“I called all of the teachers in Berklee’s American Roots Music program, Darol Anger, Bruce Molsky, Casey Driessen, and everyone recommended Sumaia,” Stone says. “She may be the first musician I’ve ever worked with sight unseen, and she turned out to be perfect, a great singer and a sweetheart.”. Jackson has thrown herself into the Folklife process, which starts with close listening to Lomax recordings and ends with the inexplicable group alchemy that transform the initial song seed into a strikingly new hybrid. For instance, at one rehearsal Smiley brought in a Caribbean-tinged square dance song sung by Shirley Collins that Lomax recorded in London in 1955, “Hey, Lally Lally Lo,” which ended up on the album set to a slow and insinuating jazzy groove.

Sponsored by Mills-Peninsula Health Services and its Senior Focus, the event was attended by about 400 people who were welcomed by Deborah Owdom, RSVP program coordinator, and master of ceremonies Marc Maisano, former director of Senior Focus Volunteer Services, Foster Grandparent Program, RSVP, and Senior Companion Program, The following RSVP volunteers were presented a pin and certificate for their years of dedicated service to the community, • June Jackson, of Redwood City, and Joseph McLoughlin, of ballet art, ballerina art, ballet shoes art, canvas art, pink girls room, dance art, pointe shoes, ballet art, girls rooms, ball Menlo Park, 25 years;..

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Junior: Theatre in the Mountains presents Loma Prieta Elementary School’s fall/winter student production. Dec. 11, 7 p.m.; Dec. 12, 1 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 13, 1 p.m. Tickets are $10. C.T. English Middle School gym, 23800 Summit Road, Los Gatos. 408.384.8465 or www.theatreinthemountains.org. History Museum of Los Gatos: “Bear in Mind: The Story of the California Grizzly.” Through Feb. 27. 75 Church St., Los Gatos. 408.395.7386. Jingle Bell Tea: The Mission Valley Chorus presents its annual concert of a cappella holiday music, barbershop style, with guest performers and an audience sing-along. The event also features an elegant tea, gifts for sale and a raffle. Dec. 4, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. $25. Saratoga Community Center, 19655 Allendale Ave., Saratoga. For more information, call 408.353.8725 or e-mail Vicki@blevinsweb.com.

• Mountain View Vice ballet art, ballerina art, ballet shoes art, canvas art, pink girls room, dance art, pointe shoes, ballet art, girls rooms, ball Mayor Lenny Siegel is to present a meeting on Monday, Jan, 30, at 6:30 p.m, about “Airplane Noise Over Mountain View.” A press release noted that airplane noise has already increased “significantly” in Sunnyvale, Mountain View, South Palo Alto and Cupertino, and that the FAA is considering changes that could make it worse, The meeting Monday is to present information about air traffic and what the community might do about it, The meeting is to take place in Mountain View City Hall at 500 Castro St., in the Plaze Conference Room on the second floor..

Got weekend plans? You do now! Here are seven awesome options, from rollicking Irish music shows — to get you in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day, of course —  to a beloved YA novel come to life, and a jaunt to a chocolate cafe where the European-style sipping chocolate is beyond decadent. Here we go. Mini corn dogs, maxi corn dogs, chili cheese corn dogs and tornados? We’re not even sure what a tornado dog is but bacon and nacho cheese are involved, so of course we want one. So will you. Explore all the deliciously creative riffs on the carnival classic this Saturday, when SoMa Streat Food Park hosts the Great SF Corn Dog Festival, complete with an all-you-can-drink craft beer booth, food carts and a mustard art competition. Hot diggity.