May 1, 2008

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

May 11
The award-winning California Youth Symphony, under the direction of Maestro Leo Eylar, continues its 56th season with a program of music that offers a sonic comparison among nationalistic schools of composition in England, Russia, and the United States at 2:30 p.m. at the Flint Center in Cupertino. This year’s Senior Soloist Competition winners are Jenna Chen, flute; Ian Harshman, clarinet; and Timothy Kang, cello. A resident of Cupertino and a senior at Monta Vista High School, Jenna Chen is Principal Flute of the California Youth Symphony.  CYS Principal Clarinet Ian Harshman, who lives with his family in San Jose, is a senior at Leigh High School. California Youth Symphony Principal Cello Timothy Kang also resides in San Jose, where he is a senior at Lynbrook High School.

Vesak Celebration 2008 at San Jose City Hall: Vesak is the time to remember the three great events in the life of Lord Buddha – birth, enlightenment and passing away. Each event represents a turning point that leads humanity to a better future. Vesak celebration is an opportunity for families, friends and neighbors to come together to rejoice in a day of peace and harmony. Here is the Bay Area, the Vesak celebration is annual event organized by Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural Center and International Children Assistance Network (ICAN), a San Jose non-profit organization. Event time is from 2 - 10 p.m. at San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose. For more details, please contact: Ms. Quyen Vuong at 396-6002 or quyen@quyen.org , ICAN (International Children Assistance Network) at 509-8788, or Lieu Quan Temple at 272-5765. Picture: Last year, the Vesak celebration in San Jose attracted more than 3,000 people. Photo: Courtesy Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural Center

ART

May 3 – June 20
Photography Exhibit “The Person in Front of You:  Photographs from West Africa” Friends of African Village Libraries, a San Jose-based nonprofit that builds and supports sustainable libraries in rural African villages, is sponsoring this exhibit of photographs by Los Altos-based photographer David Pace and Kathy Knowles of Osu Children's Library Fund in Canada.  The artists capture in moving detail the daily lives of children and their parents in rural villages in Burkina Faso and Ghana. Exhibit location is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 2nd Floor, Exhibit Area, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. Opening Reception is May 11 from 4 – 6 p.m. fro more information, call 396-6394 or visit  www.favl.org

CHILDREN/FAMILY

May 1 – 4
Children’s Musical Theatre presents Disney’s “Mulan, Jr.” at the Montgomery Theater. Travel back to the legendary, story-telling days of ancient China with this action packed stage adaptation of Disney’s “Mulan”. This inspiring tale of culture, honor, and a fighting spirit will touch the hearts of young and old. This production includes favorite Disney songs like “Reflection,” “Honor to Us All,” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” as well as new songs and production numbers 288-KIDS (5437) or visit www.sjtix.com.

May 2
Stories by Starlight: The Almaden Library and Community Center along with the San Jose Astronomical Association present "Stories Under the Stars". This event, tailored for families with children ages 6 to 12, will take place in the small amphitheater next to the Almaden Library at 8 p.m. and feature stories and songs about wonders of the night sky. SJAA astronomers will give a brief presentation at 8:20 p.m. followed by an opportunity to observe the Moon, Mars, Saturn, and several distant star clusters. Please dress warmly and bring blankets For more information, call 808-3040.

May 4
American Ice Theatre to perform at the Sharks’ Ice Center: AIT will perform “Sunset Tango” and “Latin Dance Explosion.” at Shark’s Ice Center, 1500 South 10th Street in San Jose at 1:30 p.m. This one-time premier event is fun for the whole family. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the AIT website: http://americanicetheatre.org or through Artsoplolis.com.  General Admission is $24 for adults and $17 for children under 12 years old.  VIP Seating with a Reception is $44.

May 5
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Discovery Meadow and Market Street: Now in its 26th year, this family-fun fiesta kicks off with a parade down Market Street and then a celebrations at Discovery Meadow featuring arts and crafts vendors, food booths, and live music as well as dances by local folklórico groups. For more information, call 288-9470 or visit www.sjgif.org/cincodemayo.html.   

May 9
They say a picture is worth a thousand words so nature must have a lot to say! Join Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for “Off the Wall” as we get creative in this outdoor afternoon adventure with art. Learn how to use different types of media such as watercolors, pastels, and charcoal, just to name a few. Test your techniques indoors and then take your skills outside where we will observe, sketch and draw something we find in the park. Location: 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Hours are 3:30 – 5 p.m. Fees are $10/members, $15/non-members. Appropriate for ages 5 – 10 years. Pre-registration is required and parents need not be present during the workshop. Toregister call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to learn more.

CLASSES

Ongoing
Children's Drawing & Painting Classes - art classes for children 7-12 years old are offered in Nelly Rouhani's house in Almaden. Classes are on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. with a maximum 4:1 child to teacher ratio. Children will learn about the fundamentals of drawing and paint using various media. Tuition is $100 per month, and includes all required materials. A snack will be provided. For more information, call 607-7588 or email niloufarafshin@sbcglobal.net.

Clay classes for adults.  New handbuilding ceramics classes are forming now. These small, relaxing clay classes are held on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., and Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11 a.m. The fee includes instructions, clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firings. The classes are held in the artist's studio in Almaden. For more information or to register, call 679-0238. Space is limited to only 4 students for each class, so register today!

MISCELLANEOUS

May 3 – 4
Hauslley and Randi Silva of Intero Almaden and the Palmia Community announce the 2nd Annual Community Garage Sale. This event includes 25 participating homes in the Palmia area of San Jose (Hwy. 85 and Cottle Road). Last year’s one day event had 20 homes participating and over 400 cars visiting the area. 

May 3
Santana Row and Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) present “Paws in the Park,” a series of free events for pets and pet lovers. Held from noon to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month through October, Paws in the Park focuses on topical information as related to pet ownership through a series of fun activities and events. The May event is “Fun with Fido!” featuring agility, rally, flyball, obedience, summer camps, and even dog dancing. To participate in these events, you’ll need a well-behaved dog, so come ask your questions of a trainer/behaviorist. You’ll soon have your and your canine’s calendar filled with fun!

May 3
The San Jose Garden Club presents its annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 1670 Lincoln Ave near Pine street.  Plants will be offered at bargain prices. Proceeds will benefit local scholarship funds. For more information, call 578-9125.

Ongoing
Santa Teresa High School Class of 1988 20th Reunion will be held on June 28, at 7 p.m. at the San Jose Hilton and Towers. Tickets are $93 through May 30th and go up $10 after that date. Tickets can be purchased from GreatReunions.com – Select California and find Santa Teresa ’88. For More information, go to the Alumni page of Santa Teresa High School:  sths.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Alumni
Camden High School Class of 1973 will hold a Reunion gala on June 21 at the Los Gatos Lodge. For more information, contact Jackie (Johnson 73') Daley at 205-9715, or email jclarktx@yahoo.com.

Get ready for a blast from the past! Leland Chargers Class of 1988 are reuniting this September. The location will be the Hotel Valencia in Santana Row at a to-be-announced date. For more details or to join a Reunion Committee, contact Paula Cavagnaro at CavagnaroPaula@yahoo.com or Laura Delizonna at ldelizonna@gmail.com
Willow Glen High School Class of 1988 Twenty Year Reunion. This event will be held on Sept. 13, at the Hotel Los Gatos, 210 E. Main St. in Los Gatos, at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $95 per person. For more information, go to Classmates.com and click on the Events/ Reunion link and register today.

Santa Clara High School Class of 1968 Reunion. This event is open to any attendee of the school from it’s inception up through the Class of 1981. Our event, “The Panther Festival” – is named in honor of the school’s mascot until it changed to “Bruins” in 1981- and it will include a BBQ picnic and music performance to be held on Jun. 14, at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale, CA. A website for the event is available at www.pantherfestival.com.



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.