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Saratoga Sampler
Local writers to be honored by American Pen Women
By Mary Ann Cook
ARTS ACHIEVERS: Eight local women in the arts will be honored at the annual American Pen Women luncheon Feb. 3, starting at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church on Hamilton Avenue at Leigh Avenue. Money raised goes to high school seniors who excel in art, letters or music.
Achievers in the category of letters include Saratogan Ariel Smart and Los Gatans Lynn Bowen Walker, Carmen Rutlen and Juliana Richmond--all writers.
Smart is the author of two novels, Green Lantern and Other Stories and Stolen Moments and Other Stories, plus the poetry anthology Cotton and Spirit.
Walker wrote Queen of the Castle, a compendium of enthusiastic guidelines and winning recipes for housewives and moms. Rutlen's book is Dancing Naked ... in Fuzzy Red Slippers, a celebration of living life with zest. It's won two awards and is in its fourth printing.
Richmond is the author of Dancing Mama, a memoir that was many years in the making--"85," she says with a laugh. "I hope the other Dancing author wears her fuzzy red slippers so people will be able to tell us apart."
Richmond could also qualify in the arts category: She did the sketches and the cover for her book and has sold her watercolor paintings. Other artists to be lauded are Norlyn Wade of Los Gatos and Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar of San Jose.
Wade paints representational works in oil. She won the Peoples Award in a Mountain Guild show last fall and was part of the June Filoli Wildlife Exhibition. Anita Graves and Mary Linduska, both of Campbell, won recognition in the music category.
New this year at the luncheon is a prize for the most beautifully designed hat using roses--tying in with the theme "Everything's Comin' Up Roses." Susan Zerweck coordinates the members' talent show.
GET READY: Robin Fifield of the American Red Cross spoke on disaster preparedness for seniors at the Wednesday lunch program at the Saratoga Senior Center recently. Fifield directs volunteer work and training at the ARC. Her message emphasized having a plan and practicing it.
It's important to have a communications contact who isn't living nearby, since everyone nearby is presumably in trouble, too, she cautions. Check out and practice your exit route for escaping your house, and make sure you have an alternate path as well.
Putting together an emergency kit is another must. Supplies should include food and water for three days, a hand-operated can opener, a battery- powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries. Having duct tape, plastic sheeting and Mylar blankets on hand are good ideas, too.
Food bars that are small but packed with enough nutrition to last three days can be purchased. Be aware that people can live for 30 days without food but only three days without water. The water heater can be tapped for drinking if need be.
Next week's speaker at the center is Willys Peck, Mr. Saratoga himself, who will discuss the history of Saratoga and its changes through the years. On Jan. 31 the center's memoir class will share their anecdotes, and instructor Louise Webb will offer guidelines for this type of writing.
January promises to be a particularly provocative month for the Wednesday lunch bunch.
WALK IN THE MUSTARD: Saratoga's annual Mustard Walk will be Feb. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mother Earth, aka Betty Peck, is a new attraction this year. She'll be sitting on a throne, handing out wisdom and mustard seeds to kiddies. Peck's costume, created by Fran Miller, was won at a fundraising auction for VITA and has been cherished and used for many years at many functions.
Mustard walkers can take a docent-led tour of Heritage Orchard and catch artists at work. For the young 'uns there are free donkey cart rides and a professional storyteller. At the Warren Hutton house and adjacent grounds are wine or mustard tasting, live music, antique car and farm machinery, food and vendor items for sale.
Nancy Anderson is the event coordinator at 408.867.4383.
CENTENNIAL PARTY: Foothill Club celebrates its 100th birthday Jan. 28 at the clubhouse, 3-6 p.m., with a pageant depicting the club's history written by member Corrine Carter and done in period costume. Music by the Saratoga Guitar Ensemble, appetizers and wine will be part of the afternoon.
A pastel portrait of Julia Morgan by Mary Ann Henderson and a bronze bust of Morgan by sculptor Jerry Smith are other highlights. For tickets at $25 contact Marilyn Metz at 408.867.1783. Checks should be made payable to Saratoga Foothill Historic Landmarks Foundation.
ART WALL: On display at the Saratoga Art Wall is the work of artist/printmaker Donna Orme, who uses Asian papers and printmaking techniques to create collages; and nature photographer Greg Spirakis.
My favorites in the show are Spirakis's "Calla Lilly," taken in Saratoga; and Orme's "Up Close" monoprint.
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