Marlene Wiley

Do you know someone who should be recognized for an achievement? Email Marlene Wiley at News@mnn.net.

From our May issue

Shelley Bates, writing as Shelley Adina, is the launch author for Hachette Faith Words’ new line of young-adult fiction with her book All About Us series. Beginning with It’s All About Us, on shelves in May, these novels follow the lives of five girls at the fictional Spencer Academy in San Francisco. Listening to their hearts, and keeping their faith, they deal with cliques, classes, and crushes.

Clint Smith, LGHS Class of 1998 and son of Kerry and Teri Smith, married his sweetheart, Nicole Charvez. Clint and Nikki graduated from Westmed College and Clint graduated from the San Jose Fire Department Recruit Academy. Nikki is a paramedic for AMR. Clint was hired last year by San Jose Fire Department as a paramedic/firefighter. He was one of 28 recruits chosen for the academy from 4000 applicants. He is currently “on the route” until May when he will be assigned a permanent station. Clint’s father Kerry retired from SJFD nine years ago making Clint’s graduation especially meaningful.

Manuel Austin, former resident of Wrights Road, will be inducted into the Los Gatos High School Hall of Fame early in May. In high school, he was a two-time all-Central Coast Section wide receiver and CCS Player of the Year as a senior in 1995. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Washington where he was an outstanding player.

C.T. English eighth-graders Jake Bevans, Jimmy Eisner, Morgan Ellis, Max Friday, Marc Gessler, and Zahir Kureshi played in the National Junior Basketball League during the regular season on divisional teams. All-Stars were Jake Bevans, Max Friday, and Zahir Kureshi. They won the California state tournament 5-0 and played at the nationals in Anaheim in April.

Kent Keyser was welcomed back by his wife, Kristy, and two sons, Kyle and Scott after climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro on March 7. Kent and four friends from the area spent eight days scaling the 19,340-foot peak and summited Uhuru Peak on February 29.

Mike and Peggy Sullivan announced the marriage of their daughter, April Sullivan to Brian Williams on February 23. The reception took place at the Hyatt Grand Manchester. They reside in San Diego. Lisa Sullivan, April’s younger sister, is an animal science major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is a senior and in the top 10 percent of her class. She is currently an intern at the St. Louis Zoo in the Endangered Species Research Center and Veterinary Hospital. She works in the endocrinology lab running radioimmunoassay to track hormone cycles of female zoo animals. She will return to Cal Poly in September to finish her senior year. Both girls graduated from Loma Prieta and C.T. English Middle schools.

Texas Christian University freshman and 2007 LGHS graduate, Tom Sutherland, 19, made an impressive American Le Mans Series debut at the 56^th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Sutherland, driving with Panoz Team PTG teammates Tommy Milner and Joey Hand, drove the #21 Panoz Esperante to a ninth-place finish in the GT2 class race.

On the LGHS boy’s volleyball teams, seven of the twelve varsity players are from the mountains and five mountain boys are on junior varsity. The varsity players are Jeff Barnett, Stephen Hight, Ryan Magnin, Beau Barron, Derek Nilsen, Trevor Rowell, and Storm Slivkoff. The junior varsity team includes Connor Bui, Derek Powers, Ian Rajczi, Tony Scott, and Sam Whiteley. The JV coach is mountain resident Mary (Groat) McDowell. The varsity team is a top-five team in CCS and should do well in the playoffs. The JV team is expected to win the league championship.

Keturah Robison attended Loma Prieta Elementary School and the Independent Study Program through eighth grade. She attended high school at Coast Redwood Charter School and Cabrillo Community College. She graduated at age 16. She spent a year full time at Cabrillo and then transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, majoring in classical piano performance. She was named to the national dean’s list for her academic achievements. The Independent Scholar Laureate Program invited Keturah to join their delegation of music for a two-week tour of Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, and Venice, in May. She will be studying various aspects of music in each city. In July, Keturah will join the UNF Chorale for the World Symposium for Chorale Music in Copenhagen.

Tessa Davis, Emily McCord, Katie McGrath, and Lisa Meehan are performing in the Children’s Musical Theater San Jose’s production of Mulan. It runs the first weekend of May at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose. Roth Rind and Jensen Fabris are performing in CMTSJ’s production of Into the Woods, which runs for two weekends after the close of Mulan. Collette (Froelich) Phelps performed along with her husband James in Ragtime, the marquee production for CMTSJ.

Loma Prieta and CTE schools hosted two all-girls recreation-league-basketball teams this year. We had 23 third- through sixth-graders on the teams, some veterans and some new to the sport. The coaches and assistant coaches were parents and students in our community. The teams played ten high-energy games and won most of them. More important, everyone learned some new skills, got lots of exercise, and had fun. The Knicks, coached by Jessie Quirke and Kevin Matlock, included Lindsey Avoy, Kathryn Farley, Camille Fowler, Montana Fowler, Kelly Matlock, Nikki Maruya, Tianna McBurney-Lin, Maddie Pearce, Shasta Smith, Sarah Sterry, and Nikita Tovey. The Spurs, coached by Summer, Sierra, and Jeff Vance, included Hannah Blevins, Sophie Colbran-Patterson, Madeline Colombo, Aly Dembry, Kyra Jeffery, Morgan McKinney, McKenna Morrison, Maggie Niemann, Cheyenne Nir, Jessica Ricksecker, Ashleen Quirke, and Cali Vance.

Mountain sculptor Kenneth Johnson won first place in 3-D sculpture at the Los Gatos Art Association 2008 open-juried show for his new work “Bye Bye Black Bird.” Kenneth will show his diverse bronze sculptures at the Saratoga Rotary Art Show, held at West Valley College on Sunday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LGHS mountain students are participating in spring sports. Among the varsity students are Evan Davis, Kelly Davis, Johnny De
Salvo, Wes Heeter, Jordan Kestler, Dan Lyons, Carson Nestler, Kelsey Shyba, and Dylan Viskochil. On the JV teams are Joey DeSalvo, Nikko Faraj, Shelby Glenn, Grady Kestler, Laurianne Kidd, Jim McBurney-Lin, Rebecca Nixon, Kendra Roberts, Stephanie Soucy, Robbie Temmerman, and Tim Truong.

When driving past Loma Prieta School you will see a large wooden sign with a replica of Smokey Bear. The sign was made by Johnny DeSalvo for his Eagle Scout Community project. He and his brother Joey worked to contain a neighbor’s fire last summer until the Loma Prieta Volunteer Firefighters arrived. DeSalvo’s fire sign informs the public about the risk level of fire.

Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue

Genoa Fox

Jeff Powell

Genoa Fox was born here in our neighborhood. She is one of our happiest and friendliest volunteers, always willing to help with anything, and enthusiastic about everything. She joined the department in 2003 after retiring from many years of volunteer work with Theatre in the Mountains. She was looking for some other way to give back to the community. Joining Fire and Rescue gave her the opportunity to practice her newly acquired EMT skills.

Genoa’s most memorable call was working in the helicopter landing zone for medical aid in the Soquel Demonstration State Forest. At some point, the landing zone was moved, and the pilot offered to let Genoa ride along to the new location. Once there, everything went well, but she had no ride home as the volunteer engine hadn’t been sent to the new landing zone, and the paid engine had no empty seats. Fortunately, a ranger was able to get her back to Burrell Station and her car, with an extra tour of the demo forest.

Genoa says, “The coolest part was definitely the helicopter ride. It was my childhood dream coming true getting to fly over the Santa Cruz Mountains, and it was my lucky day that I had brought a camera along. Otherwise, I don’t think anyone would believe my story.”

Genoa enjoys supporting her neighbors and being a part of the volunteer fire family. She tells me that working with the department is a great way to spend her free time. Not that she has much free time to spend. She’s taking classes at a local community college studying travel nursing. She does a lot of traveling, particularly to South America where she can practice her Spanish and dance skills.

With her warm and friendly personality, Genoa is great to have on the team. She goes to any kind of call, pulls her weight, and lightens everyone’s mood in the process

Mr. Strudley’s  Exit Interview

Lisa Sgarlato

It is with heavy sighs and melancholy infused with happiness for him that Lexington Elementary says goodbye to its beloved Mr. Raf Strudley. After 37 years in education, Strudley has decided to retire. Out of those 37 years, 35 of them have been with the Los Gatos Union School District, the last 10 years as principal at Lexington, where he has raised this school from the edge of extinction with a real possibility of closing its doors to the top-performing school in the district through the introduction of its fabulous international baccalaureate program.

How did you get started in education? I just fell into it. I was actually studying to be an engineer at Chico State University, when I volunteered to tutor migrant children and fell in love with teaching. I changed my major to geography and stayed for a teaching credential. I eventually received a master’s in counseling and administration at Santa Clara University. I got my first teaching job at Lexington in 1971, and it was here that I met my wife. After ten years, I transferred to Fisher to teach math and history. I was thrilled to come back to Lexington after many years to finish my career as principal, a truly unique opportunity.

Over the 37 years that you have been in public education, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen? There has been a tremendous emphasis on standardization, student performance (STAR testing), as well as curricular accountability, i.e., teachers being responsible to cover all of the grade-level standards required by law. It leads schools to teach to the test, which I don’t believe is best for a child’s education. This is why I love the IB program, because education is integrated and focused on the total growth of the developing child.

Your proudest accomplishment? The most significant is the recognition that the school earned as a California Distinguished School, because it was a validation of all the work that all of us have been doing. Second, there was our authorization as an IB-PYP World School.

What was your best single day? My first day of teaching. I remember that first class like it was yesterday. I remember going home in total amazement and being blown away by the mere fact that I was earning money for doing something that I loved so much. I have felt that way ever since. Everyone should be so blessed to look forward to their Mondays.

Retirement plans? My wife retired a year ago, which is the biggest reason why I am retiring now. We are planning on having a lot of fun together. We plan to travel, with our first trip to the UK and Ireland in June. We have our first grandchild coming in May which is really exciting. And I’m definitely planning a trip during the beginning of the next school year, so I’m not tempted to come back. I also plan on getting back to some political activism. (He loves a good political discussion and often yearns for his college days in the late ‘60s). And I’m looking forward to spending time in my woodworking shop (a hobby of many years).

What will you miss the most? I will miss the kids; I’ll miss their humor. I won’t miss the meetings and the nonsense of dealing with the California state budget and how every time we move forward, they pull the rug out from under our kids. I will miss my staff and watching the teachers make such incredible progress. I will miss this phenomenal mountain community and how the parents have pulled together to support our achievements. It has been a great collective effort with the Home and School Club, the teachers, and the district. I really feel blessed to have been a part of it.

Plan to attend Principal Strudley’s retirement party on Friday, May 30, 7 to 10 p.m. at the Redwood Estates Pavilion. For more information, email lisasg@verizon.net.

From our April issue

Locals in the News
Marlene Wiley

Kendra Mann and Sammi Ridgway were members of the LGHS junior varsity soccer team. They finished the season in first place with a league record of nine wins, two loses, and one tie. Both girls were named to the First Team All-League honors.

Bobby Markowitz, principal landscape architect of Earthcraft Landscape Design, participated in a Santa Cruz television program on harvesting rainwater. He recently traveled to Australia, a world leader in rainwater technology, where he shared information with Australian experts.

Fans of Gemma Halliday will welcome her latest book, Alibi in High Heels. Her next book should be out in 2009.

A n t h o n y Rumasuglia, an eight-year-old third-grader at Loma Prieta School and the son of Pauline and John Rumasuglia, received his black belt in tae kwon do from the Academy of Martial Arts in Los Gatos in February. He began training three years ago. To receive his black belt, he had to write an essay on becoming a black belt, complete a three-hour physical conditioning test, and complete a curriculum portion of the test that included thirteen power forms, weapons forms (staff and sai) sparring, and board breaking.

Trent Edwards was named South Bay Sports Person for 2007. Edwards had the rare opportunity of becoming the Bills starting quarterback as a rookie.

Among the cyclists racing in the Tour of California was Jackson Stewart, a member of Team BMC. Jackson is the son of Steve Stewart.

LGHS seniors Breanna Denicola, Max Peters, and Pilar Svendsen participated in this year’s Mock Trial. For the first time in the history of the school, the Mock Trial team achieved semi-finalist status.

Los Gatos High School students under the direction of Roth Rind presented Elton John’s and Tim Rice’s Aida early in March. Mountain students and parents who made the production possible included Laura Black, Cordtsy Gallie, Chelsea Kevan, Miranda Kibel, Sam Livoni, Michelle Livoni, Kimberly McCord, and Ashley Rind. Denise Lesea, former MNN photographer and longtime mountain resident, was photographer for Aida. Choreographer KT Peterson directed The Odd Couple for Theatre in the Mountains a few years ago.

Jensen Fabris, daughter of Joe and Lori Fabris, was a member of the Childen’s Musical Theater Jekyll and Hyde cast in March. Jensen played the title role in the Theatre in the Mountains production of Annie Get your Gun.

Judy Bingman, former teacher and band director at Los Gatos High School, is leading a very active retirement lifestyle. She is an excellent musician who plays alto saxophone and is a soloist. Bingman is also an excellent photographer. She recently returned from her fourth trip to photograph polar bears. Her favorite print, shot on this latest trip, is of a mother polar bear and her triplets. To see her photography, visit Gallery Saratoga. An artist’s reception will be held April 12, from 1 to 5 p.m. Gallery Saratoga is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Silver Mountain hosted a wine-and-food feast on March 8. The event was offered at the Loma Public Education Fund Gala last October. Fifteen mountain residents and friends enjoyed the culinary talents of Craig Ponkey and Marky Carr as well as a winery tour led by Jerold O’Brien.

Norlyn Wade, mountain artist, has been selected for an art exhibition at Filoli. The exhibit is entitled “Native California” and runs from Tuesday, April 5, through Sunday, May 4, in the visitor center. Meet the artists day will be Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Meet Volunteer Randy Weeton
Jeff Powell

Susan Jane Knipe
June 11, 1944 to January 15, 2008

From our March issue

A book by Jennifer LaForce
My Soul. Reflections on Africa, America and Adonai
Else Sinsigalli

With over seven years at the helm, Hudick has helped to provide peak recreational experiences for nearly 15,000 riders, covering more than 146,000 miles on each Tierra Bella Tour day. The 29th annual Tierra Bella is just on the horizon, starting and ending at Gavilan College in Gilroy on April 19.

Former C.T. English Middle School math teacher Cecilia Anderson has joined the math department at Los Gatos High School.

Karen Geyer, former speech therapist at Loma Prieta School, is now the new speech therapist at LGHS.

Among the talented members of the San Jose Youth Symphony’s Philharmonic Orchestra is mountain student Grady Kestler, a junior and a violinist who has been a member for two years. The students practice from September through early June. Every two years the orchestra goes on tour. In 2007, the orchestra toured in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria.

Presentation Center on Bear Creek Road was awarded a "Green Building Oscar" by California Interfaith Power & Light. The Center has made significant strides to conserve energy. Tours are available.

Anne-Marie Green, daughter of Norm and Karen Green, is a senior at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She made Dean’s List for fall 2007 semester at the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. Anne-Marie graduated from Loma Prieta, C.T. English Middle School, and LGHS.

Members of Paw de Chat, an LGHS dance team, include mountain students Shan McBurney-Lin, Sophia Rumasuglia, Stephanie Silva, and Samantha Tack.

Victor Gonzalez, a senior at LGHS, is a wrestler on the powerful high school team.

Madelaine Gustafson, LGHS junior, is a member of a synchronized swimming team.

Kristin Snook, a junior at LGHS, is a member of the Los Gatos Rowing Club that practices on Lexington Reservoir. She is a member of the varsity girls team. Her coach Derek Byrnes describes her as "the best rower he has ever seen for her height and weight." Realtor Karen Izzo is an adult member of the Los Gatos Rowing Club.

In January, LGHS students held a Thursday Night Live concert. Among the students were these mountain residents: DJ Brandt, Evan Davis, Stephen Hight, Erika Hight, Michael Gardener, Nick Hernandez, Grady Kestler, Jordan Kestler, and Tor Mcilroy.

Evin Wieser was featured in the January issue of Boys Life (scouting magazine), that features scouts for achieving their goals. Evin has spent a few years on a shark research project.

Lynn Shannon is a volunteer on the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2010 board. The ISEF signed Google to lend its name and $2 million in support.

Mountain couple Steve and Gayle Shank were one of three couples featured in the February 12 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. They met in their sophomore year at Los Gatos High School in an English class. Gayle asked Steve to the Sadie Hawkins dance in April 1964. They went steady in high school and were married after graduating from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.

Mark and Rebecca Smith are delighted to announce a new arrival to their family. James Robert was born on January 30. He weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches long. James has an older brother, Edward, who recently turned two-years-old. The Smiths live on Radonich Road.

From our February issue

A mountain resident since 1927, Fred Walter will reach another milestone when he celebrates his 102nd birthday February 6. One of Fred’s many contributions to mountain history was his service as school trustee for Summit School, and in 1950 as a trustee of the newly formed Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District. The support by that school board secured the right of Loma Prieta children to attend Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High Schools. Mail your birthday greetings to Fred at 21518 Madrone Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95033.

Dyana Leland, who attended Loma, CTE, and Los Gatos High schools, married Mike Feldmeyer in July 2006 near Ventura. They have lived in Santa Barbara where Mike graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in December 2007. Dyana has been working for the Mental Health division of Santa Barbara County. They will relocate to the Sacramento area this year, where Mike will pursue underwater photography (see www.flashoflightphoto.com for updates and samples of his work). Dyana hopes to pursue a career in her degree subject, environmental policy, with the State of California.

Matt Leland, a graduate of Loma, CTE, and Los Gatos High schools, married his longtime sweetheart, Andriel Dickerson, in October 2006. A formal wedding was delayed while they relocated to Placerville and gave birth to Tyler in May 2007. Tyler is the first grandchild of Pat and Jim Burnham. Jim has been retired for three years and Pat hopes to join him soon. They will spend a lot of time traveling north or enjoying the laughter and chaos of having the empty nest full again when the children, spouses, and grandchild come for visits. The wedding took place October 14, 2007 in a lovely iris garden in Placerville. Matt is working for a PG&E sub-contractor in the Sierras, locating trees that threaten power lines and marking them for removal (he was very busy in January). Andriel is finishing her degree in education while raising Tyler and working at a local daycare center. 

Talented young musicians Nick Brodine, Stefan Montana, and Tay Brodine are in a local rock band called CAUTION. They have released their first CD. All three sing. Nick (age eleven) plays drums; Stefan (age eleven) plays guitar; and Tay (age eight) plays guitar. You may order their new CD online for $5 at http://Kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX00ZXI5Q5, or call 408-353-2226.

Adam Hickok, son of Howard and Sandra Hickok, has been chosen to represent the San Jose State Mechanical Engineering Department in India. The Global Technology Initiative’s mission is to give students a global perspective with a focus on technology and business developments in the Asia Pacific region. It will provide San Jose State University engineering students a global perspective for engineering and entrepreneurship in the enterprise-value chain and prepare them for a successful career in this globalization era. Donors to the initiative are business leaders in the high-technology industry with strong business ties to Silicon Valley.

Her family history reflects fire and medical careers. Her father was a doctor and one grandfather was a firefighter.

When she’s not at work─with us or at her deli─she travels extensively and is an avid poker player. She’s also completely at home snuggled up on the couch, reading a good book.

From our January issue

The Mountain Art Guild members added a new feature to their annual "On & Off the Wall" art show at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center in Ben Lomond. Non-members who received a postcard were invited to bring the postcard to enter a drawing for a $150 certificate for artwork from the artist of their choice. This year’s winner was Linda Belleville, who lives on Loma Prieta Avenue.

Scott Drew traveled to Central America on a medical-service mission. He is a 2003 graduate of Los Gatos High School and son of Las Cumbres residents John and Theresa Drew. Scott graduated from Texas Christian University December 2007, with a degree in biology and chemistry. Immediately following graduation, he and fourteen pre-med students from around the United States journeyed to rural villages in Costa Rica to provide basic medical services, vaccinations, and needed medicines. Students delivered medical care alongside local doctors and service workers under the auspices of Good Samaritan Missions, a non-profit humanitarian organization founded in 1995. Missions are funded by sponsorships. Each participant needed to raise approximately $2000 for their team’s mission, in addition to paying for their own transportation and travel fees.

Dan Lyons, a senior and member of the Los Gatos High School water polo team, was selected to participate in the CCS Division-1-All-Star-water-polo game held Saturday, October 1, at Sacred High School in Atherton. Dan helped the Division-1 team beat Division 2 for the championship 8-5.

Members of the West Valley water-polo club team are Johnny DeSalvo, Joey DeSalvo, Wes Heeter, Dan Lyons, and Dylan Viskochil. The team will travel to Orlando, Florida, in January 2008, to compete in national water polo events.

The Los Gatos High School water-polo team held an awards banquet in December. The Los Gatos varsity team came in fourth in their division. Evan Davis was named most inspirational team player. Johnny DeSalvo was named best defensive player. Matt Gassman was selected all-league honorable mention. Dan Lyons was named most valuable player, first team all-league, and high scorer.

From our December issue

Locals in the News
Marlene Wiley

The Los Gatos High School boys water- polo team finished fourth overall in league finals, qualifying the team to advance to CCS Division 1 competition. Twelve mountain boys participated on the twenty-three member squad. The mountain boys are Evan Davis, Joey DeSalvo, John DeSalvo, JP Faraj, Matt Gassman, Ben Granas, Wes Heeter, Grady Kestler, Jordan Kestler, Dan Lyons, Mike Masterman, and Dylan Viskochil. Frosh/Soph mountain team members are Nico Faraj, Adam Gouldsberry, Michael Homer, Doug McLeod, and Robbie Temmerman.

Additional members of the cross country teams at Los Gatos High School are freshmen Jensen Fabris, Cody Hansen, Kenny Jatho, Joseph Kaupert, and Griffin Pryce. Early in November, the boys and girls teams won the De Anza division competition with mountain students Michael Johnson and Kaela Townsend winning the boys and girls races. The boys team finished second at CCS, qualifying for state. The girls team finished fifth, and Kaela Townsend was the one Los Gatos girl to qualify for state. The second Los Gatos girl was Erin Fabris, who finshed 16th, only six places from making state.

Cheryl Bencala, local mountain resident and occupational therapist, will take a medical team to India in February 2008. The team will provide medical and dental care for about three to four thousand people of a remote village north of Delhi. This year they are focusing on prescription glasses. If you can donate any prescription glasses, please email Cheryl at CBenacala@yahoo.com.

Ariel Lacey, 15, a sophomore at Los Gatos High School, entered three pieces of gourd art and one watercolor painting in the Santa Cruz County Fair junior (age 15-17) fine arts competition in August. She won second place and a check for $25 for her "Gold Finch Bird House" gourd, third place for her "Close to Borderline" watercolor painting, and an honorable mention for her "Owl Gourd."

Julian Lacey, 13, won first place and a $400 prize at the St. Mary’s Fair Talent Show on October 13. Julian performed a hip-hop and break-dancing number called Hats, which was choreographed for him by his teacher and mentor ReMinD.

Jamie Lenihan, a fourth-grader at Lakeside School, was one of five recipients of the Los Gatos Youth Park Youth Citizens of the Year in October. Jamie was the youngest recipient and is involved in several activities including Girl Scouts, 4-H Club, student council, and Girls on the Run.

Kierstin Bates, daughter of David and Karen Bates, and Wayne Stickney, were married August 4 at Maison du Lac. Kierstin is a graduate of Loma Prieta, CTE, Los Gatos High School, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Wayne received his BA and MS degrees from California State University, Long Beach. He is currently completing his doctorate at Pepperdine University. The couple honeymooned in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and will live in Long Beach, California.

Wayne Heimsoth received the Hiram Award from Masonic chapter 561. He was rewarded for his support of the lodge, serving many years as president and treasurer.

Among the elite athletes of Los Gatos High School selected for the Los Gatos Athletic Hall of Fame is Manny Austin. He played baseball, basketball, track and field, and football. He played football four years and was on the varsity team three years. Manny won local and league honors and was named MVP of the league as a senior.

Lance Lougée has returned home from firefighting in southern California. Sandra Hickok was also deployed by the Red Cross to help those who had been forced to leave their homes.

Outstanding high school students recognized for leadership and service to their school won the Wildcat Service Award. The mountain students recognized were Alec Brasier, Lisa Furlo, and Joy Harris.

Kayla Kauffman, a sophomore, is a member of the Los Gatos High School cheerleading team.

For several years, Christina Lopp and Gay Kraeger have taught hundreds of students the skills for keeping their personal watercolor journaling booklet. Recently they made a CD about journaling that is available at their website: http://www.watercolorjournaling.com/shop.htm.

Villa del Monte Winery proudly announces that all six of the wines they submitted to the 2007 Los Angeles Cellarmasters 34th Annual Amateur Winemaking Competition won gold, silver, and bronze awards. John Overstreet and Neil Perrelli thank Craig Wells for his wisdom, Eddie Guenneville for his excellent grapes, and Dragoncrest for a collaborative beginning.

Kevon Chambers, son of Ken Chambers and Shannon Edwards, attends Orchard School which recently participated in the Oreo Cookie Contest. The students from Orchard School placed second nationally. Part of their experience was an all-expense paid trip to New York City with their parents.

Patti Hughes was recently honored by the Los Gatos Town Council and the Los Gatos Community Foundation. The Town Council presented Hughes with a commendation award for her work in creating an academic program that increased the number of LGHS graduates pursuing higher education from 68% to 98% as well as being awarded the national "Distinguished Teacher Award" by President George H. W. Bush. The Los Gatos Community Foundation presented her with a 2007 "Thumbs Up" Award in recognition of her many years of dedication to LGHS and Los Gatos. Patti is an Emeritus Board Member of the Los Gatos Community Foundation, and is active on the Town Beautification Committee. She also serves as a docent for the Los Gatos Museum Association and is a member of the Loma Prieta Club.

A Moment in Time
Serena Dudas
Elizabeth Park

From our October issue

Lucas Stephen Charles Illges was born April 29 to Justin and Tammy Illges. He weighed seven pounds, fourteen ounces, and was 19-inches long. Justin is the son of Ray and Sharon Illges of Upper Zayante Road. Justin is a graduate of Lakeside Elementary School and Los Gatos High School.

Matt Ellis, a 2007 graduate at Los Gatos High and a 2003 CTE graduate, will attend San Jose State this fall with the intention of playing baseball, as well as studying for a business degree. He signed up with San Jose State University head baseball coach Sam Piraro. Matt is the son of Mark and Mona Ellis. He was an outfielder at Los Gatos High School. The two-time first-team All-Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division player batted .365 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 2007. In 2006, he set the school record for most RBIs in a season with 28. Matt was chosen for his ability to play right field because of his powerful arm, said Piraro.

Local horse woman, Tara Foley, placed first in the Summer College Bound Invitational horse show held in Newberry, Florida. She took first place in the Huntseat Equitation Over Fences.

In the 33rd annual Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game held this past summer, David Martini, son of Alan and Ann Martini, caught four passes. One was a touchdown that helped the North win 24 to 21 in the annual competition among the best high school football players in the area.

From our September issue

Among the actors with the Children’s Musical Theater of San Jose in Charlotte’s Web was Nicole Liddle, daughter of Mike and Lisa Liddle. Nicole attends Hillbrook School.

Entering his senior year at Los Gatos High School, Colin Quirke spent most of the summer competing in shotput and discus events in Europe. With dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland, Colin competed for Ireland during the summer. He broke the Irish National Youth Records for shot put with a throw of 19.13 meters and the discus with a throw of 52.80 meters. He also won the national under-23 age-group title and was selected to compete in the World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. At the world championships Colin finished eighth in the finals and set a new national record of 19.33 meters with the 5 kg shot. His father Paul Quirke is a former Olympic shot-putter for Team Ireland. Father and son train at the Los Gatos Athletic Club. He returned to the United States in time to participate in the Los Gatos High School football summer training sessions.

Jana McBurney-Lin is scheduled to talk about her book My Half of the Sky at the Evergreen Branch Library of the San Jose City Library on September 15 at 3 p.m. The program also features a Vietnamese storyteller and an icecream social. Jana is collecting books to ship to the Book Palace in Hangzhou, China, for expatriates and people learning English. Jana will also pick up your books. Call her at 408-353-1961.

Katie Saunders, a 2007 graduate of Los Gatos High School and the daughter of Jan and Gary Saunders, received two scholarships to Sonoma State University—the President’s Scholarship and the Forrest W. and Ida J. Benson Scholarship. She plans to pursue a career in recreation management.

Nick and Alicia Hoffman welcomed a daughter, Ashlyn Nicole, on May 25. She weighed seven pounds, twelve ounces, and was twenty-inches long. Her big brother Nathan is two years old. Nick is a graduate of Loma Prieta, CTE (1993), and Los Gatos High School (1997). The family lives in Morgan Hill.

John Overstreet, mountain resident, presented a lecture "Making Wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains" on August 3 to a group of international-graduate students at Stanford. A wine tasting followed the presentation. Suzanne, his wife, teaches in the English for Foreign Students program at Stanford. The Overstreets with their partners Neil and Joyce Perrelli, also mountain residents, have begun a wine-making venture named after their neighborhood, "Villa del Monte."

Vince and Jonalyn Busam welcomed their first child, Devin Vincent Busam, born July 12. Devin weighed nine pounds, eight-and-a-half ounces and was twenty-one-inches long. Vince is the son of Vince and Jennifer Busam. He is a graduate of Loma Prieta, C. T. English Middle School, and Los Gatos High School. The family lives in Los Angeles.

Katie Kane is the president of the Women’s Council of Realtors. She is with Alain Pinel Realtors in Los Gatos. WCR recently held a fashion show with proceeds benefiting several charities such as Community Solutions, American Cancer Society, and Hospice of the Valley.

Lindsay Russell, niece of Barnes and Terry Parker, participated in the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association finals in Globe, Arizona. Lindsay, 17 years old, took first place in the 16 to 18 age group as All-Around Cowgirl for the year. She also placed first in poles and barrel racing in her age group.

Tom Sutherland, a recent graduate of Los Gatos High School, will be a freshman at Texas Christian University this fall. He recently drove in the San Jose Grand Prix on a 1.5- mile circuit hitting speeds of over 150 miles- per-hour on Almaden Avenue and through downtown San Jose. During the race a number of accidents happened, and Sutherland’s car suffered damage, including loss of the right-wing flap. He was gaining in the race, but the accidents and debris on the road took there toll on his car. His right-rear tire had been punctured and was slowly losing air. In spite of this problem, Tom finished the race in 13th place.

Ariadne Rowe, daughter of Andrew and Christina Rowe, is a recent fifth-grade graduate of Lakeside Elementary School. Ariadne was honored April at a state-wide awards ceremony for gifted children held by The Johns Hopkins University for Talented Youth (CTY). She was invited to this awards ceremony because of her exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to second- through eighth-grade talent search participants.

Joseph Delaney, son of Jay and Christina Delaney, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in May with a degree in chemical biology. He recently was awarded a grant from the NIH to do some research in Bethesda, Maryland and is now doing research at the National Naval Medical Center. When he was a senior in college, he traveled to India to study for a semester at the University of Hyderabad.

Danielle Joesten, daugher of Steve and Karen Joesten, graduated magna cum laude from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, on May 11. She earned a double major in political science and international relations and a double minor in business and French with a Certificate in Leadership. She has accepted a job working for Senator Patty Murray in her Spokane office. Danielle was valedictorian of the Class of 1999 at C.T. English Middle School and an honor graduate of the Class of 2003 at Los Gatos High School.

5K Race. In the 14 and under age group, Jon Impey was first and Dana Tovey second in the male category. Alexandria Gallizioli placed first and Devon O’Regan second in the female category. Other mountain winners were Dane Sawyer (15-19), and Erin Fabris (15-19), Amy Goldsbury (20-29), and Jane Patrick (30-39).

Winners 10K Race. Winners of the 10K race were Michael Homer (14 and under), Christina Homer (15-19), Adam Dallas (20-29), Sarah Beauchamp (30-39), George Bruder (40-49), Sharon Reiss Miller (40-49), and Susan Smarr (50-69).

From our August issue

Locals in the News
Marlene Wiley

Michael Lopp, long-time mountain resident and Loma Prieta and C.T. English Middle schools graduate, recently published a book based on his many years of experience working in Silicon Valley. Managing Humans is not your traditional management book. It is a series of humorous essays on dealing with dysfunctional but bright engineers and power-hungry engineering managers, all of whom are in an incredible hurry. The book is available at local bookstores.

Anne-Marie Green, a graduate of Loma Prieta School, C.T. English Middle School, and LGHS graduate in 2004, is the daughter of Norm and Karen Green. She is a senior majoring in English and Spanish at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and has been placed on the Dean’s List for the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts.

Reeta Banerjee, co-valedictorian of the Los Gatos High School Class of 2007, lives with her parents on Bear Creek Way. She was featured by the Los Gatos Weekly-Times in the special graduation section. Her academic accomplishments are excellent. Her school activities included being chairman of the youth commission, a member of the speech and debate team, and co-editor of El Gato, the weekly school newspaper. She plans to study journalism at UC Berkeley.

Bricklin Foley, son of Ric and Patti Foley and a 2003 graduate of C.T. English Middle School, graduated from Archbishop Mitty High School in June.

The Los Gatos Rowing Club Women’s Varsity Lightweight 8 team won the national championship trophy at the competition in Cincinnati, Ohio this past June. The team rowed for three days and won their heats all three days. They crossed the finish line in 7:16.21. The team included mountain students Lindsay Collishaw and Kristin Snook.

Local landscape contractor and owner of Pacific Ground Cover and Nursery in Santa Cruz Tish O’Reilly offers mountain residents this advice for our forested property. She advocates the TLC approach: thin, limb, and clean. Especially in this dry year, Tish’s advice published in the Santa Cruz Sentienal, is important to follow.

Five young women are being sponsored by the Los Gatos-Saratoga branch of the American Association of University Women to attend the summer Tech Trek Science Camp for Girls at Stanford University. Two of the girls—Michaella Montana and Madeline Smedt—are from C.T. English Middle School. They will learn about math and science careers.

Jana McBurney-Lin’s book My Half of the Sky has won several book awards: August 2006 Pick of the Month by the American Booksellers Association, received a Notable Mention in the Eric Hoffer Award for Best New Fiction, and is a 2006 Finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year awards.

Among the sports available to boys at Los Gatos High School is the recent addition of the team sport of mountain bike riding. The Wildcats Mountain Bike team recently completed its third season. The team participated in the "big boys" Nor-Cal League’s Division I for the first time. The team finished sixth overall and took third place as a team at the Grant Ranch competition. Mountain bikers are Jordan Kestler, Matt Colbran-Patterson, Ceili Wasson, and Ben Wild. You can access information and photographs of the team at http://www.lghs.net/clubs/mountainbikephotogallery/boggsmtn5-20-07/pages/_NAT6653.htm

Wayne Heimsoth recently received the Cornerstone Award from the San Jose Pyramid No. 9, Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots. The award recognizes community contributions to Masonry.

Gus Soucy, son of Phil and Jennifer Soucy, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Boy Scouts, on June 3. He completed over 325 requirements to earn this achievement. Gus’ leadership project was to refurbish a playhouse donated to the Loma Prieta School District. His fellow scouts Chris Maddox, Mason McAuliffe, Andrew McCutchen, and Ben Wild, and his father Phil Soucy, helped with the project. Gus also thanked Eric Hagedorn who donated much of the wood needed for the project.

The Northern California Junior Lacrosse championship was held in May in San Francisco. Gus Soucy is a midfielder for the West Valley Redhawks JV Lacrosse team. The Redhawks had a great season and earned the silver medal for Northern California, only losing the gold medal game by a single goal.

Joshua Kleiner of Highland Way graduated June 16 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering. Josh is traveling in Europe and India this summer. His brother Gabriel is a junior at the University of California, Berkeley.

Tom Sutherland, 2007 graduate of Los Gatos High School and the son of Rick and Lanie Sutherland, is preparing for college. He will attend Texas Christian University. He drove in the San Jose Grand Prix. In the last few months, Sutherland and his team have completed races held in Las Vegas, Long Beach, Houston, Portland, Cleveland, Quebec, Toronto, and Edmonton.

Several Santa Cruz Mountain wineries competed in competitions this year. At the West Coast competition, Burrell School Vineyards won bronze for their 2004 Estate Merlot, the silver for their 2004 Estate Pichon Cabernet Franc, and silver for their Estate Pichon Syrah.

Loma Prieta Winery won a gold for their 2004 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir, and gold for their 2004 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon.

At the Los Angeles International competition, Thomas Fogarty Winery won gold for their 2005 Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains; and gold for their 2005 Lexington Santa Cruz Mountains.

At the San Diego International, Silver Mountain Winery won silver for their Tondre’s (Bordeaux Blend) and a bronze for their 2001 Alloy (Bordeaux Blend).

At the Dallas Morning News, Silver Mountain Winery won gold for their 2004 Tondre’s Grapefields Pinot Noir.

At Riverside International, Silver Mountain Winery won the Chairman’s Award/Unanimous Gold for their 2004 Tondre’s Grapefields Pinot Noir, and silver for their 2004 Miller Hill Pinot Noir.

From our July issue

Erica Bencala, daughter of Dennis and Cheryl Bencala, will wed Brett Bannan, son of Charlie and Shar Bannan of Los Gatos, July 14. Erica is a graduate of Loma Prieta Elementary School, Valley Christian High School, and San Jose State University. The wedding will be held at Mission Santa Clara.

Samantha Orcutt, daughter of Jim and Lisa Orcutt, is a seventh-grade student at Fisher Middle School and she attended Lexington School. Samantha was recently honored at a state-wide awards ceremony for gifted children held by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY). She was invited to this awards ceremony because of her exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to second- through eighth-grade talent-search participants.

Colin Quirke, a junior at Los Gatos High School and a graduate of C.T. English Middle School, recently participated in the Central Coast Sectional (CCS) boys track-and-field championships. He entered the competition as the top-ranked shot putter. His first throw set a personal-best heave of 61-feet, 10-inches to beat the defending champion from Archbishop Mitty High School. In the state finals, Colin earned third place in the shot- putt competition. Colin was one of four from LGHS to qualify for state in five events, a LGHS record. The LGHS team placed sixth as a team at the state meet.

Ethan James Goss, son of Scott and Cathy Goss, was born May 31. He weighed seven pounds, two ounces and was twenty-inches long. Scott is the son of Betty Kairis, stepson of Vic Kairis, and son of Jim Goss. Scott graduated from C.T. English Middle School and Los Gatos High School.

Erica Goss was the 2007 winner of the first Edwin Markham Prize for poetry, recently awarded by Reed, San Jose State University’s literary magazine. Erica also received the Dorrit Sibley Award in May, given by the English Department of San Jose State University, in honor of her achievements in writing and the study of poetry, and Phelan Award in the free-verse category.  Erica will receive her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from San Jose State University this summer.   

Colleen Marie Cornelius, daughter of Robert Cornelius and Wendy Williamson of Los Gatos, will marry Erik Alden Beeson, the son of Rik and Susan Beeson of Santa Cruz, on June 30, at the Mountain Bible Church. Colleen graduated from Los Gatos High School in 2002 and from West Valley College with honors in film studies in 2005. She works as a nanny in Los Gatos. Erik graduated from Cabrillo College in 2003 and he graduated from UCSC in 2005 with a degree in computer science.

James Furlo, son of Guy and Dawn Furlo, residents of Chemeketa Park, graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, on May 13. He received a Master of Business Administration degree. He has accepted a job with Hewlett Packard in Corvallis, Oregon. James graduated from Los Gatos High School in 2002.

Sara Dal Porto, a 1999 graduate of CTE and a 2003 graduate of Los Gatos High School, graduated magna cum laude in May from Duke University. She is the daughter of Mary and Jim Dal Porto of Skyland. She received a bachelor of rrts degree in public policy with a minor in economics and a certificate in markets and management. In 2003, Sara was the recipient of the Loma Prieta Club’s academic scholarship.

Caitlin Pryce, daughter of Tani and Dean Pryce and a Los Gatos High School junior, is the concertmaster for the Los Gatos High School orchestra. She received the National School Orchestra Award recognizing her excellence in playing and contributions to the ensemble. The NSOA is the highest honor for a member of a high school orchestra.

Augustin (August) Gerald Sanders was born on May 31 to Paul and Laura Villemaire Sanders of Visalia. He weighed ten pounds, six ounces, and was 22-inches long. August is the first grandchild of Jerry and Jan Villemaire, twenty-nine year residents of Call of the Wild Road. Laura is a supervising RD-MPH at Tulare County Health Services. Paul is a regional manager at K. Hovnanian Homes.

Cayce Hopkins, daughter of Linda and Dale Hopkins, is a fifth-grader at Loma Prieta Elementary School. At the Silicon Valley Track and Field Championship held May 23, Cayce placed fifth in the long jump against fifth- and sixth-grade boys from 21 junior high and middle schools.

David Martini was named to the North all-star football team that will meet the South team in the 32^nd Silicon Valley Youth Classic Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game on July 18.

Tree houses are not just for children. Suzanne Cristallo and the Binell Family—Rich, Chigly