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Saratoga Sampler
Mandolin top find at AL's Antique Show and Tell
By Mary Ann Cook
SHOW AND TELL: The showstopper at Assistance League's Antique Show and Tell was a mandolin worth between $85,000 and $100,000, estimates Doug Neale of Neale and Sons Inc. of Saratoga. The instrument was a Lloyd Loar, the Stradivarius of mandolin design. His work is still the standard -bearer.
The mandolin is owned by a Santa Cruz collector and is in pristine condition--in its original 1924 case, for heaven's sake. Its full name is a 1924 Lloyd Loar Gibson F5 model. Neale based his estimate on the fact that a Lloyd Loar drew $84,000 at auction in 2002. Neale plays the banjo, so knew right away he was in the presence of greatness with this one, a most incredible treasure.
An unusual grouping that crossed Neale's desk was a collection of memorabilia about William McKinley's election and inauguration for second presidential term. The fact that it may be worth $1,000 was a surprise to the local owner. Russian icons showed up at the post of art restorer David Dittmann. A 14th-century oil painting of a German queen, complete with 14th-century frame, made an appearance.
A 17th-century altar piece of linen tapestry shot through with gold and silver threads was brought in for appraisal as well. It had hung in the Vatican at one point and later was owned by Marlene Dietrich. A likeness of St. Teresa of Avila was centered in the piece. Dittmann suggested the owner take it to the Carmelite Mission in Santa Clara, since St. Teresa was the founder of that order.
Another unusual item is owned by collector Peter Ring--it's an English stone bow dating from 1750 and used to kill vermin, such as rats, squirrels, etc. The size of a small crossbow, it shoots mothball-sized stones and is still in use in some parts of the world, such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
Peter is part of the ALSOs (Assistance League Significant Others), who contributed muscle to the antique doings by fetching and toting up and down stairs at Hotel Los Gatos through the afternoon. Other ALSOs are Fred DeSantis, Terry Duryea, Dave Ehrhardt, Jon Krain, Alan Miner, Felix Rosengarten, Ted Siegler and Ken Spice.
AL president Terri Spice won the quilt made by Carol Cantlan, Jillian Ring and Sue Schneider. Jillian chaired the whole shebang. Mary Swentzel handled baskets; Jan Ehrhardt, tickets; and Chrystie DeSoto, publicity. Incidentally, Dio Deka, the hotel restaurant that supplied the food, is now open for lunch during the week, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
WOMAN OF YEAR: Los Gatan Wiggsy Sivertsen was named Woman of the Year for the 21st Assembly District in ceremonies in the state capitol last week, nominated by Assemblyman Ira Ruskin. She was honored for her fight for civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks.
By founding a pioneering civil rights organization, working on commissions to prevent domestic violence and counseling students at SJSU, "Wiggsy has made a monumental difference in our community," Ruskin said. Sivertsen is director of counseling services and a visiting professor in sociology at SJSU.
NEW MOVES: The latest tai chi instructor in Cindy Teerlink's combo exercise class at the Saratoga Senior Center doesn't speak English, but he can communicate new moves deftly--24 of 'em to be exact. Class members are becoming proficient, since he now instructs the last 10 minutes of class.
His name is Xueren Wang, and Louise Webb spotted him at the Saratoga High track, where she walks regularly. Though Webb doesn't speak Chinese, by pantomiming and asking for translation help from others, she managed to invite him to the class. He's brought an authenticity to the age-old moves.
The Saratoga High song leaders group (cheerleaders) that Teerlink coaches will present its competitive program at the Senior Center on April 4.
TEA TIME: The annual English Tea, a fundraiser for the AAUW Committee on Homeless Women and Children, will be held April 14, 2-4 p.m., at West Valley College. Doors open at 1 p.m. for silent auction viewing. For tickets at $30, the contact is Jackie at 408.867.0108.
West Valley music students will entertain and SHS honor students will serve. The committee celebrated its 20th anniversary recently with a luncheon at Nancy Anderson's house. Anderson extols the generous support the committee has received through the years from the community.
GUATEMALA-BOUND: Marty Schibler and family members are off to Guatemala again--on medical missions and to build stoves for those families that have been using open fires for cooking in their homes. His son Dan, a doctor, piqued the family's interest and commitment after he led several medical missions to Central America.
In April Marty and his daughter, Laura, will join Dan and some 90 other doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists on a medical mission to Solala, Guatemala. Last time Marty was part of the kitchen staff, cooking for the team. Then in July another Schibler son, Mike, will join his father in a second stove-building trek to Guatemala.
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