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Give me a breakers

by Don Frances

WERE IT ANY other week, I probably would not mind all the "preggers" complaints. I'm just glad people are reading!

But after a week of double homicides and right-wing diatribes, a goofy Englishism should have been the least of Mountain View's concerns. Even so, my absurd front-page headline from last week, "More teachers getting preggers," drew several upset comments and e-mails, to the exclusion of all other stories.

My defense for using the word was best put by a Town Square commenter, so I'll just quote her:

"Maybe a cultural thing, but certainly Englishwomen call themselves preggers as a matter of pride. I think Princess Anne started making it more fashionable when she first got preggers with her first, 30ish years ago."

AS REPORTED by outgoing editorial intern Nicole Baldocchi (thanks Nicole), a local literacy group is looking for more volunteers over the summer and fall.

JustREAD tutors students from local schools such as Mountain View High and Crittenden. The organization's primary focus is helping kids who are struggling to keep up in their classes.

Tutors assist students in developing their basic reading and writing skills, along with other skills needed for their diploma and future. Volunteers tutor for a minimum of one hour a week at the program's "Reading Center," located at the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District's main office.

For more information, call (650) 940-7402 or e-mail lisa.cittadino@mvla.net.

WHEN SHE'S NOT winning Soap Box Derby races, young Celeste Greaves of Mountain View is starring in local plays.

Celeste plays the unusually literate spider in Peninsula Youth Theatre's upcoming production of "Charlotte's Web." PYT sent a picture of her in the Charlotte costume, and it's amazing — kind of like a many-armed Michael Jackson, only adorable. It could be worth the price of admission all on its own.

In all, there are 16 Mountain View kids among the production's 100 cast members. I won't list them all here, but you can show your support by attending one of the performances.

"Charlotte's Web" runs July 11-20 at the Cubberley Theatre in Palo Alto. For tickets and show times, call (650) 988-8798 or visit www.pytnet.org.

By the way, PYT, a truly great local institution, offers theater classes and camps for local youth. Use the above phone number or Web site to find out more.

Don Frances writes the headlines. He can be reached at dfrances@mv-voice.com.

Posted by Brenna McDonald, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on Jul 6, 2008 at 9:04 pm

Charlotte's Web is double cast and Maddy McNamara is also playing Charlotte in this production.

Posted by Brenna Smith, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on Jul 6, 2008 at 9:06 pm

Charlotte's Web is double cast and Maddy McNamara is also playing Charlotte in this production. Photos were also submitted of Maddy.