http://www.mv-voice.com If it is local and useful, it is on mv-voice.com. en-us With "Big Miracle," the new PG "Save the Whales" drama starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski, perhaps the title sets an expectation that Ken Kwapis' movie can't quite deliver. The original title was "Everybody Loves Whales," which suggests a sitcom nobody wants to see. -- PC]]> This chilling adaptation of Susan Hill's 1983 novel offers British actor Daniel Radcliffe a chance to shed his "Harry Potter" persona. Radcliffe plays it somber and stoic in "The Woman in Black," his understated performance complementing the film's spooky atmosphere. -- TH]]> Each week the Voice heads downtown to ask passersby a question about a current event. Watch the video to hear locals' opinions about lunches in Mountain View schools.]]> A week after the First Lady and the nation's agriculture secretary unveiled new federal standards for school meals, local education officials are still figuring out exactly what the new nutrition rules will mean for Mountain View schools.
]]> Benefit concert: Colbie Caillat
The Children's Health Council (CHC) will present a benefit concert with singer/guitarist Colbie Caillat on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 8:15 p.m at the Fox Theatre, 2223 Broadway, Redwood City. The Palo Alto-based CHC helps children with autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, developmental delays and other challenges. Tickets are $150-750.

Music: Master Sinfonia concert
Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra performs Mozart, Wagner and Martin Rokeach's new Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, with soloist Diane Maltester on Sunday, Feb. 5, at Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos. 2 p.m. Tickets are $5-$20, withy a free reception at intermission.

Festival: Lunar New Year
Redwood City will host a Lunar New Year celebration for the year of the dragon on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Courthouse Square. The celebration will include lion dancers, Red Panda Acrobats, martial arts, kids' arts, zodiac-themed crafts, food and an inflatable playland. Admission is free.]]> Music: Chris Cucuzza
Morocco's Restaurant will host a performance by Chris Cucuzza, a flamenco guitarist with 15 years of experience, today, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. Cucuzza will perform all original work at the event at 873 Castro St. in Mountain View. No cover charge, but reservations recommended.
]]> The Valley Transportation Authority just completed a major solar panel installation at three bus maintenance yards, including its Mountain View yard on La Avenida Street. The reduction in greenhouse gases from the project will be equal to taking 9,000 cars off the road every year, the VTA reports.]]> The battle between Bullis Charter School and the Los Altos School District continues.]]> Author: Mike Bradley at MVHS
Mike Bradley gives a free talk about his book "Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy! Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind" tonight, Feb. 2, at Mountain View High School, 3535 Truman Ave., Mountain View. From 7-9 p.m. Topics include the workings of the teenage brain.

Lecture: Martha Nussbaum
Martha Nussbaum will appear at Cubberley Auditorium today, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. for her lecture "Not for Profit: Why Democracy needs the Humanities." She will discuss the dangers of focusing on national economic gain, nations, and their systems of education, while discarding humanities and the arts. Cubberley Auditorium is located at 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford.]]> Memorial services have been planned for Foothill College football coach and Palo Alto native Doug Boyett, who passed away in his sleep last Friday night at age 52.]]> Former Saratoga Mayor Kathleen King has withdrawn from the race for Liz Kniss' seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, leaving former Palo Alto Mayor Joe Simitian as one of three candidates vying to replace Kniss.]]> A state-ordered shut down of Mountain View's downtown Revitalization Authority took effect today, and city officials are not happy.
]]> Joe Simitian's quest to retake his former seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is benefiting from a strong lead in cash raised, newly released campaign-finance documents show.]]> Music: Middle Eastern Music & Belly Dancing show
Morocco's restaurant will host a mini belly-dancing class from 6:30 p.m. today, Feb. 1, and professional dancers will perform after that. Reservations are recommended to the event at 873 Castro St. in Mountain View.

Art exhibit: Walker Evans
The Cantor Arts Center will present an exhibit of photos by American photographer Walker Evans during his 50-year career. The exhibit opens today, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. at the Stanford University museum. Free admission.

]]> The local high school district marked the completion of a major Measure A-funded construction project on Tuesday morning -- with a splash.]]> Mountain View businesses that move large amounts of mail through the Post Office may soon have to make a trip to Los Altos, according to a new proposal from the U.S. Postal Service.]]> The department of psychiatry at the Mountain View branch of Kaiser Permanente closed its doors Tuesday as a direct result of a union strike.]]> After the city threatened to shut Hacker Dojo down on Jan. 31, a fire alarm being installed at the last minute will allow computer programmers to use the gathering space as long as a continued effort is made to meet city codes.]]> Art exhibit: 'Libations'
Gallery 9 in Los Altos will begin showing a photography exhibit celebrating spirits, their vessels and the craft of their creation today, Jan. 31, through Feb. 25 at 143 Main St., Los Altos. The gallery is open Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sun., noon-4 p.m.

Class: Master rose gardening
Master Gardeners will describe how to prune roses to improve their health, vigor, structure and appearance. The free class is today, Jan. 31, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos.]]> Doug Boyett was a football man and a family man. That was evident when he traveled to Pasadena earlier this month to watch his nephew, John, help the Oregon Ducks beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. That, however, was the last football game Boyett ever saw in person.]]> Music: World Harmony Chorus
Students of World Harmony Chorus at The Community School of Music and Arts will perform songs from around the globe tonight, Jan. 30, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. Admission is free.
]]> Mountain View resident Monica Spiller has made it her life's mission to promote whole grains, a passion that has led her to sell once-forgotten varieties of wheat seed, and the pasta and flour made with it.
]]> El Camino Hospital has opened an addiction treatment service aimed at helping local professionals and students struggling to kick their dependence on drugs and alcohol, while still going to work or school during the day.]]> Besides a temporary tax hike for public education, Gov. Jerry Brown is attempting a deeper reform to school finance in his budget proposal, state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, told a crowd of educators Saturday.]]> California Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, spoke about pipeline safety and the Sept. 9, 2010, explosion in San Bruno that killed eight people during a brief press conference in front of Palo Alto City Hall Thursday afternoon. Video by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online.]]> The California Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the Los Altos School District on Jan. 18, effectively ending the years-long battle between the district and Bullis Charter School over equitable sharing of the district's facilities and funds.]]> A new public opinion survey has local education officials feeling fairly confident that there is enough support from local voters to pass a $196 million bond measure.]]> Schools: Education update with state Sen. Joe Simitian
State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, will discuss school funding and pending legislation in an "education update" in Palo Alto Saturday, Jan. 28. The event will be from 10 a.m. to noon in the board room of the Palo Alto Unified School District headquarters, 25 Churchill Ave.

Dance: Diavolo Dance Theater
Diavolo Dance Theater returns to Stanford Lively Arts with a routine that's centered on an enormous cube, a prop that dancers, gymnasts, actors and athletes work with and against during the course of the show. The show will be performed Saturday, Jan. 28, at 3 and 8 p.m. at Stanford's Memorial Auditorium.

Music: Charles Ferguson
Charles Ferguson will perform solo classical guitar pieces along with guest artists on violin, piano and violoncello. Ferguson will perform original works and others at the Dinkelspiel Auditorium Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. General admission $10 and student admission is $5.]]> City officials say that the popular classroom and open office space for computer programmers, Hacker Dojo, may be red-tagged and shut down on Jan. 31 if the non-profit does not meet some potentially pricey city code requirements. ]]> Theater: 'Doubt, A Parable'
Sister Aloysius, principal at a Bronx school, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of his male students in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by John Patrick Shanley tonight, Jan. 26, at Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Alto. Runs through Feb. 18. Tickets are $26-32.
]]> Music: David Lang Program
The a cappella vocal ensemble Theatre of Voices will appear with other musicians at the Dinkelspiel Auditorium in Stanford tonight, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. to perform music by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lang. Reserved seating is $44/50.
]]> Theater: 'The Pitmen Painters'
TheatreWorks presents "The Pitmen Painters," a Lee Hall comedy-drama play about six 1930s miners who become stars of the art world tonight, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Tickets are $19-$69. Runs through Feb. 12 with shows Tues.-Sun.
]]> Barry Chang, a Cupertino city councilman who has vigorously fought pollution by the Lehigh Southwest Cement Company, is challenging state Sen. Joe Simitian for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors seat.]]> Music: CoHo Jazz Jams
Come to Coho tonight, Jan. 23, at 9 p.m. in the Stanford Tresidder Memorial Union to listen or play with local jazz musicians. The Tresidder Memorial Union is located at 459 Memorial Drive, Stanford. The jam will be led by Stanford jazz workshop faculty members.]]> On Stage: 'The Pirates of Penzance,' Joss Whedon-style
The Stanford Savoyards take a "Firefly"-esque approach to the Gilbert & Sullivan classic "The Pirates of Penzance" starting at 8 p.m. tonight, Jan. 20. They're doing the operetta set in Joss Whedon's "Firefly" universe, and performing it in Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford University. $20 general, $15 for staff and seniors, and $10 for students.]]> Music: The Special Consensus
The Chicago-area bluegrass band The Special Consensus will play a concert on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View at 1667 Miramonte Ave. The concert, which also features Snap Jackson & The Knock On Wood Players, begins at 8 p.m. after a 5 p.m. jam session. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Pies, cookies and other refreshments will be available.

Community: Multifaith celebration of Martin Luther King
A multifaith remembrance service, with choral-music performances and a talk-back session, will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Stanford's Memorial Church. Attendees are asked to bring donations of clean, gently used clothing to the free event.]]> Author: David Weinberger
Technologist and philosopher David Weinberger Weinberger presents "Too Big to Know: Rethinking Knowledge Now That the Facts Aren't the Facts, Experts Are Everywhere, and the Smartest Person in the Room" tonight, Jan. 19, at Books Inc. , 301 Castro St. , Mountain View. 7 p.m. Free.
]]> Talk: Deborah Hopkins
At 4:30 p.m. today, Jan. 18, Citi Chief Innovation Officer Deborah Hopkins will give a free talk on her company's methods of "delivering client-focused innovations" and creating partnerships with venture capitalists and others. The event is in NVIDIA Auditorium at the Huang Engineering Center, Stanford University.]]> Talk: 'New Approaches in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence'
Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at Mountain View's SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute, is planning a free talk at 4:15 p.m. tonight, Jan. 17, on "New Approaches in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence." The talk will be in Room 201 at the Hewlett Teaching Center at Stanford University.]]> Community: Martin Luther King tribute
Readings, archival video footage and a performance by the Ananda Singers are planned for a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.'s life at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Jan. 16. The free event is at East West Bookshop, 324 Castro St., Mountain View. Call 988-9800 to reserve a seat.
]]> Photography: Steve LaBadessa
"Celebrities to Real People" is the theme of a lecture and slideshow being presented from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 14, by photographer Steve LaBadessa, who has contributed to People magazine, Time and other publications. The event is at Keeble & Shuchat Gallery, 290 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. Tickets are $24.95.

Art: Tours at the Cantor Arts Center
Free monthly tours of the contemporary collection in the Cantor Arts Center's Friedenrich Gallery start Saturday, Jan. 14, at 3 p.m. The Stanford University museum is at Museum Way and Lomita Drive.

Theater: 'Moon for the Misbegotten'
Eugene O'Neill's play is a story of blarney, scheming and betrayal, with a performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, at Pear Avenue Theatre, 1220 Pear Ave., Unit K, Mountain View. Runs through Feb. 5, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. $15-$30. Call 650-254-1148.
]]> Community: King celebration
Jazz musicians will perform and awards will be given today, Jan. 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The free event will be at Tressider Memorial Union at Stanford University.
]]> Theater: 'A Moon for the Misbegotten'
The Pear Avenue Theatre previews its new production of O'Neill's "A Moon for the Misbegotten" at 8 p.m. tonight, Jan. 12, 1220 Pear Ave., Unit K, Mountain View. The show opens Friday and runs through Feb. 5, Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15-$30.

]]> Author: 'Railroaded'
Historian Richard White will give a free talk on his book "Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America," a book about rails, robber barons and political corruption. The event is at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Jan. 11, in Stanford University's Cubberley Auditorium at the school of education.
]]> Art: 'Trails and Tales'
Stone sculptor George Perazzo and pastel artist Charlotte Coqui team up in a new free exhibition at Gallery House at 320 California Ave. in Palo Alto. "Trails and Tales" features creatures and nature scenes, and runs through Feb. 4. ]]> Music: Ukulele Jam at Dana Street
The Ukulele Club of Silicon Valley holds its monthly jam session tonight, Jan. 9, Dana Street Roasting Company, 744 West Dana St., Mountain View. All levels welcome, and those without a ukulele can lend their voices instead. 7-9 p.m. Free.
]]> Music: Saint Michael Trio
On Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7:30 p.m., the Saint Michael Trio will mark five years together with a concert at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. The program will include Beethoven, rock and other new music. $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Author: Jacqueline Widmar Stewart
Palo Alto author Jacqueline Widmar Stewart will give a free author talk at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Books Inc., 74 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto. Her latest book is the photo-filled "Parks and Gardens of Greater Paris." A portion of all sales during the talk will go to the EPA Kids Foundation.

Music: Fortnightly Music Club
A free concert by the Fortnightly Music Club is planned for 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Lucie Stern Community Center Ballroom, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. The program features music by Beethoven (Norine Chang, violin), Bach and Schubert (David Saslav, tenor), and Liszt (Emiliya Serebrennikova, piano).]]> Families: LEGO landscape
The holidays are over, but the vast LEGO and model-train landscape is still on display at the Museum of American Heritage at 351 Homer Ave. in Palo Alto. The exhibit is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., through Jan. 15. Admission is $2.

]]> Author: Meg Waite Clayton
Palo Alto author Meg Waite Clayton is scheduled to speak tonight, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. at Books Inc., Town & Country Village, Palo Alto. She's marking the release of her book "The Four Ms. Bradwells" in paperback.
]]> Art: Sukey Bryan
Stanford painter and printmaker Sukey Bryan will have a reception today, Jan. 4, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for her new exhibition at Castilleja School. The free water-themed show runs through Feb. 3 at the school's Anita Seipp Gallery at 1311 Emerson St. in Palo Alto.
]]> Music: 'Moroccan Music Night'
Tribal and contemporary sounds alike will be heard tonight, Jan. 2, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. during a "Moroccan Music Night" at Morocco's Restaurant. The venue is at 873 Castro St. in downtown Mountain View.]]> New Year's Eve: British Bankers Club party
A Russian-themed New Year's Eve party is planned from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the British Bankers Club, 1090 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. The evening will include dinner, dancing, a dance performance and a raffle.

New Year's Eve: Lenny Williams and Earl Thomas
R&B singers Lenny Williams and Earl Thomas are scheduled to perform New Year's Eve at the Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City. Williams is perhaps best known for his 1978 hit "'Cause I Love You."

New Year's Day: San Francisco Chamber Orchestra
With violinist Robin Sharp as soloist, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra will give a free concert at 3 p.m. New Year's Day. The program, which includes Beethoven's Second Symphony, will be performed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto.]]> Singles' dance Pre-New Year's party
Singles adults of all ages welcome at a dance to celebrate New Year's Eve one night early tonight, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.-midnight at the Sheraton Hotel, 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. $20 at the door.

Music: Acoustic blues
The Mighty Mississippi acoustic-blues trio performs tonight, Dec. 30, from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Oak City Bar & Grill, 1029 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Dinner is served from 5 p.m.
]]> Food: Wine tasting
Morocco's Restaurant at 873 Castro St. in Mountain View is hosting a wine tasting from five regions of the world. The event is tonight, Dec. 29, starting at 6 p.m. Five wines and an appetizer are $15.]]> Music: Belly dancing and world music
World music night at Morocco's restaurant features a belly dancing jam by Adriana beginning at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 28, 873 Castro St., Mountain View. Music from the four corners of the world, ranging from tribal to contemporary, is set to play.
]]> Theater: 'The Secret Garden'
Tonight, Dec. 27, begins the last week of performances of TheatreWorks' "The Secret Garden." The musical is at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Tickets are $24-$64.
]]> Theater: "The Secret Garden," presented by TheatreWorks, 8 p.m., Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto.]]> Music: Dave Rocha Jazz Group
Today (Dec. 21) at 12:30 p.m., the Dave Rocha Jazz Group plays a free concert of American jazz standards in the Stanford Hospital atrium. The weekly concert series brings a mix of musical styles for patients, hospital staff and visitors to hear.]]> Music: Michael Griego
Classical guitarist Michael Griego plays a free show of holiday music tonight (Dec. 20) at 7 p.m. at Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View.]]> Art: Ken Edwards
Paintings by Ken Edwards are currently on display in the lobby of the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts at 500 Castro St. A retired firefighter, Edwards describes his abstract works as "nonobjective" and "a combination of shapes, marks, colors, textures and happy accidents."
Writing: Memoir class
The Los Altos Library is hosting a free class on memoir-writing, from 2 to 3 p.m. today (Dec. 19). The event is at 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos.]]> Music: Main Street Singers concert
Los Altos High School's Main Street Singers and organist Jin Kyung Lim put on a holiday concert Saturday, Dec. 17, at Los Altos Lutheran Church, 460 South El Monte Ave., Los Altos. 7 p.m. Donations in place of admission will benefit the Community Services Agency of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View.

Music: The Gryphon Carolers
Saturday night, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m., the Gryphon Carolers perform their annual eclectic holiday concert, with international and original songs. The performance is at Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Tickets are $10-$20.

Music: 'Sweet Joy'
The Peninsula Women's Chorus performs a program called "Sweet Joy" at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto. Music includes a trio of "Ave Marias" by Poulenc, Biebl and MacIntyre. Tickets are $10-$30.

Art: Outdoor sculpture tours
A free tour of outdoor sculptures at Stanford's Cantor Arts Center starts at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, in front of the museum. It will cover works by Auguste Rodin, Mark di Suvero and others.]]> Music: Holiday concert at CSMA
Merit Scholarship students from the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) perform in a free holiday concert tonight, Dec. 16, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View.

Music: 'Annual Messiah Sing Along/Play Along'
Singers and musicians can bring their voices to the annual sing- and play-along of Handel's "Messiah" at Stanford's Memorial Church. The event is at 8 p.m. tonight, Dec. 16. $10 general, $9 seniors and $5 students.
]]> Author: Lori Jespersen
Tonight, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m., clinical psychologist Lori Jespersen gives an author talk on her new book, "From This Day On," about incorporating new insight into everyday life. The event is at East West Bookstore, 324 Castro St., Mountain View. Admission is free, but call 650-988-9800 to reserve a seat. ]]> Author: Patrick Hunt
Tonight, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Stanford Bookstore on campus, Patrick Hunt will read from and sign his book "Puer Natus Est." The book looks at 2,000 years of Advent-themed art and includes illuminated manuscripts and other images.
]]> Music: Classical guitar
Mountain View musician Michael Griego plays classical and Christmas-themed guitar music at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 13, at Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View. The show is free, and he'll give a repeat performance on Dec. 20.]]> Music: 'Messiah Sing'
Schola Cantorum hosts its 45th annual "Messiah Sing" tonight, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. An orchestra will play from the stage as singers contribute their voices from the audience. $20 general; $16 for seniors, students and children. Groups discount available.

]]> Family: Los Altos tree lighting and movies
Eggnog, caroling and the lighting of the Heritage Oak at Los Altos Town Hall is followed by movies on Saturday, Dec. 10, 6:30-9 p.m. at 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills. Free.

Family: 'A Victorian Christmas with John Doan'
John Doan, an Emmy-nominated touring and recording artist, leads a mad-cap musical tour of Victorian Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 10, 7-9 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View, 1667 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View. Suggested donation $12 adults; $5 children.

Family: 'The Chanukah Experience'
On Sunday, Dec. 11, a public kids' Chanukah party is planned at the Lucie Stern Community Center at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, hosted by Chabad of Greater South Bay. The party will go from 1 to 4 p.m. with games, arts and crafts, latke-making and a bounce house. $5 per child (parents get in free). ]]> Music: 'Weinachtsfest'
Christmas will be celebrated in high Bach style tonight, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m. when the Bay Choral Guild gives a concert at the First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. The program features C.P.E. Bach's "Magnificat" and Cantatas I and VI of J.S. Bach's "Christmas Oratorio." $25 general and $20 for seniors and students.

Family: LEGO holiday display
Palo Alto's Museum of American Heritage opens its annual LEGO holiday display tonight, Dec. 9, at 351 Homer Ave. The huge panorama of trains and buildings, landmarks and people crafted from LEGO bricks is up through Jan. 15, open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $2.]]> Music: Hot Kugel at Morocco's
Hot Kugel performs Klezmer with pinches of old-time jazz, ethnic folk, theater and American popular music, blues, rock and reggae a dash of psychedelia tonight, Dec. 8, 6 p.m.-midnight at Morocco's Restaurant, 873 Castro St., Mountain View. No cover charge.
]]> Dance: Smuin Ballet
The San Francisco-based Smuin Ballet brings its holiday program to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts at 500 Castro St. this month starting at 8 p.m. tonight, Dec. 7. Local performances continue through Dec. 11. $52-$65.]]> Music: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Tonight, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m., the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra gives a concert at the First United Methodist Church at 625 Hamilton Ave. in Palo Alto. The program features Bach's Mass in B Minor with four soloists. Tickets are $25-$100.
]]> Community: Downtown tree-lighting celebration

Live holiday music, refreshments, lights and the arrival of Santa Claus tonight, Dec. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. Free. Children may have their photo taken with Santa, and attendees are encouraged to bring canned food to donate to the Giving Tree benefiting the Community Services Agency.
]]> Art: Open Studios and Family Day
On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Cubberley Artists team up with the Palo Alto Art Center to host a free event that is part open studios and part family day, at the Cubberley Artists' Studios in E, F and U wings at the Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Visitors can enter studios to view and buy art during the open studios from 1 to 5 p.m., and take part in family craft-making activities from 2 to 4 p.m.

Family event: German holiday market
Artisans offer an array of natural and handcrafted gift items at the 6th annual Weihnachtsmarket on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 3-7 p.m. at German International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St., Mountain View. The event includes live music, student performances and a visit from Santa. Free admission.

Family event: Westwind holiday barn lighting
Westwind Community Barn celebrates the holiday season with home-baked cookies, hot cider and wine-tasting with local vintners. For children, there are seasonal games, crafts, pony rides, a petting zoo, an equestrian expo and visits with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m. at Westwind Community Barn, 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills. Free.

Music: Juilliard String Quartet
Stanford's Dinkelspiel Auditorium will host the Juilliard String Quartet at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. The concert program will include Stravinsky's "Three Pieces for String Quartet" and Janacek's first quartet. $48-$56 general, $43-$51 students, $24-$28 under 18, and $10 Stanford students.]]> Dance: 'The Nutcracker'
The Mountain View-based Western Ballet Company opens its production of "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 2, at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Later performances are at 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4. $30 general, $27 seniors and students, and $25 ages 12 and under.
]]> Film: Palo Alto Humane Society
The 1961 Disney film "Greyfriars Bobby," about a devoted terrier in 19th-century Scotland, will be shown tonight, Dec. 1, at the Aquarius Theatre, 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto. The holiday party, which includes the film screening, costumes and bagpipes, begins at 7 p.m. and benefits the Palo Alto Humane Society. Producer and composer Phil Giffin will emcee the event. Admission is $2.
]]> Lecture: Pulitzer Prize winners
Los Angeles Times journalists Jeff Gottlieb, Ruben Vives and Paloma Esquivel will give a free talk tonight, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. about breaking the 2011 Pulitzer Prize-winning stories about corruption in Bell, California. The event is in Paul Brest Hall East, 555 Salvatierra Walk (off Campus Drive), in the Munger Graduate Residence Building 4 at Stanford University.]]> Art: 'Seeing Red'
Scarlet, auburn, vermilion and fire-engine may be some of the shades spotted this fall at Gallery 9 at 143 Main St. in Los Altos. The gallery is hosting "Seeing Red," a show of sculptures, paintings, jewelry, metalwork, prints and other works of art by various artists through Dec. 24.]]> Art: Judy Gittelsohn
Paintings by Palo Alto artist Judy Gittelsohn are on display at the Vino Locale wine bar at 431 Kipling St. in downtown Palo Alto through Dec. 31. The artist is showing both abstracts and figurative works that give unusual perspectives on the ordinary; a vaguely Cubist cat, for example.]]> Stanford Historical House & Garden Tour offers insights into the way things were]]> ]]>