Hillbrook School of Los Gatos is having its first walk-a-thon from 1 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 18. The students will walk laps with their friends to earn money for the school's physical education department, while families and teachers mingle and enjoy refreshments. The school hopes to raise $20,000, and more than 200 students are expected to participate. To contribute a donation to Hillbrook School or the walk-a-thon, contact Christine Nichols at 408. 356.6116, ext. 330.


Lexington School holds harvest festival

Lexington School, 19700 Old Santa Cruz Highway in Los Gatos, will hold a harvest festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 18. The event will feature midway games, crafts for sale by local artists, refreshments, a BBQ and a pie-eating contest. Admission is free. For more information, call Chris Frank at 408.353.1169.


Los Gatos student to perform with local ballet

Kristen Ryder, 15, a sophomore at Los Gatos High School, will join hip-hop and break dancers when Ballet San Jose-Silicon Valley presents "US," one in a three-part performance, season-opening dance program Oct. 16 to 19 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

"US" is a cornucopia of all-American music and popular dance styles from across the decades, from square dancing to swing, to hip-hop and break dancing. Some 15 young local dancers, including Ryder, will join the ballet company's 32 professional dancers for the final segment of the piece.

Ryder has been dancing since age 3, taking everything from jazz and tap to ballet and hip-hop. She is the daughter of Pam and Doug Ryder of Monte Sereno. She is also the high school dance team's dance captain and choreographer. She said the newest addition to her dance skills is break dancing.

"I had to learn to break dance in three weeks," she says. For ticket information, call 408.288.2800, TicketMaster or buy online at http://www.balletsanjose.org.