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Special Events

'Bag It: Bag It! Is Your Life Too Plastic?' What started as a documentary about plastic bags evolved into a wholesale investigation into plastics and their effect on waterways, oceans and even our bodies. Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. General admission requires purchase of event book or a $10 gift card (admits 2). Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com/event/movie-night

'Giving Thanks for the Bay' Volunteers will help work toward the goal to restore 100,000 acres of Bay wetlands by planting another 25,000 native species this winter season. Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. The Faber Tract, Directions will be provided upon registration., East Palo Alto. Call 510-463-6809. www.saveSFbay.org/volunteer

Talks/Authors

'Lifeways of the Ohlone Indians' Mark Hylkema, Santa Cruz District archaeologist for California State Parks, will discuss the archaeology and ethnography of the ancestral Ohlone people. Nov. 19, 1-2 p.m. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Call 650-299-0104. www.historysmc.org

'Undercover In Damascus' A documentary on Eli Cohen, who provided vital military and political info about Syria to Israel during the Six Say War, will be shown Nov. 17, 7:45-9:30 p.m. $20. Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City . Call 650-232-0995. www.jewishredwoodcity.com/cohen

'War and Children's Lives' Paul Wise is professor of child health and society at Stanford. Nov. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Cubberley Auditorium , 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford. Call 650-723-0997. ethicsinsociety.stanford.edu

Anthony Horowitz For the first time since the death of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a new Holmes story has been sanctioned by his estate. Nov. 18, 7 p.m. General admission requires purchase of event book or a $10 gift card (admits 2). Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com

Reporting from Guantanamo Carol Rosenberg has covered U.S. prison camps in Guantánamo Bay for The Miami Herald. Nov. 16, 4:30 p.m. Free. Building 260, Room 113, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford. Call 650-723-0997 . ethicsinsociety.stanford.edu

Robert Trivers presents his book on deception. Nov. 16, 7 p.m. General admission requires purchase of event book or a $10 gift card (admits 2). Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com

Classes/Workshops

'Make A Thanksgiving Centerpiece' Learn to make a fall centerpiece using natural materials: dried greens, autumn leaves, and flowers. Participants provide their own bowl or basket, Avenidas provides the rest. Master Gardener Roberta Barnes is the instructor. Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $8 members/$10 nonmembers. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Call 650-289-2428. avenidas.org

eBooks/eAudiobooks Bring a mobile device and any questions about downloading San Mateo County library materials. For a list of compatible devices, go to www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/. Nov. 19, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 650-851-0147. www.smcl.org

Concerts

'I'm Ready for My Closeup!' Presenting, in concert, the artists of the Franzen Opera Studio. Featuring rare and famous film music from the golden age of Hollywood. Nov. 27, 4-6:30 p.m. $10 at the door. Ladera Community Church, 3300 Alpine Road, Portola Valley. Call 408-288-8519. www.carlfranzen.com

'The Ring Without Words' The Redwood Symphony, with piano soloist Daniel Glover, performs Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" and Wagner/Maazel's "The Ring Without Words." Nov. 19, 8 p.m. $20 in advance, $10 for students, free for those ages 17 and under. Canada College Main Theatre, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Woodside. redwoodsymphony.org

Holiday Concert The Stanford Symphonic Chorus and the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra present music of the season, both American and English, including "Come Christmas," a world premiere by Brian Holmes, plus works by Ralph Vaughan William and others. Nov. 18, 8 p.m. General $20. Student $10. Senior $19. Memorial Church, Stanford.

Peninsula Symphonic Band Fall Concert "A Lyrical Expedition" featuring music from around the world. Program includes works by Grainger, Berstein and Sousa. Ted Henderson, conductor. Nov. 20, 3-5 p.m. Free. Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Call 408-910-1830. www.psbpaloalto.com

Philharmonia Ottavio Dantone, conductor. Marion Verbruggen, recorder. Works by Corelli, Vivaldi and more. Nov. 17, 8-10 p.m. $90-$25. Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. Call 415-252-1288. www.philharmonia.org

Sinfonietta Fall Classic El Camino Youth Symphony Sinfonietta Orchestra begins its season. Program highlights include Haydn's "Symphony No. 103," and Rossini's "Barber of Seville." Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. General $15; students/seniors $8. Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. www.ecys.org

Kids & Families

Crazy Critters Ventriloquist Tony Borders and his cast of Crazy Critters from several continents perform. Nov. 17, 4:30-5 p.m. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portila Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560.

Preschool Storytime Songs, stories and activities for kids ages 3-5. Mondays, 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Free. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton. Call 650-328-2422.

Story Time Elisa Kleven tells the story of a shy dog named Joey. Nov. 20, 11:30 a.m. Free. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321.

Story Time with Jon Muth Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," illustrated in children's book form. Nov. 19, 11 a.m. Free. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321.

Et Alia

On Stage: "Stones In His Pockets," explores sadness, the dangerous allure of Hollywood and the goodness of real life. Nov. 13-Dec. 4, 2 p.m. $16 - $30. Dragon Theatre, 535 Alma St., Palo Alto. dragonproductions.net

The Portola Art Gallery presents oil painting landscapes by Carolyn Jones of Menlo Park, from travels in California, Vermont and France. Through November, Free. Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Call 650-321-0220. www.portolaartgallery.com

Model Railroad Club Open House The West Bay Model Railroad Association holds monthly open houses the fourth Wednesday of every month, and the club is currently seeking new members who are interested in model railroading, regardless of their skill level in the hobby. 7-10 p.m. Free. West Bay Model Railroad Association, 1090 Merrill St., Menlo Park. Call 650-322-0685. wbmrra.ning.com

Historic Folger Stable Visitors can view the historically restored Folger Stable and miles of woodland trails. View historic displays and video in the carriage room. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Free. Wunderlich Park, 4040 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 650-851-2660.