A senior at SHS, Shiozaki began playing the violin at age 4 and has been concertmaster of the high school orchestra for the past three years. He's also a member of the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra and was selected for the All-State Honor Orchestra for four years. He was concertmaster in 2003 and 2004.

Shiozaki is president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society at Saratoga High and performs regularly at the Emergency Housing Consortium, hospitals and other charitable organizations. Academic achievements include the National Merit Scholarship Finalist, AP Scholar and Scholar of Distinction, chosen by the school district.

The young Saratogan was a 2003 American String Teachers' Association State Finalist, and performed at the Carmel Bach Festival Family Concert. He has toured Europe with both the SHS Orchestra and SF Youth Orchestra. The concerto competition drew 17 musicians.

The level of talent was so high the judges awarded a tie for second place and two honorable mentions. Alex placed third in this competition two years ago. Tickets for the concert, available at the door, are $15 general; $12 for students and seniors.

STATUESQUE VISITOR: The Freemsters--John and Phyllis--had an unexpected visitor along about dusk one recent evening. Well, it was as more a vision that a visit. Phyllis reports she couldn't believe her eyes when she looked out her kitchen window: a great blue heron was standing like a statue about 30 feet from their house.

Here's how she describes it : "He stood motionless for about 15 minutes, except for moving his head slowly, seemingly looking for something in the grass. Once in a while he would raise his long neck up very tall as though getting ready to pounce on something, but didn't.

"Then he stalked slowly up the hill a few yards, turned around and came back and resumed his statue-like stance. Maybe he was searching for mice or bugs. Since he is primarily a water bird, I am not sure what we would have to offer." (Being so far from a sizable body of water.)

The great blue stayed around for about an hour, until it was dark. The Feemsters live on Ten Acres Road, near Sobey.

PLAYING LEADS: Saratogans Alex Brightman and Julie Thomas play lead roles in the Children's Musical Theater of Aida playing March 4­13. A special Target Family Matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m., March 5, for a discounted ticket price at $9.50. Regular tickets are $18 and $13.

Julie Thomas stars as Aida, the Nubian princess stolen by Egyptian captain Radames, played by Alex Brightman, in this classic tale of love, loyalty, betrayal and courage. This Aida is composed by Elton John and Tim Rice, who also collaborated on The Lion King.

WESTERN & EASTERN: The medical clinic at 18988 Cox offers both traditional and Chinese medicine practices--what with an internist and two acupuncturists/herbalists. The twist is that the Western medicine internist, Dr. Alan Wong, is the one with Asian roots.

While the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are Anglos, Lara McQuade and Patrick Paine, who turned to Chinese methods when their own health was impaired and alternative medicine helped them over health hurdles.

The three each have a separate practice though they share the same space. Wong worked with the Permanente Medical Group and was principal physician at Lockheed. He teaches Western medicine at Five Branches Institute in and at USF.

GOING GLOBAL: Diversity is alive and well in Bev Myers' senior aerobics class at the LG Rec Center, as exemplified by pushups conducted there. The weekly countdowns are offered in different languages by members of the class who call out numbers in Danish, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Greek or Spanish.

Some are reciting their native language, others another language acquired along the way. My une is more groan than finely enunciated French, however. OK, OK, so these are not macho pushups, since they are achieved from the knees, not the toes.

Next up for Myers' Sizzling Seniors will be dance performances at the Santa Clara Senior Center's Showtime March 4­6. The festival is a benefit for the center.

PLACE YOUR BETS: Assistance League will hold a Night at the Races Feb. 26 at the Saratoga Community Center. Tickets are $60 and include dinner and betting. Proceeds go to the club's philanthropies for needy children and seniors. Chrystie De Soto is event organizer.

COMPUTER CLASSES FOR SENIORS: The Saratoga Senior Center offers to cure computer fears with beginner and intermediate classes year-round. Introduction to Computers, Email, Internet and How To Maintain Your Computer are the titles. Cost is $10 or $20 per course. The number is 408.868.1257.

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