He and his wife, Glenda, were members of the town/Chamber beautification committee. Two days a week he worked at Vasona and Saturdays he and Glenda would plant trees for the Our City Forest program in San Jose. Graham and Glenda were also volunteer police personnel.

Burrows died from melanoma and his widow had no idea of the seriousness of his illness until two weeks before his death because he had kept his condition so quiet. Burrows, a native Londoner, had lived in Los Gatos for the past 14 years. He and Glenda met through friends at Steamers.

"Now there's an attractive man," Glenda had said to her friend, Michelle Babykin, who knew him. Babykin introduced the two that night and it was love at first sight for both. The Burrows had been married for 31Ž2 years.

The scores of trees that he planted in these environs serve as a stalwart memorial to the burly, 6-foot-5-inch Englishman with the terrific sense of humor. It's particularly poignant that he died close to the spring equinox, that symbol of renewal.

YOUR HEALTH, TAKE CHARGE: Taking charge of one's own health is perhaps the most crucial aspect of anyone's life--and one of the most challenging. Los Gatan Joan Schreiner, a cancer survivor, has written a book on this subject and will share her experience and wisdom on March 31 at 7 p.m. in town council chambers.

The event is called "Taking Charge" and Schreiner's book is Still Here! Taking Charge of Your Health Care. Schreiner, who has undergone a half-dozen operations, will discuss why and how people should become actively involved in their own health care decisions. The talk is sponsored by the library and Friends of the Library.

Joan Perry, author of A Girl Needs Cash, was also slated to talk that night, but her father is seriously ill and she is unable to participate. Perry is president of Take Charge Financial and her book explores how women can gain financial power with informed decisions about their own money.

AFTERMATH: At C. B. Hannegan's, St. Patrick's Day is the most wildly heralded day of the year--the street is blocked off and the police come in and count noses, most of which are pretty red by that time. Reputedly more beer is sold that night in that establishment than anywhere else in the county, and the phone rings steadily. So co-owner Chris Benson puts his mother, "Mose" Jimmi Dawson, on phone duty. (Normally Mose does the waitress stint at Friday lunch.)

In past years people called asking to locate someone in the wall-to-wall crowd--impossible, of course. But those calls are much fewer these days, what with the prevalence of cell phones. However, 60 people called to see if tickets were still available for the sold-out day-to-night-long event. This year's unticketed callers also got "no's" on: 1--shepherd's pie to go; 2--just one drink; and 3--green beer.

WILDFLOWER WALK: Fort Ord is rife with oak woodlands and vernal pools and naturalist Greg Meyer will lead an easy, 5-mile wildflower walk April 17, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through that coastal area. This year's rains have produced some of the largest wildflower displays in the past 10 years.

Meyer will discuss the fort's history, ecology and future. The hike is $34. Call Saratoga Rec at 408.868.1248. Judy Bingman, she of the peripatetic camera, is recently back from training her lens on Death Valley and reports the best wildflower display in perhaps a half-century.

RECOGNIZING COMMUNITY SERVICE: Anna Norman of Los Gatos High and Wendy Shieu of Saratoga High each won $200 as a Violet Richardson Award recipient from the local chapter of Soroptimist. The award is given to those ages 14­17 who volunteer in health care, the environment, or fighting drugs, violence or discrimination.

Norman was recognized for her work with Sunday Friends, where volunteers work with children in shelters. Shieu received the award for her service in the high school Key Club, where she co-captained the relay team that raised $4,000 for cancer research. She has also helped with creek cleanup and visited a nursing home.

The awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony April 21.

GOURMET ALERT: A cooking class from famed chef Emile Mooser, owner of Emile's in San Jose, will benefit the renovation of Skyland Church's kitchen. Mooser is a member of that mountain church. The benefit will be held at the restaurant, 545 S. Second St., on April 7 at 6 p.m.

The class is $55 and is sponsored by the women's group of Skyland. Participants will sip wine as they watch Emile at work. Emile's website is www.emiles.com.

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