Calendar

Benefits

8th Annual Heart Walk dates have been announced and challenges have been issued. This fall's walk/runs will be held at Redwood Shores Lagoon on Fri., Sept. 15, 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and in Coyote Point Park in San Mateo on Sun., Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Call the American Heart Association at 259-6802 to volunteer or request more information.

Plant sale by the San Mateo Arboretum Society will coincide with Victorian Days in the Park 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Aug. 26 and 27. Sun and shade perennials and many species plants will be sold at the Greenhouses in San Mateo's Central Park, near the Ninth St. entrance. Call 579-0536.

Concert benefits arts school. Christopher Cross performs on Sunday, August 27, 6:30-9 p.m., in Redwood City at the Pacific Athletic Club, 200 Redwood Shores Parkway, which has joined with the Good Tidings Foundation to raise funds for Menlo Oaks School of Performing Arts. For information and to reserve seats at $65 each, call 593-5700.

Palo Alto Black & White Ball will be held Sat., Sept 9, at the traditional venue of the Sheraton Hotel on El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Call 329-2255.

Kings Mountain Art Fair. Juried fine arts and crafts by 130 artists, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Mon., Sept. 2-4, benefit the Kings Mountain Fire Brigade and other community charities. Outdoor pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., other food and beverages from 11 a.m. Supervised children's activities all day in "Kiddie Hollow." Kings Mountain Community Center, 13889 Skyline Blvd. (Hwy. 35), 6 miles south of Hwy. 92. Park along Skyline Blvd. and ride the free shuttle. Call 851-2710.

On Stage

"Master Class" offers memories of a life in music when Royal Shakespeare Company actress Charlotte Cornwall portrays opera diva Maria Callas at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. Tickets are $20-$38. Performances: Aug. 30-Sept. 24: 7:30 p.m. Tues., 8 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. Call 463-1950.

Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company presents "As You Like It" Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. through Aug. 27. Lawn seating only, bring a blanket. ParkStage at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. $12 adults, $10 seniors/students, $6 children 12 and under. Call 274-8011.

Music

The Smokin' Hams play bluegrass and sing three-part harmony at Victorian Days in the Park, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sun., Aug. 27. Other musical entertainment includes Celtic swing with the Blue on Green Band, the big band sound of Golden Gate Radio Orchestra, folk guitar with duo Patty and Abigail, and steel drums with Patrick Prescod. For a full schedule of the free weekend event in San Mateo's Central Park, call 299-0104.

Brown Bag Concert Series. Fantcha will perform from noon to 1 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 24, at Cogswell Plaza, Lytton and Ramona in Palo Alto. Free. Call 329-2527.

Families & Kids

After-school science focuses on oceanography at the Portola Valley Nature Center. Elementary-school students will explore sandy beaches, ocean waves, and amazing sea life in Room 1 at the Portola Valley Town Center. Classes begin Mon., Sept. 11. Kindergartners meet 1:30-3 p.m. Mondays; first- and second-graders, 3:30-5 p.m. Mondays; and third- through fifth-graders, 3:40-5:10 p.m. Wednesdays. $140 for 10-week session. Contact instructor Yvonne Tryce at 851-8888.

Fall Parent Education registration begins on Mon., Aug. 28, at the Children's Health Council, 700 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto. For more information, call 688-3608, or visit www.chconline.org to view a current class schedule.

Build a crystal radio in a class for ages 9 to 14 at the Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. The class meets from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, Sept. 9 through 30, and costs $20 for museum members, $35 for non-members. Call 321-1004.

Belmont Greek Festival on Labor Day weekend at the Church of the Holy Cross, 900 Alameda at Ralston Ave., Belmont, opens at noon Sat.-Mon., Sept. 2-4, and closes at 10 p.m. Sat. and Sun., and 8 p.m. Mon. Children's "Fun Zone" closes at 6 p.m. every day. $5 adults, $2.50 seniors and youth 13-17, accompanied children 12 and under free. Call 591-4447 or visit www.goholycross.org.

Lemonade and Lore. "Family Past Times" presents four legendary tales with hands-on activities for each tale and hand-squeezed lemonade for each visitor 1-4 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 5. The program at the San Mateo County Historical Museum, 777 Hamilton St. in Redwood City, is included in the admission fee of $2 adults, $1 for seniors and children. Children under 6 get in free. Call 299-0104.

Peninsula Youth Theatre offers weekly classes in acting, singing and dancing for ages 3´ to 18. The session runs Sept. 11-Dec. 15. Cost is $100 to $175 per class. PYT's rehearsal facility is at 2500 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View. Visit www.pytnet.org or call 988-8798 for brochure.

Seniors

"College without pain" is offered by the San Mateo College District's Emeritus Institute at local senior centers and retirement residences. The fee-based classes require no exams, no grades, and no reciting in class. Subjects include World Events, California History, Creative Writing, Jazz, and more. Class schedules may be found at libraries and senior centers, or call 574-6199.

Older Adults Fitness Month. Health screenings in August for blood pressure, nutrition, podiatry, more: fees vary. Annabel Marsh, the oldest woman to run across America, presents slides of her adventure 2 p.m. Fri., Aug. 25. Program is $2, free if over 50. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Call 326-5362.

Fifty-Plus Fitness offers a fitness camp at Stanford starting Sat., Aug. 26. The camp will be held at 8:30 a.m. three days a week for six weeks, on Tues., Thurs., and Sat., or on Mon., Weds., and Sat. There is also a class available on Sats. only. Cost is $175 for the entire session or $75 for Sat. only session, with discounts for Fifty-Plus members. Visit www.50plus.org or call 323-6160.

Music appreciation class offered at Little House, 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays beginning Sept. 5. A second 8-week session will begin October 31. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025 x237 for fees and schedules.

Computer classes at Little House. Register for Fall classes in PC or Mac computers, Internet, Excel, Word, or Windows 95/98 for beginners, on Wed., Sept. 6, 9-11 a.m. You must be a member of Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025 x237 for fees and schedules.

Labor Day BBQ at Little House at 11 a.m. Mon., Sept. 4. Good Times Society Band will entertain. Tickets ($6.50 members, $7.50 guests) are limited so buy early. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025.

Movies at Little House. Mondays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Admission is 50 cents. "Overboard" on Thurs., Aug. 24. "Topsy Turvy" on Mon., Aug. 28. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025.

Books & Authors

Secrets of San Mateo will be revealed in History Lane at Victorian Days in the Park on Sat. and Sun., Aug. 26 and 27. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. and noon-3 p.m. Sun., local historian John Edmonds will officially release and sign copies of his new book, "Union Cemetery: Its People, Their Lives and Their Community. A History of the Towns of Searsville, Summit Springs and West Union." Victorian Days is a free event in San Mateo's Central Park. Call 299-0104.

Poetry for animal lovers. Read your own or a favorite poem on the theme "Four-Footed Ones" or just sit back and enjoy at 7 p.m. Mon., Aug. 28, at Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane. Free. Readers should contact Marlene at 328-2422 or e-mail to leema@pls.lib.ca.us.

Writers and readers at Kepler's. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 24, Atherton writer Anne Newton Walther's new book "A Time for Treason: A Novel of the American Revolution." 7 p.m. Sun., Aug. 27, Writing workshop focuses on getting (and keeping) your pens moving. Free. Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 324-4321.

Authors at Printers Inc. Sign-ups start at 7 p.m. for open mike poetry readings every Thursday night. 8 p.m. Weds., Aug. 23, author reading and slide show by Thomas Kirsh, "The Jungians." 8 p.m. Mon., Aug. 28, author reading by Dr. Richard Lannon from "A General Theory of Love." 310 California Ave., Palo Alto. Free. Call 327-6500.

Poetry Contest announced by Printers Inc. Entries due by Fri., Sept. 1. Prizes include gift certificates, publication on store Web site, and an in-store broadside. No entry fee. One typed, double-spaced, previously unpublished entry per person. Poet's name must not appear on page with poem, but on accompanying sheet. Call store at 327-6500 for full rules.

Outdoors

Bufano sculpture tour at Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo will be led by Montara artist Arabella Decker. Meet in front of the "Bear and Cubs" sculpture outside the Food Court at 11 a.m. Thurs., Aug. 24. Free. Call 522-7522 x2787.

Open Space hikes this week include "Explorer Hike" on El Corte de Madera Creek, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Weds., Aug. 23, and a nighttime stargazing walk on Skyline Ridge, "Stairways to Heaven," 6:30 -9:30 p.m. Sat. Aug. 26. Hikes are free, but reservations required for the Skyline hike. For information on these and other hikes, call 691-2150.

Lectures & Classes

All-day Drawing Marathon offered at Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road. Draw from life, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun., Aug. 27. Models provided, 20-minute to one-hour poses. Bring pencils, charcoal, pastels, and a bag lunch. No photographs, turpentine, or paint thinner allowed. Register the day of the event. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Admission is $8 half day: $15 full day. Call 329-2366.

English as Second Language classes begin Friday, Aug. 25, at College of Notre Dame, 1500 Ralston Ave., Belmont. Certificate completion possible in 90 days. Contact the Special Programs Office at 508-3693.

Iris dividing session. Elizabeth Garbett will demonstrate this propagation technique 9:30 a.m.-noon Sat., Aug. 26, at the Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. $10 MOAH members, $15 for guests. Call 321-1004.

Bay Area Adoption Services offers a free seminar on "Building Families through International Adoption" at 7:30 p.m. Mon., Aug. 28. 465 Fairchild Dr., Ste. 215, Mountain View. Call Janet Shirley at 415-499-8037.

New digital atlas of the U.S. will be presented at a free public lecture at Room A, Bldg. 3 of the U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, at 7 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 31. "Exploring our Nation on the Web: the many facets of nationalatlas.gov" will include an interactive tour. Call 329-5000.

Conference on breast cancer. "Cancer as a Turning Point: From Surviving to Thriving" offers speakers and performers and seeks to "heal, celebrate and empower women." The conference, to be held at Stanford University on Sat. and Sun., Sept. 9 and 10, is free but pre-registration is required. Call 800-423-9882 or 831-464-0885.

Art classes for children and adults are offered at Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. Registration is open now. For a catalog of classes and fees, call 329-2366, or find it online at www.paenjoy.org.

Pacific Art League of Palo Alto also offers classes for adults and children. Their registration has begun and classes start Monday, September 11, at 668 Ramona St., Palo Alto. Call 321-3891.

Auditions

Cantabile Children's Chorus opens auditions for boys and girls, first grade and older, who love to sing. The chorus has five levels and seven choirs, and tuition depends upon choir level. Auditions will be held at Foothills Congregational Church, 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos, on Mon. and Tues., Aug. 28 and 29. Visit Web site at www.cantabile.org. Call 964-8644 to schedule an appointment.

Peter Pan. Peninsula Youth Theatre invites ages 8 and up to audition for "Peter Pan" at PYT's rehearsal studios, 2500 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View. Prepare a short monologue and a song; bring sheet music or an instrumental tape. Come to PYT at 6 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 31, or at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 2. No experience necessary. $115 registration fee. Performances Nov. 10-19. Visit www.pytnet.org or call 988-8798 for details.

Women's chorus auditions. Peninsula Women's Chorus seeks experienced singers for the 2000-2001 season. The chorus rehearses Monday evenings, 7:30-10 p.m., at Foothill College's Palo Alto campus. Auditions will continue to September 11. Call Dr. Patricia Hennings, artistic director, at 327-3095 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.pwchorus.org.

Et Alia

Tomato tasting. Bring and/or taste many tomato varieties from 2 to 4 p.m. Sat., August 26. Common Ground, 2225 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Free, but please call ahead to 328-6752.

Big Dig. Construction equipment, entertainment, food, games and giveaways at Peninsula Volunteers' groundbreaking for Rosener House site, 1-5 p.m. Sat., Aug. 26, at 1060 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Free. Call 326-0665.

Middlefield Cultural Festival offers local cuisine, arts and crafts, mariachis and other bands, and Mexican, Brasilian, Perubian, and Tongan dances, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, August 27, on Middlefield Road in North Fair Oaks. Free. Call 599-9186.

Festival of the Arts brings 300 artists to University Avenue, Palo Alto, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Aug. 26 and 27. Admission is free. Expanded crosstown Palo Alto Shuttle service offers transport to the festival. Call 324-3121 or visit www.mlaproductions.com.

Photo Fair runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Aug. 26, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun., Aug. 27 in Fiesta Hall at San Mateo County Expo Center, Delaware St. at 25th Ave. $7 adults, $5 students, $3 seniors 65-plus, and $6 parking. Call 574-3247.