July 13, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

July 16 – Sunday
“2006 Opera in the Park” followed by dinner at La Estancia estate. This elegant evening of music and dinner is presented by The San José Opera Guild in cooperation with the Town of Los Gatos Arts Commission. The evening begins with a free Opera concert on the lawn at the Los Gatos Civic Center,110 East Main Street in Los Gatos, and will feature the newly arrived singers from Opera San José. Following this event will be an elegant buffet dinner at 7:30 p.m. held in the courtyard at La Estancia, a historic estate in Los Gatos. The price is $65 per person. For more information contact Olga Nespole at 395-2035, or visit San José Opera Guild website www.sjoperaguild.org.

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.

THEATER

July 14 – August 5
The Fifth Annual Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival presents three plays in its repertory for the 2006 season in Oak Meadow Park, 200 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. Festival Theatre Ensemble presents: Season opener "Hamlet," followed by Shakespeare's hilarious farce, "A Comedy of Errors." Both productions are directed by Bruce De Les Dernier. The season also includes the witty and poignant dark comedy "The Lion in Winter," directed by Amy Himes. Performance times are 8 – 11 p.m. This is an all-outdoor venue next to Lake Vasona County Park. Tickets range from $14-$20 and are available by calling (800) 838-3006 or online by visiting the website at www.lgshakes.org.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

June 19 – August 11
The Tech Museum’s Weekly Summer Camps are hands-on science and technology classes for 4th-8th graders at the world-class Tech Museum of Innovation. Choose from 14 different class topics including Lego Robotics, Video Game Design, Roller Coaster Physics, Inventors’ Workshop and many more. The cost is $200 - $500 weekly. For more information call 800-854-3684 or visit www.thetech.org/summercamps.

July 31 – August 4
Are your kids bored yet? Or have some of your other summer plans fallen through? If so, two sessions of the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens popular week-long summer day camps, San Jose Safari, still have openings (at press time) for 7-10 year olds. Sessions still available: July 10-14 and July 31-August 4. Camp meets five days per week, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Campers spend a week in small groups, exploring and discovering many of the premier attractions in San Jose and Santa Clara County, including the Guadalupe River Park, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, History San Jose, the Winchester Mystery House and downtown institutions like the new City Hall and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Public Library. Every day is a new adventure! Children are dropped off and picked up at one convenient location, the GRPG Visitor Center on Coleman Avenue, close to downtown and major highways. The cost is $225 per child. Extended hours are available, morning and afternoon, for $30 each hour. Further information is available on our website, www.grpg.org or by calling Kary Houle, Educational Coordinator, at 298-7657.

July 14 – 23
Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose presents “Godspell”: Showing at the Montgomery Theater, this is the Gospel according to Matthew told through hit Broadway songs and various theatrical traditions, Godspell take a human approach to the Gospel and will engage audiences with its lessons on humanity, civility, and heart. With an award winning score by Broadway veteran Step Schwarts (Wicked, Children of Eden), Godspell will enthrall audiences of all ages. For information, call 288-KIDS or www.cmtsj.org

July 14 – 18
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum presents a week-long Ancient Egyptian Epagomenal Festival! Epagomenal- Intercalary: These days were inserted in the Egyptian civil or wandering calendar to match the solar year. At the end of each year, the ancient Egyptians celebrated 5 days at the end of their calendar year.  Each day centered on a different deity.  Join us for our own festival honoring their traditions.  Events will include special talks, stories of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, ceremony re-enactments, games and activities for children and the whole family. Activities are free with museum admission.  Donations are appreciated.  For more information, please contact the Museum Events Coordinator at 947-3683 or email at activities@egyptianmuseum.org

July 15 – Saturday
Beginning Biking at Hellyer County Park & Coyote Creek Trail: Hours are 9a.m. - 11a.m. Docent Ken Halsey of ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers) will instruct beginner bike riders how to ride safely, make simple repairs, keep bikes in good working order.  Ages 12-adult.  Participants under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.  Meet at park Visitor Center with a bike, helmet (required) and water. Call 355-2255 for information. 

July 31 – August 4
Christian Sports Camp “Beyond the Gold” Hours are 9 a.m. - noon. Ages 6-12 years. Choose soccer, basketball or cheerleading. Features: Christian coaches, quality instruction, positive roll models, Bible times, skits & fun. $65.00 per child includes camp T-shirt. Sponsored by St. Stephens in the field Episcopal Church. Event held at Cahalan Park. Applications are on our website http://www.ststephensinthefields.org or call 629-1836.

CLASSES

Stroller Moms! by Strollecize(R) Certified Instuctor. A stroller fitness program designed for parents to help them get back in shape, get stronger, and keep healthy lifestyle. Parents will learn how to use the stroller as a resistance apparatus-fitness tool. Join us for a total body workout with your baby on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 a.m. in Almaden Lake Park (Windfield entrance.) First class is Free! More info? Contact me at andrea@strollercize.com or 417-4555. Visit: www.strollercize.com

Tai Chi Chuan classes at Hakone Gardens: Beginning/intermediate classes are ongoing and meet on Thursdays from 3:45 - 4:55 p.m., Hakone Gardens is located at 21000 Big Basin Way, close to downtown Saratoga. Fees are $96 for a consecutive 8-week series or $20 for a drop-in class. For more information, call Instructor at 295-9439 or email linda@xs.com. Tai Chi is a soft, internal energy martial art. It promotes balance and flexibility, strength, clarity, health and relaxation. This class is suitable for people of all ages.

MISCELLANEOUS

July 15, 22, 29 &
August 5
The Pioneer High School Dance Team will be holding four Saturday car washes in San Jose to raise money for team competitions. The locations are as follows: July 15 & 29 at the Shell Station on Almaden Expwy & Redmond, July 22 at the Chevron Station on Almaden Expwy and Redmond, and August 5 at the PHS campus, 1290 Blossom Hill Road. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

July 20 – Thursday
West Valley Republican Get-Together: Speaker Pete Constant of District 1 and other prominent Republicans will give updates on what the Party has panned for the fall elections. Join us for a fun and informative evening and free pizza. Location: Round Table Pizza, 14940 Camden Avenue, San Jose from 6 – 9 p.m. For more information, email Peter Soule at sjosedistrict9@svgop.com or call 377-2396.

July 20 – Thursday
3rd Annual CSR Golf Tournament to benefit the Autism Tree Project: CSR Realty and the Autism Tree Project Foundation are creating brighter futures for children with autism.  The CSR annual golf tournament will offer 18 holes of golf at Almaden’s exclusive Cinnabar Hills Golf Club along with lunch.  The event continues into the evening with dinner and an auction of prizes, including original artwork and signed sports memorabilia. All proceeds benefit ATPF. You don't have to be a golfer to be involved!  Support the tournament by being a "hole sponsor", donate auction items, and many other ways to get involved.  Contact CSR Realty for more information at 558-5000 or visit www.autismtreeproject.org.

July 28 – 30
San Jose Grand Prix: World class open-wheel racing returns to the streets of downtown San José with one of California’s largest and most anticipated sporting events. The San José Grand Prix will be so much more than a race. It’s a week-long festival both on and off the track. Activities include Speedfest, Pit Stop Park and Festival Areas with interactive games, live music, driver autograph sessions and more. Off-track events include a golf tournament, a drivers’ VIP party, the CXO Go Kart race and the Canary Fund gala fundraiser. Admission is $35 - $160. All proceeds from these events are benefiting Canary Foundation. For more information, call 277-6290 or www.sanjosegrandprix.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.