GODDESS OF THE HUNT: Louise Webb is Saratoga's Diana, goddess of the hunt. Her prey is celebrities, rather than wildlife, however. And lately Webb has begun a speaking career called "Behind the Scenes with Celebrities." She spoke to the Pan American Women's Club meeting recently.
She was also featured on Channel 15, a San Jose cable station on a show called A Positive Outlook, hosted by Rosalee Huber. Unfortunately that channel isn't heard in Saratoga. Webb's encounters are both planned and unplanned and she attract celebs no matter what continent she's on.
When Joe Montana was signing autographs at a car dealership in San Jose, Louise sailed her questions across the room to him in the form of a paper airplane. His wife caught it and Montana answered all the questions and mailed it back three days later. Her address had been at the bottom of the page.
At a press conference for President Carter, the security dog sniffing her photo equipment suddenly jumped up and started licking all around her face. "I was scared to death, pinned against the wall. The laughing guard finally pulled the dog away."
When Elizabeth Taylor was on her eighth marriage, Webb asked her how to get a man. Taylor said if she knew she would bottle it. After a press conference with Mother Theresa the nun pressed a religious medal into Webb's hand as she was walking out.
Webb would dress up in old clothes and sleep on the bench the night before the Academy Awards, then change into formal attire and mingle with the swells after the ceremony while awaiting limousines. She always managed to hold a winner's Oscar, which is heavy, she reports.
Willie Nelson wants his tombstone to read: "He gave a good show."
In this day of fascination with the famed, the word fan may have been invented for Louise.
Pan American Women's Club seeks close understanding among people of the Americas to work toward peace. For information about membership: 408. 257.9522.
KIDS ON STAGE: Leads in the SJ Childrens Musical Theater production of The Boyfriend are Los Gatan Caroline Citelli in the lead role of Polly Browne and Saratogan Bryant Montalvo in the lead role of Tony. Kylie Brunngraber plays girlfriend Nancy and brother Trent plays a flapper boy and tango dancer.
Other Los Gatans are Francesca Aissa in the role of Lady Brockhurst, and Ty Doughty, Andie Huebech, Erin and Megan Hughes, Anjoli Johnson, Carina Lukas, Anjulie Wanda, Jenny and Amanda Rabago, and Sarah Tilton, all members of the ensemble cast. The play runs Feb. 2427 at the Montgomery Theater. Tickets are at 408.288.5437, ext. 310.
FINE FIDDLERS: Jayadev Sidarth, 7, of Saratoga won fourth place in the Pee Wee Division, ages 8 and under, at the Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Contest in late January. And Charley Oveland, 66, of Saratoga won fifth place in the senior division.
There were 79 competitors and 1,500 attended this 30th annual event.
PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL: Groundhog Day Party for rodent-sighting Pennsylvanians is Feb. 12, but it's sold out at 65 tickets. Check with Jack Mallory at 408.252.7447 for possible cancellations. The fundraising auction and raffle will go to the USO and Tsunami disaster relief.
In the past 15 years the group has raised more than $27,000 for charity. The Silicon Valley Club is the largest Punxsutawney Chapter and the first Sunshine Chapter.
CHINESE NEW YEAR: Author Linda Lenore will tell how using Feng Shui creates balance and beauty in home, garden or business at the Chinese New Year Dinner at Hong Fu Restaurant, Cupertino, on Feb. 24, sponsored by AAUW. Celebration of the Year of the Rooster will start at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
Checks for $37 can be made out to ISPF and sent to Virginia Turner, 13902 Ravenwood Drive, Saratoga, 95070 by Feb. 17. Proceeds benefit the Re-entry Scholarship Program for Women at West Valley College. The benefit is open to the public.
ST. VALENTINE REVISITED: It's a tragic story, the origins of St. Valentine's Day, which Betty Peck told at the recent AAUW Author's Luncheon. Valentine was an Italian priest operating smack dab in Middle Ages. He had a wonderful garden that people flocked to for succor.
But he also had some habits the emperor didn't like. Valentine taught women to read and write, for one thing. He also took to marrying people, joining couples the emperor didn't want married, such as his soldiers. For these offenses, Valentine was imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Upon Valentine's death, several unsent letters were found in his cell. These were warm missives addressed to the jailer's daughter, named Julia, whom he had transformed to literacy. And that is why we send warm wishes to friends and loved ones on St. Valentine's Day—to honor one who died in the cause of sweethearts.
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By Mary Ann Cook