The following events will take place this week prior to the Amgen Tour of California Prologue on Sunday:

Thursday, Feb. 14

What: "An evening with Levi Leipheimer and friends"

When: 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Crowne Plaza Cabana Palo Alto, Mediterranean Room, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Cost: $25 (proceeds to charity) plus fee for professional photograph

Description: From 5 to 6 p.m., Levi Leipheimer, winner of the 2007 Tour of California, will be on hand to answer questions. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., celebrity cyclists will sign anything you bring.

Friday, Feb. 15

What: Charity Challenge bids

When: noon deadline

Description: Twenty-five highest bidders (minimum bid $500, guaranteed spots $2,500) will be able to ride or race on the official course at noon on Sunday, one hour before the official prologue kickoff. Proceeds benefit Palo Alto Recreation Foundation. Palo Alto Councilwoman Yoriko Kishimoto and Stanford University Provost John Etchemendy will be among the riders.

Info: Call 800-341-0310; e-mail timetrialbids@gmail.com; www.paloaltostanfordprologue.com .

What: Meet Team High Road

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Description: Hosted by Phil Liggett, the team presentation will include 12-time Tour de France competitor George Hincapie, as well as Olympic medalist and current World Pursuit Champions Bradley Wiggins and Kate Bates and others.

Info: Call Christine Eastman at 949-481-5561 or ceastsman@cox.net; www.highroadsports.com .

Saturday, Feb. 16

What: Exercise and the Brain

When: 9 a.m. to noon

Where: Schwab Residential Center, Vidalakis Dining Room, 680 Serra St., Stanford University

Description: Scientists, doctors and athletes will talk about the effects of exercise on the brain and how exercise may improve disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases in this free public symposium, sponsored by the Stanford Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences and the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Info: Register (for catering purposes): slouie@stanfordmed.org or 650-724-2541; www.reactr.com

What: Community Bike Ride

When: Assemble at 9:30 a.m.; ride at 10 a.m.

Where: Mitchell Park Bowl

Description: Cycling enthusiasts of all ages will bike down East Meadow Drive to the Ellen Fletcher Bike Boulevard (Bryant Street), ending at Lytton Plaza in downtown Palo Alto.

Info: Carol Anderson, candersonb@aol.com, or 650-853-1590 or Kathy Durham at 650-329-2568

What: Downtown Streets Team 2008 Row & Ride

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Lytton Plaza (corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street)

Description: Teams -- including the Palo Alto City Council, police and fire departments, local newspapers, youth groups, sports teams, Scout troops -- will face off on stationary bikes or rowing machines while raising funds to aid the local homeless population. Similar to a walk-a-thon, the row- and ride-a-thon involves recruiting sponsors to raise money for the streets team.

Info: eileen@downtownstreetsteam.com, 650-462-1795. Register teams at www.downtownstreetsteam.com .

Sunday, Feb. 17

What: Silent Auction & Raffle

When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Downtown Palo Alto

Description: Co-sponsored by the Palo Alto Rowing Club, the auction and raffle benefit the Downtown Streets Team. Items range from a Tiffany bracelet and handmade jewelry to a stay at local hotels and handmade artisan chocolates.

Info: Carol Platner, cplatner@sbcglobal.net

What: Lifestyle Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Stanford Campus, Museum Way at race finish line

Description: Entertainment, fitness and children's activities -- including a climbing wall, arts and crafts, Hula Hoop/jumprope contest -- are set up near the race finish line. Sponsored by Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation, the festival will include sports activities, pedometer and bike challenges and bike-repair demonstrations.

What: Charity Challenge Time Trial

When: noon

Where: City Hall Plaza, 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto

Description: See Feb. 15.

What: Amgen Tour of California Prologue

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Downtown Palo Alto and Stanford

Description: A time trial for individual cyclists. A fast, flat 2.1-mile course starting at Hamilton Avenue at Bryant Street in Palo Alto and finishing at Museum Way and Palm Drive at Stanford University, after cyclists ride a lap around the Oval.

— Carol Blitzer

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