Returning students reach 220 mark

“Two hundred twenty returning students have enrolled this fall,” said Kathy Zanger, director and counsel of Gavilan’s Re-entry program. Some of these students are in the Re-entry Program (now for men as well as women), Disabled Student Services Program, some are in both programs and some are attending classes on their own.

“The ages of the returning students range from 17 to 70,” said Joyce Glass, coordinator of the Re-entry Program.

The program was designed in 1972, explained Zanger, to help those people who have been away from school and wish to resume their education.

Returning students are given the opportunity to “block” classes together. Other pluses include the utilization of the Child Development Center for children 2 ½ to 5 years old, financial assistance, counseling and tutoring.

The program fulfills the following academic quests: requirements for a high school diploma, vocational certificates, associates degrees and transfer to four-year colleges or universities.

Zanger explained that people have different reasons for returning to school.

Women with the “emptiness syndrome” might feel isolated in their homes an find that their families do not need them anymore.

Divorced women are sometimes obliged to support themselves under court ruling.

“On the other hand,” said Zanger, “it’s not uncommon for the husbands to feel apprehensive about the new situation and see it as a threat to themselves.”

Zanger added that husbands sometimes claim that their wives are too old to further their education and fail to understand how it is constructive.

“Many times the children of these women are proud that their mothers are in school,” she concluded.

Disabled Program

The Disabled Student Services Program is the second program in which returning students have enrolled.

“The purpose of the program is to integrate all physically limited students in regularly scheduled classes, besides students who are without physical limitations,” said Enabler, Carol Ghilarducci." It provides a variety of services in an effort to equalize educational opportunities for physically limited students as they move toward their vocational goals."

These services include building accessibility, reader services for the blind, classes for the deaf and hearing impaired, mobility assistance, designated parking, speech therapy, health services and supplemental income for students who qualify.

Students receive academic aid through counseling, career planning, tutoring, note takers, individual classes and vocational degree programs, Ghilarducci added.

Murphy request referred back to Board by County

The Santa Clara County Board of Education referred the request for an inter district release by a Gavilan district resident back to Gavilan, ordering the college to develop a program which would meet the educational needs of Carol Murphy.

The Gavilan Board of Trustees denied the November request of Murphy to attend the nursing program at the Anza because they felt that Gavilan could fulfill her general education requirements.

Murphy, who lives in the western most part of the school district is blind in one eye.

Gavilan was ordered to develop a program for Murphy in which she would be working with the enabler, Carol Ghilarducci, in the program for functionally limited students at Gavilan.

“I will be working with her high school counselor to find a program that helps her learn best,” said Ghilarducci.

She went on to explain that if Murphy attends Gavilan and transfers, she would be at an advantage because the college she chose “wouldn’t have to start from scratch.”

Ghilarducci pointed out that the original reason why Murphy’s parents requested the release was because they felt that studying under two different programs would be too difficult for her.

Murphy is a senior at Live Oak High School.

Inventor on the heels of success

Santa Clara resident, Carol Allen has invented a product that will thrill high heel wearers every where. Allen’s “Heel-thyself“ a three-component kit allows women to repair worn heels on their own shoes. The idea was born out of frustration with constant trips to the cobbler’s.

“I’ve tried other repair kits but found them difficult to use, with unsatisfactory results,” Allen said. She claims that finding appropriate-sized taps were impossible. “I always ended up at the cobbler’s anyway.”

“Heel-thyself” supplies all the necessary tools for heel repairs at home; a hammer, taps, and shoe stand. In addition to servicing a wide variety of heel sizes, the product comes packaged in a self-containing fold up case.

Though the idea occurred to Allen seven years ago, it wasn’t until 1996 that she began the process of turning that dream into a reality. “I didn’t know anything about projection molding and manufacturing so I contacted a private patent attorney.” When his efforts proved unsatisfactory, she hired National Inventions Service Inc., an all-purpose product marketing company after seeing their television commercial. Allen expects “Heel-thyself” to be available to the public within a year.

What does this mother of two and former employee of National Semi-Conductors see in her future? More inventions of course, which she prefer to keep secret for now.

"I have a copyright and a few more patents pending. I would like to think that I can make life easier,“ she said.

Hair mania at Mickey's Place

When children step into Mouse Mania Cuts, Morgan Hill’s new, one of a kind, kid-friendly hair salon, it would be hard to convince them that they are actually in a place of business.

Owner, Bette Hernandez says that’s just fine with her. Thanks to the red, black and white color scheme, checkered linoleum and a generous dose of Mikey Mouse memorabilia, any child would believe that the key to a secret Disneyland lay just north of downtown right behind the auto parts store.

Prying little hands from the playhouse and cache of toys, long enough for a haircut might be the toughest challenge parents will face at Mouse Mania Cuts. Once Hernandez hoists a child into what she calls “a fun styling chair” and buckles them up, they’d be compelled to grasp the bright red steering wheel attached at the front. Add to that some video sing-alongs and they will be raring to go for a new haircut.

But don’t let on to the truth. The childish delight of peering through a wall mirror adorned with white-gloved Mickey Mouse hands, is just too much fun to spoil.

Hernandez, a 12-year veteran of Supercuts in Oakridge Mall of San Jose, is thrilled to combine her two loves - children and hair styling.

“The scissors and blow dryers scare kids. They like to take their time and look around,” she said with a smile. “I always get a kick out of their little stories.”

Mouse Mania Cuts recently held a successful grand opening and Hernandez, who runs the shop with the help of a long-time friend, Brenda Sunday, said that by 9 a.m. people had formed a line to get in.

“We had steady business all day, and it hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet,” Hernandez said. “Parents were happy to have one place where they didn’t have to say, ’No, no, don’t touch.’ ”

Hernandez has received numerous compliments on the red sinks.

“Usually sinks are too high and uncomfortable for the children to use,” she said, “but mine are scaled-down and make a more pleasurable experience.”

Hernandez’s understanding of children comes form being a member of a five-sibling family. She is aunt to 10 nieces and nephews and great aunt to five more.

“Through a lot of time babysitting, I learned that even small children already know what they want. I see parents combing their kid’s hair; sometimes the kids don’t like the results and they will get busy fixing it exactly the way they want it. Little boys are so cute, just as vain as little girls,” she said.

Hernandez said she had always wanted her own hair salon. “I just decide to go for it, but I really have to thank my parents, because I wouldn’t have this chance without their help.”

Luck was on her side all the way around.

“This location was not my first choice. My first choice had a long waiting list,” she explained. “But this place is working great. All my things fit in perfectly.”

So where did all the eye-catching memorabilia come from?

“I already had this stuff,” Hernandez said, “I’ve always loved Mickey Mouse.”

There is something for everyone at Mouse Mania; two styling chairs for adults and one for children. Hair cuts start at $12. Bang trims are $5, and shampoos are $4. Hernandez will also style French braids for $10.

What advice does she have for parents brave enough to attempt haircuts at home?

“Forget it,” she said. “I see crooked bangs all day long. Don’t bother, just come see me.”

Mouse Mania is open Monday through Friday , 10 am to 7 pm ; Saturdays, 9am to 7pm; Sundays , 10am to 4pm and is located at 17760 Monterey Road, Suite B.

Gardening group hosts Spring sale and festival

Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation invites the public to tour SM facility SAN MARTIN -

If your idea of fun is rooting through soil and lush foliage, then the Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation of San Martin is the place to be this Saturday. SHRF, a nonprofit organization, invites the public to view the fruits of 46 years of labor and research at its annual festival and plant sale at 15185 Murphy Road.

“We’re all very excited,” said Kathy Hesketh, Executive director of SHRF. The foundation was named for the city of Saratoga where it began in 1952. Later the foundation moved to San Martin in 1984, but the name remained.

Buzz Bertolero, the Dirt Gardner of KNBR, is slated to present “What’s Bugging You in Your Garden” at 10 a.m. Other speakers include horticultural experts who will talk on the valued quantities of SHRF plants, floral arranging with SHRF plants and research news of the foundation. In addition, a garden booth will be available to offer plant care and advice.

Even those who don’t like to get dirty can enjoy the music of Michael B and the jazz sounds of the Vince Gomez Duo. When hunger strikes, Piccolo’s Deli will be on hand for food and beverage sales. Entertainment for children includes clowns, face painting and a visit from Bonnie Bloomer, mascot of the California Association of Nurserymen.

The purpose of SHRF, Hesketh explained is to introduce appropriate and dependable plantscape solutions for the state of California.

“At our San Martin site,” Hesketh continued, “which is one of 15 sites, many criteria are taken into consideration. Tests are done for branch habits. Which direction do they grow? Are they at an angle that could hurt someone? If we test a tree for street-planting we look at roots. Will they uproot sidewalks? In addition, we study the effects of climates on the plants. Trees will be studied 10 years before being released. Shrubs might be tested for three to eight years depending on the size and time it takes to tackle the insect problem.”

Plants at the San Martin site, which Hesketh said is the smallest site will eventually be planted in the ground at one of the other larger sites. SHRF plants can be found at Blake Gardens in Berkeley, the city of Modesto, College of the Sequoias and Stanford University, among other places.

“Since its founding in 1951 in Saratoga, SHRF has added millions of dollars to the nursery industry,” Hesketh said.

The foundation which is not state supported, thrives on hosting seminars, tours and once-a-month sales to the public. Lack of funding hasn’t seemed to hinder the foundation. SHRF received the Freeman Medal For Outstanding Plant of 1997, for the Carpenteria California, an evergreen shrub used for outdoor landscaping and the Thuja Plicata, a western red cedar tree, earned the Master Gardener’s Plant of the Year Award.

“We couldn’t survive without the help of about 40 volunteers, membership fees and private donations,” Hesketh said. “The board of directors and resident committee are all formed from volunteers. The full-time staff is only comprised of ten people.”

SRF has proved its hardiness over the past 26 years, similar to the ginkgo, a tree that survived prehistoric times. The foundation grafted, budded and improved the ginkgo, then utilized the leaf for their logo.

One recent claim to fame is the development of a new hybrid, clivia solomoni, named for creator, Joe Solomoni, resident director.

According to Hesketh, success at the SHRF does not always include attractive plants.

“Don’t be fooled into thinking that a plant with brown leaves is dying,” she said. “Some plants are just taking root or are raised for stem-cuttings.”

Once you visit the foundation grounds, it is easy to understand the complexities of horticulture or why years of testing are necessary before plants are released to the public. There is the “head house” where the tedious work of dipping cuttings into cutting hormones and planting them in flats takes place. In the propagation house, branches are snipped and dipped in hormone powder then inserted in peat and perlite. A biotherm heating system and a roof that opens to let heat escape, encourages growth of small plants.
..............................................................
The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 15185 Murphy Ave., San Martin. Details: 779-3303. Membership dues are $25 annually or $50 for a family.

Do-It-Yourself does it right with antique autos

Ray Fairfield, an avid antique car collector is a sucker for nostalgia. The proof is in the high expense and many hours he devotes to his hobby, not to mention the garage space.

“I’m afraid it’s a disease,” Fairfield said. And as the proud owner of a 1930 Packard, ‘34 Ford pickup, ’66 Mustang convertible and a ’71 Honda 750 - he should know. He’s the chairman of the National Spring Meet of the Antique Automobile Club of America being hosted Saturday at the Golden Oak Restaurant, 16695 Condit Road.

He does all the labor himself from a workshop/basement including carpeting, painting and upholstery to engine overhauls and wiring.

“Do it all yourself and get only about a dollar an hour. But at least you’ll know everything was done right,” he said. “I’m self-taught which means I do it the hard way.”

Fairfield added that although he’s always loved antique cars, it wasn’t until a friend sold him a Ford pickup in 1979 that the disease really infected him.

“I was blown away. I had to have it,” he said. “That truck took four times longer than it should have and I made very mistake possible, but there’s a certain satisfaction when a job is done.”

The bug that bit Fairfield 18 years ago also spread to his family.

“My daughter, Sara, really prefers the newer cars," he laughed. “She’d like to drive the Mustang. But I won’t let her.”

Fairfield and his wife enjoy dressing in period costumes and adding atmosphere to charities and promotional events.

“Next weekend, I’ll make a widow out of her,” he said.

That’s when he will motor up to Hillsborough to serve as judge in the Concord Elegance. In June the couple plans a weeklong tour through Napa, Tahoe.

“We hope to do okay,” he confessed. “You can ‘t just walk up to the nearest gas station for help with cars like these. You need to have a supply of spare tires.”

Even Grandma gets into the act.

“My mother-in-law crocheted an antimacassar (doily) for the back seat of the Packard. It’s in a rectangular shape and too her 40 hours to make.”

Historically, antimacassars would have been placed on headrests to protect them from oily hair tonics so popular in days gone by.

As past president of the Northern California Classic Car Club, Fairfield is no stranger to volunteerisms. Today he is the legislative analyst for the club, representing members’ interests in Sacramento.

Although he insists he is too busy for more than one major event per year - 2/3 of his three-car garage is still devoted to his collection. His talent for handiwork is evidenced by the fact that he built both the garage and the house. So it isn’t any wonder that the GE nuclear employee, “prefers not to work.” No problem filling the hours of a day for this guy.

“I also refinish old furniture, like player pianos,” Fairfield said. “Last summer I refinished a roll top desk.”

What does he see for the future of antique car enthusiasts?

“Well value is determined by what people are willing to pay. And as far as what makes models will be big - who knows? Everybody has their own set of memories.”

The Antique Automobile Club cars will be on display from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Golden Oak Restaurant, 166695 Conduit Road.