Art Galleries
‘Animals in Art’ The Portola Art Gallery will share an exhibit called “Animals in Art” of watercolor paintings and pen and pencil drawings by Belmont resident Teresa Silvestri. Her work featuring wild, domestic and farm critters is inspired by a love of animals and nature. Monday-Saturday, June 1-30, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Call 650-321-0220. www.portolaartgallery.com
‘Light of the Landscape’ The Portola Art Gallery hosts “Light of the Landscape,” an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Steve Curl — a Palo Alto watercolor artist and teacher and Palo Alto Daily News editorial cartoonist. Monday-Saturday, May 1-30, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Call 650-321-0220. www.portolaartgallery.com
Connect Community Charter School art show Cafe Zoe has on display the work of 103 young artists from Connect Community Charter School. May 8-31, cafe hours. Free. Cafe Zoe, 2074 Broadway St., Redwood City. www.connectrwc.org
Benefits/Fundraisers
B.O.K. Ranch Western Day The B.O.K. Ranch therapeutic horsemanship program will host its 30th annual Western Day, a family event and fundraiser including riding demonstrations, live music, a silent auction and a barbecue lunch. June 7, noon-5 p.m. $45. B.O.K Ranch, 1815 Cordilleras Road, Redwood City. Call 650-366-2235. www.bokranch.org
Dreams Happen Gala and Playhouse Auction Stanford Shopping Center and Rebuilding Together Peninsula will collaborate for their 12th year of Dreams Happen, a biennial fundraiser featuring 12 custom-made, life-sized children’s playhouses. The gala will include an auction of the playhouses, a dinner and dancing. From May 2 to June 12, the playhouses will be on display. June 6, 6:30-10 p.m. $115 after May 15. Stanford Shopping Center, 660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. Call 425-260-2551. www.rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org/programs/dreams-happen
Stanford Blood Center’s Grateful Life Tour Between May 22 and 30, community members who donate blood at the Stanford Blood Center will receive a collectible 2015 Grateful Life Tour T-shirt. Those interested should call or visit the website to make an appointment. May 22-30, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Stanford Blood Center, Menlo Park, 445 Burgess Drive, Suite 100, Menlo Park. sbcdonor.org
Taste of Menlo & beyond The Rotary Club of Menlo Park Foundation will offer an evening of music, food and wine, and fellowship at Menlo College. All proceeds from the event will benefit the foundation’s Scholarship Program. June 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $55. Menlo College, Dining Hall, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton. www.tasteofmenlo.org
Wine, Women & Shoes The Wine, Women & Shoes event, benefiting the Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation, will include fine wines and food, an auction, a fashion show, shopping and awards for the best shoes. June 6, 6-9:30 p.m. $100 general; $150 VIP. Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane, Atherton. winewomenandshoes.com/ahcf
Classes/Workshops
Caregiver workshop This workshop for adults held at the Portola Valley Library will cover some activities to keep young children occupied and engaged. Children are also allowed in the classroom. June 1, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www.smcl.org
Stanford Autism Center conference This half-day conference will provide parents and caregivers information about autism, Asperger’s disorder, PDD-NOS and other conditions, as well as include a discussion about when and how to talk to a child and others about them. Attendees will be divided into two groups, depending on their child’s age. June 6, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30. Stanford Child Psychiatry, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford. Call 650-721-6327. med.stanford.edu/childpsychiatry/community/asdparenteducation.html
Yoga classes at Little House Little House Activity Center is now offering a variety of weekly yoga classes — covering Hatha, Chair, Restorative and Kudalini yoga styles — taught by experienced professional instructors. See website for the full schedule. Wednesday and Thursday, May 1-Dec. 31. $15 Hatha, Chair or Restorative; $8 Kundalini. Little House Activity Center, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-326-2025, ext. 222. www.penvol.org/littlehouse
Clubs/Meetings
English Conversation Club At this club’s weekly meetings, community members can practice their English conversation skills with other language learners and volunteer facilitators in the Menlo Park Library’s downstairs meeting room. Wednesdays, April 22-June 24, 5-6 p.m. Free. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. Call 650-330-2525. www.projectreadmenlopark.org
Lifetree Cafe: ‘How to Pay Attention’ Lifetree Cafe Menlo Park will host two hour-long conversations exploring the challenges of paying attention and coping with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be served. May 27, 6:30 p.m.; May 28, 9:15 a.m. Free. Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-854-5897. www.bethany-mp.org/LTCMenloPark
Lifetree Cafe: ‘Low-Cost, No-Cost Adventures’ Lifetree Cafe in Menlo Park will host two hour-long conversations discussing how to lead a more adventurous life with low-cost or no-cost outings. Complimentary refreshments will be served. June 3, 6:30 p.m.; June 4, 9:15 a.m. Free. Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-854-5897. www.facebook.com/LTCMenloPark
Rotary Club of Menlo Park The Rotary Club of Menlo Park, a service club dedicated to working on community and international projects, meets weekly at the Allied Arts Guild. The members are men and women who live and work in Menlo Park, Atherton and surrounding communities. Visitors are welcome. Wednesdays, April 29-June 24, 12:15-1:30 p.m. $20 lunch. Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. www.menloparkrotary.org
Community Events
ArtFest: Allied Arts Guild Open House This Allied Arts Guild event will offer open studios, artist demonstrations, local handmade products, food, children’s activities, and live music and entertainment. The event will benefit Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. June 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. alliedartsguild.org
Sunset Celebration Weekend During its annual Celebration Weekend, Sunset will transform its 7-acre campus into an interactive showcase for lifestyle ideas and flavors from the region. June 6 and 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $25. Sunset Headquarters, 80 Willow Road, Menlo Park. Call 800-786-7375. www.sunset.com/cw
Concerts
Ragazzi Continuo: ‘The Joy of Song’ Ragazzi Continuo, a choir composed of alumni from the Ragazzi Boys Chorus, will offer a program called “The Joy of Song,” during which they will perform some of their favorite pieces. May 31, 7:30 p.m. $18 general; $15 student, senior. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 178 Clinton St., Redwood City. www.ragazzicontinuo.org/events.php
Environment
Used motor oil filter exchange At this event at AutoZone in Redwood City, community members can bring used motor oil and oil filters for recycling, as well as receive a new filter for free. San Mateo County Environmental Health staff will be on hand to provide information about auto product recycling, and Radio KBRG will broadcast live. May 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. AutoZone, 901 El Camino Real, Redwood City. Call 650-372-6135.
Exhibits
‘500 Years of Italian Master Drawings’ The Cantor Arts Center presents almost 100 rarely seen drawings from the 15th to the 20th century in the exhibit “500 Years of Italian Master Drawings from the Princeton University Museum.” Wednesday-Monday, May 22-Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday til 8 p.m. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu
‘Arboreal Architecture’ The Cantor Arts Center’s exhibit “Arboreal Architecture: A Visual History of Trees” compares and contrasts depictions of trees across cultures. Wednesday-Monday, April 15-July 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday til 8 p.m. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu
‘O’Keeffe, Stieglitz, Toomer, and Modernism’ The Cantor Arts Center puzzles out the relationships — aesthetic and romantic — between Georgia O’Keeffe, Alfred Stieglitz and Harlem Renaissance writer Jean Toomer in the exhibit “O’Keeffe, Stieglitz, Toomer, and Modernism.” Wednesday-Monday, May 6-Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday til 8 p.m. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu
‘Plus One: Pop Duplications’ The exhibit “Plus One: Pop Duplications” focuses on the emergence of Pop Art, looking at how American artists in the early 1960s used popular imagery, commercial signage and product design as sources and inspiration for their work. Wednesday-Monday, April 8-Aug. 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday til 8 p.m. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu
‘Promised Land: Jacob Lawrence at the Cantor’ Made possible through a gift from the Kayden family, this exhibit at the Cantor Arts Center includes 56 works by the 20th-century American artist Jacob Lawrence, and one by his wife, Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence. Lawrence is known for his efforts in capturing the African-American experience. Wednesday-Monday, April 1-Aug. 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday til 8 p.m. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford. museum.stanford.edu/news_room/Jacob-Lawrence.html
‘Seeing is Believing’ The Caldwell Gallery presents the exhibit “Seeing Is Believing,” with works by members of Peninsula Art Critique who use a variety of media. Featured artists will include Penny Gamel, Jackie Gray, Janice Kirkpatrick, Annette Legallet, Gerry Anne Lenhart and others. Monday-Friday, May 4-June 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Hall of Justice, Caldwell Gallery, 400 County Center, Redwood City. cmo.smcgov.org/blog/2015-04-30/seeing-believing-exhibit-peninsula-art-critique-members-opens-caldwell-gallery
Summer Garden Sculpture Exhibit Throughout the summer, Filoli will hold its second sculpture exhibit with a number of works by local artists. Visitors can tour the exhibit on their own using a guide and map, or they can make reservations for a Guided Walk. June 3-Sept. 13, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. See website for admission prices. Filoli, 86 Canada Road, Woodside. Call 650-364-8300, ext. 508. www.filoli.org
Family and Kids
Baby Bounce & Rhyme Time The Portola Valley Library will offer weekly events, especially for babies up to 18 months old, that combine singing, dancing, reading and playing to help bond young children and their parents. Mondays, June 1-29, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www.smcl.org
Family Movie Night: ‘Back to the Future’ The Menlo Park Community Services Department will sponsor a screening of the family classic “Back to the Future,” in which the young Marty McFly travels 30 years into the past and must find his way back to the present while ensuring his teenage parents fall in love. June 6, 6-8 p.m. $3. Menlo-Atherton High School, The Center for Performing Arts, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. Call 650-330-2220. www.menlopark.eventbrite.com
Family Movie Night: ‘Planes: Fire & Rescue’ At its next Family Movie Night, the Atherton Library will screen the 83-minute animated film “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” about a plane named Dusty who, after his engine is damaged, decides to join a forest fire and rescue unit. May 29, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton. www.smcl.org
June Free First Friday Program The San Mateo County History Museum will hold its next Free First Friday Program, offering free admission all day and programs for children and adults. At 11 a.m., preschool-age children can participate in a beach-themed crafty activity and hear the story “Beach Day.” At 2 p.m., docents will lead a tour for adults. June 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway St., Redwood City. www.historysmc.org
Lego Club The Portola Valley Library will host weekly meetings of its Lego Club, where all ages can use their imagination in making Lego constructions. Duplo blocks are available for younger builders. Saturdays, April 11-June 13, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www.smcl.org
Marine Science Camp The Marine Science Institute will offer summer camps through which children and teens can learn about the biology of the coast and bay through hands-on activities, viewing live animals and educational field trips. Registration is ongoing. See website for more info. June 15-Aug. 14. Prices start at $415. Marine Science Institute, 500 Discovery Parkway, Redwood City. Call 650-364-2760. sfbaymsi.org/marinecamp.html
Toddler Storytime These Portola Valley Library events for children 18 to 36 months old will incorporate songs, stories and movement activities that encourage listening and reading. Age-appropriate toys will be available to play with after each session. A special activity will follow story time on June 16. Tuesdays, June 2-30, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www.smcl.org
Wii Wednesday At this Portola Valley Library event, video gamers ages 7 and older can show their skill and challenge friends while playing “Just Dance” and “Super Smash Bros. Brawl.” Beginners are welcome. June 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www.smcl.org
Health
Aging: What’s New? conference This conference on aging-related issues will provide information on healthy aging, planning, simplifying, dementia, supporting aging relatives and palliative care. May 30, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Woodside Road United Methodist Church, 2000 Woodside Road, Redwood City. Call 650-384-5607. woodsideroadumc.org
Feldenkrais classes Deborah Dutton, a certified Feldenkrais practitioner, leads weekly classes that seek to alleviate tension, aches and pains while improving body mechanics and posture. Movements are done lying on the floor. Participants should bring a mat or towel. Wednesdays, May 6-Dec. 16, 11 a.m.-noon. Series prices vary; $20 drop-in. Little House Activity Center, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-679-8113. www.umovebetter.com
Stanford Cancer Clinical Trials Class During this monthly class at the Stanford Cancer Center, the clinical trial research staff will describe the trials, their importance in improving cancer care, the types of studies available and what to expect from participation. Second Wednesday of the month, June 10-Dec. 9, 2-3 p.m. Free. Stanford Cancer Center, 2nd Floor, room CC2105, 875 Blake Wilbur Drive, Palo Alto. Call 650-725-9456. stanfordhealthcare.org/for-patients-visitors/cancer-supportive-care-program.html
Food and Drink
Cask Conditioning 101 Local award-winning pub Freewheel Brewing Co. will come to the Atherton Library to discuss cask-conditioned, English-style beer, as well as how to properly pour a pint. May 30, 2-3 p.m. Free. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton. Call 650-328-2422. www.smcl.org/en/content/cask-conditioning-101-craft-beer
Portola Valley Farmers’ Market This weekly year-round market offers organic veggies, fruits, juices and nuts; farmstead grass-fed meats and chicken; free-range farm eggs; fresh seafood; fair trade coffee; gluten-free and artisan baked goods; orchids; crafts; hot Roli Roti chicken and potatoes; and more. Thursdays, March 12-Nov. 5, 3-7 p.m. (summer hours). Free. Portola Valley Farmers’ Market, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-941-4911. www.portolavalleyfarmersmarket.com
On Stage
‘Evita, the Musical’ Stanford TAPS will stage a production of “Evita, the Musical,” a Tony Award-winning musical that dramatizes the true story of Argentine First Lady Eva Peron and her rapid ascent from poverty to fame and power. May 28-30, 8-10 p.m. $5-$15. Memorial Auditorium, 551 Serra Mall, Stanford. taps.stanford.edu
‘My Fair Lady’ Broadway By the Bay will present “My Fair Lady,” a musical theater adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” in which a phonetics professor seeks to turn a working-class girl into a debutante. June 5-21, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. (also, Saturday, June 13, 2 p.m.). $47-$69. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway St., Redwood City. broadwaybythebay.org/my-fair-lady/
‘The Columnist’ Dragon Productions will offer up performances of “The Columnist,” a new play by David Auburn about the powerful American political commentator, Joseph Alsop. The May 28 show is a pay-what-you-will preview. May 28-June 21, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $10-$35. Dragon Theatre, 2120 Broadway St., Redwood City. Call 650-493-2006, ext. 2. www.dragonproductions.net
Compagnia T.P.O.: ‘Bleu! The Mediterranean Sea’ Compagnia T.P.O., an innovative theater group from Italy, will offer a handful of family-friendly performances of “Bleu! The Mediterranean Sea,” an interactive multimedia show that combines music, dance, sculpture, projections and more. June 5, 4 and 7 p.m.; June 6, 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. $30. Bing Concert Hall Studio, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford. live.stanford.edu/calendar/june-2015/compagnia-tpo
Religion/Spirituality
Compline with Valley Presbyterian Church Stanford and local choral ensembles will sing a reflective 30-minute service of hymns in a candlelit setting each Sunday during the academic year (except on holidays). At this service, Valley Presbyterian Church will perform. May 31, 9-9:30 p.m. Free. Stanford Memorial Church, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford. Call 650-723-1762. events.stanford.edu/events/450/45063/
Stanford University public worship Memorial Church, a historically important center of spiritual and ceremonial life at Stanford University since 1903, offers weekly Sunday services that are open to the public. Sundays, April 5-June 7, 10-11 a.m. Free. Stanford Memorial Church, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford. Call 650-723-1762. events.stanford.edu/events/485/48567/
Lectures & Talks
‘Balancing the Art and Science of Teaching and Technology’ This panel discussion with the founders of educational software companies — including Curriculet, Duck Duck Moose, Literably, Padlet and Tynker — will explore how technology is changing the roles of teachers and students, as well as how to find a balance between books and iPads and worksheets and apps. Those interested should register online. May 28, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Trinity School, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. Call 650-854-0288, ext. 150. trinity-mp.org/campus-life
Another Look Book Club: ‘The Stranger’ For the final event in the three-year Another Look Book Club series, Stanford faculty members Tobias Wolff, Caroline Winterer and Marie-Pierre Ulloa will discuss Albert Camus’ classic novel “The Stranger.” Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. June 1, 7:30 p.m. Free. Stanford Humanities Center, Levinthal Hall, 424 Santa Teresa St., Stanford. anotherlook.stanford.edu
Author Prajwal Parajuly on ‘Land Where I Flee’ Prajawal Parajuly will speak in conversation with Shikha Malaviya about his new novel, “The Land Where I Flee,” in which four Nepali-Indian adult siblings travel from America and England to their childhood home of Gangtok, a Himalayan hill town, for a family celebration. June 8, 7:30 p.m. Free. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com/event/prajwal-parajuly-0
Author Tina Seelig on ‘Insight Out’ Kepler’s Books will hold a launch party and reception with Stanford University professor and author Tina Seelig to celebrate the release of “Insight Out: Get Ideas Out of Your Head and Into the World.” June 2, 7 p.m. Free. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com/event/tina-seelig-1
Egyptology talk Dr. Cedric Gobeil, director of a French archaeological mission at Deir el-Medina, the tomb-makers’ village in Western Thebes, will highlights the significant discoveries of the last five seasons. The lecture will inform attendees about this critical site for understanding ancient Egyptian daily life. June 7, 2:30-4 p.m. Free. Stanford Humanities Center, Levinthal Hall, Stanford. Call 650-367-8339. home.comcast.net/%7Ehebsed/lectures.htm
Holy Cross Cemetery tour Local historian Michael Svanevik will lead a tour of the Holy Cross Cemetery on Santa Cruz Avenue and discuss the many significant Menlo Park figures buried there. Time will be provided for questions and answers. May 30, 3:30-5 p.m. $10. Menlo Park Historical Association, Lower Level Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park. Call 650-330-2522. sites.google.com/site/mphistorical
Teen Activities
Author Michelle Tea on ‘Girl at the Bottom of the Sea’ Michelle Tea, a poet, memoir writer and young adult author, will visit Kepler’s Books to talk about her new book “Girl at the Bottom of the Sea,” a sequel to “Mermaid in Chelsea Creek” that follows heroine Sophie and her guardian, a dirty mermaid named Syrena. June 3, 7 p.m. Free. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com/event/ya-michelle-tea
Author Virginia Boecker on ‘The Witch Hunter’ Kepler’s Books will host a special launch party for young adult author Virginia Boecker and her new book “The Witch Hunter,” which follows witch hunter Elizabeth Gray when she is accused of being a witch herself. June 4, 7 p.m. Free. Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com/event/ya-virginia-boecker
