Issue date: January 13, 1999

Calendar

"A Flea in Her Ear," a classic French farce presented by the drama department at Menlo-Atherton High School, Jan. 14-16, 22-23 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. Burgess Theater, 601 Laurel St., Menlo Park. Tickets $8, $5. Call 322-3673.

"La Cage aux Folles," Broadway comedy starring Lee Roy Reams, by the American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Jan. 15-31. Tues., Wed. & Thurs., 8 p.m.; Fri. 8:30 p.m.; Sat. 2 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Matinees at 2 p.m. on Jan. 27 & 31 (no 7 p.m. performance Jan. 31). San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd. Tickets $30-$50. Call 888-455-SHOW.

The Palo Alto Players present the refined comedy of "The Ladies of the Camellias," by Lillian Garrett-Groag, Jan. 22-Feb. 7. Wed.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sunday matinees Jan. 24 & Feb. 7, 2:30 p.m. Tickets $16-$24. Students and seniors receive a $3 discount for Wed., Thurs. & Sun. performances. Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. Call 329-0891.

"Amadeus," the Tony Award-winning drama about Mozart performed by TheatreWorks, Jan. 20-Feb. 7. Previews Jan. 20-22, 8 p.m.; Tues. 7:30 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun. Jan. 24 & 31, 7 p.m. Matinees Jan. 24, 30, 31, Feb. 6 & 7, 2 p.m. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Castro & Mercy Streets. Tickets $19-$35. Call 903-6000.

Music

San Jose Museum of Art presents Sunday Jazz: Winter concert series features jazz in the main lobby, 3-5 p.m. every Sunday through March, free with admission; Jan. 17, The San Francisco Mainstream Jazz Quintet. Thursday Night Opera at the Museum features ensemble members of Opera San Jose and pianist Thomas Webb, free with half-price Museum admission, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 14, "Don Giovanni" preview. 110 South Market St., San Jose. Call (408) 271-6840.

Music at Stanford: Jan. 15, Guitarist Charles Ferguson, Spanish and Flamenco guitar music with the Saratoga Symphony and guest guitarist Yoko Ogawa, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 8 p.m. Tickets $8, $4. Jan. 19, Nancy Granert, organist, performs works by Bach, Buxtehude, Mendelssohn and more, Memorial Church, 8 p.m. Tickets $8, students free. Jan. 22, graduate student recital, Thomas Hawkins, classical guitar with soprano Elain Romanelli, Campbell Recital Hall, 8 p.m., free. Call 725-ARTS.

Violinist Karen Bentley and pianist Dmitriy Cogan will present a recital to greet the new year at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, Jan. 16, 8 p.m., featuring Norwegian music by Edvard Grieg, Bjarne Brustad and Ole Bull. World premiere of "Salsa for Karen," by Danish composer Ole Saxe. $10 donation. 505 E. Charleston Rd. Call 321-9727.

Taiko drumming comes to Stanford Jan. 21-23, 8 p.m. Kodo is a full company of performers from Sado Island in the Sea of Japan. Memorial Auditorium Stanford University. Tickets $32, $28, $24 (youth and student discount). Call 725-ARTS.

Barbershop singing and Sweet Adelines practice at Cubberley Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to come listen, or even try out. Call 1-800-876-SING.

Dance

Dance at the YWCA of the Peninsula: Brazilian Samba (not ballroom), Mon. 7-8:15 p.m., Jan. 4-Feb. 15 or Feb. 22-Apr. 5, $63 per session. Contra Dance Society (English style folkdance), meets the second, fourth & fifth Sat. of every month, 7:30-11 p.m., no partner necessary. Country Western Dance Absolute Beginners Series meets Thurs. Jan. 15-Mar. 18, 7:10-8:10 p.m. Country Western Dance Intermediate and Advanced classes meet Thurs. Jan. 14-Mar. 18, 7:10-8:10 p.m., drop in for $6. More Country Western Dancing every second and fourth Fri., lessons from 7:30-8 p.m., open dance 8-11 p.m., $6 drop-in fee or $3 after 10 p.m. Irish Folk Dancing meets Tues. 8-10 p.m., Jan. 5-Feb. 16, $59.50, or Feb. 23-Apr. 6, $63., drop-in $10. Tuxedo Junction meets every Wed. with a ballroom dance lesson from 7:15-9 p.m. and open dancing 9-10:30 p.m., drop-in $6. Ceili Dance (Irish Folk Dance) meets every 3rd Sat. 8-11 p.m., drop-in $8. Classes held at YWCA, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. Call 494-0972.

Menlo Park Recreation offers classes in ballet, ballroom dance, Balkan folk dance, and Palomanian folk dance, beginning in January. Call now for registration information, 858-3470, or visit website www.ci.menlo-park.ca.us.

Belly dancing classes taught by Celena at the Palo Alto Cultural Center begin Jan. 12 and run through Mar. 16 on Tuesdays. Beginning: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Intermediate: noon-1 p.m. $100. 1313 Newell Rd., Palo Alto. Call 329-2527.

Do Your Own Dance, relaxed and informal creative expression. Individuals move to music from around the world, each dancing his or her own way, with or without partners. Wed. 8:15-9:30 p.m., Cubberley Community Center, L3, 400 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. $5 drop-in. Call 322-1420.

Ballroom dancing at Little House, with live music by Mike Johnson and his "Sound Wizards," Thursdays 7-9:30 p.m. $3. Basic Country Western line dancing lesson, Thursdays 6-7 p.m., $1.50. Call 326-2025.

Stanford International Dancers, class followed by request dancing, Fri., 8-11 p.m., at 425 W. Evelyn Ave., Mt. View. Soft-soled shoes. Fee $5, $6 live music nights. Jan. 15, live music night, Hungarian. Call 966-1775.

Film/TV

Stanford Theater, 221 University Ave., Palo Alto. Beautifully restored 1925 movie house showing the classics, including silent films. Live organ music on the Wurlitzer organ before and after each film. Schedules of movies for the next two or three months are available at the theater. Admission $6 adults, $4 seniors over 65, and $3 for children. Call 324-3700.

The Stanford Channel presents programs of educational and local interest on channel 51, available on Cable Co-op, TCI, SUNet Video, and STV. Check website for schedule, http://tsc.stanford.edu/tsc/. Call 723-5100.

Listings for movies shown in local theaters can be found in the Almanac online edition at www.calmanac.com. Click on Current Issue and check under Movies near the bottom of the list.

Auditions

Hillbarn Theatre has changed its 1998-99 season; "The Cure at Troy," to be directed by Ed Pliska, will replace "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune," April 1-18 in the ChamberStage. Written by Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet and playwright Seamus Heaney, "The Cure at Troy" is a modern version of the ancient Greek play "Philoctetes," and was a hit both in New York and at Ashland. Auditions for 3 men and 3 women will be held Jan. 18-19. Auditions will be held on the same dates for the March children's play, "Red vs. the Wolf," for 9 multicultural men, women and children over age 12. Call to reserve an audition space, 349-6411.

"Guys and Dolls," the middle school version, is coming to Portola Valley. All students 6th-8th grade are invited to audtion for this very cool musical at Corte Madera Middle School, Jan. 22-23. Call to schedule an audition appointment, 851-8282, ext. 104.

Theatreworks is auditioning for the 1999/2000 season. Skilled actors and singers ages 9 to 90 are sought. Auditions will be held Jan. 24-Feb. 6, deadline to make an appointment is Jan. 14. Performers of color especially encouraged to audition. Equity and non-Equity welcome, all roles are paid. Prepare a brief monologue and for musicals, a song. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. Call 463-7171 by Jan. 14.

Going Places

Passport to the Wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Jan. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 22 wineries open their doors to the public; meet the winemakers and taste the wine. $15 per passport. Call (831) 479-9463.

For Families

"Preventing Teen Substance Abuse," an Adolescent Counseling Services brown bag lunch, Jan. 13, noon. Discussion on how to keep teens away from drugs and alcohol, led by Barbara Regan, MFCC and Director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at ACS. Free and open to the public. Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Rd., Room FH, Palo Alto. Call to reserve, 424-0852.

Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre presents plays for families and kids of all ages: "The Time Machine," Jan. 16, 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Tickets $9.50. 550 E. Remington Ave., Sunnyvale. Call (408) 245-2978.

"Aesop's Fables," Peninsula Youth Theatre's "Stories on Stage" presentation at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Castro & Mercy Streets. Jan. 22, 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.; Jan. 23, 1 p.m. Tickets $3-$5. Call 903-6000.

Onetta Harris Community Center: Reading room, gymnastics, karate, youth & adult basketball leagues, Project Read tutoring, computer lab, aerobics/fitness classes, and after school care for ages 6-13. 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park. Habla espanol. Call 329-0145.

Hidden Villa is open to the public Tues. through Sun. from 9 a.m. to dusk. Activities, guided Sunday farm tours, wilderness trail hikes. Parking $5. 26870 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills. Call 949-8650.

Ardenwood Historic Farm: Open year round for picnics, farm tour, craft demonstrations. Discount admission: Family Saturdays, $1 adults, $.50 children (excludes special events). Attractions include horse drawn train ride, $1; house tour, $3, $2. Blacksmith demonstrations on alternate Saturdays. Regular admission includes attractions, $7.50, $5.50, $5. Ardenwood Blvd. in Fremont, near Hwy. 84 and the Dumbarton Bridge. Call (510) 796-0199.

The Tech Museum now open at its new home at 201 South Market St., San Jose. Visit the technical interactive exhibits, as well as the Grand Lobby, the Tech Store, and Cafe Primavera. Hours: Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets for either exhibits or IMAX, $8, $7, $6 each; combined tickets $13.50, $12.50, $10. Call (408) 294-TECH.

Friday morning coffee at the Bechtel International Center at Stanford. Meet international visitors and residents from the Stanford area and nearby communities; children are welcome. Every Friday, 10 a.m.-noon. Call 723-1831.

Palo Alto Junior Museum presents a new exhibit, "Bayanihan: A Window to the Philippines." Visit this Philippine village and participate in everyday activities, through Jan. 31, 1999. Located at 1451 Middlefield Rd. Free. Call 329-2111.

Coyote Point Museum: off Hwy. 101 in San Mateo. Open Jan. 18, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, noon-5 p.m. Children's workshops: "Plant a Window Sill Garden," Jan. 17, 2-3 p.m., for ages 7-12, $5 per child, registration required. "Birdwatch on the Point," Jan. 18, 1:30-3:30 p.m., $2 adults, $1 seniors, children. Art gallery exhibit: San Mateo County Student Environmental Art Show, through Jan. 17. Hawk talks, Sat., 2 p.m.; otter feeding, Tues.-Sun., 12:15 p.m. Park entrance fee $4. Museum entrance fee, $3, $2, $1, children under 4 free. Call 342-7755.

Exploratorium, at the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco. Jan. 16: The Art of Japanese Animation, 10:30 a.m. Ongoing activities: Play Lab for children 4 and under. Admission $9, $7, $5, $2.50, children under 3 free. First Wed. of the month is free. Hours: Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Weds. to 9 p.m. Open Jan. 18 and on all Monday holidays. Call 563-7337.

Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. Bilingual storytime, stories in Spanish and English, first Sat. each month, 10:30 a.m. Toddler storytime (ages 2-3), Wed. 10:30 a.m.; preschool storytime (ages 3-5), Thurs. 10:30 a.m.; pajama storytime (all ages), Wed. 7 p.m. Baby storytime (up to 18 months), advance sign-up requested, Tues. 11 & 11:30 a.m. Persian Folktales storytime, all ages, second Sat. of the month, 10:30 a.m. Call 858-3464.

Redwood City Library, Schaberg Branch, 2140 Euclid Ave. Preschool story time for ages 3-5, Mon. 10:30 a.m. Toddler story time for ages 1-3, Mon. 11:30 a.m. Call 780-7010.

Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road. Preschool storytime for ages 3-5, Fridays, Jan. 15-Feb. 19 (no storytime Feb. 12), 11 a.m. Registration required, enrollment limited to 30. Jan. 20: Special Crafts and Storytime for ages 5 & up, 4 p.m. Call 851-0560.

Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road. Toddler story time: Wed., 11 a.m., ages 18-36 mos. with adult. Hours: Mon. 1-9 p.m., Tues.-Wed. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thurs. 1-6 p.m., Fri. 1-5 p.m., Sat. 1-5 p.m. Book sale on the first Mon. of every month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 851-0147.

For Kids

Winter Science Program at the Portola Valley Town Center. Balance and motion are the themes. Kindergarteners meet Mon. 1:30-3 p.m. 1st & 2nd graders meet Mon. 3:30-5 p.m. 3rd-5th graders meet Thurs. 3:40-5:10 p.m. Now through March; $120. Call 851-8888.

Aikido for teen women ages 13-18 at the YWCA in Palo Alto, Tues. & Thurs. Jan. 12-Feb. 18, 5-6 p.m. Aikido is a non-competitive Japanese martial art. $60. Next series offered Feb. 23-Apr. 8, $70.4161 Alma St. Call 494-0972.

"Toys That Move," a Museum of American Heritage workshop that examines the scientific principles and concepts behind toys that can be made to move. Students get to take apart a variety of toys and choose one model to recreate. Jan. 16 & 23, 10 a.m.-noon, for ages 8-12. $25. Bring a design notebook. Space is limited, call to register. 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. Call 321-9004.

Youth sports camps and classes, offered by the City of Menlo Park: Afterschool sports program, grades 4-8 at selected community schools; basketball camps; soccer for ages 3 1/2 to 8; soccer camps; Spring Indoor Soccer League, ages 4-12. Dance classes include ballet for ages 4 & up; Tiny Tappers, ages 4 & up; Kinderdance for 5 year olds; Intro to Jazz, 3rd-5th grades. Winter Swim Team conditioning, ages 5-18. Other classes: Clay for Children, Junior Theatre, Kindermusik, more. Call now for registration information, 858-3470, or visit website www.ci.menlo-park.ca.us.

Peninsula Youth Theatre's winter session begins Jan. 18 and runs through Mar. 5. Weekly classes include acting, voice-over, singing, and dancing, for ages 3 1/2 to 18. Fees $40-$70 per session. Winter drama camp Feb. 15-19. 2500 Old Middlefield Rd., Mountain View. Call 988-8798.

Menlo Park's Boomin' Teen program, made for the teens by the teens and only the teens! Join "City Teens": Participate in community projects, plan events, meet other teens who care about their city; limited space, pick up an application today. Ski & snowboard trips, free tutoring at The Hub Mon.-Thurs., 3-6 p.m., monthly dances, movies one Friday a month, bowling league begins in Feb. 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park. Call 858-3473.

Outdoors

Visit Ano Nuevo State Reserve and see the largest mainland breeding colony of northern elephant seals. SamTrans is offering a round-trip bus ride and three mile walk at the reserve with a trained naturalist for $12. Weekend trips depart from the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo at 9 & 10 a.m., through Feb. 28 (Jan. 18 & Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. only). Entire trip takes approx. 6 1/2 hours. Call to reserve, 508-6441.

Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District docent-led hikes. Jan. 13, Rancho San Antonio, "Scenic Aerobic Hike," 10 a.m.-noon. Jan. 13, Monte Bello, "Explorer Hike," 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 14, Purisima Creek Redwoods, "Afternoon in the Redwoods," 1-4 p.m., reservations required. meet at the Higgins-Purisima entrance. Jan. 16, Skyline Ridge, "Looking at Nature From All Angles," 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 17, Skyline Ridge, "Rhythm of the Rain," 8 a.m.-noon. Jan. 20, Russian Ridge, "Ancient Oaks and Cultures Rediscovered," 11 a.m.-2 p.m., reservations required. Jan. 20, Rancho San Antonio, "Explorer Hike," 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Daniels Nature Center open weekends, 11 a.m.-4 p.m, near Russian Ridge parking lot, Hwy 35 and PageMill/Alpine intersection. Call 691-1200 or 691-2153.

Filoli is accepting applications for enrollment in volunteer docent training programs, Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Jan. 22-Apr. 2. Docents will lead nature walks for school children and adults through this beautiful estate on Canada Rd. in Woodside. Class size is limited. Call to reserve, 493-6795.

Hiking, exploration, discovery: Experience them as a docent for Environmental Volunteers, a non-profit agency that teaches school-aged children hands-on natural science. No experience necessary, short training provided. Call 961-0545.

Bicycle Sundays, Canada Road closed to vehicles every Sunday except holiday weekends, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Open only to non-motorized activities: bicycling, rollerblading, walking (strollers allowed). Canada Road between Hwy. 92 and Edgewood Rd. Call 368-6283.

Planting for the Second Hundred Years: Regenerate native California oak populations on Stanford lands; fieldwork Sats. 9am-noon. Call to register, 323-7333.

Hidden Villa volunteers sought for its organic Community Supported Agriculture Program, Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., to help with harvesting and planting, followed by potluck lunch. Call 949-8655.

Gardening

The Western Horticultural Society meets Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Jack Allen of Smith & Hawken, on the topic of "Tools, Old, New and Unusual." Plant raffle follows discussion. Loyola School multipurpose room, 770 Berry Ave., Los Altos. Call 327-9522.

Flower arranging classes in three schools (Japanese, European, and American) taught by Marion Panaretos at the Kohl Pump House, Central Park, San Mateo (at 9th and Palm Avenues). Thurs. Jan. 14-Mar. 4. $53 plus $5 lab fee. Call to register, 377-4704.

The Gold Coast Cymbidium Growers group of orchid hobbyists will meet on Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. at the San Mateo Garden Center, 605 Parkside Way, San Mateo. The public is welcome. Call 851-8935.

Common Ground Organic Garden Supplies and Education Center offers Saturday classes: Jan. 16, Fruit Tree Pruning with Kevin Raftery, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $20. Jan. 23, Success with Bare Root Planting with Teddi McDonald, 10:30 a.m.-noon, $10. 2225 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Call 328-6752.

Rose Culture Symposium, Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Kohl Pump House in San Mateo's Central Park, Ninth Ave. entrance. Advice and hands-on training; bring shears and gloves. Free rose bush to each registered guest. $12, $10. Call 579-0536.

Books & Authors

Literature and music at the San Jose Museum of Art, Jan. 13, 7 p.m., featuring novelist Terry McMillan, poet Marilyn Chin, and jazz musician Kelvyn Bell. Jan. 20, novelist Cristina Garcia, saxophonist Oliver Lake, and poet Gary Soto. Admission $10, $7. 110 South Market St., San Jose. Call (408) 271-6840.

Martini party and book signing featuring Barnaby Conrad III, author of "The Martini, Cigar, and Absinthe," Jan. 21, 6 p.m., at the San Jose Museum of Art store. Free. 110 South Market St., San Jose. Call (408) 271-6840.

Partners in Learning is the tutoring program of Palo Alto Adult School and Sequoia Adult School. As a volunteer tutor, you receive free training and ongoing support. Work with a teacher in an ESL classroom or tutor an adult student in English language, literacy, and citizenship. Orientation Jan. 14 in Palo Alto. Training Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6. Call 364-9718.

Menlo Park Library events: Book discussion group, Jan. 13, 7 p.m. Film group, Jan. 19, 7 p.m. Mystery Readers group, Jan. 20, 7:15 p.m. 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. Call 858-3464.

Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Authors' evenings at 7:30 p.m. unless noted: Jan. 13, Bill Cohen, "Life Mapping: A Unique Approach to Finding Your Vision and Reaching Your Potential." Jan. 14, Clayborne Carson, "The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr." Jan. 15, Joseph Kanon, novel, "The Prodigal Spy." Jan. 19, Leonard Shlain, literacy and the role of women in society, "The Alphabet Versus the Goddess." Jan. 21, Bret Easton Ellis, novel, "Glamorama." Jan. 22, Neil Gaiman, novel, "Stardust." Sunday Night Poets meet 1st Sun. at 6 p.m. for open mike readings; sign-up begins at 5 p.m. Call 324-4321.

Printers Inc. Bookstore, 310 California Ave., Palo Alto. Authors' evenings at 8 p.m. unless noted. Jan. 14, Lynn Ponton, "Romance of Risk: Why Teenagers Do the Things They Do." Jan. 20, Marya Hornbacher, "Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia." Jan. 21, Neil Gershenfeld, reflections on the digitized revolution, "When Things Start to Think." Jan. 28, Edward Ball, "Slaves in the Family." Call 327-6500.

Classes & Lectures

Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center offers mediation training at the Foothill College, Middlefield Campus in Palo Alto. Call for schedule and fees, 424-8600.

Andrei Codrescu, award-winning news commentator and author, will speak on "Whose Words are These: Notes of an Alien Son," Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m. Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Rd., Saratoga. Tickets $18 general, $15 seniors, $5 for age 30 and under. Babysitting available with advance reservation. Call (408) 793-5190.

East West Bookshop offers classes: "Rejuvenate," with Helen Silva, Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m., $5. "World Predictions 1999-2005: On the Verge of a New Millennium," with Vedic astrologer James Kelleher, Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m., $8. "The Right to Write," with Julia Cameron, Jan. 17, 4 p.m., $8. "Beyond Fear," looking beyond racism with Aeeshah Ababio and Kokomon Clottey, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., $5. 324 Castro St., Mountain View. Call 988-9800.

Congressional scholars to discuss the dynamics of policy-making at Stanford University's Social Science History Institute two-day conference, Jan. 15-16, in the Wattis Room of the Littlefield Center. Open to the public at no charge. Handicap access. Call 723-1466.

Enneagram class, "Nine Ways We Solve Conflict," Jan. 16, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Santa Clara University, Benson Center. $20. Call (408) 249-3699.

Stanford University Libraries present lectures and workshops open to the public: Jan. 16, 23, 30, "The Art of Hand Paper Making," with artist Jill Knuth, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., enrollment limited, fee. Jan. 19, faculty talk, "Galileo's Geometric Compass: The Origins of the Concept of Intellectual Property," by Associate Prof. of History, Paula Findlen, 4:15 p.m., The Forum Room, Meyer Library, tea and cookies served. Call to register, 723-9426.

"The Art of Public Speaking: How to Improve Your Skills and Confidence," class taught by Beverly Fuchs, Jan. 19, 26, Feb. 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Palo Alto Adult School, 50 Embarcadero Rd. $30. Call to register, 329-3752.

Y2K: Are you ready for the Millennium Bug? Community forum Jan. 21 features speakers from SRI and Exponent/Failure Analysis to explain the history and risks of Y2K and answer questions of local business owners and others. Sponsored by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce. SRI International auditorium, 333 Ravenswood Ave. (use Middlefield Rd. entrance), Menlo Park. 6-9:30 p.m. Space is limited. Call to reserve, 325-2818.

"The Millennium Impact: Y2K Challenges in a Non-Profit World," panel and discussion featuring Kelly Bourne, author of "Y2K Solutions for Dummies," Dean Sims, author of "How to 2000," Dr. Kathryn Heatley, Executive Director of OUTREACH, and Tim Batten, technology specialist at the Non-profit Development Center. Moderated by Earl Saunders of United Way. Jan. 21, 9:30 a.m.-noon, at Silicon Graphics in Mountain View. Free. Call (408) 287-1700.

Stanford Studio Series presents artist Charles Ray, guest lecturer from Los Angeles, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., Annenberg Auditorium, Nathan Cummings Art Building. Free. Call 723-3788.

Preparing for Y2K and disasters such as earthquakes: Food storage expert Carol Skandera of Santa Rosa will speak Jan. 28, 6-9:30 p.m., on what to store, how to store it, and how to prepare food from emergency supplies. Learn what to expect locally from the Millennium Bug, and how to prepare your family for all disasters. Bethany Lutheran Church, Cloud & Avy Avenues, Menlo Park. Free. Call 854-8002.

Grant writing classes for nonprofit organizations, Peninsula Community Foundation McClellan Funding Information Library, 1700 S. El Camino Real, #201, San Mateo. Call 358-9780.

Career Action Center, Suite 100, 10420 Bubb Rd., Cupertino. Classes, workshops to improve job-hunting skills. Call (408) 253-3200.

Magic of Palo Alto offers free classes in applying ecological methods to everyday living: New classes begin in Jan., such as Creating Community, Beyond Illusion, Planning for Living, Yoga and Friends. Non-profit, volunteer opportunities: Fruition distributes bare-root fruit trees through schools and charities to teach care of urban tree crops; Liveable Cities works to improve noise, plant and tree care, and make streets safer. Dancing and music making every Sat. with vegan supper, 8-10 p.m. Call 323-7333.

Clubs & Meetings

Daughters of Norway lodge meets the third Sat., Jan. 16, 9:30 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, Waverley at Loma Verde, Palo Alto. Women of Scandinavian descent (Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish or Icelandic) or married to someone of Norwegian descent are welcome to join. Members maintain a knowledge of the history, culture and language of Norway. Call 323-9916.

Mission Hospice, Inc. Twentieth Annual Meeting, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., at the new Mission Hospice office, 151 West 20th Ave., San Mateo. Open to the public. Call to reserve, 554-1000.

Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce Women in Business lunch, Jan. 20, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Stanford Park Hotel, 100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Topic: Exercise panel. Reserve by Jan. 15. Call 325-2818.

Leads Club of Palo Alto: Local business women meet weekly over breakfast to exchange referrals and leads to help each other's business success, Tues. 7:30 a.m., at The Cookbook Restaurant, Town & Country Village, El Camino Real & Embarcadero, Palo Alto. Call 851-8040.

Rotary Club of Woodside-Portola Valley meets in Fellowship Hall, Woodside Village Church, 3154 Woodside Rd., Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and fellowship. Guests welcome. Call 851-8195.

Newcomers Club in Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley and Woodside, open to residents new within last five years. Variety of activities: tennis, lunches, bridge, book discussion, wine tasting, hiking, moms and tots, coffee company, dinners. Call 854-9646.

Menlo Park Civil Defense Radio Club meets at the Menlo Park Recreation Center, 800 Alma St., the first Fri. of the month at 7:30 p.m. Call 326-4908 or 322-4952.

Health

Health classes at YWCA: Cooking with Chinese Herbs, Jan. 14 & 21, 7-9 p.m., $20 (drop-in, $10 per evening). Reiki, Hands-on Healing, for stress, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and more, Jan. 26 & 28, 6-9 p.m., $155. Acupressure You Can Do, Feb. 11 & 18, 7-9 p.m., $20 (drop-in, $10 per evening). 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. Call 494-0972.

Lip-reading classes for the hearing and hard of hearing, to improve speech understanding and communication, through Foothill College Adaptive Learning Division. Classes start week of Jan. 6, registration is ongoing. Latecomers welcome. Groups meet at sites in Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto and Portola Valley. Call to sign up, 949-7672.

Bone density screening available at Sequoia Hospital's screening clinic, second and fourth Thursdays of the month, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Painless ultrasound of the heel assesses risk of osteoporosis and/or fractures in women of all ages. $35. 333 Main St., Redwood City. Call for appointment, 367-5998.

The Alzheimer's Association information and referral service provides access to services, literature and assistance on issues around dealing with Alzheimer's disease to the public. 330 Distel Cir., Los Altos. Call 962-8111.

Sports & Fitness

Evening and weekend exercise at the Mid-Peninsula YWCA: Body Sculpting, Mon. & Wed., 6-7 p.m. Low Impact Aerobics, Tues. & Thurs., 6-7 p.m. Saturday Aerobics, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Beginning & Intermediate Yoga, Mon. 5:30-6:30 p.m. or Wed. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sign up for a series or drop in for $5. Feldenkrais Method to improve flexibility and balance, and speed healing, Thurs. 7-8 p.m., drop-in $12. 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. Call 494-0972.

YWCA daytime fitness classes: Stretch, Tone & Trim, Mon.-Wed.-Fri., 8:30-9:30 a.m. Easy Exercise, Tues.-Thurs., 9:15-10:15 a.m. Beginning/intermediate Yoga, Mon. 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Drop-in $5, or sign up for a series. Call 494-0972.

Effective Cycling in Menlo Park: The League of American Bicyclists offers a newly revamped curriculum in their Effective Cycling 10 hour introductory Road I Course. Ride more safely, confidently, and effectively. On-site workshops available. Call for schedule, 858-3363.

American Basketball League 1999 All-Star golf tournament, Jan. 22, at the Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club. Individual entry fee, $150. Sponsorship foursomes, $1000, includes tee sign. The tournament will feature ABL players and coaches, and will benefit ABL Charities Foundation. Call 856-3200.

Fifty-Plus Fitness: Walk and run, Stanford campus, meet at Track House, Angell Field, just west of stadium on Galvez St., fourth Sat., 8:45 a.m. Walk and run, Portola Valley, meet at Alpine and Willowbrook, first Sat., 7:45 a.m. Bike ride, Palo Alto, places and times vary, first Sun. Hike, Portola Valley's Windy Hill, meet at Alpine and Willowbrook, second Sat., 7:45 a.m. Walk, run and bike, Portola Valley through Arastradero Preserve, meet at Alpine Beer Garden on Alpine Rd., second Sun., 8:45 a.m. Walk and run, Half Moon Bay, meet at Princeton Harbor 4 1/2 mi. north of Half Moon Bay at the fishing pier across from harbormaster building, third Sat., 8:45 a.m. Walk, Stanford Shopping Center, meet at Nordstrom parking lot, 4 p.m., every Tues. Racewalk, Mountain View, meet at Shoreline Boathouse, Shoreline Blvd., every Sun., 8:30 a.m. Open to non-members. No charge. Web site: www.50plus.org. Call 323-6160.

Support Groups

P-FLAG, a support group for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, meets Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 2560 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park. Call 857-1058.

Mid-Peninsula Lyme Disease support group meets monthly in Portola Valley. Call for schedule of meetings and more information, 851-1787.

Compulsive overeaters are invited to attend a one-hour Sat. 9 a.m. weekly meeting of Overeaters Anonymous (OA), at Trinity Parish Church, Laurel & Ravenswood, Menlo Park. The meeting is a safe place to share experience, strength and hope. OA is not a diet club, and there are no dues or weigh-ins. Call 568-3214.

Grief support: VNA & Hospice offers a Bereavement Support series, a no-cost eight week support group to help heal grief at the death of a loved one, meeting Mondays at 6 p.m. Visiting Nurses Assoc., 700 S. Claremont, Suite 220, San Mateo. Pre-registration required. Call 685-2821.

Sequoia Hospital: Caregivers support group, first and 3rd Mon. 4:30-6 p.m.; Parkinson's disease support and education for patients and caregivers, third Fri., 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Call to register. 333 Main St., Redwood City. Call 367-5998.

Parents Without Partners, Shoreline Chapter, now serving the Palo Alto/Menlo Park areas, meets Saturdays, 5 p.m. at Cook's Seafood restaurant, 751 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 1-888-828-6555, ext. 9600.

Seniors

55 Alive Mature Driving Class offered at Little House, Jan. 13 & 15, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meets auto insurance requirements for premium discounts. Attendance both days is required for DMV certification. $8. 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025, ext. 230.

Over The Hill Gang offers ski trips and hikes for seniors over 50. Overnight trips jan. 19, Feb. 8. Call 322-3760.

Menlo Park Senior Center, 110 Terminal Ave. (at Onetta M. Harris Community Center). Habla espanol. Belle Haven free health advice clinic, screenings, and blood pressure checks; gentle exercise group; Walk for Health, Mon.-Wed.-Fri. at 8 a.m. Recreation room open Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat. noon-4 p.m. Call for more information, 322-4570.

Senior Dance and Fitness classes, taught by certifed instructor Cecilia, to the rhythm of Latin, swing, and Broadway music. Low impact class, Tues. Jan. 12-Mar. 2, & Fri. Jan. 15-Mar. 5, 10:45-11:45 a.m., $30/once a week for 8 weeks or $48/twice a week for 8 weeks, preregistered. Senior chair dancing, Fri. Jan. 15-Mar. 5, 1:15-2:15 p.m., $30 for 8 weeks preregistered. Free introductory class. Non-seniors welcome. Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City. Call 349-6454.

Little House classes: "Cover the Stories Behind the Headlines," alternate Tues. starting Jan. 19, 9-10:30 a.m., $35. Italian conversation class, Tues. 10-11:30 a.m., Jan. 19-Feb. 23, beginning & intermediate, $41. Call 326-2025.

Little House senior center, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Health screenings by appointment. Discussion group Mondays, 10-11:30 a.m., $2. Movies, Mon. & Thurs., 1 p.m., admission 50 cents. Jan. 8, movie, "Bishop's Wife." Jan. 10, South African Safari, slide show, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13, "What's News in Medicine" with Dr. Harold Itskovitz, 11 a.m. Jan. 14, movie, "Parent Trap." Jan. 20, "Oh No! Tax Time Again!" with Jeanne Smith, 11 a.m. Jan. 21, movie, "Mrs Dalloway." Call 326-2025.

Senior Friendship Day, free senior program every Wed., 9:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m., at Cubberley Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Crafts, exercise, bridge, lunch, sing-along, dancing. Jan. 13: Memoirs of Eleanor Roosevelt. Call 856-7750.

Avenidas, the Palo Alto Senior Center, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Health screenings, appointments required: Jan. 14, nutrition, 9:30-11:45 a.m. Jan. 18, physician's advisory, 10-11 a.m. Skin cancer screening by appt. "Senior Touch" massage, Wed. & Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $15/half hour. Free blood pressure check without appointment, every Thurs., 9:30-11:30 a.m. Health library hours Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Health library lectures: Jan. 19, "Falls, Fractures and Fitness," with Dr. Fed Behling, 10:30 a.m. Call 327-2811.

Gallery

Portola Valley Art Gallery is open at its temporary location in the Town Center, Room 6 beyond the library. Off the Wall Art Sale through Feb. 21. Hours: Thurs.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 765 Portola Rd. Call 851-1563.

Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Rd., Woodside. Digital Painting Show, computer generated digital paintings by local artists. Hours: Mon. 1-9 p.m., Tues.-Wed., 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thurs. 1-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Call 854-8436.

Gallery House, 538 Ramona St., Palo Alto. Sculpture, mixed-media, painting and graphics by new members, through Jan. 30. Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Call 326-1668.

Gallery Europa, 611 Emerson St., Palo Alto. "Wintry and Whimsical" oil paintings by Katarina Henc from Croatia, and Juschi Seifried-Otte from Germany, through Jan. 20. Hours: Mon.-Wed., Sat.-Sun., noon-6 p.m.; Thurs.-Fri., noon-8 p.m. Call 473-6522.

Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona St., Palo Alto. Main Gallery, "Travel Memories," all media, through Jan. 29. Elizabeth Norton Studio, Roy Harrington's photography, through Jan. 31. Studio One, students of Claudia Morgan and Denise Soultanian, through Jan. Gallery hours, Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 7-9 p.m., and Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 854-7037.

Center for Integrated Systems and the William Gates Computer Science Buildings, Stanford University, exhibiting paintings by Courtney Peaters, paintings and works on paper by Merl Ross, and paintings by Ted Vasin, through Feb. 4. Hours: Weekdays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 725-3622.

Stanford University Art: Campus outdoor sculpture walk, first Sun. of month, Feb. 7, 2 p.m., meet at front of Main Quad at Palm Drive. Memorial Church tours: Fri., 2 p.m. New Guinea Sculpture Garden, wooden and stone sculptures created on-site by New Guinea carvers, at Santa Teresa and Lomita Dr. Call 723-3469 or 725-0142.

Stanford Faculty Club, Stanford University, exhibits "Silk Road Journey," artistic impressions of Asian costumes in paper, silk and other media, created by Jillian Ring and Elaine Salter. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 723-4325.

Hoover Institute, Hoover Tower at Serra and Galvez Streets, Stanford campus. Exhibits on the life of President Herbert Hoover and rotating archival exhibits. Open Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 723-3666.

Government Center Gallery, 401 Marshall St., Redwood City. Members of the Nob Hill Branch of the National League of American Pen Women exhibit works in various media, through Jan. 27. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 593-1816.

Historical Interest

Museum of American Heritage at the historic Williams House and Gardens, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. New exhibit: "Building Excitement: A Century of Construction Toys." Permanent exhibits of electrical and mechanical devices from the past century, as well as the popular general store exhibit. $2 donation requested. Open Fri.-Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 321-1004.

Menlo Park Historical Association presents monthly programs, publishes a monthly newsletter, sponsors ongoing historical preservation projects. Office and archives located in the Merrill History Room at the Menlo Park Library, corner of Alma and Ravenswood Ave. Open 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tues. & Wed. New members welcome. Call 858-3368.

"Notre Dame: 75 Years on the Peninsula," education history exhibit at the San Mateo County Historical Association Museum, College of San Mateo, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo. Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 574-6441.

Historic district walking tours with Palo Alto-Stanford Heritage docents: Professorville, first, third and fifth Sat.; Downtown Palo Alto, second and fourth Sat. Tours begin 10 a.m. at Forest Ave. Downtown Library. Donation $2. Call 299-8878.

Woodside Store, Kings Mountain and Tripp roads, Woodside. Exhibit, pioneers, loggers, storekeepers and families. Tues., Thurs, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat., Sun., noon-4 p.m. Call 574-6441.

Lathrop House, 627 Hamilton St., Redwood City. Historic home built in 1863, Redwood City Heritage museum, open Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 365-5564.

Et Alia

Make a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child. Volunteer for the Case Aide Program at the Child Abuse Prevention Center, and assist children and their families in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Training class Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Belmont. Call 327-8120.

Computer lab mentors needed at Project Read, Menlo Park Library. If you can volunteer one to two nights a week to help learners use the educational software, please call 321-8818.

BizWorld seeks volunteers to teach students grades 3-8 about business and entrepreneurship. Free training workshop Jan. 26 and Mar. 10 in Redwood City, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Call 368-0777.

Stanford's Bechtel International Center needs volunteers to invite new scholars and students from abroad into their homes for an occasional meal, sporting event or other hospitality. Call 326-5252 or 322-7782.

Second Harvest Food Bank seeks volunteers from the community to help sort food every Wed. & Thurs., 7:30-9:30 p.m. Ages 14 and up. 1051 Bing St., San Carlos. Call (415) 610-0800.

Menlo Park Farmer's Market, year-round, Sun., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. parking plaza between Chestnut and Crane behind Wells Fargo Bank. Fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, flowers, organic olive oil and olives, juice. Benefits local charities through Lions Club. Seasonal offerings include crabs, artichokes, persimmons, dried fruit, and greens. Call (408) 688-8316.



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