October 4, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

Oct. 12
Branham High School hosts “Battle of the Bands II” from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Branham High School campus (Meridian at Branham). Come and cheer your local faves as high school bands compete for top honors and prizes. Professional judges panel, Food & Fun! Tickets are $10. Interested bands contact bill@branhammusic.com. Variety of genres welcome.

THEATER

Sept. 19 – Oct. 14
Opening its 25th Anniversary Season, San Jose Stage Company presents “The Diary of Anne Frank”. This is a story the world knows by heart: a young Jewish girl’s harrowing account of hiding from the Nazis with her family in a tiny attic in Amsterdam. A striking new adaptation restores deleted passages from the diary, offering a richer look into this extraordinary young woman’s coming of age. Drawing on newly discovered material from the diary that changed the world, Kesselman’s play shows Anne Frank in a more human, realistic light as we honor the 60th anniversary of her diary’s publication. All performances are staged at The Stage, 490 South First Street in San Jose. This production is directed by Rick Singleton. Tickets are $20 - $45 and may be ordered by phone at 283-7142 or online at www.sanjosestage.com.

Sept. 29 – Oct. 13
Actors Theatre Center presents Stephen Sondheim’s Tony–award winning, controversial musical “Assassins” playing September 29-October 13 at the Hoover Theater in San Jose. Written as a one-act historical “revusical,” Assassins explores the dark side of the American experience from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald. Composer Sondheim and writer John Weidman take audiences on a nightmarish roller-coaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and finally inspire each other to harrowing acts all in the name of the American Dream. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $23.00 for student/seniors. This production contains strong language, violent imagery and is performed without intermission. Not recommended for patrons under 16. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 998-TIXS and directly through Actors Theatre Center at 985-5500 and www.theatrecenter.biz.

ART

Sept. 14 – Dec. 31
San Francisco’s Metreon, located at 101 4th Street, hosts the North American debut of Da Vinci – an Exhibition of Genius, celebrating the man who invented the forerunner to the tank, camera, and automobile, engineered bridges and cities, documented the intricacies of the human body, in addition to painting the most famous piece of art in the world. This stunning, interactive and experiential exhibition has taken 10 years to create, and includes 3D animations illuminating the genius behind the famous Vitruvian Man and the Last Supper. Come see the most comprehensive traveling exhibition ever assembled on the greatest creative mind of the Italian Renaissance.  Admission fees are Adult $19.50, Seniors (62+), $17.50 and kids aged 4-12 years are $15.50. For ticket information, visit davincithegenius.com.

Oct. 4 – 7
In honor of John Lennon’s 67th birthday, Legacy Fine Art Productions in conjunction with Yoko Ono present “Come Together - The Artwork of John Lennon” showcased at the Stanford Shopping Center (next to Tiffany & Co.) in Palo Alto. This exhibit will feature hand-signed pieces as well as limited edition prints. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Stanford Ronald McDonald House. A $2 donation is suggested at the door. For hours and additional information, visit www.stanfordshop.com or call 888-278-1969.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Sept. 27 – Jan. 26, 2008
Body Worlds 2 & the Three Pound Gem at The Tech: Body Worlds 2 features more than 200 authentic human specimens preserved through Plastination, including whole bodies, individual organs, and transparent body slices. The exhibit offers visitors an in-depth view of the intricately designed human body, comparative anatomy showing wellness and disease, and the mysterious world of the brain. Admission is $8 - $22. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Last entry 7:30 p.m. For more information on this must-see exhibit, visit www.thetech.org

Oct. 5
Heritage Day 2007 at Williams Elementary: Join the fun at Williams as they celebrate “Sports from around the World” at the 2007 Heritage Day from 4 – 7 p.m. This exciting annual event will feature 18 cultural booth displays, with a special spotlight on sports from around the world, including sports demos, cultural performances, and sampling of world cuisine. Be sure to visit all 18 booths to get your passport stamped for a chance to win one of our fabulous raffle prizes! The cost is $2 per person.

Oct. 5 - 7
Bay Area Sports Spectacular in South Hall: This 3-day extravaganza featuring sports greatest players, trading cards, PSA on-site grading memorabilia, autographs, 200+ vendor tables, and more. Come to meet and greet, get autographs, and take photos with sports superstars like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Mike Schmidt, Rickey Henderson, JaMarcus Russell, Tim Brown, Michael Huff, Frank Gore, Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus and 20+ other athletes. Admission is $5 - $10. For more information, visit www.gtsportsmarketing.com

Oct. 5 – 7
St. Frances Cabrini celebrates 51st Annual Fiesta: This much-anticipated event will feature carnival rides, games, gourmet food, an Opportunity Drawing, and gift baskets. The Live Entertainment line-up includes  HouseRockers on Friday night and The Cocktail Monkeys on Saturday. Event hours are 10/5 from 5 – 10 p.m. 10/6 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and on 10/7 from noon – 6 p.m.

Oct. 6
Scarecrow Making Workshop: Gather up your family, friends, coworkers, team members, scout troop, etc. - for a morning of seasonal fun at Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens. Spend time with one another and work together to create a wonderful fall masterpiece for your home, porch, and garden – maybe even your office! Workshop hours are 9 a.m. – noon. You can take your scarecrow home or enter it into our annual scarecrow contest at Pumpkins in the Park on October 13. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring that unique item that will set your scarecrow apart from the crowd! Location: 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. The fee is $15 per scarecrow.To register your group for a time slot call 298-7657 or email education@grpg.org. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Oct. 7
Wildlife Festival at Youth Science Institute in Alum Rock Park: Hold a snake and meet hawks, owls and other animals at the Youth Science Institute’s Wildlife Festival from 11a.m. – 4 p.m. at Alum Rock Park, 16260 Penitencia Creek Road in San Jose, CA. Food and fun are scheduled throughout the day. This is a free family event where you can watch events such as “Falconry Through the Ages” and “Water Magic” as well as participate in hands-on science activities and crafts. There is a $6 park entry fee. Contact 258-4322 for more information.

Oct. 7
The Journey Church is moving from Santa Teresa High School to Pioneer High School. The Journey will also host a community input “unconference” forum on 10/7 from 9 – 11 a.m. For more information, visit www.talkinchurch.com

CLASSES

Oct. 6
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 learn to compost class from10 a.m. - noon at the Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave. in San Jose. Attendees will also learn where to purchase low cost composting bins, worm bins and equipment.  To register, call 918-4640 or e-mail compost@pln.sccgov.org.  A full, countywide class schedule is available at www.ReduceWaste.org.

Ongoing
South Bay Deutscher Schulverein, a German Saturday Language School, offers German language instructions at the Willow Glen Educational Park, Middle School Section, 2001 Cottle Avenue. The school offers classes for pre-school through teenagers, as well as adult beginners, intermediate and advanced courses on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.,  For more information visit our website www.sbds.org or call 266-5100. Please note that no information is available weekdays at the school location.

Hands On Clay ceramics classes in Almaden is accepting applications for its on-going classes. These small, relaxing classes for women are held on Tuesday and Thursday 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, kiln firings, tea and pastries, too! For more information, call 679-0238. Space is very 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

Oct. 6
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold registration for computer classes at the Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave. in San Jose. Registration for intermediate courses is at 1:30 p.m. Registration for Computer Fundamentals is at 3 p.m. All classes will be held at the newly renovated Almaden Community Center. For more information call Don House at 268-1703 or visit www.snlcsj.org.

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

Oct. 11
American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer orientation:  Greet, inform, and thank our wonderful donors at Santa Clara County area blood drives or make important deliveries as a volunteer driver.  Minimum commitment is only two 3-hour shifts per month.  Evening and weekend volunteer shifts available.  Orientation takes place at our San Jose Blood Center, 2731 North First Street from 10 a.m. to noon. Advanced sign-up is required.  For more information, call Anne at 510-594-5165 or email blackstonea@usa.redcross.org.

Ongoing
The Unicorn Thrift Shop in Almaden Valley has some opportunities for volunteers with a variety of skills. This shop is a major fundraiser for EMQ Children and Family Services. Training will be provided. We have a minimum of 7 hours per month of volunteer duty for membership. This retail store could use some reliable adults to join our organization. For further information call the store at 997-9188. The membership chairman is Jan Miller.
Kaiser Permanente San Jose is seeking volunteers. For as little as four hours a week you can make a difference in someone's life, as well as your own. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and take pride in knowing you are providing a community service. Gain retail and business experience volunteering in our newly remodeled Keepsake Gift Shop. We also have positions in the hospital or medical offices. We offer day, evening and weekend opportunities for those 18 and over. For more information go to our website at www.kpsanjose.org or call Teri at 972-7409.

Do you enjoy working with children and have an interest in art?  The San Jose Museum of Art is currently recruiting volunters to join the Let's Look at Art Program.  As a volunteer docent you would bring art into classrooms and lead interactive discussions with the students.  Classroom visits are done according to your availability during school hours.  For more information phone 291-5393 or email Vol4LLAA@sjmusart.org.  No art experience is required.  Training session begins Oct. 17, 2007.

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.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oct. 7
Santana Row celebrates its fifth anniversary with its first annual Pear Festival, a day of festivities honoring its heritage as a thriving, 65-acre pear orchard and the sweet fruit that it produced. Guests will be able to meet the farmers who grow pears, watch chefs who cook with pears and even taste wine that goes with pears!  Local musicians will fill the neighborhood with live musical performances, and all guests will receive exclusive “Perfect Pair” shopping and dining offers. Event hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.santanarow.com or call 551-4611.

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.

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.