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Saratoga Sampler
Junior League honors senior volunteers with awards
By Mary Ann Cook
TRIO HONORED: Three volunteers from the Saratoga Senior Center were honored at the Junior League of San Jose Volunteer of the Year awards luncheon recently. The three are Doris Volz, Maggi Ferguson and Suzy Siegler.
Volz initiated and teaches the line dancing class at the center; Ferguson administers the computer program; and Siegler, an Assistance League member, coordinates the lunch program for the Adult Care Center. The three received certificates at a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara.
Genie Dee, executive director of the center said, "We're very pleased to honor these outstanding volunteers. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the center. We have 150 volunteers, both individuals and groups, and without them, we couldn't begin to provide and maintain the programs we do."
TRIATHLETE: Peggy Shen, daughter of Ann and Larry Shen of Saratoga, participated in the Jamba Juice Wildflower Long Course Triathlon held at Lake San Antonio in Monterey County recently. The triathlon benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Money raised goes toward research into cures for blood-related cancers.
The long course is made up of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. It is considered one of the most challenging of courses anywhere, what with Beach Hill, Nasty Grade and Polar Heart Rate Hill. Peggy grew up in Saratoga and is a 1990 grad of Saratoga High.
The Shens are a decidedly electronic family. Peggy is a corporate applications engineering manager at Synopsys, a company that makes software tools for integrated circuits. Her sister, Amelia, also works for Synopsys as an R&D manager. Father Larry is an engineer for software company Quadbase. Mother Ann works at IRF Semiconductor, as does her son, Dave, who is CTO. That company makes next-generation wireless ICs. Amelia's husband is Ken Munson and Dave's wife is Kyna, all of Saratoga.
APPEALS TO ALL AGES: The Los Gatos Mountain Biking Club kicked off its 10th year this spring with a ride up St. Joseph's Hill for 20 riders. This club includes members from a wide span of ages. The oldest member is Terry McCambridge, 76, of San Jose and the youngest is Max McKenna, 9, of Los Gatos.
The club was founded by University Avenue neighbors Mark Senigo, Ryan Cronin and Ron Lykins. A typical ride is an hour's pedal to the top of St. Joseph's Hill, followed by social time and dinner in town. Rides depart Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. from 321 University Ave. through the end of September.
Senigo is club president, and the total membership is some 40 riders. The group is open to all experience levels. The email contact is LGMtBikingClub@aol.com. Club members who also happen to be public servants include Curtis Wright, Monte Sereno city councilman and former mayor.
Other riders include Tam McCarty of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department, Tyler Mortenson of the Saratoga Fire Department and Robert Olson and Cronin with the Santa Clara County Fire Department--at the University Avenue station, natch.
LOBBYING ART: Now people waiting for friends and family at Good Samaritan Hospital can see art in action--if they happen to light there on Thursdays. Los Gatos Art Association has drawn up an agreement with Good Sam in which artists set up their easels and paint in the hospital's main lobby on Thursdays.
It works for both painters and viewers: Artists can make local connections and at the same time provide a soothing diversion for those waiting, sometimes anxiously, in the hospital. The idea came from LGAA member Mary Beth Parfitt, who creates handcrafted greeting cards.
OUTSTANDING NURSE: RN Lien Le was named the outstanding employee at Community Hospital of Los Gatos as part of National Nurses Week recently. A $500 donation will be sent to Aid to Children without Parents in honor of Le. She has been a nurse at LG Community for the past six years.
"Lien is a skilled and compassionate nurse, loved by her patients and her co-workers alike," said Gary Honts, hospital CEO. Her co-workers call her their star because of her dedication to her patients. Le has worked in the transitional care unit, rehabilitation center and now outpatient surgery unit.
LOOKING FOR PRESIDENTS PAST: Saratogan Marcia Kaplan is president of the West Valley Bar Association, and the group intends to honor past presidents at its July luncheon. Kaplan is hoping to locate more former presidents to alert them to the tribute. Her number is 408.867.3353.
FESTIVAL OF POETRY: Poetry Center's first California Poets Festival will be held May 20 at History Park San José, 1650 Senter Road, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Readers throughout the day include California poet laureate Al Young. Also on the poet podium will be Gary Soto, Brenda Hillman and the teen poetry team de MACLA.
Editors of small presses will be in attendance, and books, journals and subscriptions will be for sale. The website is www.californiapoetsfestival.org.
Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.
