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Published on 12/09/1996 All articles from this issue

Crew films children's video in downtown Los Altos

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Town Crier Staff Report

Downtown residents had the opportunity to star in their own movie last summer when local video producers from Raindrop Entertainment filmed a good portion of their new children's release, "The Adventures of Two Piggy Banks - Learning to Save" at various locations in Los Altos.

The video, which teaches kids how to save money and share with others, "stars" two colorful piggy bank puppets (one is pink, the other blue-green) built by two people, Kamela Portuges and Lee Armstrong, who have worked for Jim Henson and Disney. These well-known puppeteers and their company, Images in Motion, have won numerous awards, including a regional Emmy.

Add 26 real kids, a dog, a cat, and an elementary teacher, and you have the elements of an entertaining and educational video for kids 4-10 years old. Included with the video is an activity guide that can help parents add to the learning experience with creative activities and reading suggestions. Kids can sing along with four original songs, too.

The action begins at Lin's Toy Cupboard, and moves onto the street where the piggy banks begin their search for a family. They wander into the following downtown businesses: Animal Tails, Maria's Antiques, Cottage Collectibles, Mac's Tea Room, Demartini's Flower Bed, Tiles by Denise, The Antiquarian Archive, European Cobblery, Los Altos Card & Party, Uncommon Threads, Al's Barber Shop, Patt's Greenhouse, and The Daily Grind. They even encounter a Los Altos police officer who can't believe his eyes - two talking piggy banks walking down the street. But, all ends well when the piggy banks are adopted by a classroom of children, filmed at Santa Rita School on Los Altos Avenue.

Jean Lund, owner of Raindrop Entertainment of Mountain View and producer the 30-minute video for kids, expressed her gratitude for the cooperation her crews received. The video, which is being marketed nationally, can be purchased locally at Linden Tree Books Children's Records and Books in Los Altos.