The atrium and courtyard of the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History were filled with history — and its aficionados — last week when the new book, "A Legal History of Santa Cruz County," was officially launched by its authors.
About 150 people turned out to buy copies of the book and get signatures of those who gathered the sometimes wild, and always interesting, history of our county's legal system: Bob Bosso, Sara Clarenbach, Austin Comstock, Dwight Herr, Pat Pfremmer, Alyce Prudden, Stan Stevens and Judy Steen.
Begun in 1998, the book was a work of love for those who assembled the information. It was first presented, in binder form, to Judge Charles Franich in 2003, but this was the first time it was available to the public to purchase.
And purchase they did.
Some 70 books were sold, according to Sara, who introduced the authors and book patrons. Paul Figueroa, executive director of MAH, welcomed guests.
Among those seen in the legal crowd were patrons Bill Locke-Paddon representing the Borina Foundation; Jon Minsloff of Biggam, Christensen and Minsloff; David Brick; Florence Lesar; Hank Niles; Tom Shanle and Isabel Gilman, representing Wallraff and Gilman.
Retired judges Christopher Cottle and Jack Marlo, with wife Patti Marlo, were on hand along with luminaries like Mary Franich Bignell and Steven Bignell Charles Franich's daughter and son-in-law; Mary Jo May, widow of Judge Don May, with grandson Nick; Beth Bennett, former wife and widow of famous Watsonville attorney Bob Bennett; Davenport's own Alverda Orlando; Franich's former court clerk Pat Fink with her husband Ray; and four generations of the Steve Wyckoff family.
Among those spotted in the crowd as readings got under way were museum trustees Tom Honig, Alan Molho, Alan Levin and Peter Sanford; museum personnel Allie Wilson, Melissa Hempel and Theresa Myers; and museum publications committee members Alan Molho, Joan Martin, Mike Clark, Joyce Miller, Frank Perry and Judy Steen; law enforcement personnel Kevin Coyne and Craig Wilson; and Rich Prudden, Michelle Prudden, Susan Bosso, Margaret Haney, Mark Hucklebridge, Mary-Nona and Michael Hudson.
| If you want your own copy of the book, there will be another book signing Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the county Law Library, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. |
Was that Dave Draper inside the pages of the AARP Bulletin?
It sure was.
Aptos' own muscleman was the subject of an article in the magazine that chronicled his interesting life and also spread his belief that building up one's strength — no matter what your age — is a key to health.
If you want to check out Dave's tips for training and sample workouts, visit www.davedraper.com.
Dave, by the way, is 64.
Now, that's wine
Wine lovers know there is a time to open a bottle of wine — no matter what its price.
Which is exactly what Richard Ow and his fiancee, Mary Olavson, Bruce and Pam Boyle and Glenn and Winona Soma did at a recent visit to Navio Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay.
The wine aficionados brought and opened a bottle of 1999 Screaming Eagle cabernet, which is probably the No. 1 cult cabernet wine from Napa right now, Richard reported.
The aftermarket price for the wine is about $1,000 a bottle. It was sold at the winery for $350 a bottle but is now worth about $500, Richard said.
Glenn and Bruce owned the bottle, which everyone enjoyed, and have three more bottles cellared.
Which means, Richard said, three more yearly get-togethers to drink each of the bottles of wine.
Music to their ears
Music lovers mingled with delight when the Santa Cruz Symphony opened its 49th season with performances and receptions in both Santa Cruz and Watsonville.
Following the season's inaugural concert at the Civic Auditorium, supporters joined soloist Norman Krieger, Music Director John Larry Granger and composer Lori Alexander for refreshments at the elegant new 515 Kitchen and Cocktails on Cedar Street. Seen were John and Linda Burroughs, Eric and Beatrice Easter, Jerold O'Brien, R.J. and Marion Escobar, Dorothy Wise and John Broadwood, Mary Ann and Peter Orr, Gene Wright, Billie and John Mahaney and Sue Cony.
After a matinee performance at the Mello Center in Watsonville, concert-goers joined Norman, John and Lori at the lovely home of Cynthia Kilian where Norman treated the group to an impromptu performance of a Chopin Nocture.
A hush fell over the crowd as the last note floated through the room, followed by applause. Among those there enjoying snacks and wine from Silver Mountain Vineyards, which was donated by Jerold O'Brien, were Rowland and Pat Rebele, John and Karen Huffman, Vicki and Rodger Wasson, Diane Cooley and Theo and Julie Wierdsma.
For information about the symphony, visit www.santacruzsymphony.org or call 462-0553.
Beer saves ocean
Thanks to beer drinkers, our oceans may be a little bit healthier.
Couch Distributing Company's "Save Our Surf" summer campaign recently donated $10,000 to the Surfrider Foundation.
Started in 1996 by Geoff Couch, vice president of sales and marketing for Couch Distributing the local Anheuser-Busch distributor, Save our Surf donates a nickle to the Surfrider Foundation for every case of Budweiser and Bud Light sold in Santa Cruz County during the summer.
Couch Vice President Louie Pierraci presented this year's donation check to Surfrider officers Dustin Macdonald, Jen Brackett and Cheryl Ferguson.
"Our company believes very strongly in giving back to the community, and this is one of our favorite programs," Geoff Couch said.
Over the past 11 years, the summer beer program has given $110,000 to the Surfrider Foundation, which works to improve the quality of oceans and beaches through education, research and conservation.
Scholar honored
Mickey Gonzalez of Watsonville, who is studying biology at UC Davis, was awarded a $2,000 Freedom Award Scholarship from the United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation. Seventy-five awards were handed out to Spanish-speaking bicultural students seeking careers in health care.
Janus celebrates
Twenty-five years of work that brought 32,000 people into recovery were marked when Janus of Santa Cruz gathered for an anniversary celebration at Sky Park in Scotts Valley.
Some 300 people turned out for the picnic, which was part of National Recovery Month activities and included music from Crazy Heart.
Awards went to Margo Chisolm as "Volunteer of the Year," Yvonne Falk as "Outstanding Volunteer" and the Senior Council's Foster Grandparent program for "Outstanding Service" for providing infant care at the perinatal program.
Residential Program Manager Margie Storms and Janus staff surprised Executive Director Jan Tice with an award for his outstanding leadership. Among Janus board members attending were Don Nofrey, Dan Guerrero, Chris Beach, Rudy Escalante and Mike Allen.
Got a story to tell, an event to report, an award to announce? Write to Peggy Townsend at P.O. Box 638, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; fax to 429-9620, e-mail to ptownsend@santacruzsentinel.com.
