Jazzed About Ella Fitzgerald

1.  Menlo Park Library celebrates Ella Fiztgerald

Black history month kicks off at the Saturday with a talk that will take a good hard look at Ella Fitzgerald and why many consider her the queen of jazz. And who would know this better than Alisa Clancy of KCSM Radio, 91.1 FM who hosts the jazz program, Morning Cup of Jazz. Clancy will take a look at Fitzgerald's life and work. Ella's career spanned more than half a century. She set the standard for jazz singing and became one of the world's most beloved musical artists.

The talk begins at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Free van service for seniors and people with disabilities is available, which is why we are telling you now, so that those who need it will have time to arrange it.  Call (650) 330-2525 to schedule a pickup.  The program is being sponsored by . The Menlo Park Library is located at 800 Alma Street. For more information call (650) 330-2530.

2.  Teen concerns the focus of readings tonight at Kepler's

The authors of two books with publications written for teenagers will be be featured tonight at Kepler's.  Daisy Whitney's book "The Mockingbirds" is a tale about a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself after being date raped. CJ Omololu will discusses and sign another book, "Dirty Little Secrets," which is about the impact of hoarding on one teen's life. The free event begins at 7 p.m. at Kepler's, located at 1010 El Camino Real.  For more information, call Pam Grange at (650) 324-4321 or e-mail pam@keplers.com.

2.  The State of Corporate Sustainability

It's time for another event in SDForum's Green Evening Series. Tonight experts will discuss "green" business models and why they are important.  One of the reasons it is so important they say is that corporate sustainability is a “key driver" of innovation that also yields real financial rewards rather than extra cost. The panel of experts includes Michael Beutler of SAP, Scott Coleman of Google, Joyce Dickerson of Stanford University, Brian Goncher of Deloitte,  Bruce Klafter of Applied Materials, Inc.,  and Andrew Williamson of Physic Ventures. Mitch Zuklie of Orrick will moderate. Registration and networking begin at 6 p.m. The panel discussion starts at 7 p.m.  Admission is $35 for non-members; $20 for members and $10 more over the regular ticket price if purchased at the door for members and non-members. The event will be held at Orrick, which is located at 1000 Marsh Road.  For more information call (408) 414-5950 or e-mail julie@sdforum.org.

3.  Join Blackberry React at their meeting tonight

If you are interested in public service and you are interested in radio communications, Blackberry React might be the place for you. Blackberry REACT is an emergency preparedness meeting for radio operators. Don't worry if you don't know what to do, veteran Blackberry React members will train you. All training is free, as is tonight's meeting. The group meets tonight from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the first Wednesday of every month at Menlo Park Fire Station 77 which is located at 1467 Chilco Street.  For more information, call Jon Mosby at (650) 336-8227 or e-mail blackberryreact@usa.com.

5.  Menlo College blood drive today

 The Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive at from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Free food and raffle tickets will be provided for those who donate or volunteer.  The campus is located at 1000 El Camino Real. For more information about the blood drive or to sign up to donate blood, email Hanna Malak at hmalak@menlo.edu.