MEET MOUNTAIN NEIGHBORS: The Mountain Winery established a charitable arm called the Kids Foundation Reserve Club, which was founded in 2000 and now has accumulated enough money to talk about significant disbursements, says Stuart Ferguson, CEO of the winery.
The funds go strictly to after-school activities for underprivileged children, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, Rock-It-Science and programs administered through the National Hispanic University in San Jose. Foundation membership fees range from $1,500 to $5,000. There are parties in the spring and fall to raise money for its charities.
In addition, the historic winery hosts a neighborhood party three times a year to keep the neighbors apprised of what's going on and anything new at the venue. The neighbors also get first crack at buying tickets for the summer music series.
At the recent gathering, some 30 mountain neighbors mingled with each other and met members of the winery staff. Neighbors attending included Marcus and Linda Peck, Donna Page, Rob and Dana Schwartz and Rebecca Jepson.
Tickets can be ordered at www.moun
tainwinery.com.
DISTINGUEES: Some very distinguished women will be at the Saratoga Senior Center noon lunch come April 27. Such luminaries as Sandra Day O'Conner, Annie Oakley and Julia Morgan will be portrayed by the AAUW "Profiles of Women" group. Reservations required at 408.868.1257 by April 25.
INFANT FOUNDATION: Just 2 years old, the Saratoga-Monte Sereno Community Foundation is in its infancy. It's dedicated to community building through philanthropy. In March the first grant was awarded--$10,000 to EMQ-VIP.
The program is to be given in 17 junior and senior high schools to help correct substance abuse problems. Redwood School will be the first site for the program. SMSCF will also fund one $2,500 scholarship annually for a high school student for academic and leadership excellence.
A donors' reception will be held April 21 at the home of Wanda Kownacki and John Holton.
The president of the organization is Lori Fox and board members are Wanda Alexander, Susan Boyce, Tracey Enfantino, Susan Garner, Jeffrey Schwartz and Clarence Stone. The foundation currently has assets of $74,000 and the aim is to help out in such diverse fields as the arts, youth, seniors, health, environment and religious projects.
To become a founding member at the $1,000 annual level, or more, checks can be sent to SMSCF, 14510 Big Basin Way, No. 132, Saratoga, 95070 and include phone number and email. Contact the foundation at 408.354.4439 or visit www.smscf.org.
SOME THINGS TO CHEER: Saratogan Bev Myers accompanied her 9-year-old granddaughter to Anaheim, where the granddaughter's team competed in a cheerleading competition. The girls won top prize in their age division. She goes to a school in Salt Lake City.
Another notable note for the Myers comes from son Chuck Myers. It's his music you'll hear in the family film Down and Derby, coming to local theaters any day. The movie is about pinewood car derbies like the ones put on by Cub Scout troops.
HISTORY FUNDRAISER: Saratoga's Historical Foundation sponsors a wine tasting fundraiser May 7 at Cooper-Garrod Winery, 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Checks made out to Saratoga Historical Foundation should go to Nancy Anderson, c/o Foundation, P.O. Box 172, Saratoga, 95070. The phone is 408.867.4383. Included are wine, canapés, a drawing and a tour. The museum is open Friday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m., except for May 7. Handmade jewelry will be on sale. Chuck Shoppe is president of the foundation. Marilyn White and Nancy Anderson head up the fundraiser.
DIGITAL UNDERWATER PHOTOS: The display on the Saratoga Art Wall this month is the digital camera work of Peter Liu, whose art centers on underwater photography. The exhibit elicited so much enthusiasm that a date was set for him to talk about his artwork and the process he uses. The date is April 20, 10 a.m. in the library.
ECCENTRIC UNCLE: Also appearing April 20 at the library is author Bo Caldwell, who will discuss her novel, The Distant Land of My Father, based on the life of her American uncle who was raised in a Nazarene mission in China.
Caldwell had always known her relative led an unusual life and a few years ago she set to work to delineate it in novel form. The talk is at 7:30 p.m.
PLAY READING: Here's yet another upcoming event at the Saratoga library: The AAUW Theater reading group hosts a play reading April 22 of two short plays of mine, Prom Date and Up in the Air. The reading is at 12:30 p.m. and professional actors Estelle and Kevin Kennedy will perform the roles in the two, two-person plays. Felicia Pollock of the AAUW is the event's coordinator.
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By Mary Ann Cook