Main Street
Mark Patten's passion for ultra-cycling overcomes all obstacles
By Mary Ann Cook
ACROSS AMERICA: Mark Patten, a '78 grad of Saratoga High who works for Thrasher Termite in Los Gatos, challenged himself in the 3,000-mile ultra-cycling race called Race Across America that extends from Portland, Ore., to Pensacola, Fla., and finishes this week.
These cyclists push themselves to the max, downing a liquid diet handed over to them from an accompanying van and allowing themselves only one-and-a-half hours of sleep per night. This is Patten's third go at the race.
The first time he finished in 10 days and the second time he became delusional from sleep deprivation and dropped out 112 miles from the finish. "I felt like I wasn't moving, but the ground was spinning under me," he says.
"I've never felt so good in my life; and I've never felt so awful in my life," is the way he appraises the endurance race. The trick is to make the euphoric episodes outnumber the grim times, or to stay safely somewhere in between. "Sometimes things feel effortless, going up a hill. Everything is falling together and I'm laughing inside it's so effortless."
All this despite the blood blisters on the feet and the black toenails. He figures it takes six months before his body is fully recovered. Patten does construction work when he's not mega-cycling. Some 22 men and one woman signed up for the event. A van follows each cyclist. Frank Patten is crew chief on his son's van this time.
STAGED READING: Riva Rubnitz had a staged reading of her play at City Lights Theater recently and drew nearly a full house. A staged reading is the step that comes after multidrafts and several private readings in the development of a play. Next comes a workshop and then a full production.
As producer Ellen Bingham put it, "This is a work in progress, just one step on the many steps leading to Broadway" (or a fully staged production). Rubnitz is a Los Gatos marriage and family counselor now turning her talents to playwriting, so it's no surprise that her play deals with family relationships.
PEN WOMEN AWARDS: Several local students won scholarships from the National League of American Pen Women recently, including Zoe Rodriguez Segnitz of Monte Sereno and Los Gatos High who won $100 in the art category. Also honored was Lindsay Wolf, from Saratoga and Lynbrook High, who won first place and $100 in the letters category.
Runner up was Jennifer Cheng of Saratoga High School who won $75 and Ivy Chen of Saratoga High who won honorable mention. Jeff Mount, a LGHS teacher, won $200 in letters.
OLYMPICS WINNER: Los Gatan Trevor Glickman, 24, won a gold and two silver medals in track at the recent Northern California Special Olympics held in Stockton. He qualified for the regional by winning first place in the 400-meter race in San Jose. Glickman won the gold for the 200 meter and silvers in the 100 and 400 events.
Ice skating is also an enthusiasm of his. He works in data entry for Complete Service Bureau in Los Gatos and is a graduate of Saratoga High School. Trevor is the son of Steve Glickman, a member of the LGUSD school board who ran for a state Assembly seat this year.
TIGER'S TOURNEY: Locals who volunteered at the Pebble Beach Open included Judy Moore of Los Gatos and Saratogans Ed Porter and Ron Whitcanack. Whitcanack was a marshal on the 16th hole and Porter guarded a corporate hospitality tent, "keeping people [who weren't authorized to be there] from entering."
Moore was in charge of corporate hospitality and that location was ideal with a good view of the sixth, eighth and 14th holes. From that vantage, Tiger's drives down the sixth looked even more phenomenal. The excuses given to wrangle a way into the tents were legion. "I know so and so" was among the most popular.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Habitat for Humanity will build in Los Gatos on Charles Street later this year. And a golf tourney benefit for Habitat is slated for July 17, at La Rinconada Country Club. Cost is $195; dinner only is $35. RSVP by July 3 to Bill Arnopp at 408.294.6464.
The tournament raised $10,000 last year. Los Gatans on the HfH board include Bill Blaze, Phil Ernstrom and Bruce Henry.
GARLIC STRINGS: The Plain James Band, headed by Los Gatan Sammy Roye, has been chosen to play at the Gilroy Garlic Festival on July 28. The band will play at Los Gatos Lodge on June 30 and July 1. Roye is the frontman bass guitarist for the bluesy rock & roll band.
"The Saga of Steve Young," a recent offering, has received considerable air time and is being sold through the Internet. Jack Hanson plays lead guitar; Don Ghio on drums; Blaine Deaton, keyboard; Dave Gonzales, saxophone; and Mike Morgan, harmonica.
TEATIME: Clothes designer Marian Clayden and image consultant Alyce Parsons joined cardiac surgeon Sharon Bogerty, who spoke on "Living a Heart Healthy Balanced Lifestyle" at the fashion show tea at the San Jose Fairmont, sponsored by the American Heart Association.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
