Art Galleries

'Rooms and Blooms'
Gallery 9 features acrylic paintings by Bay Area artist, Jan Meyer. “Rooms and Blooms” is on display through June 2 and features interior room scenes painted with bold colors and graphic patterns. A reception for the artist will be held Friday, May 3, 5-7 p.m. March 30-June 2, Tuesday-Saturday, 11-5 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m. Free. Call 650-941-7969 or visit www.gallery9losaltos.com. Gallery 9, 143 Main St., Los Altos

Misako Kambe’s 'Carving Magic'
The Portola Art Gallery presents “Carving Magic,” carved ceramic creations by Misako Kambe of Menlo Park. May 1-31, every day except Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. For more information, call Misako Kambe at 650-321-0220 or visit www.portolaartgallery.com. Allied Arts Guild, Portola Art Gallery, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park

Classes/Workshops

'French for Francophiles'
Avenidas offers "French for Francophiles" classes, in which students will learn to converse as if they're living in France. Some knowledge of French is recommended. The class instructor is Leo McCord Jr. April 10-June 26, Wednesdays, 12:30-2 p.m. $75 ($65 members). For more information, call Judith Webb at 650-289-5436 or email jwebb@avenidas.org or visit www.avenidas.org. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto

Feldenkrais
Little House is offering feldenkrais classes to improve balance, flexibility and brain function. Exercises are on the floor, so students should bring a towel or mat to lie on. Fridays, year-round. 11 a.m.-noon. $45 ($40 members). For more information, call Deborah at 650-679-8113 or email dmdutton_assoc@yahoo.com or visit www.Umovebetter.com. Little House, 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park

Feldenkrais Method
Through subtle movements -- some easy, some challenging -- students will learn to radiate strength from the core and improve flexibility. Wednesdays, April 10-June 26, 10-11 a.m. $75 ($65 members). For more information, call Judy Windt at 650-328-4173 or email judy@judywindt.com. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto

Life Drawing Open Studio
In these ongoing, year-round drop-in classes, participants can draw from live models. No formal instruction, work with other students and artists. Bring own supplies. Option to purchase punch card for 10 sessions. Mondays are Short/Med Pose; Wednesdays, Long Pose. See website for more info. Running until December 30, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m. $7 per session/$60 for 10 sessions. For more information, call Linda Covello Email lcovello@arts4all.org or visit www.arts4all.org/study/on-site/lifedrawing.htm. Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View

Pastel Plein-Air Painting Classes
The Portola Art Gallery’s Jan Prisco will offer weekly pastel plein-air painting classes at Allied Arts Guild, starting April 17 and running through August. Wednesdays, 1:30-4:15 p.m. $30/class. For more information, call Jan Prisco at 650-341-9519 or email jan_prisco@yahoo.com or visit www.janprisco.com. Portola Art Gallery - Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park

Clubs/Meetings

Community Events

Peninsula Volunteers Decorator Show House 2013
Woodside estate The Horse Park, with 20 rooms styled by premier designers. Free parking & shuttle and "Meet the Designer" evenings. May 4-24, Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $35. For more information, call Bart Charlow at 650-381-9933 or email bcharlow@peninsulavolunteers.org or visit www.penvol.org/. The Horse Park, 3674 Sand Hill Road, Woodside

Dance

Adult/teen ballet class
For the Love of Dance offers a beginner-to-intermediate class in classical ballet, with barre exercises, center-floor technique, combinations, adagio, allegro, jumps and turns. Through June 25, 8-9 p.m. $60/month. For more information, call Lesley Ruzon at 650-861-0650 or email fortheloveofdancemv@gmail.com or visit www.fortheloveofdancemv.com. For the Love of Dance, 2483 Old Middlefield Way Suite B, Mountain View

Zumba Gold Dance Classes
Avenidas will host a series of zumba gold dance classes, a fusion of Latin rhythms and dance moves. Students should wear comfortable clothes and workout shoes (no sandals or leather soles). April 10 through June 26, Wednesdays at 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. $75 ($65 members). For more information, call Judith Webb at 650-289-5436 or email jwebb@avenidas.org or visit www.avenidas.org. Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto

Exhibits

'A Place of Magic'
An exhibit of Baylands nature photography by Salvatore Ventura. Proceeds from the works for sale benefit local nature education. Through June 1. Free. For more information, call Environmental Volunteers at 650-493-8000, ext. 340 or email communications@evols.org or visit www.evols.org/index.php?page=photography-exhibit---salvatore-ventura. The EcoCenter, 2560 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto

'Harmony 2013: A Fine-Art Photography Exhibit'
The Peking Duck Restaurant hosts this exhibit featuring photographs by Kim Dang, Charles Dilisio, Charles Mujie and Roger Spinti. The exhibit shows through June 6, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Free. Peking Duck Restaurant, 151 S. California Ave., Palo Alto

'Watergate Villains and Heroes'
Local artist Myrrh's portraits of the Watergate defendants, and the senators questioning them, are on display at the Midpeninsula Community Media Center. She drew them in pencil, crayon and oil pastels while watching the hearings on her TV in 1973. Through June 27, open weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and by appointment on weekday evenings. Free. Call 650-494-8686 or visit www.myrrh-art.com. Media Center, 900 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto

Ry Smith
Los Altos Hills-sponsored art exhibit of paintings by Ry Smith, a designer of high-tech products. Reception March 31, 2-5 p.m. Exhibit up through Aug. 28. Free. For more information, call Karen Druker at 650-941-8073 or email kadruker@pacbell.net. Los Altos Hills town hall, 26379 Fremont Road , Los Altos Hills

Sculpture from the Fisher Collection
This exhibit features pieces by John Chamberlain, Sol LeWitt Claes Oldenburg and Martin Puryear, together with Carl Andre's Copper-Zinc Plain, a floor piece composed of 36 tiles; and John Chamberlain's Bijou, a large early work made of crushed automobiles and paint. Wed.-Sun.; Feb. 29-Oct. 13, 2013; open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Thursday until 8 p.m.). Visit museum.stanford.edu. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford

Stanford Art Spaces - Stanford University
Mixed media by Nicole M. Lomangino, paintings by Michelle Sakhai and paintings by Yu Chun-Hui are on exhibit at the Paul G. Allen (C.I.S.) Art Spaces Gallery. Reception: April 5, 5-7 p.m., at the Paul G. Allen reception area. March 29-May 23, weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. For more information, call Marilyn Grossman at 650-725-3622 or email marigros@cis.stanford.edu or visit cis.stanford.edu~marigros. Stanford Art Spaces, 420 Via Palou, Stanford

Family and Kids

SCRA Swim School Spring Kick-Off
Spring classes at SCRA Swim School for beginning, intermediate and advanced swimmers. April 1-May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $65-85. For more information, call Laura at 650-723-8135 or email Mitchell or visit www.scraswimming.com. Stanford Campus Recreation Association, 875 Bowdoin St., Stanford

On Stage

Religion/Spirituality

Special Events

MVHS Annual Art Show
Mountain View High School's annual Student Art Show will feature photography, drawing, painting and sculpture pieces on display in the library. May 6-24, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. For more information, call Lori Nock at 650-940-4600 or email lori.nock@mvla.net or visit www.mvla.net/mvhs/Pages/default.aspx. Mountain View High School, 3535 Truman Ave., Mountain View

Support Groups

Talks/Authors

Free Introductory TM Lectures
Free Introductory Lectures to the Transcendental Meditation Technique every Wednesday at noon and 8 p.m. For more information, call Michael Yankaus at 650-424-8800 or email michaelyankaus@me.com. Transcendental Meditation Center, 1101 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto

Volunteers

Lytton Gardens Senior Communities
Volunteer opportunities with seniors include friendly visits, pet visits, activities assistant, dining room host, staff assistance, more-than-a-meal program, spiritual support, leading a class, and music performance. Flexible schedule. Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call Bethany Dinh at 650-617-7355 or email bdinh@lyttongardens.org or visit www.lyttongardens.org. Lytton Gardens Senior Communities, 437 Webster St., Palo Alto

Menlo Park 'Project Read' Tutor Training
Project Read's spring tutor-training registration begins Tuesday, May 7, and will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Training continues Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The final meeting is June 12, 6-8 p.m. Free. For more information, call Roberta Roth at 650-330-2545 or email rlroth@menlopark.org or visit projectreadmenlopark.org. Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park