HOOKED ON LOS GATOS: The "Hooked on Los Gatos" weekend kicks off Aug. 1315 at Borders Books. Each night at 7 p.m. local authors will sign their books and Borders will contribute 15 percent of all sales over the weekend to the library's History Project.
The weekend was the brainstorm of Ira and Barbara Spector, who have written a book called A Month of Sundays, about their adventures renting a villa in southern France. Besides promoting their book, they also wanted to support the history project, Hooked on History.
The history project was initiated by Library Director Peggy Conaway to preserve the aging archives under the library aegis. And Los Gatos pioneer families have come forth to add their photos, diaries and reminiscences to the mix—all to be scanned and accessible to the public via the Internet.
But the project needs money—for equipment and salaries. Thus, enter the Spectors, who approached both Conaway and Borders to devise a "Hooked on Los Gatos" weekend. Even lattes will be counted that weekend, with 15 percent going to the project. Buyers need to bring in vouchers for the donation to be activated.
But vouchers are easily found at the library or in this very paper, attached to an ad extolling the history project weekend. Here are the books to be featured: on Aug. 13 it's Nuts from Hazelhurst and The Spirit of Northern Italy.
Nuts from Hazelhurst is a collection of the writings of Laura J. Sears. Sears was a teacher at Burrell School in the 1880s, and the book has been published by her grandson, Dick Lake. The Spirit of Northern Italy is a photography book by Marco P. Zecchin.
A Month of Sundays will be explored by the Spectors on Aug. 14, and Images of Los Gatos, written by Peggy Conaway, will be the star offering on Aug. 15. This last is a book of historic photos and commentary, soon to be released, and just one of the many results of the ongoing history project.
FOSTERING FOSTER: Musician Joe Weed will tell the Stephen Foster Story in a session at Espresso Cafe Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. It'll be a family affair because wife Martha Kendall will be on bass and daughter Katie Kendall-Weed, 18, will accompany him on violin.
The fourth musician in the medley is Nashvillian Marty Atkinson. Atkinson sings the vocals on Weed's CD, Swanee. Best tribute to Foster he's ever heard, says musicologist Charles Wolfe. Weed is a performer/ composer/recording artist, and this is his version of Foster's best-loved songs.
Video images in the background will show Foster, his family and environment. Admission is $15.
RETIREMENT COUNTDOWN: Los Gatan David Shapiro has written a new book called Retirement Countdown, a realistic approach to retirement planning. With 25 years in financial planning, Shapiro has developed a workable approach to retirement planning.
His book focuses on goals more than money and doesn't shirk the hard work ahead for retirees. Shapiro helps readers set and achieve goals and works with banks, insurance companies and brokers to develop products that fit each individual's needs.
Shapiro writes for Investment News and the National Underwriters Monthly, has co-authored two other books and is a sought-after speaker. Published by Financial Times Prentice Hall, the book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders.
TOURING THE TOUR: Craig and Michelle MacBeth witnessed Lance Armstrong receive his sixth Tour de France award after spending three weeks on the road following the pack. For the past three years the MacBeths have flown to France for the fabled Tour.
All the MacBeth men are into speed: father Keith Clayton is a veteran yacht racer of the Absolute, a yacht he built and raced on San Francisco and Monterey bays. K.C. has mentored many a young racing man, including his own two sons. Keith Martin MacBeth is active in the bicycle- and motorcycle-race circuits in California, and Tour-follower Craig is a bike racer, as well as tactician and foredeck man on the Absolute.
BANDSTAND: Bandstand Boogie Barbecue will be held Aug. 28, a benefit for the Los Gatos Community Foundation. Under the foundation's umbrella is Operation Yellow Ribbon, a group that sends items to Los Gatos troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Service names will be announced at the Bandstand Celebration in Oak Meadow Park, 610 p.m. Tickets are $125 per couple. The contact: 408.354.8787.
VELVETEEN RABBIT: Los Gatos youngsters appearing in The Velveteen Rabbit, playing Aug. 1215 at the Montgomery Theatre, are Nicole Banta, Ashlyn Eline, Danielle Gadbois, Eden Jackel, Amanda Leonard, Brianna Lowrie, Ashley Lukas, Shea O'Gorman, Maten Tahrizi and Jamie Tedford. The Children's Musical Theater box office is 408.288.5437. Showtimes vary.
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By Mary Ann Cook