Armstrong said the idea for the project came to him gradually as he watched the changing face of Saratoga High School students and noticed how each ethnic group seemed to stick together walking to school. "As far as I know there's no prejudice, but there's a divide," he said.

Armstrong's philosophy is that the more you know and understand another person the better you like him or her. The same principle applies to races and ethnic groups. When people know each other, they tend to get along well. Since the world has become a much smaller place, it behooves us to learn to live in harmony, starting at home.

More interplay between the cultures would be a boon, he and wife Gladys agreed. Thus was born Building Bridges: the idea was presented to the International Service Committee of Rotary. Other entities soon joined the effort--all Saratoga schools, including West Valley College, and every Saratoga church.

One of the components of Building Bridges is a weeklong look at the world's major religions. These talks are presented at the library by a specialist each weekday night, a different religion each night.

KSAR, Saratoga's community access cable company, filmed the culmination of Building Bridges that Armstrong showed. It was an afternoon packed full of all the arts, springing from many cultures--Indian and Balinese dancing, Taiko drumming, Irish folk dancing and music from all over the globe. The entire afternoon celebrates and embraces the diversity that is Silicon Valley and, in particular, Saratoga.

Bridges was a much greater success than anyone imagined it would be, Armstrong said. "We wanted to touch people's hearts and minds." This was its third year and an estimated 5,000 people attended the West Valley wrap-up.

It's still unknown if the venture will be staged next year. Next year is Saratoga's 50th anniversary and it may be that Building Bridges will be combined with the golden anniversary celebration.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR ASSISI: Many travelers in the Saratoga Sister City trip to Italy point to Assisi as a highlight, Dorothy Matthews, for one. Matthews was enchanted by the church dedicated to Saint Francis and by the village itself. St. Francis' church is very ornate, decorated with mosaics done by medieval art giant Giotto.

Audrey Carlson and the Stoibers--Diane and Tom--echo her enthusiasm, and mention also St. Claire's church. It's less ornate but very beautiful, dedicated to St. Francis' devout follower Claire, a fellow saint and the namesake of our county. Indeed, Assisi, a tiny hillside town, contains 14 churches.

St. Francis is entombed in a lower level in his namesake church, a room resplendent in gold with brilliant blue ceilings, decorated beyond grand. One wonders what St. Francis himself would think of all this pomp and splendor. After all, this was the man who rid himself of all earthly goods.

He was said to have stripped off his clothes in the center of the public square in graphic example of renouncing his old life after a vision from God advised him to follow Christ's teaching. Appropriately enough, a worldwide peace day was being marked the day the group was there.

No one in the party had strength enough to go back up to the village square after dinner to help celebrate, but were able to watch the fireworks from their windows. Since St. Francis is most often pictured with birds it's gratifying that there are indeed flocks of birds yet in Assisi.

DAY OF CARING: At the YMCA in Saratoga, 40 IBM employees helped construct a fence, weed the playground, replace wood chips, and create a children's garden. They were part of the annual Day of Caring sponsored by United Way Silicon Valley. More than 700 volunteers took part in the valley-wide project, spreading over 50 agencies.

This infusion of labor allows non-profits to save maintenance costs and thus help preserve their programs and keeping their focus on serving clients. Some 15 companies participated, encouraging their employees to try a different line of work for the day.

BIG BAND: Seniors can swing with the Big Band sound at the Saratoga Senior Center on Nov. 3 and 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It's free and no partner is necessary, but an RSVP is requested at 408.868.1263.

SWEET ADELINES: Mission Valley Chorus is seeking new members for its barbershop renditions and urges women who love singing close harmony to meet the director at Nordahl Hall, 580 Parr Ave., Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The contact is 408.318.0339.

The chorus will perform at the Campbell Heritage Theatre on Nov. 5.

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