The Friends of the Portola Valley Library will honor and remember Patricia “Pat” Brown, a longtime supporter, at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Historic Schoolhouse at Town Center, 765 Portola Road in Portola Valley.
An organizer of the event, Sue Chaput, urges people to carpool and to look for parking directions.
Ms. Brown, who was president and treasurer of the Friends group for many years, died Dec. 26 at her home in Westridge.
In 1967, Ms. Brown and her husband, Robert V. “Bob” Brown, were “key in creating an official Friends of the Library and spearheaded a campaign to support a permanent site” for the library, Ms. Chaput said. “Their vision for a children’s library was realized as well.”
An avid storyteller and puppeteer, Ms. Brown is remembered by many schoolchildren for her puppet shows and story hours at local schools and libraries. She was a member of the Palo Alto Storytellers Guild.
“Her spirit of invention provoked props and puppets — anything from a large piece of paper and marking pens, paper bags, papier mache, vegetables — to outrageous hand-made puppets,” Ms. Chaput said in an e-mail.
Gala benefit for school of music, arts
The 40th anniversary gala benefit for the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View will be held Saturday, March 29, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Sharon Heights Country Club in Menlo Park.
The event will include a cocktail reception and dinner, a silent and live auction, and performances and an exhibition by faculty and students.
Sharon Heights Country Club is at 2900 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park. Tickets are $250 per person.
For more information about the school and its programs, go to www.arts4all.org. To buy a ticket and for sponsorship information, contact CSMA Development Director Kelly Hudson at 917-6800, ext. 303, or e-mail khudson@arts4all.org.
For a preview of the auction, go to www.arts4all.org/auctionpreview.
Opera guild holds benefit event
The South Peninsula Chapter of the San Francisco Opera Guild will hold a benefit for the guild’s music-in-the-schools program at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30, in the ballroom of the Vidovich estate in Los Altos Hills.
Donald Runnicles, who is leaving the San Francisco Opera after 17 years as music director, is expected to be at the event. The program includes a performance by rising tenor Eleazar Rodriguez.
Tickets are $50, $75 (includes program mention and preferred parking), and $100 (program mention and preferred parking and seating).
To buy a ticket, mail check with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to SFOG-PC Treasurer, 728 Regal Court, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
DVD tributes
Videographer Allan Hayes will talk about his business of creating DVD tributes that tell a story from photos and videos at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Menlo Park Library. The talk is part of a series of monthly programs sponsored by the Friends of the Menlo Park Library. A Palo Alto resident, Mr. Hayes is also a photographer.
The program is free and open to the public. Free van service is available for Menlo Park seniors and those with disabilities. For more information or to schedule transportation, call 330-2512.
Tom Chapin sings at family concerts
Singer and songwriter Tom Chapin returns to the area for two family “Music for Minors” concerts on Sunday, March 30. The concerts will be at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Foothill College’s Smithwick Theater, 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills
Recommended for participants from age 4 and up, the concerts are sponsored by Music for Minors and Linden Tree Children’s Recordings and Books. Tickets are $14 each.
Mr. Chapin “expands knowledge, stretches the imagination, tickles the funny bone and inspires audience participation while introducing children to the joys of live performance,” according to a review in the Washington Post.
Concert proceeds go to Music for Minors, a nonprofit organization providing music education programs to more than 6,000 Bay Area school children. For information, contact Music For Minors at 237-9130 or go to www.mfm.org. Tickets may be ordered online at www.lindentreebooks.com.
Calvin Johnson on college tour
Calvin Johnson, son of Leigh and Roy Johnson of Portola Valley, performed with the Hamilton College Choir on its Midwest tour March 13-19. A graduate of Menlo School, he is a sophomore at Hamilton College, which is in Clinton, New York.
Honors student
Alexander E. Rafter is a high honors student at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, where he is in the 11th grade, the Academy reports. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Rafter of Portola Valley.
