October 9, 2008

Calendar of local events

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

THEATER

Oct. 10 – Nov. 1
The Tabard Theater open its 8th Season with “Antigone in the Oval Office”: Ancient Greece meets The West Wing as the Vice President is thrust into the Oval Office after the President’s sudden fall from power and faces national crises that become personal very quickly when his goddaughter Antigone challenges his wartime martial law. Warning: This timely translation may lead to heated discussions of parallels and pitfalls. This modern translation of Sophocles’ play by Ian C. Johnston, adapted by Ana-Catrina Buchser is based on a concept by Cathey Spielberger Cassetta. Driected by Buchser, this is the Tabard’s first production in its new home, Theater on San Pedor Square, 29, N. San Pedro Street, San Jose. Tickets are $22 , with discounts available for students/seniors. Reservations strongly recommended. Tabard Box Office: 679-2330 For more information visit http://www.tabardtheatre.org

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Oct. 11
Scarecrow Contest at Pumpkins in the Park: Attention all classrooms, families, neighborhoods, church groups, clubs, associations, individuals......everyone! Its time to start planning your scarecrows now! For the past 13 years, the scarecrows on “Scarecrow Row” at “Pumpkins in the Park” have grown steadily in quality and quantity. This year’s display promises to be the largest and most creative yet! The Scarecrow Contest will be a feature of the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens 14th annual “Pumpkins in the Park” event on Oct. 11 at Discovery Meadow. The Scarecrow entries will be judged by the public throughout the day and there will be fun prizes for the winners. The contest is open to anyone & everyone, the more the merrier – entry is free. Creativity is encouraged. To register on-line, please visit http://www.grpg.org/PIP/Scarecrow.html

Oct. 17
A Squash By Gosh! The fall and Halloween wouldn’t be the same without these famous squashes. Dig into the ooey gooey goodness of pumpkins as we learn about their origin, history, botany and so much more. Can you guess how many seeds are inside the pumpkin? Or how much it weighs? Join the Friends of the Guadalpue River Park and Gardens as we learn all about these wonderful vegetables. Workshop hours are 3:30 – 5 p.m. and fees are $10/members, $15/non-members. All workshops take place at the Visitor & Education Center located at 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose, CA 95110. Pre-registration is required and parents need not be present during the workshop. This course is appropriate for children 5 – 10 years. To register call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org.

VOLUNTEERS
Hospice Volunteers Needed: Rewarding volunteer opportunities are available in patient and family services, grief support, fundraising, community outreach, office and administrative support with Hospice of the Valley. Hospice of the Valley provides quality end-of-life care services and programs for adults and children facing life-limiting illness. Volunteer training begins October/November 2008. The next one-day orientation is on Nov. 12. For volunteer information, and for a pre-interview, contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 408.559.5600, email request@hospicevalley.org or visit hospicevalley.org

Do you enjoy working with children?  Do you enjoy art?  Let’s Look at Art, an innovative museum program in which trained art docents bring an education field trip into the classroom, is currently seeking volunteers.  The times and dates of school visits are flexible.  No art experience is necessary.  Training will be provided, beginning Jan. 6, 2009. Come join this group of community-minded people who enjoy sharing the joy and fascination of art with students.   For more information, please call 291-5393 or e-mail vol4LLAA@sjmusart.org. 

CLASSES

Oct. 11
Learn about Integrated Pest Management for the Home Garden at Metropolitan Adult Education Program’s (MAEP) World Garden Workshop at the Erikson Adult Center, 4849 Pearl Ave, San Jose. Master Gardener Lee Ann Ray will teach gardeners of all skill levels how to manage garden pests. The workshop will cover pest prevention techniques, symptom identification and management methods, low impact solutions to gardening challenges and a discussion on how to enhance your garden’s health. This free workshop runs from 10 a.m. to noon, and requires advance registration. Call 723-6450 between 8 a.m and 4:30 p.m. Mon – Fri. to reserve your space, or email your name and phone to ritab@metroed.net. Reference the Oct. World Garden Workshop.

Oct. 20
The Almaden Valley Counseling Service will begin its 7-week positive parenting class based on the STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) model weekly evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 pm. Preschool Class will be held on Monday nights starting Oct. 20; school age class will be held on Wednesday nights starting October 22; teen class will be held on Thursday nights starting October 23. No classes will be held the week of Thanksgiving. The cost is $110 for one parent or $165 for a couple. Contact AVCS at: 997-0200 / staff@avcounseling.org Visit our website for registration form: www.avcounseling.org. Location: 6529 Crown Blvd., Suite D, San Jose.

Ongoing
On-going drawing and painting classes for adults and children of all ages. Classes structured according to personal abilities and skills. Students are taught on an individualized bases, giving each student the freedom to move at their own pace. Small classes and friendly learning environment.  For more information, please call 927-9884.
Take a Ceramics Class this Fall! Enjoy something different by taking a hand-building clay class in a relaxing garden setting. The classes are very small in size so you can focus on growing as an individual with lots of personal attention from the instructor.  Fall program will be on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., and Wednesday mornings from 9-10:30 a.m.. The fee includes instruction, clay, glazes, use of tools, and all kiln firings. For more information or to receive registration materials, call (408) 679-0238.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oct. 11
Leland High School Class of 1978 is having a 30 year reunion celebration! The location is David’s Restaurant in Santa Clara. We look forward to a great evening and hope to see you there! For more information contact: Jeanne Pfeiffer Sommer at 472-6112 or optico@earthlink.net

Oct. 10 - 11
Class of ’68 Mount Pleasant High School 40th Reunion: The festivities begin at 4 p.m. at Mount Pleasant High School. Join us for a tour, special entertainment, a wonderful Mexican dinner (off-site), and come back ready to cheer for the Mount Pleasant Cardinal Football team. On 10/11 at 6 p.m. enjoy a BBQ dinner, dance, and special awards. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime 2-day event. Contact Connie Childers at (831) 638-1162, childersconnie@yahoo.com; Jack Coward at (408) 799-9194; or Ron Harrison at harrisonr@esuhsd.org.

Oct. 18
St. Stephen’s In-the-Field Church, 7269 Santa Teresa Blvd., San Jose, will hold a gift faire from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items will include Holiday Flower arrangements, Ornaments, Latasia Jewelry, Tupperware, Lingerie Bags Lavender Products, many Handcrafted items, items, Jewelry, Beauty aids, wine, and much more. Live entertainment rounds out this event. For more information, call the church at 629-1836.

Oct. 18-19
Autumn in the Rose Garden Home Tour: A 1930s Georgian house with a secret stairway. A historic Victorian with a mysterious chapel. A new home with every luxury. These three one-of-a-kind homes, plus an estate garden, will be featured Oct. 18-19 during the tour. Afterward, indulge yourself with a gourmet garden luncheon and browse through a boutique on a historic estate. The tour begins at 1262 University Avenue in San Jose. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets may be purchased fro $30 in advance at Casa Casa and Fleurish in the 1300 block of Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen, Flower Flour at 896 Willow Street, or Vintage and Vogue at  243 E. Campbell Ave, Campbell, or for $35 at the door. Optional lunch tickets are $13. Proceeds benefiting St. Martin of Tours School, San Jose. For more information, go to http://stmartinsj.org/rosegardenhomestour.php.

Oct. 19
Unwined Wine Bar & Shop will celebrate the Grand Opening of its Patio area from 2 – 6 p.m. (weather permitting) Join us for refreshments, disounts on wine and prize drawings. Unwined is located at 6946 Almaden Expressway in San Jose. For more information, visit www.unwinedshop.com or email us at info@unwinedshop.com.

Oct. 23
National Holistic Institute, a College of Massage Therapy, presents a unique, hands-on experience at its San Jose campus Open House. This free event is open to the public from 6 – 8 p.m. and will include spa demonstrations, Eastern and Western massage workshops, and an interactive science corner. Instructors and staff will be on hand to answer questions, and refreshments will be served. Location is 3031 Tisch Way, Suite 1 Plaza South in San Jose. For more information, visit www.nhi.edu or call 1-800-315-3552.



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.