I'm recently back from a cruise around the bottom quarter of South America--from Valencia, Chile, to Rio in Brazil--and we took a shore excursion while docked in Patagonia to view the penguins. These were Magellan penguins, named for you-know-who. They're the short ones, about knee-high to an adult human.

We were told they can only see out of one eye at a time and this is why they rock and bob from side to side, to see what lies ahead. This didn't strike me as plausible, but the guide didn't seem to be joking--and his English was very good.

Visitors view the penguin activity from a wooden walkway in the park. There was a small, humped bridge at one point with a sign that said, "Stay off the bridge, because the penguins will not walk under it if people are on it." Sure enough, we watched as the birds waited for everyone to get off before they trundled off.

They tottered by singly, or in groups of two, three or more, on their way from their nests to the sea to pick up fish for dinner for their family, including offspring. They were every bit as beguiling as pictured. Or as one would have imagined. They looked like small, overdressed dinner guests, as the brochure had it.

These were black and white with some streaks of brown. They mate for life. There were hundreds and hundreds, and a viewing shed was available. The shelter is necessary, since it rains there more often than not. Patagonia is under shared ownership: Chile owns the western side, Argentina the east.

The area is a bird lover's delight. Magellan was the first European to explore that part of the world in 1520. What guts that took--in a small boat with very few navigational aids. Even today, in a huge boat with the advantages of high-tech instruments, the journey can be arduous. That's because the seas are often very treacherous and wild as the Pacific meets the Atlantic.

APPRAISALS: The Saratoga Foothill Club will offer an antiques and collectibles appraisal clinic March 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the clubhouse, 20399 Park Place. Appraisers are from Bonhams and Butterfields of San Francisco. The fundraiser is headed by Joan Leonard, assisted by Susan Perry and Ann Peterson.

Some unique items to be appraised include a Chinese sculpture 12 inches high, inherited by Linda Drew; a pre-1900s-era child's rocking chair belonging to Mary Ellen Comport; and a letter from Lincoln--not signed, but in his handwriting--written to Orville Browning, a relative of Willys Peck's.

Betty Peck will bring that one. There are no other details about the letter: it's just labeled "a letter from Lincoln."

Informal evaluations of up to five items will cost $7 per item. Categories include art, furniture and decorative arts, silver and porcelain, jewelry, arms, books. Cash and checks only. No coins, stamps or antiquities. The contact number is 408.354.0596.

The clubhouse, designed by Julia Morgan, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and funds raised will help maintain building and grounds.

LITERACY: Improving children's literacy is a major focus for Rotary International this year, and the Rotary's campaign includes a children's book drive to collect reading material for classroom libraries, as well as dictionaries for students. Early-reading books are also sought for a preschool program.

Children's books or donations can be sent to the Saratoga Rotary Literacy Project, Bryan Knysh, Think-and-Learn Inc., 19121 Portos Drive, Saratoga.

Checks should be made payable to Saratoga Rotary.

FATHER OF YEAR: Alcario Castellano, director of Castellano Family Foundation, was named 2006 Father of the Year by the Silicon Valley Father's Day Council. The father of three established the Castellano Family Foundation in June 2001 after winning the California State Lottery.

The foundation is dedicated to the cultivation and enrichment of Latino family values and the arts and has awarded over $1 million since its beginning. The Saratogan is an active member of the community, serving on several boards and as a volunteer for a number of organizations.

GOODWILL CHAIRMAN: Saratogan Don Wolfe has been appointed chairman of the Goodwill 2006 board of directors. Wolfe, a former mayor of Saratoga, is president of Silicon Valley Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. He has served on the Goodwill Silicon Valley board since 1997.

Wolfe has also been regional director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and served on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board.

NEW EMQ BOARD MEMBER: Roger Barney of Saratoga has been appointed to EMQ Children and Family Services board of directors. He was also honored as a Lifelines Volunteer by San Jose Magazine and Comerica Bank recently.

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