March 12, 2009

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

Mar 13 – 14
Symphony Silicon Valley presents two symphonies in its concert at the California Theater: The acclaimed Jonas Nordwall plays Organ Symphony No. 1 on the theater’s Wurlitzer and a rising young conductor, Paul Haas demonstrates his bold style with Adagio for Strings and Schubert’s symphony – the great C major. Performance times are 8 p.m. on 3/14 and at 2:30 p.m. on 3/15. For information and tickets, call the box office at 286-2600 or visit www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

Mar. 21
Sunnyvale Theatre presents modern-day bard Patrick Ball, performing his haunting, evening-length solo musical theater piece, Fine Beauty of the Island, based on the remarkable true story of the Blaskett Islands. Performance time is 8 p.m. at 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. Tickets are $25/general, $20/students. To purchase tickets call the box office at 733-6611 or fax 730-7726.This performance is part of Sunnyvale’s 2008-09 Evenings of Cultural Arts Series. For more information, visit our website at: http://arts.inSunnyvale.com

THEATER

Mar. 6 - 28
The Tabard Theatre Company presents “Crowns” its final production of the 2008-2009 season. To wear a hat, you must know who you are, where you come from and possess a sense of self-pride. It’s called “hattitude” and the women of “Crowns” have it. Join this roof raising musical celebration at Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 North San Pedro Street, San Jose. Directed by Diane Milo. Tickets are $24 - $10 and reservations are strongly recommended. For a performance schedule and additional information, visit www.tabardtheatre.org

Mar. 8 – Apr. 12
Murder Mystery Players presents “Murder By Mischance,” a hilarious new whodoneit interactive murder mystery staged at Scott’s Seafood in San Jose. Playing on Sundays at 2 p.m., this fun-filled performance includes dinner as well as the interactive performance. Audience members have a chance to win prizes and guess who did what to whom. Tickets are $60.00 per person, tax and gratuity included, parking validated in building. Scott’s Seafood is located at 185 Park Avenue, 6th Floor, San Jose. To make reservations for this hilarious evening of murder mystery and audience participation, call Scott¹s Seafood at (408) 971-1700. Reservations are required, as seating is limited.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Mar. 11 - 14
Leland High School Performing Arts presents “The Wiz” at 7:30 pm in the Leland Cafeteria, 6677 Camden Ave, San Jose. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Ticket order forms are in the school office, on the school website or at the door, but all seats are reserved. Directed by Steve Dini, The Wiz is a funky look at the classic Wizard of Oz story and this year Leland has over 50 actors in the cast. Before “Wicked,” there was “The Wiz!” So, don’t miss this show at Leland coming up soon...more info: call 655-2771.”

Mar. 18
Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship at the McEnery Convention Center South Hall
Students in 6th through 12th grades from schools throughout Santa Clara County will exhibit science projects for judging by Bay Area scientists and engineers. Over 700 students will be competing for cash and prizes from local businesses, professional organizations and the U.S. Armed Forces. The event will be open to the public from 4:30pm to 6pm and is free. To learn more visit our web site at www.science-fair.org.

April – May
Jr. Rangers Open for Spring Enrollment: Explore the Santa Clara County park system’s wildlife habitats and cultural history as a Jr Park Ranger. These free programs run every four-weeks and meet once a week for 2 hours. Participants receive a free tee-shirt, water bottle and activity guide. Participants who complete the program are invited to the optional Jr. Ranger Camp out. The 9 – 11 age group takes hikes, play games and participate in nature-based activites. For more information, visit www.parkhere.org/jr.rangers or contact Janet Shriner at 846-5632.

Ongoing
There is still space available at Peninsula Youth Theatre’s summer camp program but spaces are filling fast! Our students not only act but also design and construct the sets, props and costumes. At the end of each of the two camp session, students participate in a free, public performance for family, friends and the community. The cost is $400 for the two week session which is held in the Mountain View and Saratoga area for ages 6-14 from June 15th to August 15th Monday through Friday. We offer a 45 minute mini camp for students ages 3.5 -8 at our studio in Mountain View. These classes are for a month, once a week and the cost is $77. Visit our  website at www.pytnet.org  for more information and to register online or call 650- 988-8798 with questions.

CLASSES

Mar. 13
Things That Fly: Come learn the most amazing facts about things that fly! Some birds can hover, and glide, some work so hard flapping their wings that they need to eat constantly for fuel. Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens and we’ll experiment with paper airplanes and compare birds, seeds and insects in flight to helicopters, kites, balloons and more! It’s also a great time to stroll in the park and see the bird homes that will be hidden once the leaves camouflage the nests. Bring your best observation skills and go home with a naturalist journal we’ll make in class. Designed for children aged 5 – 10 years. Hours are 3:30 – 5 p.m., fee is $10/members, $15/non-members. All workshops take place at 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Pre-registration is required and parents need not be present during the workshop. To register, call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to learn more.

Mar. 14
Learn How to Grow Beautiful Roses at Metropolitan Adult Education Program’s (MAEP) World Garden Workshop held at the Erikson Adult Center, 4849 Pearl Ave, San Jose. Join Master Gardener Marianne Suggs for tips that include how to plant, prune, prevent diseases, feed, and care for your roses so that they will bloom for years to come! This free workshop will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. To register, call 723-6450 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and ask to have your name added to the March World Garden Workshop list, or email your name and phone number to ritab@metroed.net. Sign-up early, space is limited.

Mar. 15
Free Mind Body Wellness workshop: Workshop time is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Dance Kraze Studios, 1711 Branham Lane in San Jose. Eliminate stress with breathing techniques and meditation. Benefits include gaining calmness, mental clarity, improving health physically, mentally and emotionally. For more information, call 408-656-6871, or email ctripurani@yahoo.com

Ongoing
Ceramics Classes in Almaden...Ever wished you could make a ceramics piece of your own from start to finish to show off to family and friends? Hands On Clay classes for adults is now accepting new students. These small classes are held on Wednesday mornings 9-10:30 a.m., and Thursday evenings 7-8:30 p.m. in the artist’s studio in Almaden. The materials, kiln firings, use of tools and glazes are included, so just come on down! All levels are welcome. For more information call 679-0238.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mar. 14
Junior League of San Jose Hosts the 21st Biennial Rummage Sale: The Junior League of San Jose announces its 21st biennial Rummage Sale, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Rummage Sale proceeds will be invested in projects that support the League’s Community Program: helping young children enter elementary school ready to learn and thrive. Families will have an opportunity to purchase high quality rummage including furniture, children’s clothing, computers, house wares, and electronics at a fraction of their original price. Guests can also take advantage of a complimentary Community Health and Service Fair at the Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to noon. This fair will provide families with important health information and services, including diabetes screening and cholesterol checks. Hunter Laboratories, who will be providing some of the testing, recommends fasting for 12 to 14 hours prior to your screening.

Mar. 14
Going Evergreen features the RnE2EW van: Local non-profit Going Evergreen, in cooperation with the East Valley YMCA, is pleased to host the Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy & Efficiency Education on Wheels van (RnE2EW, pronounced “renew”). The van travels the western United States educating students, teachers and communities in renewable energy and efficiency sciences. It will be available for the public at the East Valley YMCA from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.. For additional information visit www.GoingEvergreen.org.

Mar. 19
The Assistance League of San Jose will hold its monthly general meeting at noon in the Joint Venture Church on Camden Avenue. For information on the Assistance League’s mission, programs and additional meeting dates, please call (408) 997-7503, email ALofSanJose@aol.com or visit www.alsj.org.

Mar. 31
At the March meeting of the Civil War Round Table of the South Bay, Brad Schall will discuss the political climate in California during the Civil War period.  Come here just how crucial was the question of Slavery in our fair state so long ago. Our speaker will begin by 7:15 p.m., so, come meet us and listen for free before receiving our newsletter if you wish.  Come earlier if you will order dinner at Holder’s Country Inn, 998 South De Anza Blvd near Hwy 85 ( also called Saratoga/Sunnyvale Road). Contact Bill Noyes at 374-1541 or heck our web site, sbcwrt.org, for more information. 
Ongoing

Mar. 30
Spa R&R at 1345 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, will be having a free monthly support group at 7 p.m. for women with Breast Cancer.  Beginning in March, we will have MDs come in to speak on subjects such as Reconstructive Surgery, Nutrition, Chiropractic care, Relaxation and Hypnotherapy.  Our first guest speaker is on Mar. 30, and will be Dr. Katherine Sutherland from Women Physicians, herself a Breast Cancer survivor of 13 years.  This conference will be one of many throughout the year held at Spa R&R on women’s health. We ask that attendees please bring in a frozen pot pie or canned goods for our Martha’s Kitchen Food Drive.  Martha’s Kitchen, located at 311 Willow Street, is a non-profit, interfaith, community dining room feeding the hungry poor with dignity since 1981.  As space is limited, please e-mail RSVPs to violet@sparandr.com or call at 408-297-4899 to sign up. 
Call for Artists: Tapestry Arts, San Jose’s oldest and largest downtown arts festival, is now accepting applications for its 34th annual arts festival. This outdoor event will be held over Labor Day Weekend, September 5-7, 2009. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 30, 2009. Artists can submit applications in one of two ways: by mail or online. Application fees are $15 for Santa Clara County residents and $20 for nonresidents. Entry forms are available by calling 408 494 3590 or at www.tapestryarts.org.



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.