August 9, 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

Aug. 16
Metro’s Music in the Park concert series presented by Dos Equis: Ten free outdoor concerts each Thursday – Aug. 16 will feature singer and actress Mandy Moore. 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.

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. 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. 11
Great America Celebrates Muslim Unity Day: Enjoy the day with halal food, bazaar, rides, entertainment, and much more. The evening concert will start at 6:30 pm and will continue until 11 p.m. in the park's Redwood Amphitheater. Artists scheduled to appear: Comedian Ahmed Ahmed (Comedy Central/ MTV), Kareem Salama (Muslim Country Music), After Hijrah (Islamic Hip Hop), The Mo’ Rockin Project (Moroccan/Jazz Music), Tyson + DJ BeLikeMuhammad (Islamic Hip Hop), and Project 26 (Alternative). For more information and to purchase your tickets for this private event, call 373-7081 or visit www.muslimunity.us

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!

FIFTY PLUS

SeniorNet classes have seats available: Managing Your Files, Word 1, Basic Tips and Techniques, Intro to Google, Photo Shop Elements 5.0 Part1, Using Windows XP, Downloading, Advanced Digital Image Suite and Beginning Computer Skills. To enroll in any of the course openings contact Don House at 368-1703. Classes begin August 13.

Ongoing
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
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.
Kaiser South Bay Hospice Programs is in need of volunteers. Sites are located in San Jose, Santa Clara and Redwood City. All volunteers are trained at no cost and participants are provided ongoing support and education. Volunteers go to patient and family homes providing helpful support in kind, caring ways. Requirements are approximately four hours per week. Call Steve Pankratz, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 342-6631 or 342-6699.

MISCELLANEOUS

Aug. 11
Annual Iris Rhizome Sale by Clara B. Rees Iris Society: This year’s event will be held at Almaden Valley Nursery, 15800 Almaden Expwy in San Jose.  For more information, call 250-2239 or visit www.almadenvalleynursery.com. There will be hard-to-find bearded iris varieties in a multitude of colors.  Most are the "tall bearded" but "median" varieties will also be available.  For those who like an extra bargain they have grab bags too!  Have your questions answered by experts in the field of cultivating and growing iris for the home garden.

Aug. 11
Princeton Plaza Antiques, Collectibles, Jewelry, Arts and Crafts Show: Located at Princeton Plaza, 1375 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose, this event offers customers the unique opportunity to shop for one-of-a-kind gift selections for any age group all under one roof. Presented by Alpha Zeta Events.

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.

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. 15, 20, 23 & 28
Guerilla Wanderers Productions premiers two new films at local cinemas: This local film company is premiering two new offerings that feature many San Jose locations! Films "Superhero" and "Boxed Up" will premier at Camera 7 at the Pruneyard Aug. 15, 20, & 23 at 7:30pm and Camera 12 downtown Aug. 28 at 7:30. Besides the two new films, other Bay Area, New York and LA filmmakers' work will be shown. Also, live music, Q & A by host Tim Sika and an after party. For presale tickets contact sales@guerillawanderers.com or call 832-6671.

Aug. 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. The final open house is scheduled for 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. 18 – 19
St. Joseph’s Church, 680 Minnesota in San Jose, will host an Assyrian Festival.

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.