March 16, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

ART
March 19 - Sunday
The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, 520 South First Street in San Jose presents “Art Quilts and America during the 1960s and 1970s” – A slide lecture with Dr. Sandra Sider. Dr. Sider’s lecture will discuss how American art quilts evolved in the turbulent decades of the 1960s and 1970s, especially in relation to contemporary politics and space-age materials. Presentation hours are from 2 - 4 pm Tickets are $10.00/members; $15.00/non-members. Seating for this program is limited; reservations are required. For more information call 971-0323 or visit www.sjquiltmuseum.org

MUSIC
March 17 – Friday
Bagpipes in San Pedro Square for St. Patrick’s Day: The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Pipes and Drums will be entertaining from 6 – 9 p.m. in San Pedro Square and throughout the downtown San Jose area. Featured establishments are: The Tied House, O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub and Britannia Arms.

Following the San Pedro Square appearances, the band will perform at the King’s Head Pub in downtown Campbell at 10 p.m.The band consists of volunteers from the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department and peace officers from neighboring police departments. For more information, visit the website: http://www.lenihan.org/lgpb

March 18 – Saturday
The Kentucky-based, folk roots duo, “Wishing Chair,” will be appearing at the Congregational Community Church of Campbell, 400 West Campbell Avenue, in Campbell, for a concert benefiting the Yout Science Institute classroom Summer camp scholarships. Showtime is 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are $15-$150+ sliding scale at the door. For more information, call 356-4945 x11.

March 18 - Saturday
The San Jose Youth Symphony (SJYS) Philharmonic Orchestra, now in its 54th season, will perform its Spring Concert, Harmonious Collaborations, at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in San Jose at 2:30 p.m. The concert will feature one of the first side-by-side concerts with the SJYS Philharmonic Orchestra, Avant Flute Choir and Percussion Ensemble performing “Mars” from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst. Also featured is a performance of Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” by Kenric Tam, co-winner of the 2005 Young Artist Competition. The third piece on the program will feature Joseph Chun, second winner of the 2005 Young Artist Competition, performing Antonin Dvorak’s “Concerto for Cello” and “Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104”. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended online http://www.sjys.org/concerts/ tickets.html Admission is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students and seniors, and $5.00 for children under 12. For further information, contact Anastasia Arnold at info@sjys.org or 885-8220

Ongoing
Unwined Wine Bar and Shop, 6946 Almaden Expressway features live music with Arturo Ville every Thursday. Come and enjoy the classical and contemporary stylings of a local guitar virtuoso. Performances are from 6 - 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 323-9463, or visit www.unwined.com

CHILDREN/FAMILY
March 11 – April 8
West Valley Light Opera Association will open its second production of its 41st Season, “Once Upon A Mattress” at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale in Saratoga with an 8 p.m., champagne gala performance. Weekend performances will continue through the second Saturday in April. Directed by Jeff M. Hicks, this musical is based Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Princess and the Pea.” For reservations and information, call 268-3777 or visit www.wvlo.org.

March 16 – 18
Leigh High School, 5210 Leigh Ave., in San Jose, presents the Broadway musical, “The Secret Garden” based upon the children’s book by Frances Burnett at 7:30 p.m This show is appropriate for all ages! Tickets are $10 each or 4/$35. For tickets or more information call 627-1675 or visit www.leighcenterstage.com

March 18 - Saturday
Written and directed by California Theatre Center’s Resident Director, Will Huddleston, “The Life and Times of Ben Franklin” focuses on Ben Franklin’s accomplishments as a youth and a young man, and leads up to his vital role in the American Revolution. Performances are at 11a.m. at the Sunnyvale Theatre, Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 East Remington Drive (just off El Camino Real). Tickets are $11.00 in advance. $12.00 at the door. For more information, visit www.ctcinc.org or call the Box Office at 245-2978.

March 22 – Wednesday
Audition sign up for the California Youth Symphony has started for all CYS ensembles, encompassing eight programs for all symphonic instruments, from beginning to advanced levels, for musicians of high school age and younger. Registration deadline is March 22, but applicants are strongly encouraged to sign up early. Auditions will take place at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, in April. The registration forms can be downloaded from the CYS website: www.cys.org and mailed in immediately. For information, call (650) 325-6666 or visit www.cys.org.

March 24 – 26 & 30 – April 2
Presentation High School presents Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” a play centered on rumors, witchcraft and mystery. The Crucible plays at the Valenzuela Theatre on the Presentation High School campus, 2281 Plummer Avenue in San Jose. Ticket prices are $15 adults and $10 students. For tickets and show times please go to www.pres-net.com or call 264-1664 ext. 2425.

March 25 – Saturday
The Banana Slug String Band will perform in concert at 5:00 p.m. at Joint Venture Churches of Almaden, 6581 Camden in San Jose. The Banana Slug String Band is a group of lovable musicians and educators from the coastal redwoods of Northern California. The Slugs are “Airy” Larry Graff, Doug “Dirt” Greenfield, “Solar” Steve Van Zandt and “Marine” Mark Nolan. This award-winning group is renowned for their creative incorporation of music, theater, puppetry, and audience participation into a fun-filled and entertaining learning experience appropriate for all ages. Advance tickets are $15 general, $8 students and $5 children ($20, $10 and $5 respectively at the door). Child care will be provided. For more information, call 268-0243.

VOLUNTEERS
March 23 – Thursday
Donate Your Gift of Time: A variety of rewarding volunteer opportunities are available in office and administrative support, client and patient care, bereavement support, fundraising and community outreach with Hospice of the Valley. Share your special talents and skills. Training for prospective volunteers commences on Thursday, March 23.  For volunteer information, contact the Director of Volunteer Services 947-1233, email request@hospicevalley.org or visit www.hospicevalley.org

MISCELLANEOUS
March 21 – Tuesday
Irrigation Systems for the Homeowner: Are you tired of raveling and unraveling your hose, or is your current irrigation system failing? Join Derek McKee, of Beals Alliance, Inc and the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens in this introductory irrigation class to save time and money, while keeping your plants adequately hydrated all year long. The class hours are from 6 – 8 p.m. and will include information on irrigation basics, irrigation materials, system set-up, design and layout, use zones, water conservation and controllers and operations. The workshop will be held at the new Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by contacting Kary Wilson at education@grpg.org or 298-7657. The cost is $10 for members/$15 for non-members. Refunds for the program will only be made if the program is cancelled of if there is a waiting list.

March 23 – Thursday
Sierra Club’s Guadalupe Group meeting: “NAIL vs. Lexington Watershed Logging” - San Jose Water Company plans selective logging in its Lexington watershed along and above Los Gatos Creek. Watershed residents will discuss these plans and their concerns at Sierra Club’s Guadalupe Group meeting, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Library Community Room, on Saratoga Ave. at Fruitvale in Saratoga. The public is invited; and refreshments are served—bring your own cup to reduce paper/plastic waste.

March 23 – Thursday
Salam Pax, the “Baghdad Blogger,” who attracted a worldwide readership with his daily accounts of life under Saddam Hussein and during the invasion by the US-led forces, makes his first visit to an American college when he comes to San Jose State University for two free events sponsored by the Student Union, Inc. and the Center for Literary Arts of SJSU: 12 noon: Conversation and extended public Q&A, with book signing at the Dr. Martin Luther King Library (co-sponsor of this event), 4th St. & San Fernando St., San Jose, 2nd Floor Meeting Rooms 225-229.
7:30 p.m.: “An Evening with Salam Pax” Q&A and book signing at the City of San Jose City Council Chambers, 200 East San Fernando St., San Jose. This event is co-sponsored by Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley. For more information, call 924-4600.

March 24 - 25
Junior League of San Jose presents “La Dolce Vita” the 14th Biennial Fashion Show and Fundraising event held in the Imperial Ballroom—San Jose Fairmont Hotel. Support our community while previewing the hottest Spring fashions. Featured designers include: MaxMara, Azadeh, Macy’s Valley Fair, Jessica McClintock and Tiffany & Co. Attendees will have a chance to win valuable prizes including a Vespa, a Sonoma Valley Wine Getaway, landscape design, a spa experience, a romantic getaway and much more. One lucky person will win a gorgeous diamond, in a setting of their choice, in the Grand Prize drawing. March 24 Fashion Show and Luncheon 11 a.m.; March 25 Fashion Show and Bellini Brunch 11 a.m., March 25th Fashion Show and Evening Gala 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit www.jlsj.org, call the Junior League of San Jose at 264-3402 or email us at fashionshow@jlsj.org. Ticket prices vary depending on event.

March 25 – Saturday
The 3rd Annual Fur Ball benefiting the Humane Society of Silicon Valley will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 2050 Gateway Place in San Jose. Tickets are $150 Per Person (or $1,500 for table of ten) To purchase tickets or for additional information, please call 727-3383 x879 or email bvitcosky@hssv.org RSVP by 03/10/06 Cocktail Attire Faux Fur and Costumes Encouraged (Two-Legged Guests Only)

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.