Art Galleries

"Soul and Consciousness"
A collection of abstract art by Mehul Shah, representing an inner search for essential reality. Tuesdays-Sundays, Oct. 28-Nov. 23. Noon. Free. For more information, call Aegis Gallery staff at 408-867-0171 or e-mail robertaf@sbcglobal.net or visit www.aegisgallery.com. Aegis Gallery of Fine Art, 14531 Big Basin Way, Saratoga

10 Years
Modernbook Gallery celebrates their 10 year anniversary with a rotating selection of gallery artists, showcasing a broad range of contemporary fine-art photography. Through Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. free. Call 650-327-6325 or e-mail info@modernbook.com or visit www.modernbook.com. Modernbook Gallery, 494 University Ave., Palo Alto

Celebrating Solstice - Holiday Show 2009
“Celebrating Solstice - Holiday Show 2009," a festive exhibit of fine art and crafts, will be held at Gallery House through Dec. 24. Free. For more information, call Karen White at 650-804-0491 or e-mail KarenWhite4@sbcglobal.net. Gallery House, 320 California Ave., Palo Alto

Merry Art at Main
The Main Gallery, Nov. 25-Dec. 24. The Merry Artists at Main have created unique and special works just right for your Holiday gift giving. Opening Reception on Sat. Dec. 5, 5-8 pm. Gallery hours: Wed.through Fri. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 3.p.m free. Call 650-710-1018 or visit www.themaingallery.org. The Main Gallery, 1018 Main St., Redwood City

Small treasures: fine art for every budget
Portola Art Gallery presents "Small Treasures" for the month of December. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Call 650-321-0220 or visit www.portolaartgallery.com. Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park

Auditions

Benefits

Classes/Workshops

Be the Change Environmental Leadership Program
Ten-month environmental leadership program (September to June). For more information, call Rebecca Araiz Iverson at 650-922-1787 or e-mail rebeccaai@acterra.org or visit www.acterra.org/programs/bethechange/index.html. Acterra, 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto

Classes at Onetta Harris Community Center
Art, dance and science classes for youth. Dance, fitness, creative sewing, cooking and ESL cClasses for adults. $25 residents $34 non-resident. For more information, call Onetta Harris Community Center at 650-330-2250 or e-mail bkmatheson@menlopark.org. Onetta Harris Community Center, 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park

Feldenkrais
Feldenkrais classes are intended to help participants improve flexibility, coordination and strength. Fridays, 11 a.m.-noon. $40 members/$45 nonmembers(4 classes). For more information, call Deborah at 650-327-9419 or e-mail Deborah@umovebetter.com or visit www.Umovebetter.com. Little House fitness room, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park

Clubs/Meetings

Amiguitos Mother/child Spanish group
Amiguitos is a group for Mothers and their children who speak Spanish. Meets every Friday. 4:30 p.m. Free. For more information, call Kathy Bartlett at 650-964-4677 or e-mail kvancampen@yahoo.com. Eagle Park, Mountain View

Community Events

Be a Go-To Grandparent
Join author Donne Davis, contributor to "The Art of Grandparenting" for coffee and conversation about becoming a go-to grandparent whether near or far from grandchildren. Fri., Dec. 4, 9-10 a.m. Free. For more information, call Maeve Visser Knoth at 650-328-2422 or e-mail visser-knoth@smcl.org or visit www.smcl.org. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton

Concerts

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra presents "Gloria!"
Philharmonia Chorale director Bruce Lamott & co-concertmaster Elizabeth Blumenstock will conduct the Orchestra & the Philharmonia Chorale in a concert of instrumental & vocal Baroque holiday favorites, featuring Vivaldi's "Winter" from "The Four Seasons" and "Gloria." Fri., Dec. 4, 8-10:30 p.m. $30-$75. For more information, call Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra at 415-252-1288 or e-mail info@philharmonia.org or visit www.philharmonia.org. First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto

Dance

Ballroom Dancing
Tango will be taught Fri., Nov. 20, 8 p.m. Lessons for beginning and intermediate levels, no experience and no partner necessary. General dance party 9 p.m.-midnight. Singles and couples welcome. Free refreshments. Dressy casual attire. $8 For more information, call Robin Rebello at 650-856-9930 or e-mail fridaynightdance@yahoo.com or visit www.readybyte.com/fridaynightdance. Cubberley Community Center Pavilion, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Dance Connection's Nutcracker Ballet
Dance Connection Performances, Dec. 4, 5, and 6. Dates and times: Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 & 7 p.m. Sunday, 3 p.m. $12-$18 in advance, $16-$22 at the door. For more information, call Cindy Ginanni at 650-852-0418 or e-mail info@danceconnectionpaloalto.com or visit www.danceconnectionpaloalto.com. Spangenburg Theatre @ Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto

Environment

Exhibits

"A Revolutionary Idea"
The Hoover Institution is marking the 90th anniversary of its founding with an exhibit titled "A Revolutionary Idea: Hoover Making History since 1919." The Institution was established following World War I through the efforts and philanthropy of Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Call 650-723-3563 or e-mail lmaune@stanford.edu or visit www.hoover.org/hila/exhibits/48080107.html. Hoover Institution Stanford University, 434 Galvez Mall, Stanford

"Horsing Around in San Mateo County"
The exhibit will feature 20 miniature saddles by local artist Reg Buyle and include historic photographs chronicling the use of horses in San Mateo County for transportation, sports and entertainment. Through Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $2-$4. Call 650-299-0104 or e-mail susan@historysmc.org or visit www.historysmc.org. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City

"Meccano-Mania"
MOAH offers a glimpse into the model crafter’s world of the early 20th century with "Meccano-Mania," an exhibit of models by modeler Charlie Pack. A giant Ferris wheel, a rocket-jet ride, a cable car railway and an unusual no-rail ”railway” are among the operating models in the exhibit. Through Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. For more information, call Laurie Hassett at 650-321-1004 or e-mail admin@moah.org or visit www.moah.org. Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., palo Alto

"Recent Arrivals: Rare Books, Manuscripts & Archives"
Exhibition of recent acquisitions to Stanford University Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives, from the 1468 manuscript of Jacob de Voragine's "Legenda Aurea" to the editing of William Burroughs's "Naked Lunch," and including artwork for the Stanford Memorial Church mosaics. Through December, For more information, call Elizabeth Fischbach at 650-725-1020 or e-mail efischba@stanford.edu or visit library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/exhibits/index.html. Peterson Gallery, Green Library, Stanford University, Stanford

"Rodin! The Complete Stanford Collection"
The Cantor Arts Center expands the display of Rodin's work, with the Center's entire collection of Rodin's bronzes, plasters and waxes on view. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu. until 8 p.m. Free. Call 650-723-4177 or visit museum.stanford.edu. Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford

Earthquake Exhibit
"I Survived the Great Quake of 1989: Recollections of Loma Prieta Earthquake." The exhibit runs through Dec. 6 and will feature KGO-TV news coverage, photographs, artifacts and residents' personal accounts. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $4 adults, $2 students & seniors, kids under 6 free For more information, call Diane Rummel at 650-299-0104 or e-mail diane@historysmc.org or visit www.historysmc.org. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City

Frank Lobdell Figure Drawings
Nov. 11, 2009 - Feb. 21, 2010. This exhibition features about 60 figure drawings Frank Lobdell completed throughout his career as he developed his signature vocabulary of abstract expressionism. The drawings in ink, pencil, crayon and wash date from from the 1960s and 1970s. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. free. For more information, call Margaret Whitehorn at 650-724-3600 or e-mail mmwhite@stanford.edu or visit museum.stanford.edu/news_room/LobdellFigureDrawings.html. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford

Keeble & Shuchat Photography
Photographs by David Craven "Moments in Time" from around the world are now showing in The Gallery. Through Nov. 29, 9 a.m (11 a.m. Sun.).-5:30 p.m. For more information, call Pat Hausmann at 650-327-8996 or e-mail accounting@kspphoto.com or visit www.kspphoto.com. Keeble & Shuchat Photography, 290 California Ave., Palo Alto

Longing for Sea Change
This series of video installations by contemporary artists living and working in Africa and the diaspora addresses broad human issues of humanity in moments of upheaval, fragmentation and transition. (Museum open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.) Through June 26, 2011, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. free. For more information, call Margaret Whitehorn at 650- 724-3600 or e-mail mmwhite@stanford.edu or visit museum.stanford.edu/news_room/sea_change.html. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford

Paintings by Janna Mitchell
A combination of watercolor, inks, gouache and collage. Through Dec. 20, 10-9 p.m. Free. For more information, call Jan Fisher at 650-493-4430 ext. 254 or e-mail JFisher@itp.edu or visit www.itp.edu. Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, 1069 E. Meadow Circle, Palo Alto

Family and Kids

"Karaoke Madness" programs
"Karaoke Madness" a program for kids that includes singing, costumes and cupcakes, will be held on Mondays (ages 4-6) and Wednesdays (ages 7 +). Call 650-323-8330 or e-mail magicmoments@snipits.com or visit www.snipits.com. Snip-its Town & Country Village, 855 El Camino Real,, Palo Alto

Film

"Duois Anastasia Tracea / Anastasia Passed By"
Stanford Romanian Film Series presents, "Duois Anastasia Tracea / Anastasia Passed By." 1979; directed by Alexandru Tatos; 95 min. Subtitled in English. Intro and Q&A by Suzan Negip-Schatt, lecturer in Romanian, Stanford Special Language Program. Dec. 4, 7-9 p.m. Free. For more information, call CREEES at 650-725-2563 or e-mail creeesinfo@stanford.edu or visit creees.stanford.edu. Stanford University, Building 260 (Pigott Hall), Room 113, Stanford

Health

Nutrition: Private Counseling for 50+
45-minute individual counseling session to help with your specific dietary needs. For those 50+. By appointment. Every Friday, 9-11 a.m. $10. Call 650-289-5400. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto

Live Music

Local-Talent Night
Local artists perform at Caffe' Sportivo every Friday and Saturday evening. Acts include bands, musicians, improv and comedy. 6-9 p.m. Free. For more information, call Chris Aakelarios at 650-369-4568 or e-mail csakelarios@gmail.com or visit caffesportivo.com. Caffe' Sportivo, 965 Brewster Ave., Redwood City

Peruvian Night
DJ MGD spins Latin American songs all night long every first and third Saturday of the month. Free. Call 650-964-9151 or visit www.ststephensgreen.com/index.html. St. Stephen's Green, 223 Castro St., Mountain View

The Metaphysics of Notation
Mark Applebaum, associate professor in Stanford's Department of Music, composed "The Metaphysics of Notation" specifically for installation at the Cantor Arts Center. Students, faculty, and visiting artists interpret and perform the work on site each Friday until February. noon-1 p.m. Free. Visit museum.stanford.edu/news_room/facultychoice2009-10.html. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive (at Museum Way), Stanford

On Stage

"A Civil War Christmas"
TheatreWorks presents the West Coast premiere of "A Civil War Christmas," a musical. Fact and fiction, old-time carols, and traditional tunes entwine in a saga of a divided nation longing for hope. Dec. 2-27, $26-$62. For more information, call TheatreWorks at 650-463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Outdoors

Religion/Spirituality

Seniors

50 Plus Dinners
Senior are invited to an evening of fellowship, food and entertainment. First and third Fridays of the month. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $6 donation. Call 650-323-8600 or e-mail info@mppc.org or visit www.mppc.org. Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, 950 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park

Special Events

Blach School Holiday Faire
More than 80 booths where Blach 7th and 8th grade students sell hand-crafted jewelry, candles, toys, holiday decorations, candy, food and more. Proceeds benefit the Blach PTA. 12:30-4 p.m. Free. For more information, call Blach Junior Highschool at 650-934-3800 or visit www.blachschool.org. Blach Junior High School, 1120 Covington Road, Los Altos

Emerald Cities
This exhibition of decorative and religious arts explores Thailand and Burma’s shared culture. Fri., Dec. 4, 7-8 p.m. Free. For more information, call Atherton Library at 650-328-2422 or e-mail atherton@smcl.org or visit www.smcl.org/libraries/ath/events/. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton

Fabrication
Handcrafted items such as table linens, soaps, X-mas and special-occasion Cards, hand-dyed yarns and more. Dec. 4-5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. For more information, call Margaret Gaynes E-mail mgaynes@yahoo.com or visit fabricationcraftsale.web.officelive.com/default.aspx. Creekside Inn, 3400 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Sports

Support Groups

Talks/Authors

The Quest for Energy in Eurasia
A roundtable discussion: 1. "Turkey's Role in Eurasian Energy Policy" Suhnaz Yilmaz, Aassociate professor international relations, Koc University (Istanbul) 2. "Identity Politics of Energy Policy: Ukraine and Russia." Scott Littlefield, doctoral candidate, POLIS, University of Cambridge. Fri., Dec. 4, noon-1 p.m. Free. For more information, call CREEES at 650-725-2563 or e-mail creeesinfo@stanford.edu or visit creees.stanford.edu. Stanford University, Encina Hall West, Room 208, Stanford

Waverley Writers Poetry Open Mic
Poetry to be spoken and heard aloud. Every First Friday except for July and August. 7:30-10 p.m. Free. Call 650-424-9877. Waverley Writers, 957 Colorado (near Greer), Palo Alto

Teen Activities

"Club 201"
The "Club 201" dance is being held for Mountain View middle-school students. Tickets are on sale through Dec. 4 at Graham and Crittenden after-school sites, the Mountain View Community Center and the House. Students must bring ticket and ID to the door the night of the dance. Fri., Dec. 4, 7-9:30 p.m. $5 in advance/$7 at the door. For more information, call Kristine Pardini at 650-903-6410 or e-mail kristine.pardini@mountainview.gov or visit www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/city_hall/comm_services/recreation_programs_and_services/teen_services.asp. Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View

Volunteers

Junior Museum & Zoo
Office volunteers are needed to help with fundraising, community relations and special events. Data input, mailings, internet research, etc. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. For more information, call Molly at 650-326-6338 or e-mail info@friendsjmz.org or visit www.friendsjmz.org. Junior Museum & Zoo, 1451 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Nature Center Hosts
Volunteers needed to greet visitors, answer questions, and encourage exploration on weekends at the Daniels Nature Center at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. Training is required and will be provided. Must be at least 18 years of age. Call 650-691-1200 or e-mail docent@openspace.org or visit http://www.openspace.org/volunteer/volunteer.asp. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve

Stanford Cats Need Foster Homes
Stanford Cat Network needs foster homes for newcomer cats to campus. For more info and to volunteer, visit the SCN website and complete the Foster Home Profile: http://catnet.stanford.edu/support_foster.html . Adoption fair help also needed. Opportunities ongoing. For more information, call Stanford Cat Network at 650-566-8287 or e-mail catnetwork@lists.stanford.edu or visit catnet.stanford.edu. Stanford Cat Network, P.O. Box 18287, Stanford

Volunteer guide opportunity
Volunteer to introduce children to nature, an organic garden and farm animals. No experience needed. Training is provided. Opportunities ongoing. For more information, call Nayna Patel at 650-949-8655 or e-mail volunteers@hiddenvilla.org or visit www.hiddenvilla.org. Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos