September 28, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

THEATER

September 23 – October 14
Saratoga Drama Group presents “Bye, Bye Birdie” at the Saratoga Civic Theatre, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga. Considered on of the captivating musicals of modern times, “Bye, Bye Birdie” follows rock heartthrob Conrad Birdie on the verge of his induction into the Army. When his publicity-minded agent decides to send Birdie off with a kiss from a member of his fan club – on the Ed Sullivan show – things begin to go awry. Classic songs from the production include “What Did I Ever See In Him?”, “Spanish Rose” and “Kids.” For tickets and information, call 266-4734. Directed by Tim Harris, music by Charles Strouse, choreography by Kayvon Kordestani.

MUSIC

September 22 – October 1
Mission City Opera presents “The Magic Flute” performed on selected dates at the Mission City Center for the Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe Street in Santa Clara. This production will be presented in English with English and Chinese Supertitles. Suitable for the whole family, “The Magic Flute” is filled with imaginative and lively characters, and many of Mozart’s most recognizable melodies. For ticket and show time information, call 749-7607 or visit www.missioncityopera.org

October 1 – Sunday
Symphony Silicon Valley presents “Little Russian”at the California Theatre: Jennifer Hidgon’s season opener is a dazzling Concerto for Orchestra that showcases each of the orchestra’s sections in turn. Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony, titled ‘Little Russian’ for its singing Ukrainian folk melodies, brings the audience back to an exuberantly romantic work of great beauty. Admission is $26 - $72, call 286-2600 or visit www.symphonysiliconvalley.org for more information.

October 6-7
Barbershop Harmony Convention at the Civic Auditorium: Voices in Harmony Chorus is hosting this year’s annual Far Western District Contest and Convention. 27 Quartets and 25 Choruses will compete for the top awards, the winners receiving an invitation to the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Convention in July, 2007. Admission is $30 - $50. For more information, call 247-1180.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

September 30 – Saturday
Children Moon Festival at Cesar Chavez Park: Now in its 4th year, the festival, sponsored by The Viet American Cultural Foundation (Viet-ACF) and many other community organizations in San Jose, will feature many activities for children and families including a children’s lantern parade, entertainment, games, contests, food, magic show and more. Admission is free and hours are 12 noon – 10 p.m.

October 3 – Tuesday
Dave Keane author of the popular children series “Joe Sherlock Kid Detective Case” will be visiting the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 5353 Almaden Expressway, at 4 p.m. to do a discussion and signing of the new book in his series “The Missing Monkey-Eye Diamond” (Joe Sherlock Series #3), Vol. 3. The series is aimed for Grade 1-5. Fourth-grader Joe Sherlock aspires to follow in the footsteps of the famous Sherlock Holmes by solving local mysteries for $10 a day. He is endearing as he bumbles toward the solutions.

October 3 – Tuesday
Caryn Yacowitz, author of popular children’s folktale “Jade Stone,” will be visiting the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 5353 Almaden Expressway, at 5 p.m. for a discussion and signing of her book “Jade Stone: A Chinese Folktale.” Yacowitz’s solid retelling of a traditional Chinese folktale concerns artistic integrity. When the Great Emperor of all China commands him to carve a Dragon of Wind and Fire in a piece of perfect jade, Chan Lo discovers the stone wants to be something else.

October 6-8
San Jose Arts Festival at the San José McEnery Convention Center: This event features 170 exhibitors offering more than 10,000 original works for sale in all price ranges. Festival visitors have the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists and craftspeople about how they make their unique items. Admission is $6.50 - $7.50. For more information, call 805-461-6700 or visit www.americanartfestivals.com

CLASSES

September 30 – Saturday
Aspire Life Coaching presents: Body Image Workshop from 6 – 8 p.m. at 110 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Suite C in Los Gatos. Cost is $45 and includes workbook. For more information or to register, call 835-9908 or visit http://www.aspirelifecoaching.org

October 7 – Saturday
Scarecrow-Making Workshop: Gather ‘round for this wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends/family and let your collective creativity flow! Additionally, all scarecrows will be invited to participate in the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens’ sponsored Scarecrow Contest at Pumpkins in the Park on Saturday, October 14.  The workshop will be held at the new Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. One scarecrow allowed per group.  Scarecrow building materials are included in the workshop fee. Children under eighteen years old must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by sending a check to: Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, 438 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted via phone or mail. For more information please visit www.grpg.org or call 298-7657.

Ongoing
“Hands On Clay” classes in Almaden is accepting students for its Fall 2006 classes. These are small classes (4-6 students) taught by a teacher/artist. Class fees include instructions, all materials, use of tools, and kiln firings. Adult classes are held on Thursday evenings, and youth classes are on Sunday early afternoons. For more information or to register call 679-0238. Classes will be held in Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar's Little Falls Drive art studio and gallery.

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

October 7 – Saturday
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold registration for computer classes at the "new" Almaden Community Center located at 6445 Camden Avenue. Registration for intermediate courses at 1:30 p.m. Registration for Computer Fundamentals at 3 p.m. All classes will be held at the Almaden Community Center. For more information call Don House 268-1703 or visit www.snlcsj.org.

VOLUNTEERS

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.

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.

September 30 – Saturday
The American Lung Association of California partnering with sponsors Kaiser Permanente and Sepracor Pharmaceutacals, will be hosting a 5k walk at Almaden Lake Park to raise funds for Asthma Programming in Santa Clara County as well as Asthma research. Registration 9am walk starts 10am. Our goal is to raise $70k. Funds are raised by teams and individual walkers. No fee to participate. For more information, visit www.asthmawalk.org

September 30 – Saturday
Adoption Fair at Humane Society Silicon Valley! Many kittens, cats, dogs, and rabbits available! Special adoption fees for pairs of cats and kittens. Pet starter kits are available at greatly reduced prices for adopters. Get more information at www.HSSV.org. Adoption hours are 10 a.m. -5 p.m. HSSV is located at 2530 Lafayette St. in Santa Clara, 727-3383.

September 30 – Saturday
Branham High School Class of 1976.  Our 30th Reunion is 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.

October 3 – Tuesday
The San Jose Woman's Club, 75 So. Eleventh Street in San Jose, will present "German Pioneers of San Jose." The featured guest will be 2003 Distinguished German-American of the Year, author Maria Brand, who will present a fascinating slide show.  Brand has gathered an extensive history of the German- American Pioneers in what is now the Silicon Valley. Pre-luncheon social hour begins at 11:30 a.m.; the program begins promptly after lunch. All interested parties are welcome. Call 269-2395 for reservations.  The cost is $20 per person.

October 3 – 8
The Mexican Heritage Plaza’s Annual San Jose International Mariachi Festival, Concerts and Conference celebrates its “Quinceanera.” Festival highlights include the Gala Premier Concert at 7 p.m. on 10/6 and a Mariachi Mass on 10/8 at 9:30 a.m. at History Park, plus much more. Musical guests will include Juan Gabriel, Mariachi Cobre, and Los Lupenos de San Jose just to name a few. For tickets and additional information, visit www.mhcviva.org or call 1-800-MHC-VIVA. The Festival is presented by Kmart.

October 5 – Thursday
Annual Walk to End Domestic Violence Registration is at 11 a.m. in the City Hall Rotunda, the Program begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the walk from 12 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be available at 12:30 p.m. in the Rotunda. For more information, contact Eve Costallanos, 535-8101.

October 7 – Saturday
Pet Blessing: Come have your pets blessed, at St. Stephen's in-the-fields Episcopal Church. In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, all pets large and small are blessed and receive a certificate at this charming ceremony, outside under the oak tree. Bring your friends. The blessing begins at 4 p.m.at 7269 Santa Teresa Blvd in San Jose. For more information, call 226-9763 or visit www.ststephensinthefields.org.

October 8 – Sunday
The Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society will be hosting a “History Month Open House” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Santa Clara Library, 2635 Homestead in Santa Clara. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 615-2986.

Ongoing
Poetry Readings at Willow Glen Books, 1330 Lincoln Avenue, 7 p.m. Every Third Monday of the month.
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.

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.

Humane Society of Silicon Valley Companion Animal Loss Support Group Meetings: First Wednesday of each month 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Humane Society Silicon Valley, 2530 Lafayette St. Santa Clara. Facilitator: Adam Dorsay, M.A. For more information, call 450-1800.

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.