Main Street
A new 'do and outfit make all the difference
By Mary Ann Cook
AMAZING WOMEN: Some 25 women who live in shelters have a new lease on life, thanks to Le Chic owner Danica Finitz and other beauticians who spent a recent Sunday doing hair and fashion makeovers for them.
Those who received the makeovers were mostly women on welfare who are trying to return to the workplace. Most were victims of abusive relationships or drugs, or getting back on their feet after the birth of a baby (many are putting babies up for adoption). The women, who represented a variety of ages, all said a makeover would jump-start their job search or strengthen their position in a job already held.
Le Chic's owner picked up on the idea from Lynette Manzanares of La Nouvelle in Saratoga. Manzanares and Nouvelle owner Susanna Salim in August initiated what Manzanares calls the Amazing Women Project. Manzanares is hopeful it will eventually become a nationwide effort.
Le Chic's regular clients got into the act in a big way, too. Finitz received so many clothes contributions that she had to store them in friends' homes. The clothes and donated beauty supplies will go to the other residents of InnVision, Second Start and Heritage Home, part of the Emergency Housing Consortium.
Los Gatos beauticians who contributed to the day include those from Brandau Brandau, Tangles, Salon Sutter, Professional Cut and Brats Salon. Breakfast and lunch were served, thanks to Le Chic customers and Lunardi's. The small shop was brimming with people, inside and out--probably 70 people during the day, Finitz says.
"It was such a success, I don't even know where to start," Finitz says. TV channels covered the action, and the net results of the day were tears of appreciation, plenty of laughter and one-day clients better equipped to take on the work world, despite their personal setbacks in the past.
The day didn't end with cleaning up the shop after the makeovers for Finitz, however. Because of the rain, her Royce Street shop flooded, and there was that to contend with until the wee hours.
COVER KITCHEN: Those are two Los Gatans on the cover of the November issue Today's Homeowner, a magazine found at bookstores and Home Depots. The two are Michele and Willis Flood, who are shown comfortably ensconced in their newly redesigned kitchen. The kitchen designer was Helena Steele of Campbell.
The kitchen has an arced island with cooktop thereon. Countertops are blue pearl granite and flannel gray concrete. Yes, concrete. With windows nearby and a skylight overhead, it's like cooking outdoors when stationed at the island, Michele says in the article.
Both Floods like to cook, enjoy entertaining and have two teenage daughters. This configuration fits the family well. The garden of Michele's sister, Chris Gaspich, was displayed in Sunset Magazine last fall, so their parents, Lee and Byron Owens, can boast that they have produced a couple of cover girls, home and garden variety.
INVITEES: Several Los Gatans were plucked out for humanitarian service recently. Mimi and Eric Carlson, for instance, accompanied Illinois Governor George Ryan's delegation to Cuba. Mimi was invited by the governor because she was part of Trio Chicago and Friends, a group she has recorded and performed with in the past.
Trio Chicago members had a recording session with Havana Radio and met students at Havana Music High School and Havana Institute of the Arts. They were received by Fidel Castro, and they met U.S. Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, and the Turkish Ambassador to Cuba. Eric was recording engineer/official photographer for the troupe.
WHITE HOUSE GUEST: Another Los Gatan recently honored was Julie Dean, who was invited to the White House Conference on Philanthropy: Gifts to the Future. Dean reported on the Community Foundation Silicon Valley's YIP (Youth in Philanthropy) program.
In this program, young people (ages 14 to 24) initiate community service projects, apply for grants and implement the projects. A YIP Committee, composed of young people, designs the applications, reviews proposals, interviews applicants and recommends funding. East San Jose was the targeted area, and next year Gilroy and East Palo Alto will join in.
AWARD WINNER: Los Gatos graphic designer Rick Tharp was awarded a silver medal at the 34th annual West Coast Show, the oldest and largest juried competition of graphic design in the West. His design firm also won two Awards of Excellence. The latter awards were for retail identity and packaging design for LeBoulanger Bakery Cafes and PANoRAMA Baking Co.
EARLY THANKS: Some 200 seniors are expected to attend the annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the town and volunteers from the Senior Drop-In Center. The meal takes place on Nov. 20 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Neighborhood Center. Rotary Club members will help with setup and dismantling, and St. Mary's Junior High Ministry will serve.
Chris Benson coordinates the food with other restaurateurs. Dinner is free, but guests are asked to donate canned goods for St. Luke's Church holiday food bank.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
