Mostly sunny and 88 today, easing to 59 after dark, which is exactly the weather you want for a show at an outdoor amphitheater. The field guide builds from a morning of plein air painting to flamenco under the stars in Saratoga, while the daytime calendar runs on free programs across the county. Both city councils on the docket meet today too, San Jose at 1:30 and Campbell at 7:00.

Today's field guide

Easels, erhus, and flamenco

Start with eggs and pancakes at GIWA on Halford Ave, then set up an easel and paint alongside other artists at McClellan Ranch Preserve. In the afternoon, grab a noodle bowl at Special Noodle on S De Anza Blvd ($15 to 30) and catch a free open rehearsal of a Chinese erhu ensemble at Calabazas Library. For the finale, choose your cheese or chocolate at La Fondue ($60 and up, cooked tableside), then hear Nicolas Reyes lead the Gipsy Kings through their flamenco-rumba classics at Mountain Winery at 7:30.

Also on the calendar

The daytime picks are free library programs, from digitizing your old cassettes in Palo Alto to a 55-and-up game table in Berryessa; the two evening options are the social ones, drinks in a Los Gatos backyard or Bollywood dance fitness in… Open the full calendar →

Civic meetings today

San Jose — City Council · 1:30 PM · Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers

Campbell — City Council Regular Session Meeting · 7:00 PM · Campbell Community Center - Room C-35

Neighborhood chatter

The subreddits are in practical mode today, trading gas-price intel and sourcing tips, plus one feel-good story out of Archbishop Mitty.