Community Corner

An Ugly Duckling, B-17 Memories and Searching For Rare Species Highlight Peninsula Weekend

What will you be doing this weekend? With rain possible, here are some activities to consider occurring both inside and out.

 

(Editor's Note: The following rundown is provided by various San Mateo County venues and reprinted here for your weekend enjoyment. More information can be found by following the links provided in the headlines.)

The Ugly Duckling

Saturday @ 11 a.m. in Redwood City

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This lovable story by Hans Christian Andersen tells of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers neglect from others around him until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a beautiful swan, the most beautiful bird of all.

The Fox Theatre is proud to present a live children’s stage performance of this wonderful story that is beloved around the world.

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This adaptation is a great learning tool, useful in teaching the little ones about the importance of kindness and personal transformation for the better. Come with the family and enjoy a great classic come to life!

On Board the Flying Fortress

Saturday @ 11 a.m. in San Carlos

With great success, local resident Ray Allen and his crew crippled Hitler's war machine by destroying factories, oil fields and oil refineries. Allen completed a full tour: thirty-five missions as a Boeing B-17 navigator in the European theatre during the latter years of WW-II.

For his brave service to his country, Ray received the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals, and three Battle Stars with Area Ribbons.

Allen had an active role during formation bombing raids on targets over Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Nazi-occupied northern France.

He will speak about his experiences at Hiller Aviation Museum.

Edgewood Spring Wildflower Walks

Saturday @ 10 a.m. in Redwood City

Nature lovers may be wondering how the dry winter will affect spring's wildflower display. Early signs show that the native plants are doing well and the non-native grasses that often hide the flowers are behind schedule.

The approximately three-hour walks wind through grasslands, chaparral, coastal scrub, and foothill woodlands. You are likely to see 50-100 plants in flower on the moderately paced, three-mile journey.

Edgewood supports over 500 distinct plant species, four of which are federally listed as endangered or threatened. In addition, the fragile Bay checkerspot butterfly, one of the threatened species, has made its home in the unique habitat afforded by the serpentine grasslands.

San Mateo County Youth Conference

Saturday @ 9:30 a.m. in San Mateo

This is the second year of this conference, an event run by the San Mateo County Youth Commission.

The goals are to; give youth an opportunity to share their ideas, work, and passions; allow "non-traditional" youth leaders to have a voice; show adults in the San Mateo County how capable our youth are; provide resources to youth about community partners; excite youth not involved currently about becoming active in the community; and bring all youth in the county together.

This year's theme is "The Youth Revolution." We highlight that "You can't have a revolution without LOVE" and that "Change starts with You(th)!"

AIDA

Saturday @ 8 p.m. in Woodside

Get ready to be transported to ancient Egypt during the Woodside High School production of Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA. It is a contemporary musical take on a grand classic tale of the timeless bond between an enslaved Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier.

As forbidden love blossoms between them, the young lovers are forced to face death or part forever. Together, they set a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity.

With a pop-rock score that features stirring ballads and rousing choral numbers. AIDA won four Tony Awards in 2000 including Best Musical Score.

Sunday @ 4:30 p.m. in Belmont

The Peninsula Youth Orchestra , under the direction of Maestro Mitchell Sardou Klein, will present "Prelude to Spring", performing Bernstein's Candide Overture and West Side Story Selections, and Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Ballet Suite.

Specially featured will be PYO concerto winners Sarah Ghandour of Atherton performing Saint Saën's Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, and Alex van der Veen of Palo Alto performing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor

As an added attraction, PYO's top preparatory orchestra, the Young Artists (under the direction of Sara Salsbury) will perform one hour earlier, at 3:30 p.m.

Twain's Frog and the Beautiful Serpent

Saturday @ 10 a.m. in Pacifica

Join Brent Plater of the Wild Equity Institute to search for two of the most controversial species on the San Francisco peninsula: the California red-legged frog and the San Francisco garter snake, the two vertebrates at issue in the Sharp Park Golf Course conflict.

This will be a leisurely walk to enjoy the restoration work being conducted at Mori Point and to learn about the bold steps being taken to save both species from the brink of extinction. RSVP required.


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