C O M M U N I T Y
Kings Mountain Art Fair set for Labor Day weekend Dawn Niesser was cooking dinner one day in June when she looked out the window and saw smoke billowing from a neighbor’s house in the Kings Mountain community. Then she saw the fire engines and firefighters, and in quick succession, felt worry, relief, and pride, according to fellow Kings Mountain resident Aeron Noe. The incident underscored the urgency of maintaining the volunteer fire service that responds to the close-knit community’s emergencies, and Ms. Niesser is an active supporter: She is director of the Kings Mountain Art Fair, slated for Saturday through Monday, Sept. 1-3 — an event that financially supports the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade. The fair takes place in the redwoods at 13889 Skyline Blvd. in the hills above Woodside between highways 84 and 92. It was started in 1963 to help create the volunteer fire department. Today, in addition to supporting the brigade, proceeds from the fair benefit the three-room Kings Mountain Elementary School. Kings Mountain Art Fair is different from other California fairs in that it’s the only one that is 100 percent manned by volunteers from the small community. Instead of hiring food vendors, volunteers cook and serve the food themselves, starting with a pancake breakfast with the artists from 8 to 10:30 a.m. each day. Lunch is prepared by the firefighters, and includes burgers and grilled corn. Also available are
Roadway ‘sharrows’ coming soon to downtown Menlo By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer
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enlo Park plans to add shared lane markings — “sharrows” — to portions of Menlo Avenue and University Drive in upcoming weeks. City Transportation Engineer Atul Patel explained that sharrows are not bike lanes. “They are simply a marking to guide bicyclists to the best place to ride and help motorists expect to see and share the lane with bicyclists.” The markings will be added to Menlo Avenue between El Camino Real and University Drive, and on University Drive between Middle Avenue and Santa Cruz Avenue, according to the city. Installation is expected to take one day for each street; the roads will remain open to traffic during striping. Mr. Patel estimated the installation cost at $9,000.
locally brewed beer and wine. The festival showcases the work of 138 juried artists and 30 mountain folk artists offering paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and more. Booths are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kiddie Hollow will offer many activities for children, including a chance to romp around in a Native American teepee, face painting, crafts and balloon art. Admission to the fair is free, and street parking is available. Visit www.kingsmountainartfair.org for more information.
Animal adoption fair The Pet Place is hosting a Peninsula Humane Society mobile adoption fair from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. The adoption unit will be located in the parking lot behind the store at 777 Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park.
N AROU N D TOWN
Cats, dogs and other small animals will be looking for new homes, says Lynn Macy of the Pet Place. The pet shop is also accepting donations for rabbit rescue efforts, Ms. Macy says. Twenty rabbits were recently abandoned in Portola Valley, and rescue volunteers need help with spay/ neuter costs and supplies. Call 325-7387 for more information.
Menlo Park Chorus seeks new members With its new season beginning on Sept. 4, the Menlo Park Chorus is looking for singers to join the group. There are no auditions, and members are not required to read music.
The chorus meets from 7:15 to 9:45 p.m. on Tuesdays in the new Arrillaga Family Center in the Menlo Park Civic Center at 701 Laurel St. Members are primarily from Menlo Park, but singers from Woodside, Portola Valley, Mountain View and other nearby towns also add their voices to the ensemble. Those interested may contact Sally Cooper at sacooper@menlomoneymatters.com or 650-6151591. Or, just show up at the first rehearsal on Tuesday, Sept. 4. “You are welcome to give the chorus a try without any commitment,” Ms. Cooper says in an announcement. “Remember, there is medical research (proving) the physical benefits of singing.”
Life stories classes Sheila Dunec will begin the fall
session of her popular Life Stories course in a Portola Valley home on Thursday, Sept. 13. The series will continue from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each week until Nov. 13. Participants are encouraged and coached to write about various aspects of their lives for a range of benefits — for example, to leave a history for their families, or to help themselves in developing a deeper understanding of the events of their lives. Ms. Dunec, a Foothills College instructor, has offered the course in a number of venues, including the Menlo Park Library. One such program, focusing on the stories of people who served in the military or otherwise experienced the effects of World War II, led to a long-term project that included video recordings of participants reading their stories. The cost of the Portola Valley session is $150 for 10 weeks. Those interested may call Ms. Dunec at 650-565-8087.
AL ZHEIMER’ S & DEMENTIA
See the future of Alzheimer’s in-home care. You’re invited to a free seminar to walk through the seven most common and challenging behaviors you face with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. We’ll show you how our techniques capture life’s journey, keep your loved one safe and engaged, and how to take care of yourself. Our highly trained and qualified in-home CAREGivers are here for you, and here with your loved one. NOTE: Due to the increase and awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, space is extremely limited. What Helping Families Cope Where Home Instead Senior Care 883 N. Shoreline Blvd A100 Mountain View, CA 94043 When Tuesday, September 18 & 25, 3:00 - 6:00pm RSVP by Monday, September 10 650.691.9671 or micheller@hiseniorcare.com
Each Home Instead Senior Care Franchise Office is Independently Owned and Operated. homeinstead.com /168 HI646-01AA 083112
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August 29, 2012 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 13