WOULD-BE GOV: Now that Los Gatan Stephen Knapp has run for governor, what does he think of the whole event?
"It was great, it raised awareness, it was a kick in the seat of the pants for the apathy you often find in an election. I think we don't talk about politics enough and this got everyone talking.
"I think [the serious contenders] sent a powerful message to Sacramento that if you aren't doing the job people think you should be doing, there are at least 100 people out there willing to do the job better."
Regrets? None. His M.O. throughout the campaign was to get home from work and then spend a couple of hours each night answering calls, talking to people. On Election Day he was in Ireland on business, so he was unaware of the number of votes he accrued (400 some).
Does this mark the start of a political career for this son of the former Los Gatos town manager? "No, I'm not totally political. I don't have any intention of running for anything else. However, I don't know what's going to happen in the future."
He'll keep his day job. He's a laser engineer for Coherent and just celebrated his first wedding anniversary. His wife, Laura Culberson, was his campaign manager. She's an architect for a San Francisco firm. His whole family was solidly behind him. The drive even got his brother registered to vote for the first time.
The other local gubernatorial hopeful was Bryan Quinn, a junior at UOP. He was listed as a Los Gatan, but his family address is San Jose. He took a decidedly more lighthearted approach—being front and center at the Jay Leno show, for starters.
FOOL-THE-EYE VALIDATION: Mural painter John Pugh is the only trompe l'oeil artist listed in a new book by Al Seckel called Illusionist Art. The book covers the physiological aspects of optic art and how the eye sees. Now Pugh has taken his place among such giants as Magritte.
This unique inclusion "validates me in the world art community," Pugh says. Pugh's studio is in the Santa Cruz mountains, and his work can be seen throughout town—at the Honda dealership, at Pastaria's Main Street wall, in private homes.
TOWARD GOOD HEALTH: Linda Sarles of Los Gatos has been named to the Health Trust board of trustees. The Health Trust dedicates itself to the well-being of the under-served and most vulnerable sections of the community—at-risk children and the frail elderly.
Sarles is a leader in tech marketing, now with Resil Corp. She was CEO of Synchrony Consulting and v.p. of marketing for Sun Micro and Xerox. She has been on the boards of San Jose Silicon Valley Ballet, American Cancer Society, TeTech Corp. and Netline.
The Health Trust has given grants to more than 162 different agencies, totaling $65.1 million, over seven years. Its own health programs include Meals on Wheels, Dentistry with a Heart, Family Health Insurance and Seasons of Life Women's Health Conference.
Also, Community Wellness, which gives 35,000 flu shots yearly at Longs and other locations. The Health Trust was created from the proceeds of the sale of four local hospitals in '96, including Good Sam.
POET FOR INNVISION: Where Have All the Grannies Gone? Audrey Christianson asks in her poem of the same name. Then she proceeds to answer the query by describing the wide variety of activities that today's grannies are up to. The poem is obviously very autobiographical.
To wit: it talks about skiing, gardening, gourmet cooking, china painting, needlepoint—all Christianson pursuits. But what makes this rhyme unique is that the author sells copies for $1 and then sends the proceeds to InnVision, the center for battered women and children.
So far she's raised more than $2,000. Another example of what can happen "now that Granny's off her rocker," as Christianson puts it in her wrap-up line.
WRITING TIPS: Three locals will share writing techniques and publishing tips at a seminar Oct. 25, 9 a.m.noon, at the Divine Science Church in San Jose. They are Los Gatan Dale Aycock, author of sci-fi thriller Starspinner; Lynn Rogers, who wrote Born in Berkeley; and Dale Tibbils, author of techno-thriller Cyber Invasion.
MEET THE ARTIST: Famed artist Thomas Kinkade's new painting of Santa Cruz Avenue will be unveiled at the Opera House Oct. 24, 710 p.m., in a fundraiser sponsored by LG Rotary Morning Club. Prints are for sale, and part of the proceeds go to community projects. Admission is $35 in advance, $45 at the door.
DEAL WITH LOSS: A three-week support group, Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One, will be held at the Senior Center Wednesdays, Oct. 29Nov. 12, 12 p.m. Facilitators are Linda Gallo and Lynnette Vega of the town senior program, and counselor Bob Rinehart.
Contacts are 408.354.1514 or 408.354.2360.
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By Mary Ann Cook