January 31, 2008

Calendar of local events

Unless otherwise noted all phone numbers are in the 408 area code.

DANCE

Feb. 15 - 24
Ballet San Jose presents Dennis Nahat’s version of one of the greatest romantic ballets ever written – “Swan Lake” - at the Center for the Performing Arts. This production features over 135 characters in opulent costumes and beautiful scenery from David Guthrie.   Danced to a live performance by Symphony Silicon Valley, the romantic tale follows Prince Siegfried as he attempts to rescue his beloved Princess Odette from the wicked Baron Von Rothbart who has cast a spell on the young beauty and turned her into this Queen of the Swans.  Nahat’s prologue highlights the villainous nature of Rothbart by delving into the source of his evil. Admission is $25-$82 (discounts for students, seniors, groups) To purchase tickets, call the box office at 288-2800, or visit www.balletsanjose.org.

THEATER

Feb. 29
The Willow Glen Middle and High School communities invites the public to “Thursdays (and Fridays) At The Theater.” The TaTT series brings low-cost, professional, family-friendly entertainment to the community every month in the intimate setting of the Willow Glen Little Theater. Proceeds from these productions will benefit the Willow Glen Middle and High School Performing Arts Boosters. February’s featured performers are “The Peninsulaires”, a real old-fashioned Barbershop Chorus on a grand scale. These men can make harmony sound as natural as taking a shower! Come enjoy an evening of great tunes. Performance time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 /General, $6/Students & Seniors, $25/Family. For additional information, visit www.thursdayatthetheater.org or call 464-3643.

ART

Jan. 9 – Feb. 24
The Triton Museum, 1505 Warburton Avenue in Santa Clara, presents "David Ogle: Works on Paper - A Survey" Exhibition. Reception is Jan. 18 from 7 – 9 p.m. Museum hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., open until 9 p.m. Thursdays.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Feb. 9
Pioneer High School Bands host Big Band Dance: Pioneer High School, 1290 Blossom Hill Road, is holding its 13th Annual Big Band Dessert Dance for adults featuring performances by the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band.  Join us from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center for an enchanting evening of big band music and dancing including ballroom dance lessons, desserts and appetizers, silent auctions, and more. Tickets are $20 per person; proceeds benefit the Music/Drama Booster Club.  Parking is available in the back of the school.  For more information and ticket reservations, contact Virginia Itani at 448-3050.

Feb. 12 – May 1
"Planning for a Wedding?", a new exhibit for the Sunnyvale Lace Museum will feature exquisite bridal gowns from 1890 to 1950.  Walk down the aisle and see vintage and unique accessories, such as fans, shoes, gloves, hats and parasols in a fascinating look at history.  The gift shop also offers heirloom quality lace handkerchiefs and other items for the bride.  The Lace Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. at 552 South Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale. Parking is free.

Feb. 15
How many times will your heart beat during your lifetime? Join Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for the “Have a Heart” workshop from 3:30 – 5 p.m. as we “travel” inside your body and take a closer look at how this muscle functions and compare your heart to those of other animals. Make a Valentine’s craft to take home and show someone just how big and caring your heart is. Appropriate fro ages 5 -10 years. Fee is $8/Members, $15/non-members. All workshops take place at 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Pre-registration is required. To register call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to learn more. Parents need not be present during the workshop.

CLASSES

Feb. 4
The Almaden Valley Counseling Service will be sponsoring a 7-week positive parenting class based on the STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) model. Classes are for the parents of preschool, school age and teenage children. Learn to understand yourself and your child; build self-esteem and responsibility; implement discipline vs. punishment and much more. Classes are held in the evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., and our next session will start the week of Feb. 4, 2008. The cost is $110 for one parent or $165 for a couple. For more information, call AVCS at 997-0200, or visit our website for registration forms, www.avcounseling.org. Class location is 6529 Crown Blvd., Suite D, San Jose.

Feb. 9
Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens presents the adult workshop “Recycled Art in the Garden.” This unique workshop on recycled art starts with an introduction to using “junk” materials and includes a presentation of how others have turned their trash into timeless treasures. Participants will use their own creativity to make something for the garden that will impress neighbors and encourage “green” practices. Some materials will be provided, but we encourage you to clean out your closets and garages – one person’s junk is another’s treasure. Give new life to land-fill destined items and have fun with your spring cleaning. Hours are 10 – 11:30 a.m., fees are $13/members, $20/non-members. Workshop location is 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Pre-registration is required by calling 298-7657 or at www.grpg.org.

Ongoing
South Bay Deutscher Schulverein, a German Saturday Language School, offers German language instruction at the Willow Glen Educational Park, Middle School Section, 2001 Cottle Avenue, CA 95125. Beginning Jan. 26, the school offers classes for pre-school through teenagers, as well as adult beginners, intermediate and advanced courses on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.,  For more information visit our website www.sbds.org or call 266 5100. Please note that no information is available weekdays at the school location.

The Committee to Promote Square Dancing is sponsoring a square dance refresher class for experienced dancers: Fees are $2.50/seniors and youth, $5/adults.  Classes meet Tuesdays, 6:30-9 p.m. in the Camden Community Center Multipurpose Room, 3369 Union Avenue, San Jose, 95124. For more information, call 723-0315.
Ceramics classes for adults.  Great news! Hands On Clay classes in Almaden is now accepting applications for its newly added morning classes. These small, relaxing classes are held on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11 a.m. and 11:30-1 p.m.. Limited space might also be available for Tuesday and Thursday evening classes. The fee includes instructions, clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firings. For more information, call 679-0238. Space is limited to only four students for each class, so register today!

VOLUNTEERS

Ongoing
Are you looking for a short-term volunteer opportunity that is meaningful and fun?  The Role Model Program needs adult volunteers to inspire elementary and middle school students to succeed! Time commitment is just one hour a week for six weeks. The Role Model Program is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering students to achieve their goals, dreams, and learning that education can open the door to a successful future. To learn more contact The Role Model Program Model Program at 246-0433 or go on-line to www.therolemodelprogram.org.

MISCELLANEOUS

Feb. 3, 10 and 17
Lawn Bowling competition at Willow Glen’s Frank Bramhall Park. Event time is 10 a.m., and the public is welcome to watch free of charge. Complimentary refreshments will be available. For more information, call Jerry at 499-5423.

Feb. 2
The Tabard Theatre Company announces auditions for “Pandemonium,” a world premiere production based on the story of Pandora’s Box, written and directed by Susannah Greenwood. All auditions are by appointment only beginning Feb. 2. No preparation is necessary, as auditions will consist of cold reading from the script and improv and/or movement, depending on the role. Rehearsals begin mid-March, 2008 and Performances run April 24 - May 10 with matinees on weekends and school shows at 11am on April 24 and May 8 at The Theatre on San Pedro Square, Downtown San Jose. The tabard is looking for a fun group of people from a diverse background of ethnicity, age, and theatre experience, with a willingness to explore these characters and authentically represent them from a cultural perspective. For more information or to make an audition appointment, contact Cathy Cassetta at 408-979-0231 or cathy@tabardtheatre.org. For additional information about Tabard, please visit http://www.tabardtheatre.org. Audition packets will be e-mailed the week before auditions. Packets will include audition location and directions.

Feb. 10
South Bay Astrological Society will meet at 1 p.m. at Divine Science Community Center. We offer astrological knowledge and fellowship, for beginners as well as professionals. The public is invited. Our lecture topic this month is "Mysteries of Ancient Astrology" with Don Cerow. General/$10; Members/$5; free to those who join at $25 a year. More info at http://www.southbayastrology.org

Feb. 13
Guadalupe Gardens Community Meeting: Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens is inviting public comment on a planning process currently underway to help define the future of Guadalupe Gardens. The meeting will be from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the GRPG Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. The planning process is designed to add detail to the existing Guadalupe Gardens Master Plan and to determine a strategy for implementing the next phase of development. Notes from an earlier Community Meeting, held November 2007, and the consultant’s preliminary design concepts are available for review at www.grpg.org . The consultant team will present the draft plan and take additional comments. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by calling 298-7657 or emailing the Friends’ at info@grpg.org

Feb. 16 – 17
The American Cancer Discovery Shop, 1103 Branham Lane in San Jose announces its annual fundraising event. Collectibles, artwork, designer clothing, will be available for purchase. Hours are 2/16 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 2/17 noon – 4 p.m. For more information, call 265-5535. Event proceeds support cancer research.

Feb. 29
Junior League of San Jose hosts its Biennial Fashion Show, In Vogue, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. Preview the hottest trends for modern families by top designers such as Azadeh, Tiffany & Co, Macy’s, Brooks Brothers and Anne Fontaine. Attendees have a chance to win an Apple iPhone, Nintendo Wii and more. Proceeds benefit programs for the children of San Jose including Children’s Discovery Museum, Bring Me A Book Foundation and Kids in the Kitchen. Fashion Show – 11 a.m., $85; Gala Dinner Fashion Show: 5:30 p.m. $165. For tickets, call 264-3058 or visit www.jlsj.org.

Ongoing
February is Spay/Neuter month: The Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) and participating local veterinarians are offering 50 percent discounts on all spay/neuter surgeries during the month of February. This program is designed to encourage the public to sterilize their pets to prevent unwanted litters and overpopulation. Throughout the month, female cat spays are $62.50 and male cat neuters are just $37.50. Spay/neuter surgeries for dogs are priced by the animal’s weight and sex and range from $57.50 for a male dog under 30 pounds to $92.50 for a female dog weighing between 76 and 99 pounds. Prices include a brief pre-op exam, pre-anesthetic, anesthetic, spay/neuter surgery and hospitalization on the day of surgery. There are additional charges for animals in-heat, pregnant, cryptorchid and/or obese and all animals must be current on all vaccinations. For more information, visit www.hssv.org. Appointments can call 727-3383, ext. 828.


HAVE AN ITEM FOR OUR CALENDAR?
We are seeking calendar items pertaining to the south bay communities we cover in our seven monthly community newspapers: Blossom Valley, Cambrian, Campbell, Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Willow Glen, Fifty Plus, and our weekly publication, Almaden Times Weekly. Items must be submitted by email or fax several weeks before the event. Send an email to candy@timesmediainc.com or fax to Candy Richter at 494-7078. Photos should be sent digitally as jpegs or mailed to Calendar, Times Newspapers, 1310 Tully Road, Ste. 107, San Jose, CA 95122. Due to the large volume of items received calendar requests left on voice mail cannot be used. Space is limited.