Around Town Around Town (July 14, 2004)

A passion for art

Annamaria Quattrin-Kusber of Woodside reveals another facet of her artistic makeup with her first solo art show, "Arte Passione," through August 31 at the Stanford University Bechtel International Center.

Ms. Quattrin-Kusber, who is known as an opera singer and actress, began studying art in 1993, taking classes from Frederick Holle and Philip Egan at Canada College.

The show will include 30 of her works, including oils, watercolors and mixed media. A reception for the artist will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 28.

A Venetian who has lived in Woodside since 1972, Ms. Quattrin-Kusber says she's informing her dozens of cousins in Italy about the show.

Helping abused children

The Child Abuse Prevention Center is looking for volunteers to work with abused and neglected children in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Volunteers teach safety and abuse prevention, and do other services. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. A training session for volunteers will be held July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Belmont. For information, call 595-7640.

Bike ride benefits burn foundation

San Mateo County Fire Protection Officers will hold their fourth "Stop, Drop and Roll" bike ride on Saturday, July 24, starting at Woodside High School.

The scenic ride of 15, 30 or 65 miles will benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.

Cost of registration for the 15-mile and 30-mile rides, which begin at 9 a.m., is $30 in advance or $40 the day of the event. Same day registration begins at 8 a.m.

Cost of the 65-mile ride, which begins at 7 a.m., is $40 with pre-registration; $50 the day of the ride. Registration takes place at 6:30 a.m.

Riders will receive a goodie bag, T-shirt, and a post-event barbecue lunch. A SAG wagon will accompany the riders.

To pre-register, call the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation at 415-495-7223 or visit www.active.com.

Hot dogs fuel Kiwanis Club scholarships

Eat a hot dog, send a kid to college. If only it were that easy. In a small way, it is.

With each Italian or Polish sausage sandwich bought from the Kiwanis Club booth at the annual Connoisseur's Market in Menlo Park -- held this year on the weekend of July 17 and 18 -- the club will make a contribution to a scholarship fund for students from Menlo-Atherton High School and/or East Side Preparatory Academy in East Palo Alto.

Since 1985, the club has raised $309,100 for 76 student scholarships.

This year, scholarships are going to M-A students Miguel Ibarra and Diana Somporn, both bound for U.C. Davis; Destiny Ball, heading to Arkansas State; and Arianna Vaewsorn, who plans to attend U.C. Berkeley.

Other fundraising events that contribute to the scholarship fund include sales of Christmas trees on the Stanford University campus, annual crab festivals, and the Dollars for Scholars campaign led by Menlo Park dentist Jan Gabus, who has helped raise $100,000 in mileage pledges for bicycle trips Mr. Gabus has taken on summer vacations.

The Menlo Park Kiwanis Club meets for lunch on Tuesdays at noon at the recreation center in the Civic Center complex on Alma Street. The lunch program -- hosted by president Jim Hall -- includes club business and presentations on topical subjects. Guests are welcome.

For more information, call Marjorie Garfield at 327-3925.

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