The Amish have been referred to as plain people, but there is nothing plain about their quilts. The artistry of the Amish is currently on full display at San Francisco’s de Young Museum with “Amish Abstractions: Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown,” an exhibition of 48 full-size and crib quilts that showcase the diversity of the Amish quilt tradition. A museum docent will speak about “Amish Quilts” on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton. For information call 328-2422.

Guadalupe Valdés

Guadalupe Valdés, Professor of Education at Stanford University, works in the area of applied linguistics, focusing on the English-Spanish bilingualism of Latinos in the United States and on the question of how two languages are developed, used and maintained by individuals who become bilingual in immigrant communities.

Valdés has investigated Latino students in elementary, middle school, high school and college and has written six books and more than 70 articles. Her book “Con respeto: Bridging the Distance Between Culturally Diverse Families and Schools” examined the lives of K-3 English language learners and their families.

Valdés speaks about her latest book, “Steps in the Journey: Latino Children Learning English,” on Monday, Nov. 30 at 3:30 p.m. in the Student Lounge/Campus Center at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills.

All events are free unless otherwise noted. Please check before the event in case of schedule changes.