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Saratoga Sampler
Garden luncheon, tea to be held in 'showcase' home
By Mary Ann Cook
IN SHOWCASE GARDEN: Pam Blackwell, whose husband's family owns the 2006 Symphony Showcase home, says the National Charity League will hold its first garden luncheon and tea on May 20 and 21 at the showcase home. The event will benefit both Montalvo and the symphony.
"When I heard they were donating the home for the showcase, my first thought was that I wanted to have a lunch," Blackwell said. "Every spring when my husband's parents were alive they would have the Napkin Ring cater a lunch on the grounds, and it was truly one of my fondest memories.
"I want everyone to enjoy this beautiful piece of splendor. I was really wowed at how beautiful the gardens are and how spectacularly all the rooms are coming along."
Hours for the lunch are 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets at $45 need to be purchased in advance. Price includes showcase admission. Checks are payable to NCLSLG at 21357 Diamond Oaks Court, Saratoga.
MUSIC TO THEIR EARS: These designers play key roles in Symphony Showcase 2006: Linda Durnell of the Linda Durnell Gallery in Los Gatos, who will transform the entry hall and upstairs hall; Jessie Kaminski of The Avenue in LG has the powder room.
Robbyn Enriquez and Dianne Van Voorhis of Traditions in LG will decorate a bathroom and bedroom. Linda McFalone and Laura Ziffer of Lulu Pom in LG are doing the kitchen and family room; Smith and Hawken of LG will enhance the garden path; and Saratogan Vivie Lizut is doing the wine cellar.
Kay Eshleman of Monte Sereno is the showcase co-chair; Marilyn Lattanzio of Los Gatos is in charge of admissions; Beryl Rodenbaugh, Monte Sereno, is treasurer; and Cathy Gillum, Los Gatos, handles publicity.
Showcase 2006 will be open daily except Mondays from May 13 to June 4. A shuttle runs from La Hacienda Inn weekdays, from Sacred Heart Church on weekends and on Memorial Day.
88 PINTS: Saratogan Lois Casteel donated her 11th gallon of blood in a Red Cross blood drive in Los Gatos last week. That's 88 pints of blood for those of us who are slow to do the math. Each pint donated can be separated into its components--red blood cells, platelets and plasma--so three patients can be helped. Thus the contributions made by Casteel may have benefited as many as 264 people.
She began donating blood in 1980, when her brother had cancer and needed many transfusions. The Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Saratoga Federated Church May 22, 1-7 p.m. Kathy Hensley will take sign-ups at 408.867.1000. Online it's www.beadonor.com.
STUNNING SUCCESS: Monte Serenan Lee Actor received rave reviews for the premiere performance of his composition "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra" performed at Le Petit Trianon recently by the Mission Chamber Orchestra. The work was commissioned by the orchestra to mark its 10th anniversary.
The solo violinist was Pip Clarke of England; Emily Ray conducts the orchestra. Actor's piece is "a major work, deserving of national attention," wrote Keith Kreitman of Inside Bay Area.com. Kreitman is host of Focus on the Arts on Peninsula TV Channel 26.
The reviewer said he was riveted from start to finish; indeed, he was brought "close to tears by its beauty." Also praised was the work of another Peninsula composer, Nancy Bloomer Deussen, whose "Ascent to Victory" honored those who compete in the Special Olympics.
HONK AT PYT: Max Venuti of Saratoga and Kendall Bartlett of Los Gatos are two youngsters in the cast of Honk, the Peninsula Youth Theatre production now playing at Cubberley Community Theatre in Palo Alto through May 14. Showtimes vary, but weekday matinees at 9:30 a.m. May 11 and 12 cost a discounted $7. Other performances are $18 and $15.
Honk is based on Hans Christian Anderson's Ugly Duckling. Max plays the role of Drake, and Kendall is cast as Ida. To order tickets, call 650.988.8798 or visit www.pytnet.org.
MEMORIAL DAY C EREMONY: Captain Antoine Brooks, a 20-year member of the U.S. Army recently returned from Iraq, will be guest speaker at Saratoga's Memorial Day Service May 29. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. with the flag-raising and wreath placing at Memorial Arch.
The walk up Oak Street to Madronia Cemetery will be to the cadence of the Redwood Middle School band percussion section, directed by Vicky Wyant. Mayor Norman Kline will offer the city's greeting and the Rev. Arvin Engelson of Saratoga Federated Church will deliver the invocation and benediction.
The Saratoga High School Band and Choir, Scout troops and 4H club members will all participate. Children will make laurel sprays and place flags on the graves of more than 800 veterans, some of which date from the Civil War. The tradition honors all veterans, and especially recognizes those veterans present.
The Saratoga Foothill Club has coordinated this event for 28 years; Marjory Bunyard at 408.255.3594 is this year's chairwoman.
Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.
