IN A well-deserved tribute to a Los Gatan who is assisting Los Gatos High School students to visit Washington, D.C., and examine the workings of their federal government, Emerson Shaw was honored with a luncheon Sept. 13 at La Hacienda. A representative of the Close-Up Foundation presented him with a plaque. Kim Katz of Close-Up was here from Washington for the express purpose of honoring Shaw for establishing scholarships that enable LGHS students to visit Washington for a week, meet with government officials and members of Congress, and gain a better idea of how our government works. "Everybody in our Washington office," Katz said, "knows about Emerson."
The Close-Up Foundation, operating in every state, is an organization that brings high-school students to the nation's capital. Last June, LGHS Vice Principal Patti Hughes accompanied five students for a week's visit. Thanks to Shaw's generosity, Hughes said, another five, and perhaps more students will see Washington in June 1997.
"Because of their trip in June, these students developed a new, more intense interest in government," Hughes said. "At least one has expressed a desire to go into government work." The journey included a side trip to Colonial Williamsburg. On the trip in June were DeeDee Barber, Peter Carter, Deva Dawson, Chiara Grabill and Jessica Fennik. The five met with Senator Ted Kennedy, Congressman Tom Campbell and others.
AFTER 29 years as a Los Gatos pharmacist, Alden Johnson is retiring and has closed the Los Gatos Pharmacy at 151 E. Main St., near Los Gatos High School. Sept. 25 was closing day. "I'm just going to loaf, take it easier and do some traveling with my wife, Carolyn," said Johnson, who opened the pharmacy at that location in 1979 after 10 years farther along E. Main, where the Move It! studio is today.
A REUNION of former Night Baseball players Sept. 25 at the Villa Felice brought together about 30 of those who played 1950s ball behind Los Gatos High School. Among guests were John Boitano, who played on the Flying A's; Dave Tellel from Fresno; Anthony Zaro of Sacramento; Eddie Behler, former Los Gatos sports shop owner, now of Santa Cruz; Joey Ferla of Gilroy; and Charles Cucco of Los Gatos.
WE AND OUR Neighbors clubhouse, 14850 Union Ave., needs a new roof. Helping toward the cost, Live Oak Kitchen is donating 10 percent of receipts on Oct. 7 and Nov. 1. For donations, phone Beatrice Mead, 377-1463.
JAZZ PAINTER Bruni of Old Town Gallery will show 50 of her "Jazz Masters Series" when she gives a rare interview Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. on Bay-TV.
KELLY HUS, owner of Coastal Collections, 53 N. Santa Cruz Ave., reports volunteers among customers and staff members numbered only 12 when they pitched in for the fourth statewide Coastal Cleanup Sept. 21, but they were determined to beat last year's collected trash. They did, scraping up 227 pounds (compared with 88 last year) and 60 pounds of recyclables (versus nine last year). Besides the usual beverage cans and food wrappers, rubber tires and old blankets were secured at Corcoran Lagoon Beach near Santa Cruz.
"Each year, we hear people talk about getting involved," says Hus, "but find they're unsure where to go or they lose enthusiasm." Hus also owns a Capitola shop.
REPRESENTING California in this year's televised "Ms. United States of America Pageant" Dec. 5 in Reno will be Debbie Rice of Campbell, chosen the 1996 Ms. California USA. A graduate of Los Gatos High School and Santa Clara University Paralegal Institute, Debbie, 36, was married last June during her Ms. California reign. (The national pageant is open to women 25-55, married, single or divorced.) A legal secretary and certified paralegal, she is active in the First Baptist Church. The pageant affords women an opportunity to express values of family, career and community service.
PARENTS OF teenagers may get some needed help from a new newsletter launched this month by Parent Magazine, published by Los Gatan Sandy Moeckel. Labeled Bay Area Parent of Teens, it's touted as the first of its kind. The 12-page monthly letter will attempt to unravel the mysteries of adolescence, answering such questions as: Why do kids push parents out of their lives? Yearly subscription is $25. Parents can get a free copy by phoning 358-1414.
APPEARING before Los Gatos Rotary Club, Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Honda urged support for Measures A and B, which are aimed at relieving traffic congestion, on the November ballot. By raising the sales tax 1/2 percent a year, the measures would cost each resident about $32, Honda said. Measure A will ask voters to approve the intent of projects to be funded, including interchange improvements, traffic-light synchronization, safety improvements along 85, and widening Highway 101 toward Morgan Hill. Measure B asks approval of the sales-tax hike.
CHILDREN'S author Joy Hulme of Monte Sereno has two new books for youngsters out this month. Hulme collaborated with former Los Gatan Donna Guthrie on How to Write, Recite and Delight in All Kinds of Poetry (Millbrook, $17.90.) Illustrated with paintings, it contains ideas and instructions to help kids hone poetry skills. "We're planning a party in November for all the kids whose poems are in the book," she said. Also just out is Sea Sums (Hyperion Books, $13.95), a fun book about numbers.
KIM NGUYEN, formerly with Christina's Children's Shoes, has opened a San Jose travel agency, specializing in travel to Vietnam and the Far East. She is organizing a tour of the Orient Nov. 11. Phone 925-9395 or fax 925-9398.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, October 2, 1996.
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