August 16, 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

Aug. 25
The Flamenco Society of San Jose will host a “Juerga” (Flamenco Jam Session) at the Historic Hoover Theater. This exciting performance features various artists and presents as a special guest, Koko’s dance company. This is a fun-filled event and audience participation is encouraged. This event includes aspiring students, as well as music and dance from other cultures. Admission is $14 general/$12 students and senior citizens. This promises to be a very special event that will take place at the new home for the society the Historic Hoover Theatre. Seating is limited so ticket purchases should be made very early. Come see and hear the wonderful singing and beautiful dance of great artists. To reserve tickets, call 510-792-8355. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on event date.

MUSIC

Aug. 19
Peninsula Banjo Band Concert: This event provides family entertainment in a sing-along concert. Event held at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos, 15980 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. For ticket information, call 358-1212 or go to www.uuflg.org.

Aug. 20
There are openings for experienced singers in the West Valley Masterworks Chorale, a college-based community choir which meets in the music building at West Valley College each Tuesday from 6 - 9:10 pm during the school year.  The Chorale, under the direction of conductor Lou De La Rosa, will celebrate its 30th Anniversary this season with a Gala Concert on Dec. 8, featuring New York City Opera soprano and former West Valley College alumna Eilana Lappalainen.   Auditions will be held by appointment beginning Aug. 20.  Interested singers should contact Lou De La Rosa at 741-4663, or lou_delarosa@westvalleychoirs.org. For more information, visit the West Valley College choir website, www.westvalleychoirs.org.

Aug. 26
San Jose Chamber Orchestra presents “A Touch of Tango” at Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. 5th Street, San Jose at 7 p.m. Barbara Day Turner, conductor. Featured artists: Anna Maria Mendieta, harp; Seth Asarnow, bandoneon. This program will include works by Mozart, Larsen, Furman, Ziegler, and Piazzolla. Ticketsa re $30 - $45. For more information ca;; 295-4416 or visit www.sjco.org

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. 25
“The Hipwaders” perform at the Children’s Discovery Museum. Back on their home turf, following shows at this year’s Lollapalooza in Chicago, two-time Parents’ Choice award-winning children’s musicians The Hipwaders will pay a return visit – by popular demand – to the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose, for a special family concert at 12 noon. For more information, call 298-5437 or visit  www.cdm.org

Aug. 26
Children’ Discovery Museum presents Heritage Day: Viet Heritage Society, Children’s Discovery Museum, and Vision New America will host the second annual Heritage Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate the richly diverse cultures and heritage of our community.  Old traditions will be intertwined with new customs and culture through fun-filled activities for children and families, cultural performances, and arts and crafts.  Come out to learn, play, and have fun with us.

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

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. 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. 18
Stanford Blood Drive at the PW Supermarket parking lot, 6938 Almaden Expwy at Via Valiente. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by Margaret Guerrettaz of Coldwell Banker Real Estate.

Aug. 18 – 19
St. Joseph’s Church, 680 Minnesota in San Jose, will host an Assyrian Festival.

Aug. 21
Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens will be hosting a teacher in-service for educators throughout the Bay Area on from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The in-service is designed to introduce teachers to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and the growing hobby of Geocaching, and provide practical applications of this technology in the classroom that meet California State Educational Standards. Teachers will also learn about the new Geochaching curriculum, “Do you know your way through San Jose?” that will be available in the fall for upper elementary grades, middle and high school students. The cost of the in-service is $35 and is payable upon registration. Visit www.grpg.org for more information or call 298-7657 to register.

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.