More than two dozen local artists last month accepted the challenge to once again “Paint the Town.” This time the task was to recall “what was, not what is” in greater Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

Participating in the April 16 “Arts Alive” event, artists set up workstations downtown, painting such historic structures as the old downtown movie theater and the now-demolished Winbigler house.

Approximately 35 paintings are now on display at Main Street Cafe & Books. The public is invited for a special reception for the second annual balloting to choose paintings for the 2006 Los Altos Community Calendar.

The Paint the Town series is a project of the Los Altos Cultural Association to create funds for local non-profits. For the second year in a row, an all-color calendar will be printed.

The Cultural Association underwrites the cost of printing and donates the calendars to non-profits for resale.

The public reception is scheduled 6-8 p.m., Thursday, at Main Street Cafe & Books, 134 Main St., Los Altos.

A free glass of wine is offered to guests asked to fill out a ballot selecting their favorite paintings.