The Annual Holiday Party will be Saturday December 6, 2008.

At St. Edward's Episcopal Church Hall, 15040 Union Ave San Jose, CA 95124.

Google Map

Predinner drinks at 6.00pm. Dinner at 7.00pm.

The caterer, Savory and Sweet, presents an Italian menu with a vegetarian choice.

A chocolate fountain highlights dessert, and coffee and tea after dinner are included.

The meal will be served buffet style. Drinks (wine/beer/water/soda) are provided.

Please sign up by Saturday December 1 using this form (or send an email to social@stevenscreekstriders.org)

Sign up now.

The cost is $35 for members and $45 for guests.
Please send check/cash to:

Stevens Creek Striders, P.O. Box 1176, Cupertino, CA 95015-1176
or to any board member at club on Saturday (in an envelope please)

This is a sport coat, smart/casual affair - although "black tie" is of course fine. Fancy dress (costume) has even been worn by some high-spirited guests on occasion. Among the evening's entertainment we have:

Western States Strider Entry
Big L Awards
Holiday Raffle
White Elephant Swap

Big L Awards 

The "Big L" Awards are named after Lirio who invented these awards. Lirio was a little guy and the "Big L" was named in good fun. Every year the members of the club nominate members who they feel deserves each of the club's "Big L" awards.

Category	2007 Winner
Strider of the Year:	Robin
Most improved runner:	Claire
Athletic Achievement:	Jean
Most dedicated volunteer:	Penny

History of the Big L Awards 

As told by Jim Bordoni

The scene is the first Stevens Creek Strider's Christmas Party, back in 1982. Everyone is crammed into Sandy Kane's living room after having made a mess of her kitchen, devouring the pot luck offerings brought by attending members. When everyone is seated, Lirio Guevara stands up and announces he is awarding the 1^st Annual "Big L" Awards and, unveils numerous trophies he has made up and paid for out of his own pocket. "Lirio, stand up!" someone hollers. "I am!" is the response.

For those of you who have never met him, Lirio (rhymes with Cheerio) is not big. He drives a big pickup truck, he has a big heart but, he is not big in stature. So, his use of "Big" along with his initial was very tongue-in-cheek and, appreciated as such. For the first 4 Strider Christmas Parties, he would present "Big L" Awards based on his awareness of club achievements (the club was smaller then and, he actually did a pretty good job of keeping track of all the races and times). He would pay for the trophies himself, occasionally passing the hat on the Saturday before the party (an unwritten rule was, if you won one the year before, you felt obligated to donate). Categories for awards were very much like races; age groups, male and females categories.

The best part about the "Big L" Awards was Lirio's presentation. This was often the highlight of the evening's entertainment. Perhaps presentation is not the correct word. "Roast" might be more appropriate. Especially if Lirio knew you well. I remember Liz Ross taking heat for winning her age group because, she was the only runner we had that was old enough to qualify. And, you could always expect the unexpected. I remember Lirio naming a long list of nominees for a category and then awarding it to someone not even on the list! In any event, it became a beloved ritual, looked forward to by all and, used for inspiration by many.

By the 1986 Christmas Party, your Board of Directors decided it wasn't fair for Lirio to continue footing the bill personally for club awards, while recognizing the need to require more input to actually reward the efforts of the growing club. After a few refinements, the current system settled in. The major changes were: 1) the club paid for the awards; 2) an "Awards Committee" voted on recipients; and 3) age and gender categories were trashed.

Holiday Raffle

A chance for everybody to win a prize - and sometimes there is a prize for everybody! It depends on the generosity of local businesses and Striders. Prizes have been donated in the past by local businesses including Hobees, Metrosports and Sports Basement. Striders members often contribute prizes.

Last year's photos: click here.

White Elephant Swap

Everybody's got an unwanted gift in his or her closet (and other things we don't discuss in their closet!). This is your chance to exchange it for something new and exciting (which somebody else doesn't want!).

So bring that unwanted gift and put it on the table. We have a game (with rules as complicated as Cricket) and everybody ends up with a gift. It's fun. And you don't need to bring a "gift from hell"- just something you think somebody else will appreciate - or enjoy the joke. The value of the White Elephant is not to exceed $15.