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Talks/Authors

'Arms Control in the Information Age' How can states combat cyber-weapons and warfare? Rose Gottemoeller, assistant secretary of state, will identify the challenges and opportunities created by information technology and outline the arms control agenda for the next century. Oct. 27, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Oak Lounge, Tresidder Memorial Union, 459 Lagunita Drive, Stanford.

'Can Technology Save California Governments?' A discussion on technology and government. Oct. 26, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Vidalakis Dining Room, Schwab Residential Center , Stanford.

'Capital and Its Discontents' Sasha Lilley will discuss the ideas presented in her new book, "Capital and Its Discontents." She posits that capitalism is stumbling, empire is faltering, and the planet is thawing. Yet many people are still grasping to understand these multiple crises and to find a way forward to a just future. Oct. 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $7-$15 suggested donation. Fireside Room, Unitarian Universalist Church, 505 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto.

'Women in Business: Love-Hate Relationship of Financing Your Business' A panel talks about alternative financing opportunities for women in business. Nov. 1, 6-9 p.m. $15 members, $25 nonmembers, $40 at the door. Club Fox, 2209 Broadway, Redwood City. Call 650-386-5015. www.gaba-network.org

Adam Gopnik explains how food helped families and friends come together and why those conversations and relationships were more important than what was actually put on the table. Nov. 1, 7-8 p.m. $12 members; $20 members. Cubberley Community Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

Italian Cooking Panel Emilia Terragni, translator and editor, Carol Field, author of "The Italian Baker," and Rosetta Constantino, author of "My Calabria," for a lively discussion of Italian cooking and stories. Oct. 27, 7 p.m. Free. Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. www.booksinc.net

Jim Newton Jim Newton discusses and signs his new book: "Eisenhower: The White House Years." Oct. 27, 7 p.m. Members free. General admission requires purchase of event book or $10 gift card. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com

Youth Event: Brian Selznick discusses his new book: "Wonderstruck." Oct. 27, 7 p.m. Free. Menlo Park Council Chambers, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321.

Youth Event: Tamora Pierce discusses and signs her latest book: "Mastiff: The Legend of Beka Cooper, #3." Oct. 28, 7 p.m. Free. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com

Arts

'Celebrating the Fine Arts in Portola Valley' A sample of the work of nine Portola Valley artists will be on display at the Kriewall-Haehl Gallery at Woodside Priory. Through Nov. 4, 3-6 p.m. Free. -Haehl Gallery at Woodside Priory, 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-218-8563.

Decker Walker's 'Other Seasons' The Portola Art Gallery presents "Other Seasons," a collection of oil paintings of local landscapes in seasons other than summer, by Peninsula painter Decker Walker. Through Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Portola Art Gallery, Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Call 650-321-0220. www.portolaartgallery.com

Plein Air Painting Demonstration Portola Art Gallery Presents free monthly painting demonstrations. "Plein Air Landscape" by Mark Monsarrat. Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-noon. The Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Call 650-906-2045. www.portolaartgallery.com

Classes/Workshops

'Federal Secrets Revealed' Four lectures from genealogical lecturer and federal records expert John Colletta, Ph.D. Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. $42. Menlo Park LDS Church, 1105 Valparaiso Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-306-3423. www.smcgs.org

'Kids in the Digital World' Parenting workshop led by Erica Pelavin, LCSW, PhD. This workshop will explore the digital landscape and provide parents with the information and tools they need to help their kids be smart and responsible digital users and creators. Oct. 27, 7-9 p.m. $35. Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto. Call 650-688-3040.

'Talking with Kids about Sex and Sexuality' Parenting workshop led by Torrey Mandell Freeman. Wed., Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m. $35. Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto. Call 650-688-3040.

'Yoga Therapeutics' This workshop, a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, will focus on ways to relieve pain using somatic movements, including the Feldenkrais Method and yoga. Movements will target long-held pain patterns in the hips, shoulders, and spine. The workshop will end with restorative-yoga techniques and meditation. Oct. 30, 1-3 p.m. Free or donation. Every Woman Health Club, 611 Jefferson Ave., Redwood City.

Concerts

'Bach-y Horror Show' Organist James Welch performs his annual Halloween concert, with Bach's Toccata, and appropriately spooky music written for Gothic cathedrals. Joining him are his sons Nicholas and Jameson in playing the music of Rachmaninov, Beethoven, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Audience members often attend in costume. Oct. 31, 8-9 p.m. $10 donation at the door. St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto. Call 650-856-9700. welchorganist.com

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra - 'Arias for Farinelli' Nicholas McGegan, conductor Vivica Genaux, mezzo-soprano. Concertos by Fasch, Telemann Arias by Vivaldi, Porpora, Broschi Orch. Suite by Rameau. Oct. 27, 8-10 p.m. $90, $77, $64, $51, $25. The Center for Performing Arts, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. Call 415-252-1288. www.philharmonia.org

Kids & Families

'Back to the Wild: Coyotes!' This nature education program includes games, techniques and advanced skills for gaining a greater awareness of the natural world. Each session is built around the seasonal changes and cycles of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Saturdays from Oct. 15 through Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $45. Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. Call 650-949-9704. www.hiddenvilla.org/calendar

'If You Give A Moose A Muffin' A live performance based on the book by Laura Numeroff, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin." Oct. 30, 1-2 p.m. Adult $19.50 /children $14.50. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway St., Redwood City. Call 650-369-7770. www.foxrwc.com

Babies & Books Storytime at PV Library Rhymes, songs, lap play and short stories for the very young. Mondays, 11-11:15 a.m. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www.smcl.org/en/content/portola-valley

Halloween Haunted House & Puppet Show Gamble Mansion becomes a haunted house for Halloween Oct. 30, 6:30-8 p.m. $10-15. Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. Call 650-329-1356 ext. 201. www.gamblegarden.org

Preschool Storytime Songs, stories and activities for kids ages 3-5. Mondays, 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Free. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton. Call 650-328-2422. www.smcl.org

Story Time with Marla Frazee Marla Frazee reads "Stars," her newest picture book. Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m. Free. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com

Et Alia

'Caring for the Caregiver' This talk is for caregivers and people taking care of themselves, offering tips for well-being. Nov. 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Palo Alto Family YMCA, 3412 Ross Road, Palo Alto. Call 650-856-9622. www.ymcasv.org/paloalto

Oak Knoll Elementary School Book Fair Oct. 23-28. Oak Knoll Elementary School, 1895 Oak Knoll Lane, Menlo Park.

Fun After Fifty Ballroom Dance The Redwood City Fun After Fifty Club is offering Ballroom Dancing on Fri., Oct. 28. Live music will be provided by the Fun After Fifty 10-piece band. 7:30-10 p.m. $5 ($7 for nonmembers). Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City. Call Fun After Fifty Ballroom Dance. rwcfaf.com

The Menlo Art League Annual Exhibit is at the Menlo Park Library in the downstairs community room from Oct. 2 through Oct. 28. Free.

Film Discussion Series "Visions of China" film discussion series will be led by Dr. P.A. Moore, adjunct faculty of Menlo College. The films will be shown on the third Friday of each month through November. 2-4 p.m. $3 members/$5 nonmembers. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Call 650-289-5436. avenidas.org

Historic Folger Stable Visitors can view the historically restored Folger Stable and miles of woodland trails. View historic displays and video in the carriage room. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. Free. Wunderlich Park, 4040 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 650-851-2660.

Avenidas Village Open Houses Celebrating Avenidas Village's 4th anniversary, two open houses will be held: Oct. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m., and Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees will learn how they can maintain their independence while remaining in their own home. Refreshments served, and everyone will receive a free gift. Free. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. Call 650-289-5405. avenidas.org

Halloweeding at the Faber Tract (East Palo Alto) Volunteers needed to remove non-native plants, plant native plants and help with shoreline cleanup. Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-noon. Free, Directions will be provided upon registration., East Palo Alto. Call 510-452-9261 ext. 109. www.saveSFbay.org/volunteer