May 3, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

May 5 - Saturday
Auditions for the California Youth Symphony will soon take place, and there are still openings for horn, bassoon, bass, harp, trumpet, and trombone players. Although the official registration deadline has passed, players of these instruments are encouraged to contact CYS and schedule an audition appointment. Auditions for membership in the 2007 – 2008 California Youth Symphony will take place at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, on April 28 and May 5. Horn, bassoon, bass, harp, trumpet, and trombone players who would like to audition may telephone Jim Hogan or Ching Ying Pang at 650-325-6666. Interested young musicians may also visit the CYS website: http://www.cys.org.

May 6 – Sunday
Almaden Hills Spring Choir Concert The thirty-member choir performs "Anthem After Anthem," ranging from traditional spirituals to Mozart works in Latin.  Several songs will be accompanied by trumpet, piano, or organ.  Stirring solo selections will be played on the church's new Allen Organ to show it at its best.  A reception follows.  Program begins at 3 p.m. A donation of $10 for tickets may be made at the door.  Almaden Hills United Methodist Church, 1200 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose. For more information, call 269-2345.

May 10 – Thursday
Closing its fifth season, Symphony Silicon Valley will perform works by Haydn, Stravinsky, and Brahms with renowned maestro Joseph Silverstein conducting. The program features rising international stars violinist Axel Strauss and cellist Mark Kosower. All performances will be at the California Theater. For more information or tickets, call 408.286.2600 or visit the web site at www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

THEATER

May 1 – 13
American Musical Theatre San Jose presents the National Tour of the hit Broadway musical, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” This lively comedic romp plays at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts and is based on the successful 1988 MGM film about two con men extraordinaire that live it up large on the French Riviera. This production stars Tony-nominated actor Tom Hewitt and D.B. Bonds and reunites director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell - the creative team behind the Tony-nominated “The Full Monty.” Tickets are $13.75 - $73. For additional information, call 1-888-455-7469 or visit www.amtsj.org

CHILDREN/FAMILY

May 5 – Saturday
Big Spring gently used Book Sale, sponsored by the Vineland Library Friends of the Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose.  Books, hard cover and paper back, and media, all for children and adults, will be available.  9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  All proceeds go to benefit library programs and activities!

May 12 – Saturday
Create your own one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day Cards. Guadalupe River Park & Gardens will provide the dried rose petals, glue and other materials needed to make mom a card she’ll cherish forever. Participants will also get to select a rose for mom from the 3,700 varieties blooming in the Heritage Rose Garden! Workshop is from 9:30 a.m. – noon. Fees are $5 members/$10 non-members. All ages welcome, children must have an accompanying adult. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact education@grpg.org or 298-7657.

May 12 – Saturday
It’s Scout-O-Rama! From Pine Wood Derby (bring your own car) and water rocket derbies to Monkey Bridges and Merit Badge Exploratoriums, there is something for everyone at the Scout’s largest fair. Located at History Park in Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road in San Jose, Over 50 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Venture crews have volunteered to host interactive, hands-on “booths.” Event hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. Tickets are $5 per family plus $6 for nearby parking. For more information, go to go to our website at www.scccbsa.org/html/program/activities/sor.html

Ongoing
Summer is the time for California Theatre Center’s exciting and educational Summer Theatre Conservatory Program. Based in Sunnyvale, California Theatre Center (CTC) has offered its hands-on theatre Conservatories for ages 8 and up for over twenty years. By popular demand CTC now offers 2-week-long, half-day/ morning Junior Conservatories for ages 6-8. Registrations are currently being accepted at 245-2979. CTC’s regular Summer Conservatory is a three-week-long intensive workshop for young people ages 8 and up (must turn 8 by July 1, 2007) who are interested in developing and improving theatre skills. For more information about CTC Summer Conservatory dates and locations visit our web site at www.ctcinc.org. To register your child, call 408-245-2979.
Youth Science Institute is taking registrations now for their Summer Science Camps! Designed for children ages 3 ½ to 14, there are over 35 camps to choose from. Camps include Bugology, Mighty Forest, Science Sleuths and Wild Wonders, just to name a few. Children enjoy the wonders of science and the natural world with hands-on projects, experiments, crafts, hikes and games. Camp fees range from $130 to $205 per week. Camps start the week of June 18th and run through August 17th at each of YSI’s Science and Nature Centers, located at Alum Rock Park in San Jose, Sanborn Park in Saratoga and Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Scholarships are available at the YSI Centers in Alum Rock and Sanborn. Classes fill up quickly, so call 356-4945 today for more information or to register.

CLASSES

May 5 – Saturday
Cooking with the Sun – Guadalupe River Park & Gardens presents a introduction to solar ovens and cooking by Don Larson of Common Ground Organic Garden Supply & Education Center. This class will include instructions on cooking, food preparation, and recipe modification. Solar ovens and recipe books will also be available to purchase. A solar oven built in class will be taken home by one lucky class attendee. Instructions on building ovens are included in class tuition. Fees are $40/members, $45 non-members. Children under 15 accompanied by adults are free. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact education@grpg.org or 298-7657.

Ongoing
"Hands On Clay" classes in Almaden is accepting students for Summer 2007. Come create unique pieces that will surely impress your family and friends! The fee for these small classes (4 students) includes instructions, materials, use of tools, and kiln firings. The adult classes are held on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. in Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar's Little Falls Drive art studio and gallery. For information or to register call 679-0238 or e-mail avidehzworld@yahoo.com. 

FIFTY PLUS

Ongoing
Attention recently retired or semi retired men! Sons in retirement (SIRS) meet on the second Thursday of each month at the Elks Club, 444 West Alma in San Jose for lunch. Join us for good food, great speakers and the chance to meet new friends. SIRS has many activities including bowling, golf computer clubs. SIRS has no initiation fees or dues. If you are interested come to one of the Branch 94 luncheons or call Ron Bianco at 267-0386

The San Jose Widow/Widowers Club meets at 12:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month for lunch at the Cup & Saucer Restaurant, 1375 Blossom Hill Road in Princeton Plaza. They also meet for breakfast every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at Goodies Coffee Shop on the corner of Bascom and Apricot in Campbell. Call 408-275-6178 or 408-292-3406 for information.

AARP Willow Glen - Chapter 5193. Meetings are held every fourth Monday of the month, 1 – 3 p.m. There will be speakers on senior issues and refreshments are served. Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. For more information call 448-6400.

VOLUNTEERS

Ongoing
Do you have a passion for helping others? Kaiser Permanente San Jose is looking for friendly, outgoing individuals to greet and assist patients. Learn new skills, make new friends, and take pride in knowing you're providing a community service and making a difference in someone's day. Day, evening, and weekend opportunities available for those 18 and over. Call 408-972-6233 or www.kpsanjose.org

MISCELLANEOUS

May 1 – July 28
Just in time for Mother's day-- a new exhibit, "A Garden of Lace" at the Sunnyvale Lace Museum.  The exhibit will run May 1 through July 28.  The free exhibit  features lace with intricate floral designs from the 1800's forward. Flowers have been a favorite subject for needlework designers for hundreds of years.  This special exhibit features lace edged dresses, shawls, collars, bonnets, doilies, table cloths and bedspreads. The Lace Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and located at 552 South Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale, CA with free parking.

May 4 – Friday
Sgt. Bruce Wiley will speak about his experience as a crime scene investigator on at 7 p.m. in the Little Theater at Willow Glen Middle School. Sgt. Wiley presentation has been tailored to be appropriate for middle school age students; however the subject matter deals with violence and may contain disturbing images that are not appropriate for younger children.  This presentation is free of charge and open to the public.

May 5 – Saturday
American Sign Language Expo (ASL Expo 2007) at Parkside Hall ASL Expo 2007 is a trade show targeted to the sign language community. The purpose of the Expo is to educate consumers, establish material visibility, and generate sales leads for exhibitors of all kinds, including video relay services, wireless communications, interpreter services, ASL video distributors, baby sign video distributors, etc. Must register online to get a free admission pass. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.aslexpo.com

May 5 - Saturday
The offices of San Jose Councilmember Nancy Pyle will be hosting the 2nd Annual District 10 Budget and Neighborhood Forum from 10 a.m. to noon at the Almaden Winery Community Center, 5370 Chambertin Drive in San Jose. This annual forum offers District 10 residents a chance to weigh-in on the budget process. Attendance will receive a brief overview of the budget process and the City Manager’s proposal by Deputy City Manager, Mark Linder. Following this presentation, Strong Neighborhoods Manager Laura Lam and District 10 Chief of Staff Leland Wilcox will lead a discussion and priority setting session with the forum attendees, allowing participants to highlight their concerns and areas of importance in the proposed budget.

Ongoing
May 19 - Saturday
The James Lick High School Class of 1987 20th Reunion is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at A.P. Stumps in San Jose. All details at jameslick1987.myevent.com or contact Lori at 408-568-1329.

September 15 - Saturday
Leland High School Class of 1987 20th Reunion - held at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Montgomery, 211 South First Street in San Jose. For hotel reservations call 1-866-823-0530. See www.classmates.com for more information, or contact Cynthia Bradley @ cwatt12@yahoo.com Other weekend activities also planned.

The Hearing Loss Association of Silicon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at the Moose Lodge, 1580 Hamilton Avenue in San Jose. Meetings begin at 12:30 p.m. Our mission is to improve the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, support and advocacy. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 229-1041 or visit www.hearingloss.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.