CAT ART CREATORS: Here are the folks responsible for the idea of putting Cat Art around town in various businesses throughout August and until Sept. 5 and culminating in an art auction at the bandstand dedication Sept. 6 at Oak Meadow Park. Of course, artists and sponsors hopped on the project too. But first came the seeding.
Mayor Sandy Decker had been eager to have something like the San Jose Shark/Byte project take form in Los Gatos. Friend Yowanda Dreger had been after her to do a Cats Festival since '95, when N. Santa Cruz Avenue was closed off for a day and cat festivities took over.
Valerie Hopkins had been events coordinator of that action. So these three were primed for a catlike bandstand dedication. They added Elke Groves, LG Art Association president; Teri Hope, Arts Commission chair; and Joanne Johnson and Marci Tjader, arts commissioners. Also climbing aboard were Laura Harris and Marilyn Dorsa, who is both an artist and sponsor.
The committee has been meeting since January to make Cat Art happen. The fiberglass cats, about 17 inches long, will be auctioned off after final bidding between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
TOP HONORS: The Los Gatos 4-H Club brought home top honors at the Santa Clara County Fair. All three members who placed entries at the fair won distinction.
In photography, Joe Pierce, 12, won top honors, plus seven blue ribbons (two were Star Blue awards), and one second. Also in photography, Brendan Maher, 11, won three blue ribbons (two were Star Blue awards) and one second. Brendan also won first place in the graphics section for a pencil drawing of his brother.
Julianne Stasch, 16, took home an Award of Excellence (the top prize overall) in foods. She earned a Star Blue for her Parmesan herb twists. She also took firsts in decorated cookies and herb crackers. In photography, she captured three firsts and one second.
Professional photographer Mike Pierce, owner of New West Pictures in Los Gatos, is the leader of the 4-H photography project. His wife, Kristine, is the public-speaking leader. Earlier this year Nina Frazier, 16, earned a gold medal in public speaking at Presentation Day at the state level. Joe Pierce and Nina won top honors at the 4-H Presentation Day at the county level.
Sheri Frazier is club leader; Chelsea Frazier, 14, club president; Joe Pierce, vice president; Brendan Maher, second vice president; Woody Gibson, secretary; Erica King, treasurer; and Cally Stoddard/Nina Frazier, reporters. Ricci Sprague went to the state leadership conference this summer.
The club welcomes new members: contact is Sheri Frazier at 408.448.7044.
SCOTLAND-BOUND: I'm off to Scotland to present a play I helped write at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the oldest (1947) and biggest in the world. It was started to celebrate peace, and five international theater companies were invited. One group invited itself. The next year more companies came—uninvited.
Hence, the Fringe, the outer edge, was born. Sounds like the Impressionists, who set up their own exhibitions when their work was rejected by the establishment. Today at the Fringe more than 1,000 theatrical pieces are offered daily. In restaurants, hotels and churches makeshift theaters are set up.
Most Brit comedians get their start at the Fringe. Bridges is our play, a compendium of five shorts tucked together, a product of the Foothill College Conservatory. Riva Rubnitz of Los Gatos wrote one, too. All use two-actors—all deal with relationships.
Our venue is the Grassmarket area, below the castle.
FISHER FIVE: "These kids are better than the opening act for Pete Fountain," said musically knowledgeable Kerstin Stone at a session of Jazz in the Plazz. She was talking about the Fisher Five, who opened for singer/guitarist Kenny Rankin.
The Fisher Five are Marcus Dufort, leader and trombonist; Brandon Manning, tenor sax; Forest Gallien, bass; David Lindskog, drums; and Tim Switzer, keyboard. The first three are sophomores at LGHS; the remaining two are freshmen.
Jazz in the Plazz is a slice of Americana, Norman Rockwell-style. Artists set up easels in the middle of the park. Spotted were Nick White, who works in acrylics, and Michael Tayeri, oils.
H-D BENEFITS M-D: Los Gatan Carol Schrager will indeed ride sidecar in the Parade of Champions in Milwaukee Aug. 30 with her son Jeff piloting the Harley-Davidson. The parade is a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the H-D motorcycle, and the Schragers are descendants of the Davidson side. The bike will ultimately be auctioned off to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Carol has pins for sale with a photo of the four founders of Harley-Davidson on the face. Donations of $5 or more are asked. The money goes to MDA. Her number is 408.354.1190.
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By Mary Ann Cook