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Saratoga Sampler
Robinson gets health check at van named for his dad
By Mary Ann Cook
HEALTHY NAME: The name Robinson has come to be synonymous with health in this area. The Lions health-screening van is named A.J. Robinson in honor of one of its most dedicated and popular members. A.J. Robinson was a teacher, scholar, tutor and church worker--and Lion--when he lived in Texas.
He didn't join the Saratoga Lions until he was 90, after moving here to be with his son Leonard. The elder Robinson had been very active and very beloved in the small town in Texas he had moved from, as cited by a story in the Waxahaehie newspaper wishing him Godspeed in his new life.
Leonard Robinson, a retired naval commander, now lives at the Saratoga Retirement Community and attended the recent Health and Wellness Fair held at the Saratoga Senior Center. There he made personal use of the van that bears his father's name. The van tests hearing and eyesight, blood work--the whole health package.
Leonard's picture was taken in front of the van with Helen Lemmon, Lions president. And he won a door prize to boot--a potted plant. He had noticed the health fair announcement and wondered if it was the same van named for his dad. No, this one is a second-generation van, purchased in 2000, but continues to bear the A.J. Robinson name.
The van treats 10,000 people yearly, mainly schoolchildren and the elderly, some of whom might not otherwise receive any health alerts. Both Saratoga Rotary and Saratoga Lions contributed to the purchase of the newest van. A.J. wrote his autobiography at the age of 97, so the move to California obviously didn't diminish his zest for living or his charisma.
At the district convention the Saratoga chapter always won the prize for skits because Robinson took a leading role. One year he was rolled into the hall sitting in a bathtub with wheels, and wearing naught but a diaper. He was ultimately made a judge of the contest so other chapters would have a fighting chance at an award.
The Lions hosted a party for him on his 104th birthday, and he died four days later. His granddaughter, Leonard's daughter, is Debbie Downs, the wife of Scott Downs, LGHS assistant principal. Meanwhile, Leonard is ready to sign up as a new Lion to continue his father's legacy.
He was active in Lions when he lived in Twain Harte, serving as president. And the club is eager to welcome the 85-year-old.
GET FIT AT A BARGAIN: The Southwest YMCA has donated a three-month family membership, valued at $378, to the AAUW Committee on Homeless Women and Children. The membership will be sold at a discounted $150 to raise money for women and children's shelters.
Since the $150 represents the one-time membership fee, if the family joins the Y after the trial period, the membership fee has already been paid. The certificate can be activated now, through summer, or until Aug. 31.
The first to call and produce the tax-deductible money will receive the certificate. Bernie Fawley at 408.867.0815 is the contact. Return calls will be made in the order received.
UNIQUE FASHIONS: Saratogan Linda Allen will host a trunk show of clothes by Nadya June 15-17 at 19822 Merribrook Drive. The clothes are one-of-a-kind hand-painted and batiked items from Bali--and all are reversible.
Nadya and Allen's mother, Marcia Spiegel, met 20 years ago on the beach in Venice, Calif., when they stopped to admire each other's clothes. Two years ago Nadya and Allen linked up on a trip for Project Kesher, which supports Jewish women in the former Soviet Union.
Nadya "took half as many clothes as the rest of us, handwashed them, and in the morning they were ready to go," says Allen. Jackets may have button-out sleeves that turn them into vests; blouses can also be jackets; pants can be made shorter; a skirt can work as a dress. Hand-painted leather with shapes punched through to show other fabrics is one Nadya technique. Allen is at 408.867.4814.
NEW VEEPS: West Valley College named two new vice presidents recently--David Fishbaugh for instruction and Dr. Ernest Smith in student services.
Fishbaugh has worked at West Valley-Mission in various roles for 26 years. He has a master's in library science from SJSU and a bachelor's in English from UC-Berkeley.
Smith has worked in community colleges for more than three decades, most recently as associate dean of students at Fresno City College. He was also the dean of student services at West Hills College and was a counseling faculty member. His degrees include Ed.D. in educational leadership/postsecondary education from Portland State U., a master's in guidance/counseling and a bachelor's in P.E. from Oregon State U.
COOKING PERSIAN: Minoo Emami, who teaches Persian cooking classes through LG-Saratoga Recreation, loved to cook with her mother and grandmother, and when she won a cooking contest at age 14 she was really hooked. She'll give a class at the LGHS kitchen June 25. Emami is a Realtor for American First Realtors.
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Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.
