On the Blackboard On the Blackboard (May 21, 2003)

LAUGH FOR EDUCATION . . . The Shlepperellas: Mothers Gone Mad will be performing a unique 90-minute comedy/musical revue as a fundraiser for the Palo Alto Unified School District May 24 at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Their performance depicts the hectic lives of two Silicon Valley mothers as they struggle to fulfill a multitude of roles. Tickets are $29 or $24 for seniors and can be purchased by calling (650) 903-6000. For more information go to www.shlepperellas.com.

LEADING PALY LEADERS . . . A new pilot class will be mandatory for Palo Alto High School students who hold elected or cabinet positions on the Student Council. The class, taught by Director of Student Activities Joann Vaars , will meet five times a week and address topics such as effective communication, event planning, policies and motivation methods as well as current events and issues. Students may also be assigned book reports on famous historical leaders.

CARNIVAL FOR CARAVAN . . .Adolescent Counseling Services will be celebrating Caravan House's 25th anniversary with a family carnival, "Spring Sounds in the Park," on June 1. Caravan House is a long-term residential group home located in Palo Alto for teenage girls ages 12 to 18 who have been removed from their families due to abuse or neglect. The celebration will take place in Bowden Park at the corner of California Ave. and Alma St. in Palo Alto.
CONCERTO CONCERT CALLS . . . The Palo Alto Philharmonic will showcase the seven winners of its Youth Concerto Movement Competition on June 8. The winners were chosen from 60 contestants who submitted tapes or CDs. Finalists attended in-the-flesh auditions in March. The contest gave young musicians who did not know an entire concerto or other concert piece the opportunity to showcase their talents, as well as the chance to experience being a soloist. The concert will take place in Cubberley Theatre at 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, at 3 p.m.

PENNIES FOR MEMORIES... Emily Dubois, a Junior at Palo Alto High School, collected nearly $4,800 in pennies at last count. In what she calls The 1.5 Million Penny Drive, she hopes to collect a penny for every one of the 1.5 million children killed in the holocaust and send the money to the families of victims of terror in Israel. The money is collected in clear milk jugs at 15 area synagogues and five Jewish day schools, processed through accounts sponsored by her synagogue, Congregation Kolemeth. Donations will eventually be sent directly to families in Israel. Checks made out to Kolemeth-1.5 can be sent to Congregation Kolemeth, 4175 Manuela Av., Palo Alto 94306.