The Mercury News

Planetariu­m, Silicon Valley Reads co- host ‘ Night Catch’

- SAL PIZARRO Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@ mercurynew­s. com. Follow him at Facebook. com/ mercurynew­s. aroundtown and Twitter. com/ spizarro.

De Anza College’s Fujitsu Planetariu­m doesn’t immediatel­y pop out as a natural venue for Silicon Valley Reads, but on Friday it’s hosting what should be one of the more interestin­g events on its schedule.

“Stars Keep Us Connected” includes author Brenda Ehrmantrau­t reading her book, “Night Catch,” which is one of Silicon Valley Reads’ companion books for young readers that fits this year’s “invisible wounds of war” theme. It’s about a father and son who are separated because of a military deployment but stay connected through a nightly game of catch involving the North Star.

The Mayborn Planetariu­m in Killeen, Texas, has created an animated version of “Night Catch,” and the audience will get a preview of a rough version. A 30- minute tour of the night sky is included.

The 5 p. m. event is free, but space is limited and reservatio­ns are required by emailing SVReads@aol.com. Because of the potentiall­y scary nature of the star show, children under 5 are not permitted.

A REAL HAIR- RAISER:

Disney on Ice is bringing its princess- packed “Dare to Dream” show to HP Pavilion later this month and will partner with Wigs for Kids on a donation campaign to help children with medical- related hair loss.

Community members can donate some of their hair — at least 10 inches in length — at W’s Salon at Santana Row on Feb. 17 from 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. Feld Entertainm­ent will provide all hair donors with two free tickets to the Feb. 20- 24 San Jose engagement of the ice show.

To register for appointmen­ts, call 408- 247- 8953.

POINTING THE WAY: The New Leaders Council, a nationwide political- leadership training program , has named three members of its Silicon Valley chapter as recipients of its 40 Under 40 Leadership Awards.

They are Alexandra Acker- Lyons, director of the Youth Engagement Fund at Democracy Alliance; new media pioneer Sarah Granger, founder of the Center for Technology, Media & Society; and Matt Huerta, executive director of Neighborho­od Housing Services of Silicon Valley.

Members of the local chapter will be toasting their honored colleagues at a Feb. 8 reception at Lilly Mac’s Restaurant and Pub at 187 S. Murphy Ave. , Sunnyvale. For more informatio­n, go to www.facebook.com/nlcsv.

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