community Foundation. Gardens in the Summit area on display include Maison du Lac, home of Bill and Patti Hughes, and four others.
Brunch at the Community Center will be served between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For tickets to either event the contact is 408.353.8025. Tour tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the event. Brunch is $10 prepaid or $12 at the door. Children's tickets are half those prices. Volunteers working threefour-hour shifts receive a free tour ticket.
PAN AMERICAN: The Pan American Roundtable of Los GatosSaratoga will hold a spring luncheon May 1, 11 a.m.3 p.m., at Michael's Restaurant in Mountain View. Speaker will be Dr. Pedro Hernandez Ramos, director of the Center for Science, Technology and Society at Santa Clara U.
The group fosters better understanding and friendship among the people of the Americas. Scholarships are awarded; this chapter was founded in '58. For tickets the contact is Helen Lemmon at 408.867.0575.
A CLASSIC: A benefit for Montalvo's Education & Outreach Program will be held April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the villa. Food, wine, cheeses and desserts will be offered by more than 30 chefs and vintners. Organized by Montalvo volunteers, the event's co-chairman is Los Gatan Bruce Keiser. Tickets are $150 and the contact is Romola Breckenridge at 408.961.5855 or rbreckenridge@villamontalvo.org. It's the first Montalvo Food & Wine Classic.
SHADES OF CHARLEY BROWN: Quilters and seamstresses involved in Project Linus make blankets for traumatized or sick children. Dolores Wright directs the local efforts and her number is 408.723.8097. Strictly volunteer, Project Linus's only requirements are that blankets be new, handmade and washable.
TWINS WITH DIFFERENT BIRTHDAYS: Louise Webb's twin sister recently asked Louise how old she is. Since her sister doesn't claim all the years coming to her, she lives via the fiction that the two are different ages and needed to be filled in on what year Louise was rightfully owning up to.
The two have a fairly significant birthday coming up in June.
Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to
maryanncook@earthlink.net.
By Mary Ann Cook