SaveNature.org

SaveNature.org in San Francisco has an "Adopt an Acre" or "Adopt a Reef" donation program. You can donate money to help preserve rainforest, African desert, or coral reef habitats - 1/4 acre at a time. This makes a wonderful gift for anyone who cares about the environment and already has enough "stuff". A personalized deed is provided with each donated gift.

What does this have to do with me? Well, as a thank you to donors, SaveNature.org is giving one of my nature cards for each donation of $25. A nature gift card plus a box of cards (or chocolates) is the gift for a $50 donation. For $60, the donor receives a gift card and a small art print of my Hawaiian Fishes or Beautiful Beetles.

Check it out at www.savenature.org, or call 415-648-3392.

Holiday Concerts

I'll be singing as a soloist and choral member in two different concerts coming up in early December. The first is the Marin Symphony's Holiday concert on December 3 at 7:30 pm and December 4 at 4:00 pm. The main piece we'll be performing is Vivaldi's Magnificat, and I'll be singing solo parts in the second movement of the piece. These concerts will be at the Church of St. Rafael in San Rafael. I'll also be part of a small ensemble for several other works in the program.

On Sunday, December 11, I'll be singing the soprano II solos and choral parts in Bach's Magnificat at the First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo at 10 am. Martha Wall will be conducting, and this will be her big finale as music director of that church.

The solo I'll be singing (plus a gorgeous trio with the two other women soloists) is especially challenging, since it is both high and has quite a bit of coloratura work in it. At any rate, I'm certainly having to practice at home a lot to prepare.