Saratoga News
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Saratoga Sampler
In an emergency, count on those with CERT training
By Mary Ann Cook
EMERGENCY ALERT: What with news of hurricanes and tsunamis this past year, and the 100th anniversary of San Francisco's big quake, it's no wonder the subject of emergency preparedness is at the forefront of people's thoughts. And perhaps the best way to be prepared for emergencies is to take the local CERT training.
CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team, and the seven classes cover such subjects as how to care for yourself and others for the first 72-hour period, how to help someone trapped and how to talk to those dealing with disaster. The Los Gatos version is just starting its fourth year, and classes start April 24.
Saratogans can sign up for CERT training in either Los Gatos or Cupertino, depending on which is closer. The all-volunteer Los Gatos program is led by Bill Mercer. The number is 408.399.5722. Cupertino's program coordinator is Marsha Hovey, and the phone is 408.777.3335.
So far CERT has trained 172 people, including several Saratogans, and the goal is to train all residents. Teaching the LG classes are EMTs Steve and Karen Trolan; nurses Dorothy Smith and Christy Pischiotta; fireman Ryan Cronin; and police sergeant Kerry Harris.
Vicky Powell teaches disaster psychology; Dr. Lynda Brown heads the medical team; Jim Magill teaches light search and rescue; and Norma Irace focuses on shelter training. For folks who haven't taken the emergency classes yet, here's what each household needs to have on hand: food and a gallon of water a day per person for a three-day period, plus a battery-powered radio for instructions.
FROM CARTAGENA: The Wicks--Berit, Dan and Kristina--are Saratogans now living in Colombia on a three-year educational/religious mission. They issue periodic reports from Cartagena, where they teach (Berit) and administer (Dan) at an elementary school. The school has a new principal, which heartens the Wicks.
And the academic director is dynamic and "pushing for excellence in all areas," plus the school has many new dedicated teachers. Besides new personnel, there's a renovated school campus, which the parents say is in its best condition in more than 10 years.
Daughter Kristina is in her sophomore year in high school, and the family doesn't ever tire of hearing the ocean waves below their apartment window. As the economy and security of Colombia continue to improve, says Berit, it is encouraging to see more tourists coming to Cartagena.
More than 30 new apartment buildings are under construction. A recent New York Times article recommended traveling to Cartagena. The article is at http//: travel2.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/travel/19goingto.html.
NEW VICE CHANCELLOR: James W. Andrews has been appointed the new associate vice chancellor of human resources for the West Valley-Mission Community College District. Andrews was the global program manager in human resources at Hewlett-Packard and, earlier, handled labor relations and risk management for Salinas.
Andrews has an M.S. in urban management/public administration from Drexel U. in Philadelphia and an M.A. in education from SJSU. Additionally, he is certified as a human performance technologist by the International Society for Performance Improvement.
SWISS SHOWING: Saratoga artist Nacera Guerin was recently invited to participate in an art exhibit in Switzerland at Kunst-Forum-International, which will take place Dec. 2-22. This is getting to be a habit. This winter her work was exhibited in the Biennial in Florence, Italy, also by invitation.
So Guerin's work is getting considerable European exposure. "I feel so blessed," she says. A native of Algeria, she grew up in France, so is the product of several cultures.
QUAKE DEPICTED: A copy of the Cleveland Press issue of April 24, 1906, detailing photos and stories about the San Francisco earthquake, is on display at Gallery Saratoga. The quake itself was a few days earlier, but it shows how the disaster affected the entire country--indeed, the world.
Felicia Pollock found the carefully saved newspaper among her parents' effects and thought it would be appropriate to hang at the gallery in this anniversary year. Equally interesting, Pollock notes, are the ads on the back of the paper, particularly the prices quoted.
For instance: there's a Morris chair recliner listed for $5.50, and false teeth--with a guarantee no less--were selling for $2.50. The price of the paper itself was 1 cent.
PAN AMERICAN: Pan American Round Table of Los Gatos-Saratoga will hold its Rites of Spring luncheon at Michael's in Mountain View April 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dr. Marcia Stefanick will be the speaker, and entertainment will be provided by Mariachi Tradicional, a group of young musicians.
Proceeds from the $35 luncheon will go to the group's scholarship fund, Flying Doctors and Interplast. Reservations may be made through Nilda Retamoso at 408.725.0295. Promoting cultural understanding between the Americas is the club mission.
Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.
