The idea is to strengthen and enrich the ties of diversity in Saratoga culture, and the chosen book is Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts, written in 1976. A local tie-in is that Kingston will present a program at Montalvo on Oct. 21 and give a writing workshop there as well.

The Saratoga Arts Commission, Montalvo and the library all partnered in this project. Lee Murray, vice chairman of the arts commission, was a prime mover in the concept. Other principals involved are Leslie Zane, who heads the literary arts committee at Montalvo, and Dolly Barnes, who, of course, leads the library.

Other sponsors investing in the campaign are Friends of Saratoga Library, the library commission and the Building Bridges program, which culminates in October. The Woman Warrior was Kingston's first book and practically created a whole new literary genre.

She wove nonfiction and fantasy, history and legend, autobiography and fairy tales, both Asian and American, into this work. Critics weren't sure what to make of it, but it found a wide and popular readership because of its exploration of the myths and history of two cultures.

TRIATHLON AT 40: Several '82 grads of Saratoga High School celebrated their 40th year by participating in the Grape Race Triathlon in Napa recently. The stalwarts were Sandy Soergel Hernandez, Jill Avery Zuleeg, Marla Banks Ryan, Julia Pursley D'Onofrio and Patty Ballingall Snyder.

Patti Eisman Ridenhour acted as medic/cook. Inspired to join their siblings were Jim Ballingall, Lisa Ballingall Flanders and husband Greg Flanders, and nephews James and Cameron Ballingall. Also running were Scott Stanley and Todd Logan, husbands of Jill and Judy MacMorran, likewise of the class of '82.

The event is called a mini triathlon because the distances are considerably shorter than the standard contest. The swim portion was one-half mile, the bike ride was 17 miles, and the run was four miles—no small feat at 40, either.

Swimmers were sent out in waves of 100 people every three minutes for five waves, so withstanding some pummeling was one of the most hazardous parts of the course. Ridenhour furnished the female finishers with tiaras and beads as they exited for a continued celebration of their birthdays.

JULY 4 AT AZULE: Volunteers are needed to help with the July 4th Observance in Azule Park from 1 to 2 p.m. The park is on Goleta Avenue behind Blue Hills School. Participants are encouraged to wear patriotic colors, carry a flag and decorate bikes and pets with red, white and blue.

Patriotic songs and the bell ringing at 1 p.m.—to correlate with the rest of the nation—will all be part of the agenda. A children's parade will follow the bell ringing. The first 100 children in the parade will receive an ice cream bar and a flag. War veterans attending will be honored.

Mayor Ann Waltonsmith will be there with her donkey cart to give the children rides and Pearl Harbor survivor Mac McMillan will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Last year 250 people showed up, and the numbers are expected to expand this year.

To volunteer, call Jack Mallory at 408.252.7447 or email Mallory58@aol.com.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE: New officers for Assistance League include Shirley Johnson, president; Gail Hehir, v.p. membership; Terri Spice and Marilyn Manies, v.p. philanthropic projects; Chrystie DeSoto, v.p. resource development; Cynthia Snelham, secretary; Susan Schneider, treasurer.

Barbara Oggerino is public relations chairwoman and Jessica Perazzo is education chairwoman. Assistance League focuses on schoolchildren and the elderly. League members provided clothing and supplies to 395 children this year, a 53 percent increase from last year.

Members contribute books for classroom use and give gently used books personally to each child. English may be the second language and many have never owned a book before. Dolls, games, books and parties are given to children facing surgery and other medical procedures.

In addition, league members prepare and serve lunch four days a week at Saratoga Adult Day Care Center. They also teach and assist with crafts, bingo prizes and entertainment there and at Live Oak Nutrition Center in Los Gatos.

AT BOOK-GO-ROUND: The watercolors of Saratogan Gerry Furman are on display at the Book Go Round through July. Furman has been involved in the Hakone Gardens' Art program since its inception. She has been painting in watercolor for eight years.

MONEY TO MONTALVO: Villa Montalvo was awarded $315,000 in grant money from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, it was announced recently. This grant focused on groups that present music programs. The foundation awarded a total of $825,000 to Santa Clara County arts agencies.

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