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COOL WEATHER CROPS ... John Jeavons, executive director of Ecology Action and author of "How to Grow More Vegetables," will teach two classes on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Common Ground Educational Center, 559 College Ave., Palo Alto. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., he'll teach "Winter Compost Crops and Diet," and from 2 to 4 p.m., he'll teach "Economic Mini-Farming." Each class is $27. Recommended reading for second class is Backyard Homestead and Ecology Action's Self-Teaching Mini-Series Booklets Nos. 18 and 26. For information, call 650-493-6072 or visit www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.

START A GARDEN NOW ... UCCE Master Gardener Karen Schaffer will give a free talk on starting a fall/winter vegetable garden on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Los Altos Main Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. Schaffer will talk about new and unusual varieties of vegetables, ranging from beets and bok choy to spinach. For information, visit mastergardeners.org or call 408-282-3105.

LOOK OUT, CHARLIE BROWN ... The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch returns to the Palo Alto Art Center, with viewing from Tuesday, Sept. 30, through Friday, Oct. 3, followed by the sale on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5. Viewing of thousands of glass pumpkins, made by members of the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI), is free. The pumpkins are displayed along the grassy mounds behind the art center. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Sale is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event is a fundraiser for art center programs and BAGI. For information, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/artcenter or call 650-329-2366.

ROOM MAKEOVER SECRETS ... Interior designer and Palo Alto Weekly columnist Kit Davey will teach a class called "I Love This Room Now! Room Makeover Secrets" on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Foothill College, Room 3202, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Focus is on redecorating without buying new furnishings, creating a floor plan, balancing color and accessorizing. Fee is $39, plus a $7 materials fee in class (and $2 in quarters or dollar bills for parking). For information, call 408-864-8817 or visit www.AFreshLook.net.

CACTUS IN CONTAINERS ... Linda Roark, a Gamble Garden volunteer who designed many of the succulent gardens sold at the spring plant sale, will teach the "Artistry of Succulents in Containers" on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Gamble Garden Center Carriage House, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. Fee is $50 for non-members, $40 for members. Each participant, who should come prepared to work outside at a table with hands in dirt, will bring home an assembled container garden. For information, call 650-650-329-1356 or visit www.gamblegarden.org.

JUBILATION ... John Lazar is celebrating his 50th year in the real-estate business this year. Lazar began his career at Hare, Brewer & Kelley in February 1958, after earning an MBA at Stanford University the year before. His career included eight years with California Lands Investment Co. before joining Cornish & Carey Realtors in 1971 (ultimately becoming a partner by the time it was sold to Coldwell Banker in 1997). He joined Cashin Co. in 2004 and today works with his wife, Ginna Arnold Lazar, in the Palo Alto Cashin office.