Los Gatos Weekly-Times Judy Bingman turns talents to animal kingdom Mary Ann Cook PET PHOTOS: Anyone who's into pet photos will be happy to learn what Judy Bingman is up to these days. Bingman retired this spring after 35 years as musical director at Los Gatos High School. She led the marching, symphonic and jazz bands. But now she's started a new business called Pluffy Pet Portraits. A line of greeting cards featuring her photos of wildlife is on sale at Trent Pottery. A display of her work is in the window of Travel Advisors, and Bingman herself works at the Los Gatos Camera Center, so she or her work can usually be sighted on Santa Cruz Avenue. Bingman will have key chains and magnets ready for the Loma Prieta Holiday Boutique. And her notecards are available at the Loma Prieta Recreation Department and at Elkhorn Slough. Besides her photography work, her musical direction can be heard at the Saratoga Civic Theatre in the West Valley Light Opera production of Carousel, playing until Nov. 28. As for all those years at LGHS, she misses the kids, but not the tight schedule or the commute from the Santa Cruz Mountains. She lives there on seven acres with her husband, Jim, two donkeys, three cats, a parrot, two dogs and uncounted chickens. That roll call sounds like a line right out of the old Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman TV soap opera. VALLE TREES: You've probably never seen trees the likes of which you'll find at Valle Monte League's Christmas Tree Elegance. Area designers decorate the trees, and League members collect auction items. This year, its 31st, the fundraiser will be held Dec. 1-4 at the Double Tree Hotel in San Jose. Included will be a brunch, coffees, teas, children's party and a grand ball to finish off the festivities. Beneficiaries of the event are four mental health agencies--Adult and Child Guidance Center, Alzheimer's Activity Center, John XXIII Multi-Service Center and the Center for Living with Dying. These folks from Los Gatos are responsible for turning trees into works of art: Pam Costello, Linda Austin, Sandi Gillmor, Pat Heller, Barbara Reed, Andrea Thomas, Suzy Leupp and Gina Hamilton Comes. "Christmas Pageantry" workers from Monte Sereno are Sandra Farris, Kathie Fox, Patti Pollack Diamond, Ann Hawes, Merlene Bottomley and Beverly Scoffone. Some big names are lending a hand this year, as witness Louis Vuitton, who will be providing decorations for the Macy's tree with his leather pieces as gifts. Jessica McClintock will be on board too, at one of the fashion shows. The Valle Monte hotline is 278-8001 and the address is P.O. Box 5874, San Jose, 95150-5874. SENIORS' THANKSGIVING: The annual Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors will take place Nov. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Neighborhood Center. The dinner is free to seniors, though a donation of canned goods is requested, to become part of St. Luke's holiday food bank. Most appreciated are chili, tuna and applesauce. Close to 200 seniors are fed at this annual event. Chris Benson of C.B. Hannegan's presides over the birds, roasting all 15 turkeys, plus preparing gravy and stuffing. Andy Pavisich donated seven turkeys, and an anonymous donor the other eight. Delizioso's provides the pumpkin pies, Cafe Marcella the candied yams, Le Boulanger the rolls. Serving will be middle and high school students who are members of St. Mary's Junior High Religious Education group and WAV, the high school group, plus Girl Scout Troop 082 led by Maxine Granadino. Live chamber music is also promised. Sue Hamilton is volunteer coordinator for the event, and the Los Gatos Senior Drop-In Center and area restaurants are sponsors. Another arena where Chris Benson was caught red-handed serving the community was at the polls on election day. Surprised poll workers were treated to pizza and spareribs thanks to Hannegan's. That's a hard act to follow, that Benson boy. PUMPKIN SCULPTING: Los Gatos Rotary members helped 90 special-ed kids from San Jose carve Halloween pumpkins at its picnic at Oak Meadow Park. Judy Stein, Union Elementary Teacher of the Year, was the coordinator. Rotarians leading the carving brigade were Mike Frangadakis, chairman; Julian Rodrigues, Rotary president; and Mike Spanier, youth activities chair. Rides on the steam train and the carousel, and lunch with Rotarians were all part of the Halloween picnic package. HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Summit League house tour Dec. 3 and 4 will feature three Los Gatos homes--a Tudor estate, a craftsman country house and a Mediterranean-style villa. There will be a shuttle pick-up at 15985 Rose Ave. Tickets at $25 can be purchased from the Summit League, 14656 Stoneridge Drive, Saratoga. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Information 395-5040. The tour benefits the San Jose Family Shelter. OVATION: Baritone Le Roy Villanueva received a standing ovation at the opening concert of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Concert Series. The audience was particularly enchanted with his operatic renditions from Wagner's "Tannhauser" and Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Accompanist Brian Suits played three familiar Gershwin preludes. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, November 18, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.