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Calendar

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Special Events

'Family History Open House' Jay Verkler, outgoing CEO of Family Search, will speak on "The Future of Your Past: Moving Forward with Family History." The event also includes free classes on many subjects, displays and a book sale, lunch and a printed syllabus. Feb. 25, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. Menlo Park Family History Center, 1105 Valparaiso Ave., Menlo Park. www.mpfhc.org

'Our Town' The Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory presents "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. March 2-4 & 9-11 (Preview March 1). $15-$40. Lane Hall Theatre, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-8282, extension 105. www.pvtc-ca.org

Talks/Authors

Vallombrosa Center Lecture Series Tom Plante, professor of psychology at Santa Clara University, will speak on "Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: A Decade of Crisis." Plante will have just returned from a conference in the Vatican on the crisis. Feb. 26, 2-4 p.m. $20 suggested donation. Vallombrosa Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-325-5614. www.vallombrosa.org

Marcus Paul Cootsona discusses his book "Occam's Racquet: 12 Steps to Smarter Tennis." Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Buy event book or $10 gift card to admit two. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321.

Brian Appleton discusses his book "Tales from the Zirzameen," short stories about Iranian culture and society as well as the American expatriate culture there in the 1970s. Feb 23, 7 p.m. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321.

The Cantor Museum at Little House Lecture and photo tour of main Cantor Arts Center galleries. Docents: Gretchen Ostenberg and Judy Ousterhout. Feb. 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m. $3 general ($2 for members). Little House Activity Center, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-326-2025, ext. 229. www.penvol.org

Classes/Workshops

'Fleece Hobo Bag Workshop' All materials provided for this crafts class for students ages 9 and older. March 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. www.smcl.org

'Zero Net Energy Bootcamp' Taught by Ann Edminster and Rick Chitwood, this class provides a perspective on "zero-net energy" home planning, design and construction. Registration required. Feb. 29, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. Redwood City Main Library, Community Room, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. Call 650-599-1480. www.pge.com/pec/classes/5585.htm

Dance

Caliente Latin Dancing Students will learn the style, steps, timing and music of cha cha, swing, samba and merengue. Wednesdays through Feb. 29, 7-7:45 p.m. $40 per 5-week session/$12 drop-in. Little House Activity Center, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-326-2025, ext. 222. www.penvol.org

Line Dancing No partner needed. Wednesdays, Feb. 29-April 4, 10-11 a.m. $45 per 6-week session, $8 drop-ins. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park. Call 650-326-2025, ext. 222. www.penvol.org

Et Alia

'Playing Grown-Up: Toys from the Harry P. Costa Collection' Exhibit explores toys from 1930s, 1940s and 1950s that allowed children to mimic the activities of adults. Feb. 14-Dec. 31, Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 adults, $3 seniors/students, free for children 5 & under, free for association members. San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Call 650-299-0104. www.historysmc.org

'Growing Up Asian in America' Essays and artwork from 2011 by K-12 students are featured with the theme of "Lost and Found." Feb. 4-29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 650-851-0147. www.asianpacificfund.org