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Saratoga Sampler
It took 15 years, but Jansen's sci-fi novel is published
By Mary Ann Cook
SCI-FI SUCCESS: Los Gatan Mark Jansen has a couple of publishing successes to report: His sci-fi novel Apers was released this month by Dailey Swan Publishing, and a short story of his will be part of an anthology. No small feats. Apers was co-authored with Barbara Day Zinicola.
Aimed at the young adult reader, Apers is about three youngsters who befriend a band of genetically engineered beings. The creatures have escaped from their cruel human creators; together these unlikely allies make public the truth about apers.
The book focuses on ingenuity and teamwork but poses a couple of ethical questions, as well. Apers was originally written as a screenplay, marketed (but unsold) through a Hollywood agency. So this work has had a lengthy genesis--some 15 years in the making.
In connection with the release of the book, the publisher donated 30 copies to Pat Moncrief's seventh- and eighth-grade class at Windmill Springs School in San Jose. There students chose from four different writing or art projects based on the story. This innovative program was initiated by Kristeen Pemberton.
Pemberton, another longtime Los Gatan, is a former Louis Van Meter and Fisher Middle School teacher now on the faculty of the SJSU Department of Education. As a prize the youngsters received passes to BayCon, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention held in San Jose, where the book was launched.
Jansen's short story, "Lucky Max," was selected for the Able To... anthology. It's the story of an autistic child facing tremendous difficulties, but with extraordinary musical talent as well as the ability to traverse the probabilities of space-time. Able To... is published by Neonuma Arts.
Apers can be found at www.daileyswanpublishing.com; Neonuma Arts is at www.neonuma.com.
Jansen works at ManyOne Networks in Scotts Valley, in product marketing. The company pioneers a non-commercial website called the Digital Universe. Schooling includes El Quito Park in Saratoga and Westmont High. Footnote: He scored a touchdown on defense in the 1967 game between Westmont and Los Gatos High.
At UCSC Jansen graduated in physics with honors. He is now "raising a precocious 7-year-old in a harrowing world, while still trying to become a serious novelist," as he puts it.
FUTURE ASTRONAUTS?: Sisters Katrin and Sophia Cooper of Saratoga recently completed Level 3 of the Future Astronaut Training Program at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. Sophia will be a freshman and Katrin a junior at Saratoga High this fall.
In Houston, the campers toured NASA space shuttle trainers and the International Space Station mock-up. The group's behind-the-scenes visit also included a tour of both Mission Control Centers, the Architecture Habitation/Integration Project and the Crew Equipment Facility.
They took in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab's 6.2-million-gallon pool, where astronauts train for work in microgravity. NASA Manager Kevin Mellett discussed shuttle operations and processing at a special banquet for the group.
Before the Houston jaunt came simulated travel. The youngsters trained in the centrifuge, which simulates the g-forces of a space shuttle launch; and they flew in both an advanced flight simulator, housed in an actual F-101 cockpit, and in an Air Force F-16 trainer. The training culminated in an advanced space shuttle mission aboard the Cosmosphere's space shuttle simulator, the Falcon III.
The Future Astronauts program has been going since 1985. The program number is 620.662.2305 or 800.397.0330, ext. 323; the website is www.cosmo.org.
The girls are the daughters of Bill and Doris Cooper, and granddaughters of George and Louise Cooper.
10,000 PAPERBACKS: San Jose's Grand Prix isn't the only race over the July 29-30 weekend. There's bound to be a race at the Saratoga Library once the doors open at 10 a.m. to let folks flood in to choose from the 10,000 paperbacks offered at the annual Friends Book Sale.
Categories cover the whole spectrum--biography, business, computer, cooking, education, gardening, history, religion, science, travel. A substantial number of non-English language books will also be at hand. A smaller selection of records, videos, cassettes and CDs will be available.
On Saturday everything costs a quarter. On Sunday a grocery bagful will go for $3. Wear your sneakers, advises Book-Go-Round guru Mary Jeanne Fenn. Sales coordinator is Bette Loomis. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. The Book-Go-Round number is 408.867.5552; web is www.BookGoRound.com.
THESPIANS: Saratogan Jillian Lawson plays a lead role, the narrator, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, playing July 29-Aug. 6 at Mountain View Center for Performing Arts. Los Gatans Alex and Chelsea Prather are also in the cast.
Peninsula Youth Theatre is the producer, and can be reached at 650.903.6000. Tickets are $18 for adults; $15, children and seniors.
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Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.
