May 19, 2005

Calendar of local events

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

THEATER
May 19 – June 5
Teatro Visión is excited to bring back “Santos & Santos” the ground breaking play by award winning playwright, Octavio Solis. Hard hitting and filled with insight into the absurdity of a corrupt ‘justice system,’ “Santos & Santos” depicts a family’s struggle with wealth and power. All performances will take place at The Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San José Tickets are $14-17 each. Senior, student and group discounts are available. For more information and ticket reservations call 272-9926 or visit www.teatrovision.org. This production contains adult themes.

MUSIC
May 21 – 22
Created by contemporary legend theatre artistic director Hsing-Kuo Wu in 1986, “Kingdom Of Desire” presented at the historic California Theater, is an epic Chinese opera interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. This unique work of art had toured around the world for the past 19 years, including Europe and Asia, but has never visited the USA. “Kingdom of Desire” is a lavishly staged theatre epic performed by a company of 40 actors, acrobats, dancers, singers and musicians. The story is set in 3rd Century B.C. China during the Warring States period and its turbulent era creates the Chinese “Macbeth,” a completely different political and social scenario. Admission: $36 - $100 (VIP). For more information, call 408-257-6555 or www.dimensionarts.org.

CHILDREN & FAMILY
May 19 – 22
Children’s Musical Theater is proud to present the 1980s rock opera “Chess” as its first-ever Marquee production, a special benefit performance by veteran performers. Chess’s Cold War storyline about Soviet-U.S. chess rivalry is laced with international intrigue and romance. Its score, collaboration between former ABBA members Benny Andersson and Bjórn Ulvaeus and Tim Rice, who wrote lyrics for Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, was a hit before it even hit the stage, two songs “One Night in Bangkok” and “I Know Him So Well” rocketing to the top of the pop charts. Keving Hauge’s signature staging combines multimedia special effects and artfully orchestrated dances of chess pieces on the gameboard mirroring the emotionally charged interplay between characters. All performances will be at the Montgomery Theater. Tickets are $13 - $20. For tickets or additional information, call 408-288-KIDS or www.cmtsj.org.

May 21 – Saturday
Sandborn County Park hosts the Youth Science Institute’s Insect Fair at the YSI Nature Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-oriented event includes bug-themed bake sale, a silk-spinning demonstration, live arthropods, crafts and activities and much more. Admission is free to YSI members; suggested donation for non-members is $3 for adults, children 12 years and under $1. Sandborn Park entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call 356-4945.

May 21 - Saturday
It’s Not Too Late to Start a Vegetable Garden! If you think it is too late to plan for homegrown produce this fall, you’ll be delighted to learn that it is still possible here in sunny California! Join Master Gardeners Candace Simpson and Karen Schaffer to learn the finer points of selecting a site, preparing the soil, deciding what to plant, and keeping your garden healthy—all with an emphasis on getting a garden started easily and quickly. Class hours are 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Classes will be held at the Guadalupe Garden Center, located at 715 Spring Street in San Jose. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by sending and email to education@grpg.org or calling 408-298-7657. Please visit www.grpg.org for more information.

May 21 – Saturday
The Silicon Valley Chapter of Mothers & More invites moms and their families to our first annual open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oak Meadow Park in Los Gatos. Please contact Mothers & More Silicon Valley for directions and to RSVP at 483-8390 or http://www.mothersandmoresv.homestead.com/ Meet members of Mothers & More, a support group for moms who have altered their careers to raise a family. Enjoy food, games, face painting and fun. Kids can burn off steam at the park, ride the carousel or the train and play on the playgroup. Dads welcome, but not required. Mothers & More is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. For more information call 265-4274 or http://www.mothersandmoresv.homestead.com/

May 28 – Saturday
Final Performance of “The Sleeping Beauty”! See the splendor of the Renaissance in this wondrous fairy tale which pits evil against knowledge and courage. When the most unpleasant fairy in the kingdom is mistakenly not invited to the princess’ christening, she casts a spell that makes the entire kingdom sleep for 100 years. “The Sleeping Beauty” will play at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 East Remington Drive (just off El Camino Real), at11a.m. Single tickets are $11.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door. Call 245-2978 for reservations. For more information, visit www.ctcinc.org.

May 27 – 30
The Tech Museum and Transitions Optical, Inc are hosting a new exhibit “Eye Didn’t Know That!” created to help people of all ages learn more about healthy vision. The exhibit is traveling nationwide, and was developed by a team of eye care professionals, science and education experts. This exhibit features fun activities, interactive kiosks, and a short video to teach children and their families the fundamentals about eyes and how they see. Visitors can explore the wonders of the visible and invisible light spectrum; learn about the dangers of UV radiation and glare and how to protect against them; look through a cataract; and see how corrective and photochromic lenses work. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

HEALTH
May 21 – Saturday
The Stanford Bloodmobile will be at PW Market on Via Valente from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-in donations are welcome, or appointments can be made in advance by calling Margaret at 621-1790. For more information on Stanford’s Blood Drive Program, visit www.thevolunteer center2.net/org.

FIFTY PLUS
May 29 – Sunday
Join a group of mature, adventurous women for an early morning paddle at Vasona Lake County Park from 8 - 11 a.m. A potluck breakfast in the park follows the event. Call 354-2608 for reservations or information. Vasona Lake County Park is located at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
The Campbell Highland Games Association is seeking volunteers for all day on Friday and Saturday June 17-18 for the 27th Annual Campbell Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Gathering. The event is June 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Campbell Community Center, but the work starts now. High school and Church community service groups are also welcome. If you are interested, call 219-9264, or 629-9325.
Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, www.wcsv.org, seeks center volunteers and home care volunteers to care for injured and orphaned wildlife for release back to the wild. We also need volunteers to help with educational outreach, database/office management, landscaping, facilities planning and fundraising. The Wildlife Center, located in San Jose, has an active and enthusiastic corps of volunteers committed to welcoming and training new supporters.  Join us in giving a hand to our Silicon Valley wildlife. Email Patricia at volunteer@wcsv.org or call 929-WILD (9453) ext. 350 for orientation dates.

MISCELLANEOUS
May 20-21
Open Studios returns to the Bay area! A total of 405 local artists are participating in this year’s Silicon Valley Open Studios. At its 19th year, this cultural tradition encourages local artists to open up their studios, invite the public to see them at work and share their passion about their art. And For the first time, Silicon Valley Open Studios partners with Wine & Roses Limousine Service and Livermore Valley Wineries to offer Art & Wine Limo Tours for Open Studios the first 3 weekends in May. Space is limited, and reservations are encouraged. For more information. http://www.svopenstudios.org/Art_Site/limo-tours.html or call Wine and Roses Limousine Service at 408-282-4119 to book a seat on the Art & Wine Limo Tours for Silicon Valley Open Studios. Tour hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.svopenstudios.org

May 21 – Saturday
Pre-registration for the Fifth Annual Santa Clara Peace Officers Memorial Run to benefit C.O.P.S. (Concern of Police Survivors) and California Police Officers Memorial Association will be available until May 13 for $20 single rider and $30 rider with passenger. Forms are available online. Pre register with credit card by calling Joanne or Roberta at 298-1133. Registration the day of the event will be available from 8:30 – 10 a.m. $25 single rider and $35 for rider with passenger. Event day Memorial Service 10 – 11 a.m. at the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, 55 West Younger Avenue in San Jose, followed by an escorted ride to Bolado Park in Hollister for BBQ, Beverages and live music. Donation drawing features Grand Prize of Harley Davidson Safe with HD Jewelry.

Ongoing
The Almaden Valley Women’s Club is currently seeking sponsors for The 29th Annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival held at Almaden Lake Park on Sunday September 25, 2005.The Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival sponsorship program enables corporations, small businesses, and individuals to support the community through the philanthropic activities of the Almaden Valley Women’s Club. Different levels of sponsorship are available. Information about the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival can be found at www.almadenartwinefestival.com. Interested sponsors please contact Ellen Hudson-Snyder at sponsors@ almadenartwinefestival.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.