TERRACES TURNS 10: The Terraces, the retirement community on Blossom Hill Road, celebrated its 10th anniversary recently. The senior community is home to 315 in three different care levels: 220 who live independently; 35 in assisted living; and 59 in skilled care.
The over-65 crowd is the fastest-growing segment of Santa Clara County's population. A waiting list of years attests to this demographic and the popularity of the place. For a patio unit, the wait is as long as 10 years. It can take two years for a two-bedroom unit to become available and one year for a one-bedroom.
The 10th anniversary was marked with a champagne reception featuring the Merry Makers and the San José State University Choraliers. Residents were given ornaments as an anniversary favor. Special events at The Terraces include the Seniors of Distinction Award and the Fall Wine Tasting Festival.
Nine acres, four gardens (one in bloom each season), a swimming pool, a spa, a lounge, a library, a rec center, a computer center and three dining rooms are all part of The Terraces' amenities.
Newcomers say they feel at home right away, so welcoming are the residents. Relishing the lack of responsibility after owning a good-sized home are the Lamberts, Florence and Jim, who are enthused about their relatively carefree life at The Terraces.
Entertaining is easy. Just ask friends to come by for drinks before heading down to dinner. And Eloise and Dwight Kintner were treated to cookies from the neighboring Lamberts when they moved in. "I feel more at home here in a few months than I did in all our years in Morgan Hill," attests Eloise. "And we haven't even unloaded all our boxes yet."
TO ITALY: Amy Torchia's Italian language students at LGHS will travel to Italy in February for a cultural exchange program, a two-week home stay. In turn, Italian students will come to Los Gatos for two weeks in March. A fundraiser will be held at Campo di Bocce on Jan. 18, noon4 p.m.
Tickets are available at Campo di Bocce for $25, or by calling Torchia at 408.354.2730, ext. 317, or Frances Barnes at 408.354.2083. Allyson Barnes is one of the students headed for Italy. A buffet lunch will be served at the fundraiser, and bocce ball courts will be available for tournaments.
HABITAT VOLUNTEERS: Realtor Barbara Money of the Los Gatos Coldwell Banker office has been a dedicated Habitat for Humanity volunteer for a number of years. She is engaged in helping select the appropriate family to be housed in the latest H-for-H endeavor in Los Gatos.
The list of 40 families was whittled down when 12 didn't qualify because they didn't fit the profile—i.e., earned more money than guidelines allowed. Now the list stands at some 20, and home visits are scheduled for the new year.
Other selection committee members from Los Gatos are Bill Blaze, Mary Hughes, Val Bredemeier, Chata Alfaro, Julie DiNapoli and Ginger Taylor-McDonald. From Saratoga are Frank Tsai, Narasimha Nookla and Pat and Johnny Dawson.
The committee is faced with a daunting task: choosing from among the many qualified and deserving applicants—teachers, government workers and those who serve the community but can't afford to live here without help.
PEN WOMEN CELEBS: Seven local women achievers in the arts will be honored Feb. 8 at the annual Pen Women Celebrity Luncheon fundraiser. Those earning celebrity status are Betty Auchard, Janet Gold, Erie Mills, Jan Turnage, Susan Landauer, Luisa Tofi Claeys, Judith Sutton and Maggie Blackwell.
Auchard is a Los Gatos author, Sutton is a poetry and drama teacher at Saratoga High and Claeys is a Saratoga artist. The event will be held at the San Jose Elks Lodge starting at 11 a.m., with a luncheon at noon. Entertainment by members of the chapter will start at 1 p.m.
"Butterfly Creation" is the event's name: music, a fashion show and performances will be built around this theme. Oakland designer Jeri Scaife, a member of the branch, will show her fashions and describe her unique wearable art of textured and tapestry fabrics. Also involved in the program are Susan Zerwick and Carol Greene of Los Gatos and Michelle Gabriel and Louise Webb of Saratoga.
The cost for the fundraiser is $26 and checks go to ShaRon Haugen, 4156 Snowbank Court, San Jose, 95135-1046, by Jan. 30. For more information, call 408.238.2340.
BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Los Gatos Public Library will hold a used book sale of special books in the foyer of the town council chambers on Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A plethora of children's books will be for sale. Friends hold special book sales every other month. Note the location in the council entryway, rather than the library entrance.
SENIOR CENTER DANCES: Senior center dances are held quarterly and there is no set date—it depends on when the band, Nob Hill Sounds, is available. The next one scheduled is Jan. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the neighborhood center. Nob Hill plays a variety of music. Light refreshments will be served.
Got a tip for Main Street? Send email to
maryanncook@earthlink.net.
By Mary Ann Cook