May 4, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

ART
March 24 – May 20
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) will showcase “Driving by Braille,” a video by Kerry Loewen in the gallery’s First Street window.  “Driving by Braille” is part of the ICA’s installation series “Night Moves,” providing after-dark programming in the gallery’s front and rear windows, giving the ICA a nighttime presence while  animating the downtown cultural landscape. The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. Admission to exhibitions is free.

MUSIC
May 7 – Sunday
Mark Thallander will appear at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3151 Union Avenue, San Jose, at 9:30 a.m. during worship and at 4:00 p.m.in an organ concert. Mark is unique for he lost an arm in an accident in August, 2003.

May 11 – Thursday
Cruise to Unwined:  Join us as Ticket to Travel and Unwined host an exciting evening with Amadeus Cruises.  Find out why river cruising has become the most enjoyable and hassle-free way to experience Europe.  Raffle prizes, live music, and a 10% discount on wine. Come join the fun from 6 – 9 p.m. at Unwined, 6946 Almaden Expressway.  For more information contact gale@aticket2travel.com or call 268-4738. 

Ongoing
Unwined Wine Bar and Shop, 6946 Almaden Expressway features live music with Arturo Ville every First, Third (and Fifth) Thursday; and Don Balistreri, solo guitar every second and fourth Thursday. All Thursday night performances are from 6 - 9 p.m. Every Sunday features The Steve Cannon Jazz Ensemble from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 323-9463, or visit www.unwined.com Check the website for Wine tasting and Wine Education class schedules.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
May 5 – 14
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose presents its Mainstage production of “Phantom.” Based upon the book by Author Kopit with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, this production will stage at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose. “Phantom” is the mesmerizing tale of tainted love and self-sacrifice and features memorable tunes such as "Home", "Melodie de Paris" and "Who Could Have Dreamed Up You". This production of “Phantom” also marks the grand finale for one of CMT’s most treasured guest directors, John McCluggage. McCluggage is to become artistic director of New Hampshire's Seacoast Repertory Theatre. For tickets or additional information call 288-5437 or visit www.cmtsj.org. Admission:$11 - $15

May 6 – Saturday
Holy Spirit School’s 6th Annual Auction Gala "Soto le Stelle Italiane-Under the Italian Stars” will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose at 6 p.m. Admission is $100 per person. For more information call 268-0794.

May 6 - Saturday
Beginning Bird Walk: Grab your binoculars and walking shoes for an early morning bird walk from 8 – 10 a.m. in the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens. Hawks, kestrels, egrets and woodpeckers are just some of the feathered varieties we may see along the way. The leader, Janna Pauser, has been birding for about 7 years, is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and monitors 45 nest boxes for the Bluebird Recovery Program with her husband. Please bring your own binoculars. The walk will meet and start at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, located at 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. Space is limited, so sign up today by contacting the Education Coordinator at education@grpg.org or 298-7657. Please visit www.grpg.org for more information. Fee is $3.00/members, $5.00/non-members.

May 13 – Saturday
Silicon Valley Arts Coalition, presents “I am Art!” Children’s Arts Discovery Day and Silent Auction featuring interactive, hands-on fine and performing arts presentations for children by members of Silicon Valley Arts Coalition and SVAC annual silent auction. Event hours are 1 – 5 p.m. and admission is free with the purchase of a regular admission ticket to Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. For more information, call 251-8440, or visit www.svArts.org.

May 14 - Sunday
Campbell United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Blvd in Campbell proudly presents the Saint Petersburg Men's Ensemble in “A Russian Fantasy,” a delightful program of Russian Songs at 7 p.m.  This program includes works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Shvedov, Chesnokov, Folk Songs, Worker's Songs, Songs of the Cossacks and more.  Finish Mother's Day in style by treating Mom to a world-class choral experience. Tickets are $15. For information call 378-3472, or go online to www.campbell-umc.org.

CLASSES
May 13 – Saturday
Art and Movement in Grief Work: A Heathcare Professionals Workshop
Learn how to apply creative ways to process grief and loss through expressive art and gentle, relaxing mind and body movement. $55.00 workshop fee includes six (6) continuing education units and lunch. Nurses, psychologists, social workers, bereavement counselors, and healthcare professionals are encouraged to attend this workshop from 9:30am – 4:30 pm, at Hospice of the Valley, 1150 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 7A, San Jose CA. For more information and to pre-register, call Hospice of the Valley at 408.947.1233 x460 or visit www.hospicevalley.org

Ongoing
ArtHouse Kids Summer Camps. The Arthouse, 1043 Lincoln Avenue, is currently taking registration for our summer camps which begin the week on June 26. Camps include Little Picasso's, Multicultural Art & Cooking, Pop Art, Animals in Art, The Art of Nature and more. For more information, call 975-9987, or visit www.arthouse kids.com

VOLUNTEERS
Ongoing
Kaiser Permanente San Jose is seeking individuals who want to make a difference in someone's day.  Join a Volunteer community that shares your interest in helping others.  Greeting and assisting visitors, reading to children, conducting tours, or assisting in the Volunteer office are just a few of the opportunities available.  We are easily accessible via Hwy 85 and Light Rail, plus we offer Free Valet Parking.  Phone us at 972-6233 or visit our website at www.kpsantateresa.org for more information.

Humane Society Needs Foster Care Homes For rescued animals: Dog and cat lovers who would like to help save kittens, puppies, and adult animals are needed to foster animals to prepare them for adoption. Foster parents are trained to care for the animals in their homes, providing them with social and medical attention so that they can eventually be adopted into permanent, loving homes. The Humane Society provides food, cat litter, fostering advice and veterinary care. For more information, visit the Humane Society’s website at: http://www.hssv.org/you_can_help/volunteer/positions/foster.htm, or call 408.727.3383 ext. 819.

MISCELLANEOUS
May 5 - 7
San Jose Home and Garden Show: Themed “Come Home to the Best Times of Your Life,” this must-attend event will feature more than 400 industry leaders and special guest lecturers. Whether you own or rent, this event will showcase, demonstrate, cook up and share secrets that will put you on the path to comfortable, dream-worthy living spaces. Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, hours are May 5, 12 – 9 p.m., May 6, 10 a.m. -7 p.m., May 7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.sanjosehomeshow.com. Admission is $10.

May 6 – Saturday
Free Asthma Screening: The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology encourages anyone who is experiencing breathing problems or uncontrolled asthma to attend a free asthma screening. A list of sites and online asthma self-tests called the “LQ Test and Kids’ Asthma Check” are available at the ACAAI Web site at www.acaai.org. A free asthma screening will be available at Wal-Mart, 777 Story Road, in San Jose from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

May 6 – Saturday
The San Jose Arthritis Walk: This event is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event and will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.) at St. James Park in Downtown San Jose (Corner of First and St James Streets) The event Keynote Speaker is Dave Cortese, District 8 Councilmember and Mayoral Candidate. The event features both a three-mile and one-mile course, with activities for the entire family. Come meet SJ Sharkie as he spreads the playoff spirit throughout the walk. Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis, while those with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action in taking control of their condition. Pet owners are invited to bring their leashed dogs to walk with them at the event. Sponsors include the Arthritis Foundaiton, Aleve, Triple Flex, Biomet, Rimadyl, Arthritis Today, KBAY 94.5. This event kicks off each May during National Arthritis Month.

May 6 – Saturday
Come watch the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby with Jersey’s Cheesesteaks, 1781 Winchester Blvd. in Campbell!  There will be raffles, races, great food and just plain fun!  Donations will benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

May 8 - Monday
Unique Lives & Experiences presents “Maya Angelou” at the Center for the Performing Arts. Dr. Angelou has been hailed as one of the greatest speakers of our time. This three-time Grammy winning poet, playwright, producer and author is so compelling that months later you will still remember her words. Event time is 7:30 p.m. Call 877-882-8124 or visit www.eventsunlimited.org for more information. Admission is $132 - $252.

May 13 – Saturday
STBikes Cat’s Hill Classic Bicycle Race will be held in downtown Los Gatos. Presented by the Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club, more than 700 cyclists are expected to participate in this annual cycling criterium. Some of the participants from past years have been Tour de France champion Greg LeMond, Olympic and U.S. speed skating gold medalist Eric Heiden and world champion cyclist Karen Kurreck. Racing is from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Start/Finish Line is at the intersection of Tait and Nicholson Avenues, Los Gatos. For maps and information, go to www.catshill.org, or contact Scott Barth, Race Director, at 248-8913.

May 13 – Saturday
Supervisor Jim Beall’s Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Avenue in San Jose. Bring your questions, concerns and suggestions for Supervisor Beall to this free event. Your RSVP is appreciated – call 299-5040.

May 13 – Saturday
Dartmouth Middle School, 5575 Dartmouth Avenue is hosting an Electronic Waste Collection Event at their location. Just drive-in and drop-off all your unwanted stuff - it’s free! Don’t trash your old electronics - recycle them while helping Dartmouth Middle School Cheer Squad raise funds. What we accept:  Computers (CPUs) Monitors, VCRs, Printers, Fax Machines, Stereo Components, Telephones, Microwaves, TVs, Mice, Keyboards, Radio, DVD’s, and Speakers.

May 14 – Sunday
Ongoing
Branham High School Class of 1976.  Our 30th Reunion is September 30 at Coyote Ranch.  We are looking for you and your high school friends.  Please email Pam Poor at pamela.schuur@comcast.net to get on the mailing list and visit www.geocities/branham76 for updates.

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.