Around Town: Venture Van explores youth in community Around Town: Venture Van explores youth in community (October 13, 2004)

Civic action by kids in East Palo Alto will be one subject of this year's first Venture Van tour, sponsored by the Center for Venture Philanthropy, on Wednesday, October 20, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Pat Brown, executive director of the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, will lead the bus tour intended to connect potential community donors personally to agencies that provide key services and need support.

In a tour titled "Civic Engagement: The Core of Democracy," the tour will explore examples of young people making a difference in East Palo Alto through Youth United for Community Action, and other cases of school involvement in civic action.

This is the sixth year of Venture Van tours, sponsored by the Center for Venture Philanthropy in Menlo Park, a division of the Peninsula Community Foundation.

Other tours planned: November 18, "Children's Health: A Casualty of Poverty"; January 19, "Art as Therapy: Breaking through Walls of Isolation"; February 17, "Watershed Challenges: Upstream, Midstream and Downstream."

For information or to register, call the Center for Venture Philanthropy at 843-5566, or register online at www.pcf.org/venturevan.

Atherton barbecue

The Atherton Dames are heading south of the border on Sunday, October 17, with a town barbecue featuring a mariachi band, margaritas, and Mexican supper from 4 to 7 p.m. at Holbrook-Palmer Park, l150 Watkins Ave. in Atherton.

The family affair will have a petting zoo, vendors, and a raffle. Cost is $25 per person, $10 for children under 15, and $6 for children 6 and under. For information and reservations, call Pattie at 752-0536 by October 14.

Arts, crafts festival back in Menlo Park

The 8th annual Arts & Crafts Festival, sponsored by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Menlo Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 15-17.

The arts and crafts sidewalk show and sale will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

One hundred artisans are expected, the sponsors say. Handcrafted pottery, toys, paintings, photos, clothing and jewelry will be for sale.

The show is organized by Pacific Fine Arts. For more information, see www.pacificfinearts.com.

Foothill Auxiliary luncheon

The Foothill Auxiliary to the Family Service Agency will present "Holidays on a High Note" on Monday, October 18, at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton. The event will include floral presentations, holiday table settings and luncheon.

There will by a presentation of "Holiday Flourishes" by Doug Robbins at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County. For more information, call Diane Crittenden, 325-8328.

Canada students to perform 'The Peace'

Canada College students are presenting "The Peace," an anti-war play written in 421 B.C. by Greek author Aristophanes. The opening is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 14, in the Flex Theater, Building 3, on the Woodside campus.

Additional performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. October 15 and 16, and October 21, 22, and 23. Sunday matinees will be at 2 p.m. October 17 and 24. Tickets are $10 for general admission; less for students, staff and seniors. For reservations, call 306-3396.

Etching classes with Atherton printmaker

Atherton printmaker Cosette Dudley is offering beginners and advanced etchers a rare opportunity to study intaglio etching with her at her studio in the 1870 Art Center in Belmont. Ms. Dudley is a well-known Bay Area printmaker and a long-time member of the former Apple Tree Press in San Mateo.

For beginners, she is offering four, 2-1/2 hour sessions for $40, plus a materials fee of about $8. The classes are limited to three students.

Ms. Dudley is offering a section for advanced artists, who will provide their own plates and materials. The meeting times of both classes are by arrangement with Ms. Dudley, as is the tuition for the advanced class. For information, call 322-5058.

Pancake breakfast for La Honda Fire Brigade

The all-volunteer La Honda Fire Brigade will hold its annual pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, October 17, at the fire station at 8945 La Honda Road. The all-you-can-eat fare will include pancakes, eggs and the trimmings, and Capt. Cathy's pumpkin pancakes.

The fundraiser helps buy emergency equipment to protect the Coastside. The La Honda Fire Brigade, located on Highway 84 (La Honda Road) helps protect 138 square miles of southern San Mateo County coast. For more information, call 747-0381 or see www.lahondafire.org.

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