BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: Dorothy Yarak of Lunardi's (who wears miniature rhinestone-red shoes on her smock, a reminder of that other Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz) retired recently. But 'twas not to be. The store's atmosphere dimmed and public outcry followed.
Store owner Alfredo Lunardi begged her to come back, at least part time. And so she did. She works half-days Friday and Sunday, much to the relief of loyal customers. Indisputably Lunardi's most popular checker, she actually brings in customers, thanks to her joyful enthusiasm.
"She's someone who brings the best aspects of themselves to the job," says longtime customer Layne Hackett. "Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask about her," reports David Lucia, store manager. "They bring [or send] her gifts and cards." All in partial repayment for what she brings them.
Yarak has been known to hire polka bands to come brighten things up in front of the store. Or marching bands. Or singers. When a store employee has a birthday, she's the one who doesn't forget the cake. And she's the one who stages an impromptu singing of the birthday song with other front-of-the-store employees.
When school groups come to Lunardi's on field trips, Yarak is the one who acts as hostess/guide. In short, "she's awesome," Lucia says. I'll second that, as will anyone else whose day has been brightened by the red-shoe wearer over the past 19 years.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: Los Gatan Ashley Bening plays Crystal, one of the '60s girl trio that serves as Greek chorus in Little Shop of Horrors, presented by Children's Musical Theater March 514 at the Montgomery Theater, San Jose. Tickets are $18 for adults; $12, children 12 and under.
Los Gatans in supporting roles in this cult classic are: Darby Bricker, Ali Johansen, Stephanie Kent, Joanna Laird, Nick Lowrie, Christina Mattson, Kara Ayn Napolitano and Alexandra Wilson.
Saratogans with leading roles in Little Shop include Alex Brightman, Danelle Medeiros and Julie Thomas.
This is a quirky musical about a Skid Row flower-shop attendant who inadvertently creates a monster when he gives an ailing carnivorous plant a few drops of blood. Does the surname in the first paragraph of this item ring a bell? The more-famous Bening is her aunt.
TREADING THE BOARDS: The Stevenson sisters are a nonstop performing duo. Catherine, 9, will play Big Jule in Children's Musical Theater's upcoming production of Guys and Dolls. In the meantime she's playing the Balloon Girl in Gypsy, presented by the Saratoga Drama Group.
Also appearing in Gypsy is sister Erin, 14, who plays Baby June. Gypsy runs through Feb. 21 at the Saratoga Civic Theater. Erin has been performing since age 7 and is a regular in CMT productions. She played Maligna in the summer production of Starmites.
Other CMT roles include the orphan Kate in Annie and Queenie in Honk. Catherine was last seen as Ethel Toffelmeyer in CMT's Music Man. Both girls take dance at Dance Attack in Los Gatos and private voice lessons. Brother Colin, 12, on the other, is into sports. But he also needs a chauffeur.
Mother Diane says, "I spend most of my life in my car." Father is Dr. John Stevenson, a surgeon at Kaiser Permanente.
MYSTERY DINNER: Passport to Danger by Mark D. Pickens will be staged in a special benefit performance March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Toll House, a benefit for the Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival. The setting of this interactive murder mystery is a French railway car, June 1940.
Escaping the German occupation are French resistance fighters, escaped prisoners, diplomats and reporters, overseen by German soldiers, each with a hidden agenda. No one is what they seem. Between scenes, characters can be questioned to try to learn their secrets and motives.
Through well-aimed questions and well-placed bribes, attendees may unlock the clues to the mystery and hopefully solve the crime. Tickets are $90, available through 408.996.0635.
MIXED UP MARILYNS: Sorry I confused two painters lately with unusually spelled, but similar, first names. Painter Maralyn Miller was honored this month as a Woman of Achievement by the American Pen Women at their annual scholarship luncheon. She is primarily a landscapes painter.
As a fifth-generation Californian, she finds the California hills a special inspiration. She doesn't paint oversized vegetables: that's Maryln Mori. Miller will have a show in March.
REPUBLICAN WOMEN MEET: Association of Republican Women will meet Cliff Williams, candidate for state Assembly District 20, as well as candidates for the Republican Central Committee, at its Feb. 18 breakfast meeting, 9:30 a.m. at La Rinconada Country Club.
Ann Collins is president of the association.
Got a tip for Main Street? Send email to
maryanncook@earthlink.net.
By Mary Ann Cook