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Saratoga's Echo Shop expands its hours ... hours ... hours

By Mary Ann Cook

ECHO SHOP UPDATE: The Echo Shop on Big Basin Way has expanded its Saturday hours until 4 p.m. to meet the demands of walk-in traffic on weekends. The shop is an all-volunteer operation of more than 115 members selling used clothing, small appliances and greeting cards (unused cards, of course).

The Echo is an offshoot of St. Andrews Women's Club, but you don't have to be a church member to be a volunteer. Carol Luetz of Saratoga is shop manager this year, assisted by Barbara Monks. Doreen Marsh is treasurer and Corinne Rathjens is secretary. Decorators are Suzanne Irion and Luetz.

Proceeds from the shop benefit 15 local charities. The Echo follows the four seasons and will wrap up its summer offerings with a weeklong clearance sale Sept. 11-19. Bag days are Sept. 20 and 21, when customers stuff a grocery bag with items and pay $6 for the lot. The shop is closed Mondays; hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

After bag days, The Echo will close for a week to prepare for the fall open house and a new array of merchandise. Fall open house is Sept. 30, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The Echo is totally dependent on donations--from you. The quality of goods is amazing, reflecting its community origins. The phone is 408.867.3995.

FRAUD/IDENTITY THEFT: Kimberly Connors, a policewoman based in the county's district attorney's office, offered a cautionary tale to lunch-goers at the Saratoga Senior Center recently. Seniors are preyed upon in particular, not because they are feeble or more gullible than others, but because they control 70 percent of the country's assets.

Elder fraud and identity theft are the No. 1 crimes investigated by the DA's office. Nationally, $4 billion was lost to fraud last year. By the year 2020, one out of five people will be 65 or older. The latest scam, Connors said, is the medical card, where a telemarketer asks for your Social Security number.

That request should send up an instant red flag. Hang up or ask for their number. Other schemes afloat these days are the Canadian lottery scam and the greeting card scam. Warning: Don't click into card links on the Internet from unknown people. Opening it will destroy your files. It's a malware (malicious software) scam.

Another caution: Don't let people inside your home. Fake IDs or certifications are too easy to obtain via the Internet. There's actually a website called fakeid.com. One scam involves children. A mother and child, "living nearby," come for a neighborly call.

When the child asks to go to the bathroom she steals whatever she can lay her hands on while mother continues to chat up the victim. The jury duty scam asks for your credit card number because you've missed the call-up. Hang up.

If your "bank" calls to report a possible theft from your account, that's a red flag, too. Don't give out any information--the bank already has what it needs and a professional is doing the calling. Fraud is perpetrated about equally from professionals, family members or caretakers--roughly one-third from each.

Shred printed matter with your ID on it, even credit card application offers. Thieves can apply for the cards themselves, using your credentials and a different address.

GARDEN PARTY: Gallery Saratoga will wrap up the summer with a garden party on Aug. 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at 20215 Blauer Drive. More than two dozen artists will participate. Wine, food and music are promised, along with artwork of all kinds. Hostess is Donna Padrick and Jim Dott is president of the co-op.

Among artists who will be exhibiting are Don del Castillo, Jo Cooley, Kathy Keenan, Margaret Magill and Jean Redig. Gallery number is 408.867.0458.

ANNIVERSARY: The Westhope Senior Activities Center celebrates its fifth anniversary with an open house Sept. 3, noon-1:30 p.m., celebrating its accomplishments. For instance, the center sponsors a Unique Boutique wherein people can borrow a walker or wheelchair.

Kathleen Stuart is director, and board members are Marge Elizondo, Fran Cullen, Arlene James, Agnes Neasham and the Rev. Travis Hyatt, retired.

DANCEDEBUT: Bharatanatyam Arangetram, a student of Mythili Kumar, will hold her solo dance debut Aug. 26, 4 p.m., at Saratoga High School. Kumar is artistic director of the Abhinaya Dance Company. Musicians include Jayanthi Umesh, Shanthi Narayan, N. Narayanan and Mythili and Malavika Kumar.

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