August 10, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

ART

August 12 - 13
The South Side Art Club’s annual “Art in the Garden” exhibition will be held from 1 – 5 p.m. at 173 Giddings Court in San Jose.

DANCE

August 12 - Saturday
Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose will present two free local performances throughout the summer. The "Arangetram" is the graduation performance of more than 10 years of traditional South Indian classical dance. An Arangetram is the first formal presentation of a student to the audience by her teacher. All of the students listed below studied under the direction of their guru Abhinaya Artistic Director and Founder Mythili Kumar. The Dance Company will present the "Arangetram" of Anjali Thakkar at 4 p.m. at the Evergreen Valley High School Theater, 3300 Quimby Road in San Jose. These performances are free and all are welcome. For more information, visit www.abhinaya.org

CHILDREN/FAMILY

August 10 – 13
Children’s Musical Theatre of San Jose Rising Stars presents “Heidi.” Showing at the Montgomery Theater, this classic story by Joanna Spyri tells of the orphan who spreads sunshine everywhere she goes. Heidi conquers her grandfather, Peter, Klara, Herr Sesemann and all those with whom she comes in contact. For tickets and more information, call 288-5437 or visit www.cmtsj.org. Admission is $12 - $15

August 12 – Saturday
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose presents The Hipwaders “Hip Music For Kids” from 12 – 1 p.m. Winners of the 2006 Parents’ Choice Award, The Hipwaders will be performing their “hip music for kids.” Cost is $7 per person, $6 for seniors, infants under 1 year are free. For more information on the band, visit www.hipwaders.net

August 17 – Thursday
The Journey Church presents a free “Family Fun Carnival” at Santa Teresa High School. Event hours are 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and feature bounce houses, pony rides, face painting, food and more! Children can enjoy carnival games where they can win tickets to exchange for prizes, activities or bounce house time. Free drawing for Toys R Us and McDonald’s Gift Certificates. For more information, visit www.takethejourney.org.

August 18 - Friday
Arena Green Adventures on Autumn Street across from the HP Pavilion: Climb aboard an ostrich, shimmy to the top of the rope structure, have “tea” in the playhouse and explore a great section of the Guadalupe River Park! Pack a lunch, bring your aged 10 and under children or grandchildren, or arrange to meet your playgroup at the park for a great summer adventure! Each child will be given one free ride on the Children’s Carousel as a special treat. Free Gift for the first 100 children who attend! Stay for the Puppeteers from the Water District and their wacky, water conservation puppet show. Show times are: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. The conservation puppet theater with “Hoots McDrip” teaches young people valuable lessons about caring for water and the environment. No reservations are required to attend. For more information, visit www.grpg.org or call 298-7657.

Ongoing
Bonfante Gardens offers summer value and fun with 50% off adult general admission after 3 p.m. For just $19.50, guests of all ages can enjoy more than 40 rides and attractions including Bonfante's Splash Garden, six majestic gardens and educational exhibits. Offer valid for a limited time only. Purchase tickets online at www.bonfantegardens.org or at the park after 3 p.m.

CLASSES

August 2 - 30
San Jose's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library presents a Summer Dance Series. Learn how to dance and get healthy in a free five-week lunch-hour series. Attend one or all sessions. Instructors from local dance organizations and studios will demonstrate a variety of fun and easy dance styles - proving once and for all that getting healthy and fit needn't be dull! Audience participation is encouraged. Join us in Caret Plaza, just outside the east campus entrance to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Library. Each week will feature a different dance style in chronological order the classes are: Hip-Hop, Belly Dance, Salsa, Polynesian, and Line Dance. The series is hosted by King Library General Collections and sponsored by the Friends of the San Jose Public Library, San Jose State University Kinesiology Dept., Noho'ana Dance Company, and California Line Dance Association of America.

August 12 – Saturday
Free Home Compost Training Class: Learn how leaves, yard trimmings, and food scraps can be turned into a healthy soil amendment for your garden. The County of Santa Clara Home Composting Education Program is offering a free class for west San Jose and Campbell residents to learn how to make compost from their yard waste.  The class will be held at the Moreland - West San Jose Community Center, 1850 Fallbrook Ave. San Jose, from 10 a.m. – Noon.  Attendees will also learn where to purchase low cost composting bins, worm bins and equipment.  Pre-registration is required.  Call 918-4640 to sign-up or go to www.ReduceWaste.org for a full class schedule.

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.

FIFTY PLUS

Ongoing
AARP Information Center needs volunteers to staff their office. Duties include helping seniors find various services and programs, and providing information on senior needs. The office is located at 840 Willow Street, Suite 300, at the corner of Bird and Willow Streets on bus route #25. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 278-1855.

The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

VOLUNTEERS

August 15 - Tuesday
Free Ice Cream in the Gardens! Now that we have your attention, we need your help. We had an awesome May and June bloom in the Heritage Rose Garden and now we need to deadhead the roses so we get more blooms. Please join us from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. We will provide tools. After working in the gardens, join us for a free ice cream treat. It will be an enjoyable and rewarding way to spend a summer evening. The San Jose Heritage Rose Garden is located on West Taylor Street, at Spring Street, just east of Coleman Avenue. To sign-up or for more information, contact Lucy Perez at 298-7657 or visit our website www.grpg.org

Ongoing
Odyssey Healthcare Hospice volunteers: The individuals who work with us to serve all people during the end of life’s journey encounter situations that are sad, to be sure. We also see much valor, humor, love, and unvanquished humanity. It's worth every minute! We need people to do the little things that bring encouragement to our patients and their families: visiting, reading aloud, writing letters, giving caregivers short periods of respite--and sometimes, just being an attentive listener. Please call Melanie at Odyssey Healthcare: 626-4868.

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.

Volunteer with Hands On Bay Area and make a difference in your community! Each month, Hands On Bay Area offers over 100 community service projects across the Bay Area addressing issues such as: the environment, hunger, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, family service, children and teens, seniors and people with disabilities. Catering to today's busy lifestyles, most projects take place outside of regular working hours at night or on weekends, do not require a long-term commitment, and are group-based. A brief one-time orientation is required. For more information go to www.handsonbayarea.org .

MISCELLANEOUS

August 5 – October 28
The Sunnyvale Lace Museum’s new exhibit, “Hooked on Crochet: will feature one-of-a-kind items from the turn of the 20th century to the present. Come see examples of adult and children clothing, bedspreads, tablecloths and other crochet items from a craft that was once one of American women's greatest past time. This is a free exhibit. The Lace Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 552 South Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale, with free parking.

August 9, 16, 23
Summer Grief Support Program: Hospice of the Valley presents “Celebrating Our Memories: Storytelling through Photos,” a summer grief support program to be held on Wednesday evenings, August 9th, 16th and 23rd from 6 – 8 p.m. Open to adults in the community who are experiencing grief and loss of a loved one. These educational and supportive programs include creative use of photo collages and journaling to facilitate the grieving process. Attend one or all three at $10 per evening for art supplies. RSVP at 947-1233 x 460 and for additional information on other grief support groups, visit www.hospicevalley.org or email request@hospicevalley.org

August 12 & 16
Showing at Divine Science Community Center: "What the Bleep: Down the Rabbit Hole" The Next Evolution: spirituality and quantum physics Extended Director's Cut, with additional commentary. Showing on 8/12 at 2 p.m. and on 8/16 at 7 p.m. Admission is $7. The DSCC is located at 1540 Hicks Avenue in San Jose. Call 293-3838 or visit http://www.whatthebleep.com http://www.divinesciencecommunitycenter.org fro more information.

August 12 – Saturday
It's "raining cats and...kittens" at Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV), so we're having a "kitty shower" adoption fair! The first 30 kitty adopters will receive a FREE feline starter kit that includes a litterpan, litter, food, and more! Special pricing for double adoptions. Food and fun. All cats and kittens are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, health and behavior tested. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2530 Lafayette Street in Santa Clara. Call 727-3383 for more information.

August 15 – Tuesday
Almaden author Shana McLean Moore (“Caffeinated Ponderings on Life, Laughter & Lattes”) will share her wit and wisdom at a reading during “Ladies’Night Out” held each Tuesday evening at Unwined, Wine Bar and Shop, 6946 Almaden Expressway. Admission is free. For more information, call 323-9463, or visit www.unwined.com

August 19 – Saturday
Stanford Hospital will be holding a Blood Drive in the PW Market parking lot, 6938 Almaden Expressway, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For appointments, call 621-1790. Walk-ins are also welcome. Sponsored by Margaret Guerrettaz of Coldwell Banker.

Ongoing
Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is offering discounted spay/neuter surgeries in July to encourage the public to sterilize their cats to prevent unwanted litters of kittens. Throughout the month, female cat spays are $50 while male neuters are just $25. Appointments are still available and can be made by calling 727-3383 extension 827.
Poetry Readings at Willow Glen Books, 1330 Lincoln Avenue, 7 p.m. Every Third Monday of the month.

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.

Willow Glen/Pioneer High School Class of 1961 will hold its 45th reunion at the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose on November 4, 2006. To secure your reservation, contact Donna O’Neil at 267-2487. Information about this event is posted on Classmates.com under Class of 1961.

Branham High School Class of 1986.  Our 20th Reunion is October 14, 2006 at the Wyndham Hotel.  We are looking for you and your high school friends.  Please email Jennifer Bentson Vazquez at jcjenvaz@sbglobal.net to get on the mailing list and visit http://www.classencounters.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.