Art Galleries

Once In A Lifetime
A gallery by Paige K. Parsons, "Once In A Lifetime," a retrospective of 7 years of concert photography will show a t Keeble & Shuchat Gallery 290 S. California Avenue, Palo Alto. The artist reception will be Jan. 19 from 3-5 p.m. The gallery shows through Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call 650-327-8996 or visit kspphoto.com/gallery.html. Keeble & Shuchat Gallery, 290 S. California Ave., Palo Alto

Stanford Art Spaces - Stanford University
Paintings on Shaped Canvases by Brent Bushnell, Paintings by Sofia Carmi, Paintings by Jessica Eastburn, & Paintings by Alison Woods are on exhibit at the Paul G. Allen (C.I.S.) Art Spaces Gallery Reception Friday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Paul G. Allen reception area Stanford University. Open weekdays through March 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call Marilyn Grossman at 650-725-3622 or email marigros@cis.stanford.edu or visit cis.stanford.edu~marigros. Stanford Art Spaces, 420 Via Palou, Palo Alto

Valentine's Show
De Novo presents its annual Valentine's Show, with pieces by Jane Bohan, Raissa Bump, Karen Gilbert, Gabriella Gould, April Higashi and Valerie Mitchell. Jan. 26-Feb. 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 650-327-1256 or email services@denovo.com or visit www.denovo.com. De Novo Fine Contemporary Jewelry, 250 University Ave., Palo Alto

Auditions

Theatre Auditions for 'Nickel and Dimed'
The Foothill College Theatre Arts Department announces auditions for 'Nickel & Dimed' Feb. 10, from 7-10 p.m. in Appreciation Hall (Room 1501) or Feb. 12, from 7-10 p.m. in the Smithwick Theatre. All roles are open. Bring a headshot and resume. This is a non-equity performance and offers no pay. 7-10 p.m. Admission is free; parking is $3. For more information, call Tom Gough at 650-949-7268 or email GoughTom@foothill.edu or visit www.foothill.edu/theatre/nickel/auditions.php. Foothill College Smithwick Theatre, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills

Classes/Workshops

Creative Writing Life Stories
In this workshop attendees create a written record of their familys' oral stories for future generations and review personal history to gain new understanding of life experiences. Call instructor Sheila Dunec at 650-565-8087 before registering. Tuesdays, Jan. 8-March 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $150. For more information, call Judith Webb at 650-289-5436 or email jwebb@avenidas.org or visit avenida.org. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto

Edible Garden Series: From Design to Harvest
Attendees learn garden design and planning, composting, soil testing and preparation, seed propagation and transplanting, watering and how to nurture healthy edible crops. Feb. 2-May 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $325. For more information, call Patricia Becker at 650-493-6072 or email manager@commongroundinpaloalto.org or visit www.commongroundinpaloalto.org. Common Ground Garden Supply and Education Center, 559 College Ave., Palo Alto

Feldenkrais
Little house is offering feldenkrais classes to improve balance, flexibility and brain function. Exercises are on the floor so bring a towel or mat to lie on. Fridays, year-round. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. $40 members/ $45 nonmembers. For more information, call Deborah at 650-679-8113 or email dmdutton_assoc@yahoo.com or visit www.Umovebetter.com. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park

Impressionist Style Painting
Attendees learn color theory, value concept, composition, modern art history, technique and limited pallet method. Tuesdays, Jan. 15-March 5, 1-3:30 p.m. $80 members/$90 non-members. For more information, call Judith Webb at 650-289-5436 or email jwebb@avenidas.org or visit avenidas.org. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto

Community Events

Balanced View Open Meeting
Education in the Nature of the Mind Every Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Email www.paloalto@balancedview.org or visit www.balancedview.org. University Church, 1611 Stanford Avenue at Bowdoin, Palo Alto

MLK Jr. Community Disaster Preparedness Fundraiser
MLK Jr. Day through February's Black History Month, fundraiser to prevent public and social safety disasters in African American Communities across USA. Sponsored by Ravenswood Gardenkits Products and Free At Last Gardening Club. Jan. 15, For more information, call Leland at 650-461-0276 or email freeatlastgardens@yahoo.com. Ravenswood Community, 265 Tara Road, East Palo Alto

Dance

Exhibits

Los Altos Hills art exhibit
The Town of Los Altos Hills will sponsor an artist's exhibition of Mitchell and Nina Bricker's figurative paintings through March 1. For more information, call Karen Druker at 650-941-8073 or email kadruker@pacbell.net. Los Altos Hills Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills

'Community Creates'
Ten Bay Area artists have partnered with community members to inspire an exhibition in celebration of the re-opening of the Palo Alto Art Center following its $7.9 million renovation. Runs through April 2013. Free. Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/artcenter. Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto

Deborah Garber Art Exhibit
Bay Area artist Deborah Garber brings new floral images to Woodside in an exhibit opening Dec. 22. The new work in oil and pastel has up-close views of flowers, both exotic and commonplace. Also featured are some of Garber's familiar landscapes. Shows through March. 18, Tues-Sat, 5:30-9 p.m. For more information, call Deborah Garber Email DG@DeborahGarber.com or visit www.DeborahGarber.com. Station 1, 2991 Woodside Road, Woodside

Family and Kids

Health

Zumba with Katie
Zumba is an easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance. First class is free. Jan. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, call Katie Detwiler Email Ktdetwiler@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/zumbawithkatiepylypiak. Cubberly Community Center, 4000 middlefield Road , Palo Alto

On Stage

Outdoors

Religion/Spirituality

Insight Meditation South Bay
Shaila Catherine and guest teachers lead a weekly Insight Meditation sitting followed by a talk on Buddhist teachings. Tuesdays, Dec. 11-Feb. 12, 7:30-9 p.m. For more information, call Paul Ries at 650-857-0904 or email imsbpr@sbcglobal.net or visit imsb.org. St. Timothy's/Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road, Mountain View

Support Groups

Talks/Authors

Cafe Scientifique Silicon Valley @ SRI
"Governing Security: Implications for U.S. Science Policy, Risk Regulation, and Homeland Security," presented by Dr. Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Co-Director, Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. Feb. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, call Marty Ritchey at 650-859-2198 or email marty.ritchey@sri.com or visit www.sri.com/newsroom/events/cafe-scientifique-silicon-valley-sri-governing-security-implications-us-science-poli. SRI International, International Building / Parking directions: http://bit.ly/U1dido, Menlo Park

Keplers: Leonard Susskind
Physicist Susskind will discuss and signs his new book: "The Theoretical Minimum: What You Need to Know to Start Doing Physics." Susskind and Hrabovsky cover the minimum that readers need to study more advanced topics. Beginning with classical mechanics, the work ends with discussions of electromagnetic fields and chaos theory. Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Pam Grange at 650-324-4321 or email pam@keplers.com or visit www.keplers.com/event/leonard-susskind. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park

Volunteers

Lytton Gardens Senior Communities
Volunteer opportunities with seniors include friendly visits, pet visits, activities assistant, dining room host, staff assistance, more-than-a-meal program, spiritual support, leading a class, and music performance. Flexible schedule. Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call Bethany Dinh at 650-617-7355 or email bdinh@lyttongardens.org or visit www.lyttongardens.org. Lytton Gardens Senior Communities, 437 Webster St., Palo Alto

Now Recruiting Outdoor Education Leaders
There are volunteer opportunities with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. It involves working as part of a team and leading third through fifth grade students on field trips at the David C. Daniels Nature Center. Those interested can submit an interest form now to be included in the upcoming training. Through Feb. 12, Free Call 650-691-1200 or email jwilliams@openspace.org; docent@openspace.org or visit www.openspace.org/volunteer/volunteer.asp.