By Lecture on women and art
San Jose Museum of Art Senior Curator Joanne Northrup reviews a new exhibition of 90 women artists who lived and worked in California between 1950 and 2000. The exhibit shows how California’s socio-political climate, periods of radical activism, waves of immigration, and advances in technology influenced artworks made by a range of women diverse in age, background, and artistic training. Northrup’s talk, sponsored by the Friends of the Los Altos Library, takes place 7:30 p.m., July 17, at the Los Altos main library, 13 S. San Antonio Road.
The exhibition tracks a new and still expanding artistic vocabulary. In Part One, Media-based Works and Performance, shows artists using earthworks, conceptual art, plus video, computers, fax, satellite and lasers for creative expression. Part two, painting, sculpture, and mixed media, includes more traditional works by Ruth Asawa, Jay DeFeo, Judy Chicago and Joan Brown, among others.
Northrup has a master’s degree in art history and museum studies from the University of Southern California. Her curatorial background includes the National Gallery in Washington, the Norton Simon Museum, and the de Saisset Museum. She joined the San Jose Museum of Art in 2001.
Ice cream social at Shoup
The Los Altos Senior Center’s third annual ice cream social, sponsored by the center’s Board of Directors, will be held 1-3:30 p.m., July 28, at the Garden House in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos.
Bring your friends, neighbors, children and grandchildren. “Ye Olde Town Band” will play favorite tunes.
Tickets are $1.50 in advance before July 25, $2 at the door.
PDC picnic scheduled for Aug. 24
The Peninsula Democratic Coalition picnic is scheduled for 5-8 p.m., Aug. 24, at the home of Mary and Jack Davey, 12645 La Cresta Drive, Los Altos Hills.
In addition to food and brief speeches, there will be an auction of valuable and sentimental political goods, with Joe Simitian doing the honors as auctioneer.
Consumers urged to read water report
The California Water Service Company joins the Environmental Protection Agency in encouraging customers to review the annual water quality report enclosed with their June water bill.
The report provides detailed water quality information, results of water quality testing, a description of where the water comes from, and answers to customers’ most frequently asked questions.
Those who drink tap water but whose bill goes to their landlord or homeowners association, can call 917-0920 to request a copy of the report.
For more information, logon to www.calwater.com.
Fire dept. offers free smoke detector inspections
To increase fire prevention awareness in the Los Altos area, the Santa Clara County Fire Department will be providing free smoke detector inspections and installation aid to local residents Aug. 8, 14 and 16.
The fire department says equipping a house with working detectors reduces residents’ likelihood of dying in a fire by 50 percent. The department recommends installing detectors near ducts or bathrooms and on every level of the home, as well as testing detectors once a month, replacing batteries once a year and replacing old detectors every 10 years. Most important, residents should make sure that everyone living in the home can hear the alarm and knows how to react.
For more informaton or to schedule a visit, call Gina Cali of the Santa Clara County Fire Department at (408) 341-4425 or 1-800-800-1793, ext. 4425.
Open space district holds summer events
Families eager to explore the outdoors can participate in the Los Altos-based Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s “Family Fun” events. Participants can engage in nature hikes, hands-on outdoor activities and trips to the Nature Center, free of charge.
Upcoming events include “Flowers, Seeds and Leaves, Oh My!” 1-3 p.m., July 20, which allows families to embark on a one-mile exploration to learn about plants.
August events include “Habitat Hike,” a two-mile expedition, 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 3, and “Pond Discovery,” a leisure walk around Alpine Pond that allows children an up-close view of pond wildlife.
The two final events are “Insect Prowl” 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 14, and “Nature Arts and Crafts” 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 28.
It is recommended that participants dress in layers and carry water bottles. The Nature Center is near the intersection of Page Mill Road and Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35).
For more information, call 691-1200.
Hidden Villa seeking farm guides
Hidden Villa Farm in Los Altos Hills needs volunteers one morning a week to guide the nearly 20,000 schoolchildren who are expected to visit the farm this school year. Volunteer times are Tuesday to Friday mornings, for a minimum of two hours.
For more information, call 949-8643.
