SOLO MANEUVER: If you've ever wondered if you can give yourself the Heimlich maneuver, Judy Bingman has the answer. That's exactly what she did recently when she found herself choking on a piece of meat and couldn't breathe. She bent over and rammed herself below the sternum repeatedly against the back of a chair.
On the third attempt the meat was dislodged and flew out. Weeks later the area she pummeled is still slightly bruised. She was alone at the time and thought she was a goner. No way 911 emergency medics could get to her mountain home soon enough.
"I've taken classes in the Heimlich but never thought I'd be giving it to myself," she says, amazed and relieved. She was so terrified she shook for two hours afterward, she confides. Her doctor, Allen McGrath, suggested she make the news public so others would realize the maneuver works even solo.
At the recent tribute for Ted Simonson, Bingman did double duty: a camera in one hand to take shots of the assembled; and in the other, playing her saxophone. Her 15-piece group, J.B's Swing Cats, provided the music during the festivities for Simonson.
RAVE REVIEWS: Jonathan Rhys Williams, 35, is soaking up rave reviews for his appearance in Jack and Jill, at the Delta King Riverboat Theatre, Old Town, Sacto, playing until March 6. Williams attended Los Gatos schools and the California Institute for the Arts.
An equity actor, he has appeared in productions at San Jose Stage Company, Theatreworks and the American Musical Theatre. His costar in Jack and Jill is Stephanie Gularte. The Sacramento Bee calls their performances "sterling, combining intensity and sensitivity."
Williams also appeared at the Delta King in Art and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Jonathan isn't the only creative one: his sister Jayne has a book out, The Slow Fat Triathlete. The subtitle is Live Your Athletic Dreams in the Body You Have Now. Published by Marlowe & Company, it's in its second printing. Jayne delights in participating in triathlons. She is a Harvard and LGHS grad.
The parents of these two achievers moved to Los Gatos from Wales 41 years ago. Ann was a librarian at Good Samaritan Medical Library and Gareth recently retired after teaching physics at SJSU for 42 years.
YOUNG FAN: Friends of Los Gatos Library got a letter of appreciation from a young supporter, Luke Lenhart, 4 1/2. Luke dictated the message via his mother. "Dear Friends, Thank you for the great Book Sale event at the library today. My mom got me The Little Red Train Jigsaw Book, Where is Everybody? and a video of Disney's Sing Along Songs.
"But the most amazing and wonderful thing happened at lunch across the street. One of the nicest friends/library ladies brought me this stationery to write on and practice my ABCs. You are wonderful. Thank you for the sale and your kindness."
The kind ladies in question were Judy Etherington and Pamela Laurence, who remembered Luke had been pining for the pad that had a cartoon pen and pencil on it, and went back to the library to get it for him.
LOOKING FOR AUBREY: Toni Blackstock, newsletter editor for the LGHS Alum Association, is looking for news about Leon Aubrey. She's been told that he died, but never found an obit. Monsieur Aubrey taught French at Los Gatos High for many years and was a long-standing member of Saratoga Men's Club.
If anyone can supply any details about M. Aubrey, contact Toni at tbinlg@comcast.net.
SPORTS MEMORABILIA: Sports Gallery opened recently at 59 N. Santa Cruz Ave. The company features sports memorabilia, custom framing and fundraising services—Brandi Chastain being its latest autograph exclusive. Thomas Fehrenbach is vp and the online address is www.sportsgalleryweb.com.
HOE DOWN: A Square Dance Hoe Down will be held Feb. 19, 14 p.m., at the Neighborhood Center with caller Mike Luna, seen on cable TV. Beginners and single dancers are welcome. Tickets are $4 and $5 and the contact number is 408.354.1514. Luna will teach beginning square dance classes starting Feb. 24, 7:309:30 p.m., at the Neighborhood Center. To register call 408.354.8700.
RECYCLED JEWELRY: A recycled jewelry sale will benefit the Myoelectric Limb Project for children. The cost is $10,000$20,000 for a myoelectric hand or arm prosthesis for a child under 14. The sale is Feb. 24, 25 p.m. and 79 p.m., at Dot Houde's, 15 Massol Ave.
The contact number is 408.395.7952. No credit cards will be accepted.
VOLUNTEER: Volunteers are needed for the Food Match Program to pick up day-old baked goods and deliver them to local programs that serve the needy. Call Lauren Tacké, recycling coordinator, at 408.399.5796.
Got a tip for Main Street? Send email to
maryanncook@earthlink.net.
By Mary Ann Cook