Saratoga News
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Saratoga Sampler
Ladowitz writes about her Katrina experiences
By Mary Ann Cook
AFTER THE STORM: Annette Ladowitz isn't one to sit idly by when disaster strikes. She watched the news of Katrina's disaster, and as the full horror of the devastation struck her, she determined to take action. The Saratogan was more qualified than most as she had already received disaster training from the Red Cross.
And she is a social worker by profession, now working for Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children's Services. So her path seemed clear. She signed up with the Red Cross and was on her way. Along with dozens of other volunteers, she served at a shelter in Monroe, La., for more than a week.
Now she has written a book about her experiences called Katrina: After the Storm, subtitled Volunteering in America, an Inside View. "The message of the book isn't about Katrina so much as it is about connecting with people," says the author. In these days of email and computer-generated voices, we lose connection with each other.
Ladowitz's most crucial role at the shelter was serving as a "paper clip," code name for a therapist who can talk soothingly with someone in meltdown. Since the call came over the loudspeaker, the euphemism was used to avoid any stigma.
"The situation they were in was crazy. The people weren't crazy," is how Ladowitz puts it. Those who went to pieces needed to talk to someone to help them calm down, to see what could be done of a practical nature--to find a loved one, to have temporary relief from a crying infant.
In other words, the paper clip holds things together, helps one deal with all the things that extreme stress makes impossible to handle on one's own. And for the volunteers it was the simple and "unexpected gracious deeds that were extended that were so appreciated."
Ladowitz's son David designed the book cover, a photo showing the back of a gray-haired Ladowitz arm in arm with a dark-haired client, wearing a Red Cross shirt with logo fully evident.
The book is available at Borders, Santana Row or online through Katrina:afterthe storm. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
BRING TOWELS: The social group section at the Saratoga Senior Center has taken on the cause of Next Door, the center for abused women in downtown San Jose. Towels are evidently the most pressing need at the moment, so the social group began acquiring them, at the instigation of Maggi Ferguson.
Next Door clients stay at the center for only a few days before going to a more permanent shelter, and they take the towels with them, so a good supply is always needed, of all kinds. "They were so pleased when I took a carload of assorted towels to them," says Ferguson.
Ferguson, who directs the computer program at the senior center, was impressed the social group responded so speedily and so enthusiastically to the request. She hauled four boxes and two large plastic bags full of towels to the San Jose center.
The social group is led by Fran Wasserman, assisted by Pearl Bell. It meets Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room at the center, includes a meal, though not necessarily lunch, and--of course--socializing.
HISTORIC CONTEST: Can you name the members of the 1967 Chamber board of directors? If so, you might toddle down to the present Saratoga Chamber of Commerce office to see how many people you can correctly identify. A hint: one of the people is Helen Brazil, wife of Saratoga's first mayor, Dr. Burton Brazil.
Prize winners will be named Sept. 15, and the prize is dinner for two at a Chamber-member restaurant. The contest is part of the city's 50th anniversary celebration. The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, is 80 years old, having been founded in 1926.
Obviously there was commerce before there was an incorporated village, notes Lea Ann Hernandez, Chamber director.
HOSTS NEEDED: More 50th anniversary doings: The Saratoga@50 Celebration Committee is urging more Saratogans to sign up to host block parties the weekend of Sept. 8-10. Call Barbara or Arvin Engelson for more information. The url is www.saratoga50.org/events/blkparty.htm.
Biking Backwards is an historic bike, walking, auto tour of Saratoga historic homes that takes place Sept. 4. Docents will talk about the unique history of each location. Registration is required online at www.saratoga50.org.
QUARTER CENTURY: Saratoga High class of '81 will celebrate its 25th reunion Sept. 9, 6-11:30 p.m., at Hotel Los Gatos. Checks at $100 should be sent to Pamela Blackwell at 408.867.1987. Also significant: The first night game in the new stadium will be Sept. 8, and head coach of the football team is Kurt Heinrich, '81 grad.
AH, FRANCE: The Spectors--Barbara and Ira--will talk about their book A Month of Sundays: Villa Life in the South of France at the Breakfast Club Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m., at the Saratoga Library.
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