Cited as a visionary and "the conscience of the industry," Scarvie was honored both for her 32 years of running a successful business and her service to children and the industry she helped define.

The toy maven holds a masters degree in psychology, which stands her in good stead when she presents Good Toy Seminars to parents, educators and students throughout the Bay Area. That well-designed toys equal wholesome and developmentally enriched childhoods is her theme.

"She insisted from the beginning that the association be guided by a desire to support the growth and development of children through healthy play experiences," said Jonny Girson, ASTRA president.

ON THE RUN: Meleah Guillardo, 8, of Monte Sereno, a third grader at Saratoga Elementary School, ran her sixth Bay to Breakers Race recently. She was interviewed by KNTV-Channel 2 and was on the 10 p.m. news. From the age of 2 she has participated in the run—in a stroller pushed by her dad, Moses.

These days, however, she runs most of the 12K under her own steam. She ran about five miles of the 7.4-mile race with her dad, finishing up in a stroller. Dad has run the Bay to Breakers for the past 22 years, as has his brother, Jacob Guillardo, also of Monte Sereno.

Mother Amanda is not quite so dedicated: she's run the event three times. Father and daughter can be seen training together about town: favorite haunts are Vasona and the Los Gatos Trail up to the Novitiate.

ON BALANCE: Become a Life Balance Master by Los Gatan Ric Giardina is a guidepost to others about how to achieve balance in one's life—an impossible task, he admits, but one integral to living well. He likens the process of life balancing to being a bear on a ball—not an easy challenge, surely.

The book offers tips on how to choose daily activities that support one's goals; how to keep divergent tasks in productive co-existence; and how to become action-oriented using a well-thought-through plan.

Giardina has given workshops on such subjects through the adjunct programs at SJSU and UC-Berkeley. Other workshop topics include how employees can incorporate more of their spiritual selves into the workplace and how to effectively move from manager to leader.

This experienced presenter is president of the National Speakers Association, Northern California chapter. A former lawyer and corporate exec, Giardina has worked for international corporations, the military and nonprofits.

He is founder of the Spirit Employed Company, a management training company. The number is 408.264.9723. His wife is Betsy and their daughter, Annalisa, 15, is a student at Leigh High School.

Published by Beyond Words of Hillsboro, Ore., Life Balance joins Giardina's previous self-help book, Your Authentic Self: Be Yourself at Work.

Giardina is also author of a poetry book called Threads of Gold.

GREENER PASTURES: Tucker, the barbershop dog, has gone on to greener pastures. Tucker was an Australian Shepherd who hung out at the Old Adobe Hair Shop during the 11 years that Laurie Roberts owned that shop in front of Mesa's Floor Coverings on Los Gatos Boulevard—from 1984 to 1995.

Tucker helped children get over their fright at the shop; entertained those who waited (he could walk on his hind legs); and delighted children at Van Meter School when his mistress took him walking.

Tucker also raised money for The Rescuers. For $2 customers could buy a button with Tucker's face thereon and the money raised went to The Rescuers, a volunteer group that found homes for strays. Though bereft, Roberts and husband Rick still have Gracie, an Australian cattle dog, and Rubin, an Australian Rosella parakeet, for comfort.

Besides which, Rubin says, "What a pretty girl" when Laurie walks by, which should provide some solace.

MILESTONES: Pat Bargetto witnessed two milestones in her offsprings' lives recently. Son Paul, LGHS '87, directed A Midsummer Night's Dream with innovative aerial feats for his masters thesis at Columbia; and daughter, Gina, LGHS '90, earned a doctorate in audiology from the University of Florida.

Now Gina is working for an audiology clinic in San Jose owned by Dr. Joseph Ferrito, brother of former LG mayor Tom Ferrito. Meanwhile, Paul's thesis adviser, Ann Bogart, will bring Midsummer, etc., to San Jose Rep this winter. Wonder if she'll incorporate any of Paul's wondrous effects in that production?

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