What Makes This Tree So Special?

Can music change the world? A lot of people think so and Brenda Schuman-Post is out to prove it.

The virtuoso oboist searched for the source of the material from which her instrument was made — African Blackwood.

Schuman-Post will perform and lecture in Sustainable African Blackwood: Harvesting the Music Tree on Monday, April 16, at 12:30 p.m. in College of Marin's Olney Hall, room 96, Kentfield Campus.

She'll play the oboe, show slides and video, exhibit authentic Makonde sculptures, and present a hands-on display of the wood. Her talk will discuss the characteristics, uses, searching for and harvesting of the tree, and her experiences in East Africa. Attendees will learn about what’s currently being done to lift destitute East Africans out of poverty by preserving, conserving, protecting, and replanting African Blackwood.

And a few more things to do:

• In the literary scene, take the kids out for storytime on Tuesday, April 17. Visit the Corte Madera Library in the morning for Mother Goose on the Loose for children up to age 2 years, or in the afternoon for children ages 3-5. Don't forget about about Baby Bounce at the Larkspur Library. Kids of all ages are invited to storytime every Tuesday, 11-11:30 a.m., at Pottery Barn Kids. Members receive an official Book Club Card at their first story time, and a special gift after attending five story times.

• Exercise your body and soothe your soul during pregnancy. Drop by YogaWorks Larkspur for a prenatal yoga class. Meet other pregnant women and enjoy a circle of support. Please contact Janna Barkin directly for more information about prenatal yoga, mom and baby yoga, and also childbirth preparation classes at 415-898-3555, or jannabarkinyoga@gmail.com.