August 30, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

Sept. 6
Metro’s Music in the Park concert series presented by Dos Equis: The final free concert in this outdoor series will feature the alternative rock group “Finger Eleven.” Finger Eleven collectively wrote/recorded more than 100 songs during the process of making their fourth release “Them vs. You vs. Me” now available in stores. Their other projects include a recent recording of the John Lennon song, “Look At Me,” as part of an Amnesty International project. The band has toured with Nickelback, Puddle of Mud and Evanescence. Opening for Finger Eleven will be Strata and Sick Puppies.
Show time is 5:30 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.

Sept. 7 – 8
Rubber Revolver by The White Album Ensemble: The White Album Ensemble in concert performing The Beatles’ albums “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver” live at the Montgomery Theater. Show times is 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit www.whitealbumlive.com

THEATER

Aug. 17 – Sept. 9
Arclight Repertory Theatre, a professional, nonprofit Theatre Company based in San Jose will present “Measure for Measure”—Shakespeare’s dark comedy about justice, corruption, hedonism, and piety—at the Theatre on San Pedro Square. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for students and seniors (65+). Post-show discussions featuring the cast and crew will accompany each matinee performance. Reserve tickets by calling (800) 838-3006 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/17306. The Theatre on San Pedro Square is located behind Peggy Sue’s at 29 North San Pedro Street in downtown San Jose.

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.

Sept. 1 – 3
The 32nd Annual Tapestry Arts Festival: Presented by KGO Newstalk AM 810, this is San Jose’s oldest and largest community event. Tapestry’s juried art festival features: 250 art & craft booths, 30 food vendors offering a wide selection of culinary delights, four entertainment stages, the Creativity Zone, a free hands-on art activities area for kids of all ages, Interactive Alley sports & recreation area and the indoor Design for Living Home & Garden Show. The Heartbeats will be rocking on the steps of the CPA for the Sunday Twilight Concert. Proceeds from this event support year-round arts education programs in the community. This event begins at 10 a.m. all days. Locations are Parkside Hall & Local Downtown Streets. For more information, call 494-3590 or www.tapestryarts.org Admission is free.

Sept. 2
Labor Day Weekend Fireworks at Great America - Enjoy a fireworks extravaganza, choreographed to music, high above the skies of Great America! Fireworks begin at 8 pm. For more information, visit www.pgathrills.com or call 988-1776.

Sept. 3
Labor Day Grill & Chill at Calvary Church in Los Gatos: Drive in and chill out with us on Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your family and enjoy a day full of fun, food and entertainment. Roam through the Classic Car Show. Taste samples from our BBQ Cook-off and homemade Ice Cream Contest. Relax with good food and entertainment provided by local community groups while your kids play games and bounce off energy at our Children’s Festival. Admission is free! For more information, call 356-5126 or visit us online at www.calvarylg.com.

Sept. 8 – 9
Blossom Hill Crafts Fall Studio Sale located at 15900 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. Shop early for a wide selection of Decorative and functional pottery, jams, jellies, soaps, photography, and planters created by local artists. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.blossomhillcrafts.com.

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.

Sept. 5
Turn over those old leaves piling up in your yard this fall into a new compost pile! Master Composter, Phil Cornish, will cover items such as: what can be composted, the various composting methods available, and what to do with finished compost. There will also be information about worm composting, or vermicomposting, and help with choosing which method works best for you. The workshop, co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Home Composting Program and Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. at the GRP & G Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue, San Jose. The workshop is free to everyone but space is limited, so sign up today by contacting the Education Coordinator at education@grpg.org or 298-7657.

Ongoing
Create something totally original! Hands On Clay classes in Almaden is now accepting students for its newly added Tuesday classes. These small, relaxing classes for adults are held on evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. in Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar's Little Falls Drive art studio and gallery. The fee includes instructions, clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firings. For more information, or to receive registration forms call 679-0238. Space is limited...register today!

Art for Children and Youth - Children can explore the pleasures of drawing and paint in a home environment. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and from 5 - 6:30 p.m. starting on Sept. 17. Space is limited, as there will only be four students per class; so sign up early! Class materials and a light snack will be provided. For more info, call Nelly at 997-0027.

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

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. 5
American Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive: Sponsored by The Almaden Business Association at the Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Avenue, San Jose. Hours are 3 – 7 p.m. To schedule your appointment, go to www.BeADonor.com (Code: ALMADEN). For further information, phone 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.BeADonor.com

Sept. 6 – Oct. 15
A morning Alpha Course at Holy Spirit Church: This ten-week course provides a practical exploration of the Christian faith. It is tailored for anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Adults of all ages are welcome, no matter where you are on your faith journey or what your spiritual background.   Each meeting starts with a meal and an opportunity to get to know each other and to make new friends. The small group gives you a chance to discuss issues raised during the talks. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. There is no charge for the Alpha course. The Alpha group meets once a week for 10 weeks in the Holy Spirit Parish Hall, every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact David Cairns at d_cairns@pacbell.net, or call the Holy Spirit Parish office at 997-5101 or go to the Holy Spirit Website to sign up or for more information.

Ongoing
Princeton Plaza Fair: ( Meridian, at Kooser and Blossom Hill) inside the Mervyn’s Plaza. Fairs will be held on the second Saturday of each month. Coffee and donuts for early bird shoppers. For more information, visit www.aplhazetaevents.com or call 761-6913.
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. 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.