Calendar

Benefits

Holiday tea at Allied Arts, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Seatings at 2 and 3:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 6. Tickets: $16 prepaid, benefit Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Call 324-2588.

Fun Run on campus. Walk or run at Canada College, noon Weds., Nov. 1. Open to the public. Prizes and awards will be given. Farm Hill Road and I-280 in Woodside. To register, call 306-3348.

Nativity Antiques Show and Sale. Champagne breakfast and preview, 10-11 a.m. Fri., Nov. 3: $25. Show runs 3 days: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Nov. 3-4, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5. General admission $5. Nativity School, corner of Oak Grove and Laurel St., Menlo Park. Call 325-7304 for preview reservations.

"Mariachi Magic" dinner and auction, 5:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, at St. Raymond School Kennedy Center, Santa Cruz Ave. and Arbor Road, Menlo Park. $60 includes dinner, live auction and silent auction. Call 322-2312.

Authors luncheon hosted by Community Association for Rehabilitation (C.A.R.), Sat., Nov. 4, at Hyatt Rickeys, 4219 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Guest authors are Max Byrd, Matthew Gollub, Wendy Lesser, Andrew Pham, and Steve Yarbrough. Tickets: $75. Call 812-2827.

Bayou Ball, 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, with "Alligator and his Bayou Boogie Band." $20/person; on-site child care available at $10/child, reservations needed. Woodside Village Church, 3154 Woodside Road. Call 851-1587.

Dickens House designer showcase and holiday boutique through Sun., Nov. 5, in a Georgian home at 120 Valdeflores, Burlingame. Tickets: $20 at the door, or $18 in advance, available at Traditions, 850 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park. Benefits St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School in San Mateo. Call 342-5459.

Holiday bazaar Weds.-Fri., Nov. 8-10, at Peninsula Volunteers Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. On Weds. 5-7 p.m., hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served for $3 to benefit nutritional programs. Thurs., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. handcrafted gift items, baked goods and raffle tickets will be sold. Call 320-2025.

Kitchen tour presented by the Atherton Dames 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri., Nov. 10. Tea and a boutique at Holbrook-Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Ave. in Atherton, follow the tour. Tickets: $30. Also, Tour Pre-party and Carriage House Dedication, 6 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 9, Holbrook-Palmer Park. Tickets for pre-party $35. For either event, call 752-0536.

Spirit of Giving holiday boutique, a marketplace with over 90 vendors, Fri.-Sun., Nov. 10-12, at Crowne Plaza Cabana, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, presented by Junior League of Palo Alto. Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5 at the door, or donate 2 cans of food for Second Harvest Food Bank. Call 321-5026.

On Stage

The Schlepperellas comedy/musical revue, 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. Tickets: $30, include dessert reception. Call 493-4661.

"The Diary of Anne Frank" performed by Palo Alto Players Weds.-Sun., Nov. 4-19, with a $16 paid preview performance on Fri., Nov. 3. Evening performances at 8 p.m. Weds.-Sat., Sun. matinee 2:30 p.m., Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Tickets: $20-$22, except opening night and gala on Sat., Nov. 5, is $24. Student, senior, and group discounts available some nights. Call 329-0891.

"The Skin of Our Teeth," a black comedy with a heart of gold, will be performed by the Pew Players and Friends at All Saints' Church, corner of Hamilton and Waverley, downtown Palo Alto, Fri.-Sun., through Nov. 5. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 at the door, seniors and teens $7. Call 322-4528.

"The Grapes of Wrath," adapted by Frank Galati from the Steinbeck novel, through Sun., Nov. 5. Show times: Weds.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. 2 and 7 p.m., Tues. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $27-38 adults, $20 seniors and students. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. Call 463-1950.

"The Revenger's Tragedy" by Cyril Tourner. Free outdoor performances, 8 p.m. Tues.-Sat., Oct. 31-Nov. 4, in Old Union Courtyard outside the Nitery Theater on Stanford campus. Call 723-2576.

"Becoming Memories," a comedy about the bonds of family across generations, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sun., through Nov. 12. 2 p.m. matinees on Sun., Nov. 5 and 12. Playwright Arthur Giron will be in residence during the production. Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road at I-280, Los Altos Hills. Tickets: $14 general, $12 seniors and students with ID card, $10 children under 12. Call 948-4444.

"Peter Pan" presented by Sacred Heart Community Players at Sacred Heart School, 150 Valparaiso, Menlo Park. Opening gala 6:30 p.m., performance 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 3: $15 adults, $10 students. Continuing performances 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 4, 9, 10, 11, and 2:30 p.m. matinee Sun., Nov. 5: $10 adults, $5 students. Call 473-4077

"You Can't Take It With You," by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, performed by the Menlo-Atherton International Thespian Society in Menlo-Atherton High School's "J-Building," 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. 8 p.m., Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 9-18. Tickets: $8 adults, $5 students. Call 463-6573 for tickets or 322-5311 x8671 for information.

"Into the Woods", with music by Stephen Sondheim, offered 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Nov. 10, 11, 17, 18, and 19, by the Drama Department of Menlo School, 50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton. Tickets: $7. Call 330-2001 x2333 for reservations.

Music

Alexander String Quartet plays Mozart, Beethoven, and premieres a new work by Ross Bauer, 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 3, in Dinkelspiel Auditorium on Lagunita Drive next to Tresidder Union, Stanford campus. Pre-performance discussion 6:45 p.m. Tickets: $30/$27 general, students discounts, half-price available for youths 15 and under. Call 725-ARTS.

Jazz at the Plaza. Free concert series closes with Day of the Dead festivities: Mariachi classics, Mexican cuisine and marigolds. 6-8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 3, at City Center Plaza, Redwood City, corner of Main St. and Middlefield Road. Call 369-9365.

Performance Scholarship winners mezzo-soprano Julia Ulehla, flutist Andrea Urrutia, and pianist Garrick Chak, will be presented by the Palo Alto Mu Phi Epsilon Chapter in a free concert at 3 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium, 1313 Newell Road. Call 424-4272 for more information.

Primary Colors with jazz vocalist Nate Pruitt performs at 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium, 1313 Newell Road. $10 general, $8 students and seniors. Call 329-2527.

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra welcomes guest soloist Katheryn McElrath, principal flutist with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, when the youth orchestra performs Mendelssohn, Sibelius, Quantz, and Beethoven, 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, at Spangenberg Theater, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Preferred seating: $10 general, $8 seniors and students. Visit www.paco66.org or call 856-3848.

"When Music and Sweet Poetry Agree." Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Lane and David Tayler on lute perform 16th and 17th poetry by Donne, Dryden, Shakespeare, set to music. 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5, at Cantor Arts Center, Stanford campus. $8 general, $4 students. Call 723-2720. To learn about Noon Master class before concert, call 723-3811.

Peninsula Pops Orchestra and Maestro Kim Venaas play the music of Dave Brubeck, George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael and others 2:30 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5, in Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Advance tickets: $6 general, $4 seniors and children; or at the door: $8 general, $6 seniors and children. Call 366-4325.

El Camino Youth Symphony plays Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony, Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliette," Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninov, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, Messiah Lutheran Church, 1835 Valota Road, Redwood City. Second performance 7:30 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5, in Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Tickets: $8, $5. Call 327-2611.

Families & Kids

"Treasure Island," a musical stage adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson tale, plays Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 3-11, at Palo Alto Children's Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road. Tickets: $4 adults, $2 children. Show times vary. Call 329-2216.

"Mechanics of Dolls" through Jan. 14 at the Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto. Museum hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri.-Sun. Admission is free. Call 321-1004.

"Vote for your favorite children's book" at Atherton Library, #2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane. All children's ballots, available at the library or local schools, must be turned in by 7 p.m. Tues., Nov. 7. Call 328-2422.

Teen programs in Menlo Park. Grades 7-9 girls-only night, 6-8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 3, free at Onetta Harris Community Center, 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park. Rock climbing for grades 8-10 ($15, registration #6400-204) at Burgess Recreation Center, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4. Call 858-3473.

The Outlet program at the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto, provides a support group and other services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth 13-18. Meets every Mon., 7-9 p.m. at the Y. Call 494-0972 x301.

America Recycles Day celebrated at Coyote Point Museum with a Family Discovery Day about trash, recycling, consumerism, transportation, and the environment, 1-4 p.m. Sat., Nov. 11, 1651 Coyote Point Dr., San Mateo. Admission: $3 adults, $2 seniors and students 13-17, and $1 students 4-12. Call 342-7755.

"Today's New Stress on Kids" discussed by Louise Pencavel, producer of "All Stressed Up and No Way to Grow," a documentary to be rebroadcast on PBS this fall. PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m. Weds., Nov. 8, Woodside Elementary School, 3195 Woodside Road. Free and open to the public. Call 851-1571 x291.

Parents Place offers play groups and classes for parents. "Logical Consequences vs. Punishment" 6:30-8 p.m. Tues., Nov. 7, $20. 410 Sherman Ave., Palo Alto. Call 688-3021.

Storytimes at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. 10:15 a.m. Weds. for toddlers, 2-3 years; 11:15 a.m. Weds. for babies up to 23 months; Pajama Storytime 7 p.m. Weds. for all ages; 11:15 a.m. Thurs. for preschoolers, 3-5 years. Free. Call 858-3464.

Storytimes in Atherton. Weekly Pajama Storytime for ages 3-6 at 7 p.m. Tues. at Atherton Library, #2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane. Weds. storytimes: 10:30 a.m. for babies 4-12 months; 11:15 a.m. for ages 2-3; and 3:30 p.m. for ages 3-6. Free. Registration requested for all series. Call Children's Librarian Marcia Elias at 328-2422.

Seniors

"Healthy at Any Age." Lisa Tealer, of Women of Substance Spa, discusses health and the benefits of exercise, 11 a.m.-noon Weds., Nov. 1. Free and open to the public. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025.

Movies at Little House at 1 p.m. "High Fidelity" Thurs., Nov. 2. "The Love Letter" Mon., Nov. 6. Admission 50 cents. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025.

50 Plus Fitness Association sponsors free monthly "adventures." Walk and Run meets at 7:45 a.m. Sat., Nov. 4, and sets out at 8 a.m. from Windy Hill parking lot, 555 Alpine Road. For more information, visit www.50plus.org or call 323-6160.

Silverstrand, the Little House singing group, performs at 1:30 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5. Free and open to the public. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 326-2025.

Become an income tax preparer. Little House offers free classes in November, in cooperation with the IRS, the Franchise Tax Board, and AARP. After training, you will provide free tax assistance to low and moderate income seniors. Call 326-2025 x230 if interested.

Books & Authors

Menlo Park Library Saturday Showcase presents "War Stories Project/Remembering WWII" with Life Stories class participants, 11 a.m. Sat. Nov. 4. Call 858-3461 for information. On Weds., Nov 8, join the book discussion group at 7 p.m. to review Jamie Zeppa's "Beyond the Sky and the Earth." Free at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Call 858-3468.

Waverley Writers open reading 7:30-10 p.m. Fri., Nov. 3. Sign up before reading. Listeners and newcomers always welcome. Free. Friends Meeting House, 957 Colorado, Palo Alto. Call 424-9877.

Writers and readers at Kepler's. Author visits at 7:30 p.m.: Dr. Frank Huyler's essays from the emergency room, "The Blood of Strangers," Weds., Nov. 1: Dan Simmons' investigator Darwin Minor makes enemies in "Darwin's Blade," Thurs., Nov. 2; Jane Hamilton explores secrets, love and forgiveness in "Disobedience," Fri., Nov. 3. Susan Kinsolving will read at Sunday Night Poets, 6 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5. Fiction Book Group meets 7:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 6, to discuss "White Oleander" by Janet Fitch. All free. Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 324-4321.

Authors at Printers Inc. Elizabeth Smith Brownstein reads from her "If This House Could Talk: Historic Homes, Extraordinary Americans," 8 p.m. Weds., Nov. 1. Book Discussion Group reviews Phillip Roth's "American Pastoral." Open Mike Poetry Reading, 7 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 2. Free at Printers Inc., 310 California Ave., Palo Alto. Call 327-6500.

Lectures & Classes

"Retirement Income" discussed by Michael Gilfix, specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law. 7:30 p.m. Weds., Nov. 1, Albert J. Schultz Jewish Community Center, 650 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Admission: $10 general, $5 members of 50-Plus Fitness Association or Jewish Community Center, free for lifetime 50-Plus members. Bring your membership card. Call 323-6160 for reservations.

Beginning Internet classes, 1:30-3 p.m. Weds. Nov. 1 and 8, Portola Valley Public Library, 765 Portola Valley Road. Sign up for these free classes by calling 851-0560.

"The Hidden Holocaust" in southern Sudan is discussed by Bishop Macram Max Gassis of Sudan on Fri., Nov. 3, Bechtel International Center Dining Room, Stanford University. Reception at 7:30 p.m., program at 8 p.m., co-sponsored by World Affairs Council of Northern California and Bechtel International Center. Admission: $5 members, $7 non-members, free for students with ID. Call (415) 293-4600 for reservations.

"Voices from the Orchards". Author and longtime resident of Santa Clara Valley Carolyn Marie Downey explains the story of the fruit industry in the words of the people who picked and processed the fruit. 2 p.m. Mon., Nov. 6, at Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Free and open to the public. Call 326-5362.

Playwright-in-residence Arthur Giron reads from his forthcoming play, "The Coffee Trees," with discussion afterward, 8 p.m. Mon., Nov. 6. Foothill College Studio Theater, 12345 El Monte Road at I-280, Los Altos Hills. Free, reservations recommended. Call 948-4444.

Betty Friedan discusses "The Fountain of Age" at 7:30 p.m. Weds., Nov. 8, Kresge Auditorium, Stanford campus. Deborah L. Rhode Annual Lecture, free and open to the public. Call 723-1995.

Bishop John Shelby Spong speaks in Stanford Memorial Church at 3 p.m. Weds., Nov. 8. Now teaching at Harvard, Bishop Spong wrote "Why Christianity must Change or Die" and other books, advocating an inclusive, non-literalist interpretation of Christianity. Free and open to the public. Call 725-0050.

Et Alia

Speeches of the Suffragettes. Excerpts from speeches of Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton delivered by Melissa Borders Stevenson, 2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 4, at the San Mateo County Historical Museum, 777 Hamilton St., Redwood City. Free with museum admission of $2 adults, $1 seniors and children 6 and up. Call 299-0104.

Turkish rugs, weaving, and wool spinning demonstrated by Cennet Deneri, a native weaver from Turkey, Thurs.-Sun., Nov. 2-5, at Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road. Slide lecture by Michele Wipplinger, "Power of Natural Dyes in the New Century," 7 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 2. Slide lecture by Dr. Sharife Atlihan, "Rugs and Flatweaves: Preserving Turkish Traditions through the DOBAG Project," 7 p.m. Fri., Nov. 3. All free. Call 329-2366.

"Frankenstein" auditions. Canada College drama department casts Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," 7 p.m. Weds. and Thurs., Nov. 1 and 2, in the Flexible Theatre, Canada College, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., just off I-280 in Woodside. Call 306-3316.