October 25, 2007

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

Oct. 27-28
Symphony Silicon Valley presents George Cleve and Seymour Lipkin. Cleve will be conducting Brahms’ symphony No. 3 in F major, and Lipkin will be performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor. Performance times are 10/25 at 7:30 p.m.; 10/27 at 8 p.m.; and 10/28 at 2:30 p.m. All performances will be held at the California Theatre in downtown San Jose. Call the box office at 286-2600 for tickets.

Nov. 6
Free Opera Preview - Singers from Opera San José and lecturer Larry Hancock will preview Massenet's Werther. Event time is noon, at the Beethoven Center, MLK Library, 4th and San Fernando in downtown San José. No reservations needed. More Information is available at www.sjoperaguild.org or 275-6199.

DANCE

Oct. 26 – 27
Celebrating their fifth season, sjDANCEco will present their fall concert, “The Best of sjDANCEco,” at the San Jose Repertory Theatre. The 8 p.m. performance features three of the Company’s most acclaimed pieces during the past five seasons. including “Birthing the Ascension,” “RAW” and “Courting Medieval.” The performance will also include José Limón's masterwork, “Mazurkas,” and two Company premieres, “Quietus,” by Dominic Duong, and Gary Masters’ “Diablo Opus.”

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

Oct. 27
Children’s Discovery Museum presents “Family Lunada.” Join us from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. for an evening of music and fun, based on the Mexican custom of gathering informally at the time of the full moon for entertainment and relaxation with family and friends. For details about this evening’s line up, go online at<http://www.cdm.org/lunadas> And share your talent at our open mic!

Oct. 27
Go Leland! The Homecoming games will be at Pat Tillman Stadium on the Leland campus when the Charger’s JV team takes on the Del Mar Don’s at 11 a.m. The Varsity Football game follows at 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 27
Almaden Community Center 1st Annual Harvest Festival: Whether you have a passion for pumpkins or are a fanatic for fright, the Almaden Community Center's 1st Annual Harvest Festival is the place to be.  The day has something for the entire family including a haunted hallway, pumpkin patch, food, art activities, local artists , story time, door prizes, information booths, and much more. Located at 6445 Camden Avenue, admission is free and children are encouraged to come in costume. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 268-1133. 

Oct. 27
Friends of Vineland Branch Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Road, will be having our Fall Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All proceeds are used to enhance the Vineland Library programs and services.  Programs such as the Summer Reading Club, Mother Goose and Family Story Times, the Teens Reach program and Puppet Shows have all benefited from the book sale.There will be a large assortment of paperback and hardbound, fiction and non-fiction, adult and children’s’ books.   Come and stock up on some great books and media for the fall and winter and help support our library. If you are interested in volunteering to work at the book sale, contact Bev Combs at 972-1228.

Oct. 28
Bethel Church presents “The Devil's Dance” a free music and dance event for high school (14 and older) and college students. The Devil's Dance is a pre-Halloween event in a safe gang-free, drug and alcohol-free venue for young people. For more information, call 200-8965. Location - Bethel Gymnasium Building,1201 S. Winchester Blvd. Event hours are 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 28
Haunt the Hollow - and History Park. Trick or Treat at Kelley Park: Kids will be able to trick-or-treat throughout Happy Hollow Park and Zoo and the History Park in a fun, safe, family friendly environment while celebrating one of the year’s most exciting holidays. Event hours are from 1 - 6 p.m. Kids will be able to enjoy trolley car rides, puppet shows, play areas and zoo, which have become a mainstay for families of San José. Stations will be set up throughout Happy Hollow Park & Zoo from 1 – 4 p.m. and at the historic homes in History Park from 3 – 6 p.m. This event is included with the regular admission of $6 per person and is free to Happy Hollow and to History San José members. This scare-free event is sponsored by 94.5 KBAY and The San Jose Mercury News. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on this event day. For more information, call Happy Hollow Park & Zoo at 277 4193 or visit www.hhpz.org.

Nov. 2
The Candy Buy Back returns to Braces for Pretty Faces! Your children can still enjoy the festivities of “Trick-or-Treating,” have healthier teeth, AND they can make a handsome cash award while they lend a helping hand to local charities, and supporting our troops overseas! How awesome is that! Your children and their friends (they do not need to be a patient of ours) can bring their treats to our office – 6489 Camden Avenue in San Jose from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. - We will pay $1. per pound for their candy. For every pound of candy that is received, a donation of $2 will be sent to a local charity that provides help to the needy. Once all the candy is collected it will be distributed across the U.S. and sent to our troops overseas. For more information, call our office at 997-7772.

Nov. 2
Join ArtHouse Kids, 1043 Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen for their annual Day of the Dead Gallery Show. Exhibited will be works from students, staff and local artists. The public is welcome to bring a photograph, memento or item to add to our community Dia De Los Muertos Alter. Hours are 7 – 10 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 975-9987.

Nov. 3
The Friends of the Almaden Library will hold their Fall Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Room of the Almaden Library/Community Center at 6445 Camden Ave. All books, CDs, DVDs, and videos are "gently used". Donations from the community, and all proceeds are used to support various programs and services of the Almaden Branch Library. The final hour of the book sale features super bargain pricing - a shopping bag full of books and/or other materials sells for only $5, and the price applies to as many bags as you can fill during that hour.

CLASSES

Ongoing
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.
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.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oct. 11 – 31
Get ready for the fright of your life! Gyro’s Scream Fest Haunted House comes to Westfield’s Oakridge Mall. From Oct. 11 – 31, America’s Premiere Haunted House will be just around the corner. Open Thurs. – Sat. admission is $19.95. This year’s featured attractions include Rob Zombie’s “The Devil’s Playground,” “Evil Jack’s Madhouse” and “Fortress” For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.3dfearfactory.com.

Oct. 30
SJUSD Trustee Chat – Leslie Reynolds, Almaden’s Board of Education Member Representative, will be hosting an informal chat from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Bret Harte Cafeteria, 7050 Bret Harte Drive, San Jose. The public is invited to come and meet Leslie and ask questions about our Almaden schools. Special guests will include Superintendent Don Iglesias, Director of School Construction Ty Williams, and Director of Auxiliary Services Rose Bedard.

Nov. 3 - 4
San Jose Reptile Show: San Jose’s South Hall will house over 75 vendors, 5,000 reptiles, live alligators, sale of reptiles and supplies at wholesale prices and more. Addmission is $6 - $9. For more information, call 916-691-7387 or visit www.upscalereptiles.com

Nov. 6
The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley (CFSV) Presents: Author/Historian Michael Zak speaking on the acclaimed history of the Republican Party from the civil rights perspective. Location – The American Legion Hall, 958 Homestead Road, Santa Clara. CFSV Members/Students/First-time visitors: no charge – Non-members; $10 Lecture at 7 p.m. doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit: www.theconservativeforum.com

Nov. 6 – Dec. 24
Start your Christmas shopping early and purchase heirloom quality, handmade lace covered Christmas ornaments. Vintage as well as contemporary handmade lace is used to cover these special, one-of-a-kind ornaments. Ornaments come in many sizes and range from $5 to over $50. All proceeds from this annual sale go towards the maintenance of the Lace Museum. Lace Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is located at 552 South Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale with free parking.

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.