ENDANGERED SPECIES: I thought "endangered species" referred to animals only, but now I learn that it applies to plants as well. Seems the cypress known as cupressus abramsiana is in mortal danger and the only known sites still left are four groves in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
So precarious is the survival of this plant that those who know where it can be found won't divulge that information—not even to people like Patti Hughes, of P & P Plantscapes, whose business is caring for plants. But Hughes accidentally caught two recent sightings of that cypress, called Santa Cruz cypress, within a week.
The first time was when she and partner Ted Simonson were planting daffodils along Summit Road. Hughes spotted an unusual-looking cypress just a few inches tall. So taken was she with its unique charm that she dug it up to replant it along the trail ridge near her mountain home.
That way, passersby could enjoy it, without the threat of road-crew poisoning or scything. Days later the plant duo found themselves in Santa Cruz. The talk they had intended to hear at UCSC had been canceled, so they headed to the Native Revival Nursery in Aptos instead, a destination nearly accidental.
And there, too, did Hughes spot a cupressus abramsiana and learned of its endangered designation. This one was 4 feet tall in a 5-gallon tub and was bought on the spot. Now it resides alongside its younger brethren. But this one bears a copper tag affixed by Hughes.
The tag says, "In memory of Ed Carman, 19222002." Ed Carman was a beloved horticulturist, a lifelong Los Gatan and a second-generation nurseryman. He was a mentor to Hughes and scores of others, and he specialized in growing rare plants from seeds, so this commemoration was a fitting tribute.
Simonson and Hughes are former LGHS principal and vice principal who went into the landscaping business upon their retirement. They are wont to plant daffodils in public places at this time of year. P & P stands for Patti and Pauncho.
THEATER REVIEW: Pat Bargetto's son Paul is an up-and-coming theater director and his latest endeavor was reviewed in The New York Times. The production, two one-act plays by Slawomir Mrozek, was presented at LaMama Experimental Theater Club in New York.
The playwright is a former cartoonist and the review said Bargetto "directs with a keen sense of this visual truth; the truth of cartoons on the page and of commedia on the stage."
Since these plays had been translated, the fear was that American audiences might not understand them. But the optimistic reviewer said, "Every culture needs to think about language and power. These plays have a lot to teach us."
13 ON HONEYMOON: Dick Allen and Melanie Boothroyd met through the Los Gatos Supper Club, dated for a year and married this past November. Since they had already signed on for a Caribbean cruise, that became their honeymoon destination.
But they weren't the only ones who had planned to take that trip. That's why 11 other members of the singles club found themselves helping the Allens celebrate their honeymoon. Now there's a supportive group.
MEMOIRS, ANYONE?: Two former lawyers, Sammy Elmi and Tina Mawla, have joined forces to produce a new business called The Memoir Company. They conduct interviews with clients, usually eight hours in length, then transform the interview into a bound, written memoir.
Specializing in personal histories, they produce a record for future generations. Photos and historical documents can be included. The two are former litigators for large insurance companies. Now they are putting their writing skills to work by honoring people's lives.
Mawla was born and raised in Los Gatos and went to Saratoga High; Elmi lives in Los Gatos. The Memoir phone is 408.356.2688 and the website is www.thememoircompany.com.
ARTS GALA: Silicon Valley Arts Coalition will hold a fundraising gala, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Le Petit Trianon, San Jose. Entertainment, appetizers and auction are all part of the evening. Tickets are $15 and are available by calling 408.251.8440 or visiting www.svarts.org.
Performers include a harp duo, cello and flute duo, woodwind quintet, Chinese hammered dulcimers, dancers and vocalists. The coalition was formed in '01 to represent the ethnic diversity of the valley and to increase awareness and expand audiences for small arts organizations. Leigh Weimers is emcee.
DIG OUT YOUR DOLLS: Coppélia, the SJ Silicon Valley Ballet playing Feb. 58, is a comedy about an eccentric old toymaker who tries to make one of his dolls come to life. At the Feb. 8 performance, attendees are invited to bring a favorite doll to compete for prizes.
Tickets are $22$68, available through 408.288.2800 or http://www.balletsanjose.org.
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By Mary Ann Cook