Author: Tom Reiss
At 7:30 p.m. tonight, Nov. 30, Tom Reiss will give a free author talk on his book "The Black Count: Glory, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo." The book looks at the novelist Alexandre Dumas and his relationship with his father, reportedly the real-life "Black Count." The event is at Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Go to keplers.com.

Music: Stanford Symphony Orchestra
Under the baton of Jindong Cai, the Stanford Symphony Orchestra plays an all-Beethoven program at 8 p.m. tonight, Nov. 30. The concert is in Dinkelspiel Auditorium on campus and will feature the Symphony No. 5 in C minor. Tickets are $10 general, $9 for seniors, $5 for non-Stanford students and free for Stanford students. Go to music.stanford.edu.

Community: Palo Alto Holiday Tree Lighting
Palo Alto will usher in the holiday season today, Nov. 30, with a Holiday Tree Lighting at Lytton Plaza at 4:30 p.m. It will feature music from the Cantabile Children's Chorus and the Keys School Chorus. Vice Mayor Greg Scharff will flip the switch at 5:30 p.m. to light the city's decorated tree. The event will be held rain or shine, so visitors are encouraged to bring their rain gear, if necessary. Go to [paloaltoonline.com http://paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=27760

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