August 31, 2006

At Your Service

Food, fun highlight Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival Sept. 17

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

It’s that time of the year again. And promising to be equal parts art, wine, entertainment, food and fun, the 30th annual Almaden Valley Art and Wine festival should go off without a hitch on Sept. 17, thanks to scores of dedicated volunteers from the Almaden Women’s Club.

The 2006 Almaden Art and Wine Festival chairs area ready for the event of the year at Almaden Lake Park Sept. 17. Top row L - R: Jennifer Teixeira (Children's Area) Ellen Hudson-Snyder (Publicity) Sandy Gruwell (Information) Betty Newkirk (Artists) Sherry Bertolin (Treasurer) Shar Quinn (Publicity) Maureen Harrington (City Liaison) Kim Pertner (Silent Auction) Carina Armann (Entertainment) Laurie Greer (Corporate Sponsors). Middle Row L - R: Patti Rottjakob (Scheduling) Patty Gahagan (Artists) Dawn Clarkson (Parking & Electricity) Linda Bronson (Signage) Kay Patel (Beverages) Julie Miller (Administrative Assistant) Jeannine Henry (Beverages) Karla Wilkinson (Glasses); Bottom row L - R; Lauren Wilson (Festival Co-Chair) Michelle Correa (Festival Chair) ; Not Pictured: Cindy Griffeth (Equipment) Cheryl Ryan (Food Booths) Karen Zimmerman (Volunteers) Charlene Chavez (Glasses) Photo courtesy of AVWC

For the third year running, the Art and Wine Festival will be held at the Almaden Lake Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The family-oriented free event includes a juried arts and crafts show, premium wine and beer tastings, entertainment on two stages and a special children’s play area.

“It’s really a beautiful event,” said Almaden Valley Women’s Club [AVWC] publicity chair Shar Quinn. “But what really makes us happy is distributing the funds back to the community. It really makes it worthwhile.”

Since 1965, the AVWC has been committed to serving the needs of the community through the funds raised at the annual Almaden Art and Wine Festival. Their mission is to provide charitable financial assistance to nonprofit children’s foundations, educational facilities, teen programs and community organizations. Last year AVWC donated $48,000 to the community.

Recently AVWC President Cindy Griffeth and festival chair Michelle Correa met to check last-minute plans for the Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival. The event was planned a week earlier this year to attract additional artists; 62 will be showing their work—10 more than last year.

“It’s very exciting,” said Correa. “We really have a wide range of artists—pottery, painting, watercolors, witch hats, jewelry—the toe rings are always very popular and the gentleman who paints with red wine. It’s very eclectic and diverse.”

Something for everyone
This year, there will be additional entertainment at the two stages of the event that the busy women are equally excited about. The David Osborn Band and Sage will be returning but also singer Jessica Johnson, the Cocktail Monkeys and Red Di, an original reggae group. With the mantra being “Something for Everyone,” there will also be Hawaiian and Tahitian dancing and karate performed by Master Edmonds Academy of Martial Arts. Local talent presented will also include Bret Harte, Leland and Pop Warner cheer teams as well as the Pioneer Dance Squad.

The children’s play area has new inflatables to keep the kids amused as well as games, rides and their very own art exhibit featuring work by local kids. And tiny fingers will enjoy creating sand art as well as other crafts.

Each year, AVWC hosts a festival logo contest. This year, Castillero Middle School’s Jazania Castaneda was selected as the design winner featured on festival merchandise, promotions and street banners throughout Almaden and surrounding areas.

District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle will be on hand for the festivities and also will be providing fingerprinting for children at her booth.

Wine anyone?
Many local wineries will be pouring their premium wines, including Bargetto, Byinto, Cinnabar, Clos LaChance, Cooper—Garrod Estate, David Bruce, J. Lohr, La Rochelle, Leal Estate, Thomas Fogerty, Pelican Ranch, Picchetti, Ventana and Savannah-Channelle wineries.

Castillero Middle School’s Jazania Castaneda was the 2006 Almaden Art and Wine Festival logo design winner this year. Left: Castillero art teacher Gwen Anderson and Castaneda.

The Almaden Art and Wine Festival will once again feature the popular beer garden sponsored by Britannia Arms featuring ice-cold premium beers from local breweries in addition to beer from El Toro and BJs Restaurant.

All the excitement of the festival will cause hunger pangs and AVWC has all the mouthwatering goodies anyone could ask for. Local community and school associations will serve Chinese chicken salad, hot dogs, polish sausages, Jersey cheesesteak sandwiches, taco salads, pizza, hamburgers, pretzels, cookies, root beer floats, fruit smoothies and lots of other fixings. If you leave hungry, it’s your own fault.

And be sure to stop by Bloomsters’ booth for your very own sunflower to take home to remember your day at the Almaden Art and Wine Festival.

“I am excited about the festival as always,” said AVWC President Cindy Griffeth. “It’s something I’ve always loved and love to do. It’s a great thing for the community to come out and enjoy themselves and have a great time.”

All this hoopla and family fun will be by the beautiful Almaden Park Lake. No wonder the annual Almaden Art and Wine Festival has been voted one of the best festivals in San Jose. See you there!

The Almaden Art and Wine Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking and shuttle service is available at Santa Clara Valley Water District on Almaden Expressway and VTA off of Coleman across from Almaden Lake Park. There are also bike racks at Almaden Lake Park. For more information visit www.almadenartwinefestival.com.