Feb 05, 2004

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

MUSIC
February 1 – 22
Opera San Jose presents “The Pearl Fishers” at the Montgomery Theater. Known the world over for its moving tenor/baritone duet, “Au fond du temple,” the story is set on a tropical island in antiquity. Best friends find themselves, for a second time, divided by their love for the same woman. Taboos, passion and vengeance highlight Georges Bizet’s masterpiece. For additional information and show times, call 437-4450 or visit www.oprasj.org.
February 6 – 8
Almaden Feed and Fuel, 18950 Almaden Road, hosts live music each Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and on Sundays from 3 – 7 p.m. This week features “Engine Room” on the 6th, “Ol’ Brown Shoe” on the 7th and “Hopped Up” on the 8th. For additional information, call 268-8950.

February 7 – Saturday
The Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra will perform at The Joint Venture Churches of Almaden Valley, 6581 Camden, as part of the Almaden Adventures in the Arts concert series. This six-piece orchestra offers a musical treat for the whole family, blending sophisticated musicianship with footloose choreography, ingenious special effects, and madcap comedy to delight everyone from the saxophone aficionado to the most dedicated “saxophobes.” Tickets are $15 general, and $ students. Call 268-0243 for additional information.
February 8 – Sunday
San Jose Museum of Art Musician a’ la Carte Winter Classical Music Series will feature the Del Sol String Quartet at 2 p.m. Del Sol has performed extensively throughout the greater Bay Area, the Pacific Northwest and Southwest, and internationally. For recorded information, call 294-2787.

THEATER
January 30 – February 22
The San Jose Repertory Theatre presents the SITI Company’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” According to the production’s internationally acclaimed director, Anne Bogart, the interpretation of Shakespeare’s timeless classic was inspired by John Steinbeck’s “Grape of Wrath.” “In the context of the depression era, dust bowl struggle offers an arena in which the magic of A Midsummer Night’s Dream becomes even more special,” explained Bogart. Tickets for this production are available by calling 367-7255 or online at www.sjrep.com and www.tickets.com. Ticket prices range from $18 to $52 each.
January 31 – February 21
The Saratoga Drama Group presents “Gypsy,” directed by Leslie Hardy Tamel playing at The Saratoga Civic Theater, 1377 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga. For tickets and more information, cal 882-5099 or visit www.saratogadramagroup.com.

ART
February 2 – 29
Almaden artist Cindy Blain’s paintings will be on exhibit at the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company, 1383 Lincoln Avenue, in downtown Willow Glen. “Coloratura Companions” presents Blain’s recent expressionistic and energetic figure paintings. The reception will be Sunday, February 15, from 1- 3 p.m.

DANCE
February 5 – 8
Ballet San Jose presents “Coppelia” the full-length story ballet of a doll so life-like that she fools an entire village. Performances will be held at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in downtown. Tickets range from $22-$68, and can be ordered by calling the box office at 288-2800, or online through TicketMaster or at www.balletsanjose.org
February 7 - 8
“Images 2004” will be presented by Santa Clara University’s Department of Theatre and Dance and the Center of Performing Arts at 8 p.m. on Feb 7, and 2 p.m. on Feb. 8, in the Louis B. Mayer Theatre. This annual dance highlight features student and faculty choreography spanning an array of dance styles including jazz, modern, and classical ballet. Ticket prices range from $5-$14. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. For tickets or more information, contact the Center of Performing Arts box office at 408-554-4015. On the Web, visit www.scu.edu/cpa.

MEETINGS
February 10 – Tuesday
Evergreen Business Builders Networking Group meets every Tuesday for breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Evergreen Inn at the corner of White and Aborn Roads. Call or e-mail Dee Ramirez for additional details. (408) 531-9200, e-mail: pplexec@yahoo.com. This is a support group for business owners. The purpose of this club is to assist in the growth of business for each member. Business owners are welcome to attend.
February 10 - Tuesday
Adelante Toastmasters meets each Tuesday at 7:15 – 8:30 a.m. at Hick’ry Pit Restaurant, 980 E Campbell Ave, (across from the Pruneyard), Campbell. For more information call Mary at 979-9499 or visit http://adelante.tripod.com/.
February 10 – Tuesday
Le Tip Meeting Willow Glen Chapter meets every Tuesday at 7 a.m. at Denny’s on 1049 E. Capital Expressway, San Jose. Call Dr. Manfred, 568-9900 to become part of a successful business network.
February 10 – Tuesday
Business Leads Unlimited meets every Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. at Denny’s 1015 Blossom Hill Road. Please contact Richard at 378-2225 if you plan to attend.
February 10 – Tuesday
San Jose ADD Self-Help Association will hold ADD self-help meetings at “The School of Choice,” 3800 Bradford Avenue, San Jose, beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Jeffrey at 978-3149.
February 10 – Tuesday
Concerned Birth Parents Club (CUB) features speakers and group support for parents who relinquished a child to adoption, adult adoptees, and others touched by adoption. The group meets at 7 p.m. at 290 N. San Tomas Aquino Rd. (Retirement Inn), Campbell. 378-9623.
February 11 – Wednesday
South Valley Chapter of Leads Business Networking Group meets for lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost to attend. Call or email Renee to get location details. 210-7361 or rdaggett@adminbooks.com
February 11 – Wednesday
American Business Women’s Association Changing Times Chapter meets at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2885 Lakeside Drive, Santa Clara. Program and dinner are $25 and reservations are required. For meeting times and additional information contact Bonnie George-Orsley 221-6606.
February 12 – Thursday
Search-Finders is a non-profit volunteer search and support organization comprised of adult adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents searching for relatives or lost loved ones. This group meets at 7 p.m. at Pro Image Studios, 1856 Camden Avenue, San Jose. 356-6711.
Ongoing:
Las Madres Adoption Group is a wonderful support system for those who have gone through the adoption process and are looking to share the joys and challenges of parenting an adopted child.  We have regular play dates for newborns-5 years old and monthly “mom’s night out”. For more information, contact Barb Griswold at barbgris@aol.com or call toll free 1-877-LasMadres.  

HEALTH
February 7 – Saturday
The San Jose McEnery Convention Center will host “A Women’s Health Conference” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Women are invited to spend a day learning about their health through informative breakout sessions covering women’s health issues during all stages of life. The conference will include health screenings, continental breakfast, formal luncheon, critical healthcare information and guest speakers. Admission is $50 - $60 each. For more information, call 559-5584 or visit www.healthtrust.org.
Ongoing:
Bay Area Alzheimer’s Association now includes meetings at Kaiser Hospital, Santa Teresa Kaiser, Bldg. 3, Conference rm. 2 5755 Cottle Road. For more information call 800-660-1993

FIFTY PLUS
March 12-14
Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness presents the 21st Annual Fitness Weekend at Stanford University. This event includes a public forum session, Health Faire, Health Conference and Symposium, Awards and Recognition dinner, and a variety of athletic events for every fitness level. For information and registration, call 650-843-1750 or visit www.50plus.org.
February 9
The Almaden Valley Athletic Club’s Fifty Plus Lecture Series will be held in the facility’s Poolside Café at 8 p.m. The topic for February will be “Myths of Aging.” For more information, contact MaryAnn Smith at 445-4931.
February 9 & 11
Fifty Plus Gentle Yoga Class meets every Monday and Wednesday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. at St. Francis Church at the corner of Pine and Newport in Willow Glen. Everyone is welcome, no yoga experience is necessary, no pretzel poses! This class is perfect for increasing flexibility, building strength, and reducing injuries. For more information call Yoga Instructor Arika Larson at 947-7685.
February 10 – Tuesday
TGA (To Get Acquainted) is a Senior Tuesday Night Ballroom Dancing Club that meets every Tuesday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Santa Clara Senior Center, corner of Fremont and Monroe, Santa Clara. Dance lessons are included with paid admission from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Live Band $4 - DJ $3. Refreshments, no partners needed.
February 11 – Wednesday
AVAC presents an informative lecture by Joy Weyer of the San Jose Fire Department’s Office of Education on “Fire and Fall Prevention” at 2:00 p.m Come to hear important tips that will help you stay independent. For more information, call MaryAnn Smith at 445-4931.
February 11 - Wednesday
Bingo from 1:15-3:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave. The cost is $5.00 for the first pack and $2.00 for each additional pack. Sales of Bingo cards will begin at 11:00 a.m. Doors open at 1:00 pm. Cash prizes of $50-$99 will be awarded for each of the 12 games. For more information, call (408) 448-6400.
Ongoing:
AARP Information Center needs volunteers to staff their office. Duties include helping seniors find various services and programs, and providing information on senior needs. The office is located at 840 Willow Street, Suite 300, at the corner of Bird and Willow Streets on bus route #25. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 278-1855.
Catholic Charities’ Foster Grandparent Program is looking for persons over age 60 who are willing to give love and attention to children with special needs in the community. Participants must be on a limited retirement income to qualify, be in good physical health and be able to work four hours a day, five days a week. Foster grandparents receive a small non-taxable stipend and other benefits. Contact Susan Alberto at 325-5206.
The Computer Connection - classes for seniors over 50. Registration for computer classes will be on Jan. 3 at all three SeniorNet Centers in San Jose. A variety of classes will be offered at each center. In Almaden, 6445 Camden Avenue, registration is from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Computer Fundamentals students will register from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The other two SeniorNet sites are Willow Senior Center at 2175 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose and Cypress Senior Center, 403 S. Cypress Ave. in San Jose. Call Don House at 268-1703 for more information.
Senior Adults Legal Assistance program at Eastside Neighborhood Center of Catholic Charities, 2150 Alum Rock Ave. handles cases in Legal Assistance, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare. First and third Thurs. of each month (60 years or older – free). By appointment only at 251-0215.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is offered free to assist the elderly with Medicare problems and help with Health Insurance. Eastside Neighborhood Center of Catholic Charities, 2150 Alum Rock Ave. Call 251-0215 for more information.
The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

CHILDREN/FAMILY EVENTS
January 24 – March 5
Art of the Zodiac: Celebrating the Year of the Monkey, will be on display at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. The King Library will be the first institute in the United States to host this exhibition this year. This event is sponsored by the Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan, Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Taipei Cultural Center Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York and San Francisco. For more information contact Steven Groth at 808-2061.
February 6 – Friday
San Jose’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in downtown will host MLK, Jr. eldest daughter, Yolanda King and co-creator Elodia Tate discussing their new book “Open My Eyes, Open My Soul: Celebrating Our Common Humanity” at the library. The discussion and book signing will be from 4 – 6 p.m.
February 7 - Saturday
Star viewing at EVC’s Montgomery Hill Observatory. Come gaze at the winter evening sky from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at the new Montgomery Hill Observatory at Evergreen Valley College. Recommended for ages 10 and older. For reservations, please call (408) 270-6490 before 6:00 pm. The events will be cancelled if it’s raining or clouds cover most of the sky. 
February 7 – Saturday
Harry the Dirty Dog, based on Gene Zion’s popular children¹s book, will play at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre on Saturday morning, February 7, at 11:00am. Tickets are $11 advance purchase and $12 at the door. For more information, visit  www.ctcinc.org or call 245-2978.
February 8 – Sunday
A Doll Lover’s Day at the Ballet! Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley will hold a Doll Contest on Sunday, February 8th in the Ridder Lounge of the Center for the Performing Arts, immediately following the 1:30pm matinee performance of “Coppélia”.
February 10 – Tuesday
Barnes and Noble Almaden hosts “Toddler Tuesday Morning Storytime,” a weekly read aloud session that begins at 10 a.m.
February 12 – Thursday
Over 70 dental offices throughout Santa Clara County will open their offices to provide free dental care to school-aged children as part of the “Dentists with a Heart 2004” event. If your organization is aware of children that otherwise do not have access to dental care, please call 408-283-6209 for scheduling information. For additional information about the program, contact either Valerie Stinnett (408-879-8422) or David Lees (408-879-8420) at The Health Trust.
February 12 – Thursday
Bring the ‘jammies and get ready to cuddle up to a great story at Barnes and Noble Almaden’s Thursday night Pajamarama Storytime held at the store each week at 7 p.m.
February 14 – Saturday
Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum is presenting a Gem and Mineral Show. Featured speakers are Colleen McCann, Robbie Lamons and Sally and Bob Braumbaugh at 10 a.m. 21350 Almaden Road, San Jose 323-1107.
February 14 – Saturday
The Angel Island Ferry hosts its Valentine’s Crab Cruise on the Bay! This year treat the ones you love to fresh-cooked Dungeness crab served to the spectacular vies of Tiburon, Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island. The boat departs from our downtown Tiburon dock at noon and returns at 1:15 p.m. Each ticket includes one fresh whole crab (plus fixins) French bread, salad, and choice of beverage. The cost is $39 per adult. Children 5-11 will enjoy a spaghetti lunch and get to design their own graham cracker, ginger bread house with all the trimmings. Child tickets are $20 each children under 4 are free. To book reservations, call Sonja at 415-435-2131, or visit www.angelislandferry.com.
Ongoing
Attention dog lovers! Join the canines of Society Dog for engaging walks and socialization. Walkers meet the second Saturday of each month at the Los Gatos Town Plaza at 10:00. Social hour begins at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are “Bark in the Dark” nights. Meet at the Los Gatos Town Plaza at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday evening, and at Willow Glen Elementary School at 6:30 each Thursday evening. For more information call 671-3417 or visit www.Societydog.com.
New at the Tech! The Tech Museum of Innovation announces the opening of it new exhibit: Engineer It! Visitors of all ages will have a great time designing boats, buildings, bridges, windmills, and airplanes, and testing their performance in water tanks, earthquake simulators, and wind tunnels. Engineer It! is a highly interactive traveling exhibition that presents science as an open-ended discovery process; there are no write or wrong answers. Every station offers a fun and challenging activity where visitors are encouraged to “think it, build it, and test it.”

VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
Kaiser Santa Teresa has an array of volunteer opportunities available, with our greatest need being at the Information Desks. Weekday, weekend, and evening shifts are available. If you are 18 or older, please call 972-6233 or e-mail Debbe.Brewer@kp.org
Welcome Wagon #3 is a non-profit, diverse group of volunteers dedicated to charity, community and each other. Welcome Wagon offers 15+ activity groups of various interests for our members to enjoy. Twice yearly WW hosts charity events to raise funds, giving back to the community. WW #3 meets as a whole on the third Wednesday of each month for luncheons and programs to various restaurants in the area. New members are always welcome! For additional information, call or new member hotline at 445-7015. Ask for president Glenda or membership chairs Beverly or Barbara.
Child Advocates of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is looking for volunteers to mentor and speak up for abused and neglected children/youth who have been placed in the foster care system. To find out how you can make a difference in the life of a child, call (408) 416-0400 or e-mail info@cadvocates.org.
The Restorative Justice Program is currently seeking community members who enjoy working with youth and wish to reduce juvenile crime and violence by becoming a NAB member. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Rosalinda Lara at (408) 929-1080 ext. 326.
Sacred Heart Community Service needs volunteers to assist in our Self-Sufficiency Programs, including Youth and Adult Education, JobLink and Embracing Families. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. For more information contact the Volunteer Office at 278-2171 or visit www.sacredheartcommunityservice.org.
Friends of Evergreen Library is a volunteer group meeting on the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Branch Library, 2635 Aborn Road. For more information, call Dr. Rod Cryer at 531-9933 or by email at ev.sjpl@ci.sj.ca.us.
Child Abuse Prevention Center is seeking volunteers to join the Volunteer Case Aide program, which assists children and their families by providing services requested by county social workers. Call (650) 595-7640 for more information.
Friends of Santa Teresa Branch Library is a volunteer group benefiting both visitors and staff of the Library through fundraising activities. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month. For more information, call 281-1879.

MISCELLANEOUS
February 14 – Saturday
Books Aloud presents its annual Valentine’s Benefit Ball, casino and silent auction from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the newly renovated Radisson Hotel in San Jose. This “Open Your Heart” ball includes a gourmet “surf and turf” dinner, lively auction, casino gaming and romantic dinner dancing. Tickets are $150 each; tables of eight are $1,000 each. Special room rates are available. For more information or to reserve your tickets, call Ron Westphal at 808-2613, or Mary Marty at 356-5663. Books Aloud is a non-profit organization that records books into audio format for those unable to read by conventional means, and has served thousands of permanently and temporarily disabled listeners across the United States.
February 14 – Saturday
The Italian American Cultual Center presents the Ballo del Dolce Cuore or “Sweetheart Ball” held at the IACC, 425 North Fourth Street in San Jose. Enjoy a special romantic evening of beautiful music, champagne, chocolate and roses hosted by master of ceremonies IAHF President Salvatore Caruso. This event features a gourmet dinner catered by Antonella’s Ristorante in San Jose and musical entertainment by “Pasquale.” Tickets are $75 each with all proceeds benefiting the Italian American Heritage Foundation’s renovation project. For tickets and more information, call 293-7122.

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.