Patuto was most recently vice president for institutional advancement at San Francisco Art Institute, where he raised $3 million annually. In addition, he ran a special $3.5 million campaign fund while the institute searched for a new president.

Earlier, Patuto was director of development at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles where he worked on the $25 million endowment campaign and raised $8.5 in funds annually.

He has served in developmental roles with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Los Angeles; Immigrant Legal Resource Center, San Francisco; and Rainbow Lobby in Chicago and SF. He has a BA in nonprofit management from State University of New York.

NEW POST: Saratogan Sushma Malhotra has been named vice president of strategic accounts for CRESA Partners, a real estate advisory firm. She will be responsible for advising corporations, managing transactions and business development. Malhotra has 20 years of experience in corporate real estate.

The India native will serve as a client liaison with CRESA offices nationwide and in Mumbai, India, specializing in Bay Area technology clients. Malhotra has a masters degree in environmental sciences with an emphasis in chemistry and undergrad degrees in biology and chemistry.

Most recently she was manager of global real estate and of California facilities for Advanced Micro Devices, where she negotiated leases for facilities throughout the world. In 2003 Malhotra received AMD's award for excellent project execution.

Her duties included strategic planning, space programming, project management and establishing metrics to measure success. Malhotra has coordinated construction projects internationally and established standards.

"Sushma understands the corporate mindset, is very service-oriented, and appreciates the needs of technology companies and their real estate challenges," said John Brady, a CRESA founder. The firm has offices in 35 countries, 125 cities.

FOR THE HOMELESS: A huge table full of gifts and toys was collected for the Georgia Travis Center's Santa's Cupboard during the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party. Members of the local AAUW, whose Homeless Committee supports the Georgia Travis Center, came to the gathering and later delivered the toys.

At Santa's Cupboard, mothers pick out two toys for their children. The gift gathering was held at Golden Oak Galley, whose owner, Rebecca Dye, extends an offer to the public to use her ample premises for other community events, including meetings. Classical guitarists Daniela "La Trini" and Dona Reyes entertained at the chamber gathering.

SIMPLE SPANISH FOR MEDICOS: Here's a book for health care people who treat Spanish speaking people but don't know any Spanish themselves. It's Medical Spanish: The Instant Survival Guide, and is co-written by Los Gatan Susan Lister. The questions in the book are worded so that a yes or no answer is required.

Lister teaches a class called Spanish for Health Care Providers at De Anza College and also at hospitals and clinics. Her co-author is Cynthia J. Walker, director of a Stanford educational program. The book is $29.95, can be ordered http://us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=0750674946.

PLETHORA OF MAYORS: Monte Sereno Mayor Curtis Wright and his wife Jeanine Bugh held their traditional Christmas party where guests entertained with comedy acts, readings and singing. Mayors of adjacent communities were there—Mike Wasserman of Los Gatos and Kathleen King of Saratoga. Also present was Steve Poizner, who narrowly lost a bid for a seat in the California Assembly.

Guests wrote provocative descriptions on their name tags to help get the conversations rolling. Or, in some cases, they were used as a veil to evade detection, as in Thomas Kinkade's case.

He wrote "bouncer" on his tag. (Though he did wear a beret, which should have been a tip-off.) Retired surgeon John Colwell wrote "Committee chairman to recall the mayor" on his defining statement. Mary Martin penned "redecorating kitchen" on her tag, which really brought out the horror stories from other guests.

SWEET RECOLLECTIONS: Saratogan Kerstin Stone has fond childhood memories of checking out the Christmas lights and decorations at the tudor style mansion of Russell Stover's near Kansas City, Mo., when visiting her grandparents. That's why she sends her Oregon sister a box of Russell Stovers every holiday season.

AT AEGIS GALLERY: Art works will be on sale at reduced prices Jan. 4­30 at Aegis Gallery. These include paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry and paper artwork. The gallery is closed Mondays.

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