Asking a few Saratogans what they are thankful for:
Leslee Warwick of The Barn Owl says, “Special thank you to Laurel Perusa, Lynda Pevar and Tina Liddle for their help organizing the scarecrows that showed up in the Village.”
Super volunteer Jill Hunter: “I am grateful for the special people who are Village Gardeners. They show up every week through thick and thin because they love Saratoga and they want to make their town beautiful.”
Keerthi Kuppam (mom of Saratoga High senior Ritika and sophomore Soorya Kuppam) says, “I’m grateful for the education my kids receive at SHS, where they are encouraged to try something new. Along the way success and failure are accepted, celebrated and supported by the administration, teachers and friends.” Ritika is among the students performing in the high school’s production of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” a timely play that examines reactions, both reasonable and ridiculous, to societal pressures. Nov. 22 -23, 7:30 p.m., at McAfee Performing Arts Center on campus.
Children will be thanking more than 50 volunteers of the Linus Committee from the Saratoga Foothill Club. Much love, effort and care went into making 118 blankets to provide holiday warmth for children of all ages. saratogafoothillclub.org
Black Friday (Nov. 29) in Saratoga is anything but! The annual day after Thanksgiving Open House in the Village is a happy family tradition. Stores will be open with extended hours and shopping specials.
The featured event will be the Saratoga Holiday Wine Stroll and City Tree Lighting Ceremony. Free events include the City of Saratoga’s Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m., free horse-drawn carriage rides, activities for children, live holiday music, caroling, Father and Mother Christmas, a performance by Los Gatos Ballet, pictures with Santa, and a free photo kiosk. Plan to stroll over to the Saratoga History Museum for a free reception that night, 4-8 p.m., with light refreshments and music to debut “Be Jolly By Golly,” a new exhibit highlighting toys, decorations and holiday traditions from many countries.
This year’s wine stroll features more than 40 wines available for tasting. Tickets are $45 at Eventbrite.com. There is no charge to participate in other activities.
The Saratoga Community Band will perform “Dashing Through the Snow,” a free musical kickoff to the holiday season, Dec. 2, 7:30 pm, at the McAfee Performing Arts Center, Saratoga High School. saratogaband.com
Saratoga Federated Church will soon turn 100. The church’s annual Christmas program with its intergenerational cast is open to the public and is fabulous. This year’s event is called “Christmas at the Inn” and takes place in Yosemite, complete with the famous Bracebridge dinner. Dec. 13-15. Free admission. www.saratogafederated.org
West Valley College Theatre Department and the Cilker School of Art and Design will present “Machinal,” playwright Sophie Treadwell’s firsthand account of a sensational 1927 murder trial in New York, Nov. 22-23 at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets at wvmachinal.eventbrite.com and at the door.
It’s wonderful when talented people give back. Uber piano talent Katya Grineva has performed at Carnegie Hall 18 times. Residents of the Saratoga Retirement Community were treated to a recital while Katya was in town for a (now annual) benefit at the Saratoga Foothill Club. Her CD makes a great holiday gift. katyagrineva.com
It was quite a sight to see hundreds of imaginative witches’ hats at the Wonderful Witchy Women with a Cause Lunch. Founder and magic woman Cheryl Bailey has really pulled something out of her hat, starting with a lunch for 20. Fourteen years later, the event has made over $3 million to help the Bella Vista League and local charities serve local families and children in crisis. Hats off to you ladies! WonderfulWitchyWomen.com
If you have business or social news about Saratoga, please let me know at Debby@debbyrice.com.