The South Bay Institute for Jewish Living and Learning (SBI) will open its ninth annual Distinguished Lecture Series on Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth David, located at 19700 Prospect Road in Saratoga. The guest speaker is law professor and legal and political commentator Susan Estrich, who will give a presentation titled "Jewish Power: Do We Have It? Do We Use It?"

Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens. A $5 surcharge will be applied to single-lecture tickets sold at the door. For tickets or more information, call 408.358.5918. The SBI operates under the auspices of the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley.


Scientist to talk at Foothill Club

Dr. Carl Djerassi, a professor emeritus of chemistry at Stanford University, will speak at the next installment of the Saratoga Foothill Club's Public Lecture Series, which takes place Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Foothill Club clubhouse, located at 20399 Park Place.

Considered the "father" of the birth control pill, Djerassi is also a playwright who explores the culture and behavior of scientists through novels and theater. At the Foothill Club, he will share videos from his various theatrical productions to show that science is inherently dramatic when it comes to certain issues, including Nobel Prize lust, collegiality, competition and the role of women in a male-dominated field.

Admission is $8; everyone is welcome. Call 408.354.2527 or 408.867.2361 for more information about the club.


Snowshoe routes are program topic

Among the programs it offers to the community, REI Saratoga has invited author and outdoorsman Marc Soares to give a slide presentation on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. on snowshoeing.

Soares, who wrote Snowshoe Routes in Northern California, will share information on his favorite snowshoeing destinations.

The free event is open to the public. REI Saratoga is in the El Paseo de Saratoga shopping center. For more information, call 408.871.8765.