Top Weekend Picks: Victorian 12th Night Ball, Female Private Eye, Paws for Tales

(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.)

A Victorian 12th Night Ball

Saturday @ 6:45 p.m. in San Mateo

Dance, sing, feast and game at the season’s loveliest old-fashioned holiday party - a 12th Night Ball hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Bangers and Mash, the Bay Area’s most irresistible country dance band, will play a variety of Viennese and rotary waltzes, polkas, mazurka waltzes, schottisches, the Lancers, reels, and other set dances popular in the early and mid-19th century (As usual, all set dances will be taught or called and partners are not required. Indeed, introductions to partners will be cheerfully provided!).Suggested costume is evening or day dress from 1837 through 1870 (the heyday of Dickens’ literary career), any class. Modern evening dress is, as always, a completely acceptable substitute for period costume, and there is no dress code for the evening. Ladies, if you’re wearing a ball gown or evening gown, please be sure to bring a wrap since the ballroom will be cold before the dancing starts.  Once we start dancing, the ballroom warms up beautifully!

An Afternoon with Author Sara Paretsky

Sunday @ 3 p.m. in Belmont

Credited with transforming the mystery through the creation of her female private eye, V I Warshawski, Paretsky's books are international best sellers, appearing in almost thirty languages. In Breakdown, V I Warshawski's new adventure, Cable news, shape-shifters, and ancient secrets push V I almost past her limits.

The Friends of the Belmont Library will sponsor a reception preceding the event and a book selling and signing will follow it. This event is made possible by Ed Kaufman, former owner/operator of M is for Mystery bookstore.

Paws for Tales

Saturday @ 1 p.m. at the Portola Valley Library (see photo)

Children between 5-12 years old can improve their reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog.

Have a reluctant reader? Studies show children who are reluctant to read in front of peers are much less anxious with an animal present. Children don't perceive animals to be judgmental; mere animal presence helps them become more confident readers. Pet Assisted Therapy teams and their handlers are from the Peninsula Humane Society & the SPCA’s Paws for Tales program.

Lawyers in the Library

Sunday @ 11 a.m. in Half Moon Bay

The first Sunday of each month the library, in partnership with the San Mateo County Bar Association, holds free legal clinics. Participants have a twenty-minute consultation with an attorney.

Art Exhibits: "Hive" and "Timepieces"

Sunday @ 1 p.m. in Belmont

Both exhibits have opening receptions this weekend. "Hive" is an interactive video installation by Ruth Ecklandcall ."Timepieces" are selections from the clock collection of Gail Waldo.

Mori Point Meander

Sunday @ 1 p.m. in Pacifica

Join Pacifica historian Jerry Crow and hear tales of old Mori’s Tavern while strolling on a moderate hike through restored habitat for the California red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Guys & Dolls Same Sex Dance Party

Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. in Foster City

Citabria Phillips will be teaching at Boogie Woogie Ballroom's Monthly Same Sex Dance Party! Citabria is ranked 5th in the WORLD in same sex dancing and she is also the co-founder of San Francisco's famous "Dancing With The Queers". 8pm-9pm is Beginning Argentine Tango. Then dance the night away from 9pm-MIDNIGHT!
***This is a gay-friendly dance open to everyone. No partner needed. Couples & Singles & Everyone absolutely welcome!