UNCLE BOB'S UNCLE SAM: Saratoga advertising man Bob Ray shows up at SBC Park each July 4th for Giants games, but his appearance produces more notice than most: he's decked out as Uncle Sam. This year he bought 1,000 American flags, miniature version, which he gave to children attending the game.
Uncle Sam on July 4th is most poignant because Ray believes "we need to remember and appreciate those who sacrificed so that we can celebrate: people who gave their lives and placed their lives on the line in faraway places that we sent them to. Each of us cannot forget there is an exacting price paid for our freedom. It's important to me we remember that we're here because they are there," he says.
The game pitted the Giants vs. the A's, and Ray stole more attention from the players than those on the field stole bases. Which is all to the good, considering the way the Giants have been playing lately, he notes.
Uncle Bob's Uncle Sam drew an enthusiastic and patriotic welcome from the 42,000 fans at the ballpark. The Giants' TV announcers parried with him during the game's eighth inning. And his famous Uncle mug appeared on TV networks and sports channels. Thanks to the glories of Tivo, Ray could catch himself on TV later.
Not bad for a guy who's 228 years old, Ray says. The scoreboard flashed out the words, "Thanks, Bob Ray, Saratoga." But only on his version of the scoreboard, which he enhanced, digitally. Last year, the Giants were on the road in San Diego and Uncle Sam appeared at QualComm stadium for their game with the Padres.
His sign, "Uncle Sam is a Giants Fan," was a big hit in San Diego, or so he claims. The public persona idea was his, and he has been spotted in various other guises at games—the Easter Bunny, Cowboy Bob, Bobbie Ray and Santa Claus. This last outfit shows up at Giants playoffs and World Series games.
Each appearance commemorates a special holiday or special days ending in the letter "y." The longtime advertising maven was a recent appointee to the Saratoga Arts Commission; he reportedly doesn't come in costume to the meetings—at least not yet.
TO ARTS COUNCIL: Arts Council Silicon Valley elected four new board trustees recently, and Saratogan Mickie Anderson was one of them. Anderson has provided years of volunteer service on arts boards, including those of Montalvo and San Jose Cleveland Ballet.
She is a speech therapist, teacher of the deaf and an arts therapist. She will start serving her first one-year term immediately.
Others named to the board are: Ken Jue of Palo Alto, a high-tech marketing maven. He was named 1994 Volunteer of the Year by the Asian Law Alliance and is a former board member and VP of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project.
Nancy Madok of San Jose is the new Junior League rep on the board. She recently completed a stint as chairwoman for the Triton Museum of Art. Madok teaches cooking classes and has worked in hotel and restaurant management.
Kenneth Oberman, San Jose, is director of sales for Advanced Micro Devices. As a former musician, he is especially concerned about arts education for children.
Partnered with the California Arts Council and the county of Santa Clara, ACSV is now the largest nonprofit arts council in the state. Over the past 13 years, it has distributed $7 million to local arts organizations, individuals, schools and community groups.
TRODDING THE BOARDS: Local youngsters abound in the Peninsula Youth Theatre's West Side Story, playing until Aug. 1 at Mountain View Center for Performing Arts. Saratogans include Blythe Faxon, who plays Anita; Ted Sclavos, as Chino; and Beth Guido, Shark girl soloist.
Los Gatans include Kendall Bartlett, soloist; Lindsay Wilkinson, Jet girl; Kelly Sullivan and Julia Thomas. From Monte Sereno are Rachel Balma, soloist; Polly Ellis, Shark girl; Jon Oleson, police officer; and Taylor Tolbert.
Tickets are $16 and $13, except for matinees July 29 and 30, when the price is $6. The box office is 650.903.6000.
GOOD LICKS: An ice cream social will be held July 29 at 2 p.m. in the Saunders room of the Senior Center. It's free to Senior Center members and the idea came from Center (and ice cream) devotee Louise Webb. All the toppin's included.
TIMES TWO: Saratoga artist Nacera Guerin has two exhibits running concurrently. The first one is at Blu Gallery, 2255 The Alameda, Santa Clara. The show, called Interactions, is on display until Aug. 10. The website is www.Blugalleryfoundation.com.
The second exhibit is with South Bay Area Women's Caucus for Art, running Aug. 228 at Tresidder Union, Stanford. The reception is Aug. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.
NEW ZEALAND ZEAL: Los Gatan Chris Christianson will give a slide show of New Zealand at a potluck dinner at Sanborn Park Hostel July 29. Potluck is at 6:30 p.m.; slide show follows. For more information, the number is 408.741.9555.
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By Mary Ann Cook