October 11, 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.

Oct. 19
KOME’s Mikel Hunter’s induction into the San Jose Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Dinner and Concert Event hours 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. at History Park, 1650 Senter Road In San Jose, Ca. Presented by The Hugh Stuart Charitable Trust and sponsored by The Mercury News, SVCN and 98.5 KFOX, this event will feature performances by Greg Kihn (2007 Inductee) , People!(2007 Inductee), Larry Norman (2007 Inductee), Papa Doo Run Run (2007 Inductee), Robert Berry & Thom Duell and Special Guest Band: Billy the Kid, the U18 Last Band Standing Finalist. Tickets are $125 VIP, $35 Grandstand. For more information, visit www.sanjoserocks.org/events.htm

Oct. 20
San Jose Wind Symphony Celebrates 50! Darrell Johnson, SJWS founding conductor and Ed Harris, succeeding conductor will lead the Wind Symphony in favorite musical selections. Special guest artist, Ed Shaughnessy, drummer on the Johnny Carson-era Tonight Show, will be performing unique arrangements with the Wind Symphony. The Wind Symphony will also be premiering Craig Bohmier’s repolished Concert Variations on a Theme of Schubert. Leigh Weimers and Forrest Williams will be our guest announcers at this special event. Show time is 7 p.m. at the California Theatre. Admission is $15 - $20. For more information, 927-7597 or visit www.sjws.org

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.

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. 12
Celebrate the 12th Annual Pumpkins in the Park at Discovery Meadow. Produced by the Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, this event will feature fresh pressed apple cider, and entertainment by popular children’s entertainers the Banana Slug String Band, Zun Zun, Andy Z and many more. Activities include pumpkin decorating, puppet shows, and environmental education activities. A variety of food and beverages will be available for sale. Hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free, For more information, call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org

Oct. 13 – 14
Kick Start, Eat Smart: Join the Children’s Discovery Museum for a weekend of fun that will encourage healthy eating and staying active, including Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Presentation of “Zip’s Great Day!”, family yoga, folklorico dancing, family jazzercise, and more. Kick Start Eat Smart is a partnership between Kaiser Permanente and Children’s Discovery Museum of San José. Event hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on 10/13 and from noon - 5 p.m. on 10/14. For more information, visit www.cdm.org.

Oct. 16 – 18
San Jose’s Spaghetti Factory offers up dinner at 1972 prices: To celebrate 35 years of serving up delicious pasta dinners, the landmark Old Spaghetti Factory located at 51 North San Pedro in San Jose, is rolling back the clock to offer a truly retro deal – three nights of pasta dinners at prices circa 1972. Special anniversary prices are not available on to-go orders. For three nights, from 5 to 10 p.m., guests at The Old Spaghetti Factory can relive the past and enjoy a complete dinner like Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce for as little as $1.85. Customers will have their choice of six complete dinner items, including salad, a spaghetti entree, fresh bread and spumoni ice cream. This special anniversary menu will include Spaghetti with Tomato, Meat, Mushroom or Clam Sauce, and the signature Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese or the Manager's Favorite – all for $1.85 to $2.25 per person. There will be a children's spaghetti dinner as well, for just $1.25. For more information, call 288-7488.

Oct. 20 – 21
Downtown Campbell hosts Oktoberfest: This much-anticipated annual event boasts hundreds of Arts and Crafts vendors, authentic German food and “der beir garten” lots people watching, live entertainment and more. Sponsored by the Campbell Chamber of Commerce, event hours are10 a.m to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday For more information, contact the Campbell Chamber at 378-6252.

CLASSES

Oct. 12 – 14
The Santa Clara Valley Square Dancers Association is hosting its 51st Annual Jubilee at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Tully Road. And will offer a free introduction to Modern Square Dancing on 10/12 from 7-9:30 p.m. and an all-day basics class for $8 on 10/14 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., parking for both events is available through Gate B off Tully Road.  Questions?  Call (408) 774-1570, email jubilee@scvsda.org or visit www.scvsda.org

Ongoing
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

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
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.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oct. 12
The Santa Clara County Division, of the California Retired Teachers Association, will meet for luncheon at the Three Flames restaurant, 1547 Meridian Avenue, at 11:30 a.m. Join us for good food and entertainment by retired teacher and author of “Dancing in My Nightgown,” Betty Auchard, followed by a book signing. Please call Roger Evans at 294-8346 for reservations.

Oct. 13
The San Jose Auxiliary hosts its 35th Pumpkin Patch Boutique from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church (Hamilton & Leigh in San Jose) Items include best-of-the-best donations to Willow Glen’s The Thrift Box: silverware, jewery, artwork, brass, antiques, crystal and collectibles. Also, Holiday decorations, rare books, CDs furs, kitchenware and much more. There is a $2 admission proceeds benefit the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. For more information, contact Deanne Westen, Pumpkin Patch Assistant Chair, 559-1187, or Marilyn Taketa, Publicity Chair, 288-9400, mtaketa2@earthlink.net.

Oct. 15
Opponents of the Coyote Valley Specific Plan will rally at City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara Street, to show that we do not support the destruction of San Jose's last remaining stretch of farmland. At 5 p.m., we will gather in by the fountains in front of City Hall. At 5:30pm, we will enter the Coyote Valley Task Force Meeting in Wing Rooms 118 - 120 and tell the city what we think! Members of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band will be present to tell city officials what impact CVSP will have on tribal sites and their historic homeland. For more information, call 607-1709.

Oct. 18
Project HIRED will hold its annual Harvest Moon Gala at Villa Ragusa in Campbell.  The reception begins at 6 p.m. and the silent auction runs through 7:45 p.m.. Immediately following the dinner and silent auction, a live auction will include vacation trips, Shark Tank Penthouse Suite for 20 persons, sports packages, sailing in Santa Cruz, and wine tasting. Check out www.projecthired.org for the latest updates. “Tables of Champions” for ten people can be purchased for $1,500.  Individual tickets are available at $150 each. For more information about sponsorships or purchasing tickets, call Karen Morris, Director of Development, at 408.557 4307. www.projecthired.org Proceeds from this event will benefit Project HIRED, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities to gain competitive employment and advance their careers, through partnerships with industry.

Oct. 18
Exclusive eWomenNetwork "Accelerated Networking" Lunch Event from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Maggiano's, in Santana Row will feature guest speaker Terry Mandel discussing “From Private Signs To Working Wise – Tapping Your Collaborative Resources” $53/Guests; Late Registration, beginning 10/13; $63 for all registrants, Contact Kristy Rogers for more information at 288-8484 or kristyrogers@ewomennetwork.com

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.

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.