August 2, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

DANCE

June 16 – Aug. 30
Youth Dance Company Auditions: Ladies and gentlemen with performance experience are requested to email their resume to DTIdance@sbcglobal.net and schedule an audition by August 30. Accepted members are given a Performance Season, Choreography Opportunities, Cultural Events and Travel. Teachers and Choreographers are from national and international dance companies. www.DTIdance.com

MUSIC

July 12 – Sept. 6
Metro’s Music in the Park concert series presented by Dos Equis: Ten free outdoor concerts each Thursday – Aug. 9 will feature Tony! Toni! Toné! presents Dwayne Wiggins. Wiggins’ musical talent has allowed him to work with many artists from the industry, such as Alicia Keys, India Arie, and Jamie Foxx. Shows are 5:30 – 9:15 p.m. at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez in San Jose. Food and Drink are available. Call 279-1775 or check www.sjdowntown.com for details.

Aug. 10 – 12
The sounds of jazz return to San Jose for the 18th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival, in one of the city's most anticipated annual events. Each year, the Festival attracts the best and brightest of the jazz world, in styles from contemporary to classic and everything in between. The Festival begins at 5:30 p.m. August 10, on the Main Stage in the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The roster of talent will feature such artist as Angie Stone, jazz saxophonist and bass guitarist Gerald Albright, David "Fathead" Newman, Red Holloway's 80th birthday party featuring Frank Morgan, Charles McPherson and Greg Osby, guitarist Lee Ritenour , blues legend Charles Musselwhite, and Bay Area bandleader Pete Escovedo. To discover the whole line-up and festival information, log onto www.sanjosejazz.org. Admission is $5 per day (Children 12 and under are free). For more information, call 288-7557.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

July 4 – Sept. 29
Free Old-Fashioned Campfire Programs at Coyote Lake: Are you looking to get outdoors on a Saturday evening for a few hours? Well, Coyote Lake is hosting an "Old Fashioned Campfire Program" every Saturday night through the last Saturday in Sept. Park rangers conduct these programs at the Ranger Station from 8 - 9 p.m. Activities may include songs, night hikes, games, or crafts; while learning about park plants, wildlife, geology or history. Each program ends with "s'mores" and a story. There is a $6 vehicle entrance fee into the park. For more information, call Ranger Chris Crockett at 842-7800 or e-mail him at chris.crockett@prk.sccgov.org.

Aug. 3 – 5
Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Felton’s Roaring Camp Railroads for the “Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour “. Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 60 minutes, rain or shine, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour are $16 for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply).Tickets are available by calling 866-468-7630 or logging onto www.ticketweb.com. For more information and directions contact the Roaring Camp Railroads at 831-335-4484 or visit www.roaringcamp.com. For general information or to find a Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour event near you, visit www.thomasandfriends.com.

Aug. 9 – 12
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose presents “Charlotte’s Web”. Join CMT’s youngest stars with this exciting new musical version of E.B. White’s beloved classic, Charlotte’s Web. Wilbur, Charlotte, Rumpleton, farmer Zuckerman and the story’s memorable animals will keep your hands clappin’ and toes tappin’ in this feel good hoe down musical! Charlotte’s Web offers a very special theatrical experience for all. All performances are staged at the Montgomery Theater. For tickets, call 288-KIDS or visit www.cmtsj.org. Cost is $13 - $16.

Aug. 13 – 17
The Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens will offer a week-long summer day camp for children ages 7-10 in San Jose’s Guadalupe River Park. Take a look back in time as we explore prehistoric beasts, uncover the lives of the Ohlone, Spanish and Chinese, and visit the Peralta Adobe. Take a trip inside a flower, dig up the dirt on worms, and do water tests on the Guadalupe River. The fee for camp is $200/child. Camp hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.grpg.org, or to register call 298-7657. Space is limited so sign-up today!

CLASSES

Aug. 9 – Sept. 13
Sunset Yoga in the Park: Join Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens and instructor Kristin Strellis for an evening of gentle yoga each Thursday, beginning August 9 from 6:15 - 7 p.m. This class is designed to improve your flexibility, balance and relaxation. All necessary equipment will be provided for your use. Please dress in comfortable clothing. This is an outdoor class that will be taught on the grass. Cost for registration is $30/members, $35/non-members. All programs start at the GRP& G Visitor Center, 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by contacting education@grpg.org or call 298-7657.

Ongoing
Create something totally original! Hands On Clay classes in Almaden is now accepting students for Fall 2007. Hand build unique pieces that will surely impress your family and friends! The class fee includes instructions, clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firings. These small, relaxing classes for adults are held on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. in Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar's Little Falls Drive art studio and gallery. For more information, or to receive registration forms call (408) 679-0238. Space is limited...register today!

VOLUNTEERS

Ongoing
Hospice of the Valley has opportunities for volunteers with a variety of skills for patient and family services, community outreach, fundraising events and office support. Training is provided. For more information, call the Hospice of the Valley’s Director of Volunteer Services at 559-5600 or email request@hospicevalley.org.

MISCELLANEOUS

July 10 – Sept. 11
Drop-in Intro Square Dancing. Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave, SJ, 95124. Tues. 6:30-9 p.m., Couples, Singles & Families with kids 10 year and older welcome. Adults $5, Seniors & Youth $2.50. For more information, call Karl at 723-0315.

Aug. 4
My Best Friend’s Closet Clothing Donation is sponsoring free clothing for children and adults provided by local churches, schools and neighbors in the South San Jose community. Come find something in your size and color from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 150 Bernal Road, San Jose.

Aug. 4 & 16
The Junior League of San Jose invites women who are interested in exploring membership to two open houses to be held during the month of August in San Jose. Junior League of San Jose members work with Bay Area organizations that foster positive early childhood development, and sponsor an annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon honoring community volunteers. New members can look forward to the upcoming Feb. 29, 2008 Fashion show fundraiser as a highlight of the 2007-08 League year. Open Houses are scheduled for Aug. 4, at 9 a.m. and Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kirk- Farrington House in San Jose, 1615 Dry Creek Road. Email jlsjrecruiting@yahoo.com, call the League office at 264-3058 or visit the website at www.jlsj.org for more information about joining the Junior League of San Jose.

Aug. 5
Holistic Living Expo at Parkside Hall: This event features psychics, musicians, healers, & artists from around the world. For more information, call 831-239-6835 or visit www.holisticlivingexpo.com . Admission is $5.

Aug. 11 – 12
California Extreme at Parkside Hall: This promises to be the world’s largest pinball and video arcade collectors’ show featuring hundreds of games all on free play, tournaments, speakers, parts vendors, auctions, and an arcade film festival. Admission is $15 - $60. For more information, call 390-7467 or visit www.caextreme.org

Aug. 11
Free Electronic Waste Fundraiser Collection Event at St. Julie’s Church, 366, St. Julie’s Drive in San Jose is sponsored by The Knights of Columbus of San Jose. Contributions will go toward, to name just a few, the Special Olympics, and Parents Helping Parents. Just Drive-In and Drop-Off all your unwanted stuff. What we accept:  Computers (CPUs) Monitors, VCRs, Printers, Fax Machines, Stereo Components, Telephones, Microwaves, TVs, Mice, Keyboards, Radio, DVD’s, Speakers, Laptops, Cell Phones. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ongoing
MOMS Club of San Jose - Blossom Hill/Santa Teresa chapter: We are a playgroup that meets a few times per week for many fun, social activities. Our website is www.bayareamoms.org, Contact Victoria Meline for more information 888-5838.

Sept. 1
Saratoga High School Class of 1987 is having their 20th Reunion at the California Café in Los Gatos.  For more information on this and other activities planned for the weekend please contact Jeni Pickard at jpickard2@cox.net or visit the official website at http://shs87reunion.com/

Sept. 15
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.

Sept. 15
Silver Creek High School Class of 1997 10-year Reunion will be held at 6:30 pm at Agenda Lounge in downtown San Jose at 399 S. First Street . For more information, please visit http://silvercreek97.myevent.com/ or send correspondence to silvercreek97@gmail.com.

Sept. 22
Leigh High School Class of 1987 20th Reunion.  It will be held at the Hyatt Santa Clara.  You can register online at www.nationalreunions.com or shanicrosby@msn.com.  Other weekend activities are planned.

October 2007
Abraham Lincoln High School Class of 1967 – 68 40-year Reunion. Contact organizers Debbie (Brown) Rocha at pazrocha@aol.com or Sue (Correia) Dini at tapcrazysue@yahoo.com for more information.

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.