Astronomer to address scientific misconceptions
Author and astronomer Phil Plait of Sonoma State University is scheduled to give a nontechnical, illustrated talk titled “Bad Astronomy (In Everyday Life and the Movies)” 7 tonight, in the Smithwick Theater at Foothill College.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Parking costs $2 in quarters. For more information, call the series hot line at 949-7888.
Plait is an astronomer and a NASA educational resource director at Sonoma State University. He worked on Hubble Space Telescope data for 10 years, studying such astronomical phenomena as black holes, quasars, and the birth and death of stars.
He runs the Web site “Bad Astronomy” (www.badastronomy.com) and has written a book by that name, published by John Wiley.
Zimbabwe run scheduled for March 13
The sixth annual Run for Zimbabwe Orphans, newly renamed the Zimbabwe Run and Cultural Exhibit, is scheduled to begin at noon, March 13, at St. Joseph School, 1120 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View.
The run includes four levels of competition over dirt and grass for all ages and abilities. Ten runs are planned in 20-minute intervals, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with a half-mile run for kindergartners. First- through eighth-graders, high school students and adults can compete in one-mile runs in their separate divisions.
The run benefits AIDS orphans living in Makumbi Children’s Home in Zimbabwe. The entry cost is $5 per person. Entry blanks and contribution forms are available online at www.ZimbabweParaguay.org. For more information, call 941-9206.
The Easter Bunny comes to downtown
The Los Altos Village Association has scheduled its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Children’s Party 9:30 a.m., March 19, in the Community Plaza, Main and State streets next to Citibank.
The Easter egg hunt is free and includes candy treats in eggs, some containing certificates for free prizes from local merchants. After the hunt, bunny ear hat-making, face painting, a jellybean guessing contest and candy tasting is planned.
Local magician Hank Vlcek, “The Master of Mystifying Magic,” will perform at 10:15 a.m.
Children 1 to 6 will hunt for eggs hidden in front of stores on Main Street, children 7 to 10 on State Street. Bring a basket.
For more information, call 949-5282.
American Legion crab feed
American Legion Post 558 and the Order of the Scrumptious Crab present a Crustacean Delectables Crab Feed 5 p.m., March 12, at Post Hall, located at First and Whitney streets, Los Altos.
Cost is $25 per person, at the door. The meal includes crab, salad, bread and wine. No-host bar begins at 4 p.m. Dinner is served at 5 p.m. Proceeds benefit Legion projects. For more information or to R.S.V.P., call 964-2843.
Harpist performs in Los Altos
Renowned harpist Louise Trotter will perform a concert of favorite classics, pops, rag and country western music, 8 p.m., March 11, at the Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church, 858 University Ave.
Suggested donation is $10 to benefit the 2006 American Harp Society convention in San Francisco.
Ukranian eggs subject of class
Gosia Hoot will give a class on the art of creating Ukranian eggs noon to 4 p.m., March 19, at the Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church.
The instructor, who has been creating such eggs since she was a child, describes the traditional art as putting a stained glass window on an egg.
Although its history predates Christianity, Ukranian eggs have become popular to make during the 40 days of Lent.
Artists typically paint religious symbols from crosses to the star of Bethlehem.
Hoot describes the art as inexpensive and fun.
The class fee is an $18 donation, which goes mostly to supplies. For more information, call Hoot at (408) 379-3124.
Dominos benefit children’s health
The Children’s Health Council Auxiliary is holding its 43rd annual masters’ domino tournament beginning 8:30 a.m., Saturday, at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton.
Fees are $140 for the masters division and $70 for novices.
Play begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and final rounds at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to all players, with special prizes awarded for category winning teams.
For more information or to R.S.V.P., call 949-1120.
Stegner tribute at history museum
The Los Altos History Museum is housing the largest retrospective to date covering the life and influence of Wallace Stegner, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, teacher and environmentalist, “Wallace Stegner: Throwing a Long Shadow.”
The admission-free exhibit is open to the public noon to 4 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, through June 12.
The exhibit includes a comprehensive pictorial timeline, a re-creation of Stegner’s home study with personal artifacts, prizes and awards; a section profiling his important environmental contributions; a special children’s section; and interactive audio and video stations.
For more information on the exhibit and associated events, call 948-9427 or logon to www.losaltoshistory.org.
Shakespeare festival at MV arts center
The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival makes its debut in Mountain View on Saturday with two performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is a regional non-profit theater company providing programs that make the themes of William Shakespeare accessible to everyone through free professionally produced performances, school programs, summer camps, and programs for at-risk youth.
The performances in Mountain View will be held at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., with a free reception for the audience and cast at 2:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more information, call 903-6000.
