TAMING THE WILD: Karen Lekashman finds herself in the kitten-taming business. A few weeks ago she rescued four feral kittens less than 8 weeks old from Vasona Park, and for the past few weeks she and family and friends have been busy socializing them so they can become house pets.
"They are very cute, and look anything but wild," says Lekashman. "We socialize them by handling them, playing with them, and giving them lots of human contact. We have been very successful. The earlier you can remove them from the wild the easier it is to tame them."
The Lekashman family is serving as foster parents, including Kenneth, 11, who loves kittens. Karen works with a rescue organization called Unconditional Love and one of its coordinators, Tracy Powers. This group provides the vet care the kittens need through Oak Meadow Veterinary Hospital.
The reformed kittens are now about 10 weeks old and ready to be adopted. To become a parent to one of the "Wildcats of Los Gatos," contact Lekashman at 408.356.8583 or email klekash@bayarea.net.
The last litter from the same parents, rescued months ago, was successfully socialized and adopted. They are wonderful pets, Karen was told.
Lekashman also helps make life better for adult cats. She joins forces with another rescue outfit called Town Cats. Parents and other adults in the feral colony are captured, then tested, vaccinated, altered and released. Such programs for feral cats are called TTVAR (trap, test, vaccinate, alter, and release).
BICENTENNIAL BALL: An interfaith prayer service will mark the 200th anniversary of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. and precede a black-tie gala. The interfaith service at the cathedral will be celebrated by leaders of the various faiths in the community.
The Cathedral Ball will be held at the Fairmont Hotel immediately afterwards with 7 p.m. cocktails, 8 p.m. dinner. There will be entertainment, dancing, a live auction and a donation drawing. Beneficiary is the Foundation, which provides continued restoration of the Basilica and outreach services for the needy.
Los Gatans involved in the ball planning include chairwoman Andrea Thomas, Trudy Esrey, Jennifer DiNapoli, Mary Le Certe, Mary Aumack, Donna Beaupre, Karrie Grasser, Margaret Nanda, Liz Ferrari, Mary Ursula Hurley and Kristi Saso; from Monte Sereno—Linda Graham and Debbie McNamara; and from Saratoga—Maribeth Benham, Cathy Bonnici, Mary Ellen Comport, Barbara Gentzkow, Charmaine Warmenhoven, Mary Roberson and Abby Sobrato. For information, call 408.354.9958.
HOUSE TOUR: The James and Marian Stoops house at 15 Highland is one of those chosen for the annual house tour Nov. 1 and 2 that benefits the LG museums. Their niece Rebecca Yates feels that's a fitting wrap-up, "the perfect farewell for all that my aunt and uncle did for Los Gatos."
James was town treasurer for years, owned Kerful Cleaners across from the high school, and both of the Stoops were civic-minded. The house will be put on the market sometime after the tour. Other houses featured for the benefit are those at 44 Broadway, 130 Edelen, 320 Massol and 155 Tait, all new to the tour.
Two are Queen Annes and one is the home of a Los Gatos arts commissioner, with lots of outstanding art. Many of those on view have distinctive antiques. Dining tables will be decked out in holiday garb and decorated by local designers. Vintage cars and live music will be added enticements at some of the houses.
Pat Dunning compiled the house histories to accompany each stop. Tickets are available at both museums, the Chamber and the Oct. 26 farmer's market. The museum number is 408.395.7375.
AMA PARTNER: Los Gatan Debbi Ricks is attending an AMA Alliance Leadership Confluence in Chicago this week. She is vp of the county leadership for the California Medical Association Alliance and the president of the Santa Clara County MAA.
The alliance is the volunteer arm of the AMA. It's made up of physicians and their spouses and was founded in 1934. The county chapter has some 200 members. Its mission: to improve public health and stop violence.
The group presents health education programs in schools and for the public. At holiday time they help out at Loaves and Fishes and bring presents to the children there. Ricks' husband is William B. Ricks, a cardiologist.
HIGH STEPPING: Kelly Johnson, drum major for the LGHS Marching Band a couple of years back, is a sophomore at U. of O. and one of four drum majors for Oregon's 260-member band. She is the daughter of Dolly Cahill Johnson.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: A volunteer recruitment tea will be held at the Discovery Shop on Oct. 18, 10 a.m.3 p.m. Volunteers will be on hand to interest newcomers in helping at the shop at 39 E. Main St.
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By Mary Ann Cook