October 26, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

October 27 – Friday
The Santa Clara Chorale is proud to announce its new Guest Artist Concert! The Guest Artist Concert will showcase professional musicians from throughout the Bay Area. To inaugurate this series, the Chorale is proud to introduce the twelve-voice, professional Schola Cantorum San Francisco, under the direction of John Renke, as they present Sacred Masterpieces from Six Centuries. Treat yourself to an evening of gorgeous music by Gabrieli, Byrd, Britten, Duruflé, Poulenc, Pärt, and Górecki. The performance begins at 8 p.m. at Mission Santa Clara, on the campus of Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. For tickets and additional information, visit www.scc.org/tickets or call 369-1289; Admision is $20 General, Seniors/SCU Faculty and Staff $15, Students with ID $5.

October 29 - Sunday
The second concert in the 2006-07 Steinway Society piano series will feature Sa Chen, Crystal Award (third prize) winner of the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.  Ms. Chen will perform at Le Petit Trianon Theatre in downtown San Jose at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30-$45; senior $25-$40; student $20-$35 To purchase tickets or for additional information, call the Le Petit Trianon Box Office at (408) 286-2600, extension 23; fax (408) 295-6518, or E-mail:steinwaysociety@trianontheatre.com.

THEATER

November 3 - Friday
Pratham Musical Concert by Poonam: The San Jose McEnery Convention Center hosts a musical concert by Poonam Bhatia and her orchestra. Organized by the Bay Area chapter of Pratham SF, This popular and melodious singer from Mumbai, India will make your evening even more enjoyable by incorporating our own bay area, award winning dance performers from NNJ dance group into the evening’s entertainment. Local artists will perform their best numbers and yes, Arti Parekh will tickle your funny bone with jokes and shairy. Come, relax and enjoy a fun-filled evening for a great cause! Performance time is 6 p.m. Admissiojn is $25 - $150. For more information, visit www.prathamusa.org

ART

October 1 – 31
Monsieur Beans of Willow Glen, 1383 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, presents an art exhibit of original paintings by Pauline J. Jensen. This showing will features 20 works including “Glass Walkways – Halfmoon Bay” and “Dreams of Travel” (water color) and “People of Korea.” (oil) An artist’s reception will be held on October 8 from 2 – 5 p.m. refreshments will be served.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

October 13 – 31
Gyro’s 3D Scream Fest returns to the San Jose: They’re baaaaack – and bigger than ever. Gyro’s Scream Fest has returned and expanded into area’s largest haunted attraction to scare YOU! Join Evil Jack and his macabre minions as they take over the Convention Center’s South Hall. Scream your way through three haunted attractions, plus themed games in Evil Jack’s Arcade and soothe those hunger pains in the Cut-throat Café and take home something to remember (or scare away) your nightmares. Admission is $19.95. Visit www.gyrohaunts.com for additional information.

October 21 – Saturday
The new exhibit, “Dragons and Fairies: Exploring Viet Nam Through Folktales,” opens at the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose. “Dragons and Fairies” is designed to educate children ages 5-12 about the rich cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people. It provides an opportunity to explore the lives and traditions of people living in modern and ancient Viet Nam. The Children’s Discover Museum is located at 180 Woz Way, in downtown San Jose, at the intersection of Woz Way and Auzerais Street. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday: 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sunday: noon-5 p.m. Member’s only hour is Sunday 11 a.m. – noon.

October 24 – 29
Feld Entertainment’s Disney On Ice presents “Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey” coming to the HP Pavilion. Everyone’s favorite mice are the tour guides on this globetrotting adventure that includes Disney favorites Lilo and Stitch, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, and marine guides Ariel and Sebastian, just to name a few. Directed by Disney skating veteran Patty Vincent and choreographed by Cindy Stuart, who has worked with Olympic silver medalist Rosalyn Sumners, this production promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience. Admission is $15 - $50. For tickets and additional information, call 998-8497 or purchase tickets online at ticketmaster.com

October 27 – Friday
The Campbell Historical Museum, 51 North Central Avenue in Campbell, will offer its 4th annual “Spooky Halloween Night” evening of fun and recreation of old-fashioned Halloween games and activities from the 1920s and 30s. The event, designed for families, will include hot cider, apples to dunk, candy and treats for the youngsters, plus games and activities like “touch-feely” boxes and making trick-or-treat bags to prepare the children for the big Halloween night. The location has changed this year because of the closure of the Ainsley House due to the roofing project. Admission $5 per person; and children under 2 free. Event hours are 3 – 7 p.m. For information, call 866-2119 or visit through the City’s website: www.cityofcampbell.com/museum Costumes are permitted.

October 28 – Saturday
The 2006 Western Region Robotics Forum (WRRF) will be held in the Pioneer High School Main Gym. Students from twenty-four Northern California FIRST Robotics teams will be bringing their robots to compete at the WRRF California Robot Games. The Robot Games is free and open to the public. Qualifying Matches 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m., Playoffs 1:00 –4:00 p.m. It promises to be as fun and exciting for the spectators as it will be for the student participants.

October 28 – 29
The “Pirates of the Hollow” Family Sleepover: Time to come aboard with the Pirates of the Hollow for a grand ol' Halloween family sleepover. Come with a full belly and a tent in hand, as we'll set-up camp from 5-6 p.m. in the Crooked House meadow. Your fun-filled adventure will begin at 6 p.m. sharp when the gates are closed. We'll start by meeting some of the captain's animal mates, then we'll search for hidden treasure in the Hollow and have a Yo-Oh-Oh of a time. An evening snack and morning grub and grog will be provided. This adventure is limited to a crew of 50. All lasses and gents must be at least 5-years-old and accompanied by an experienced pirate. Spaces are still available! For more information and Registration forms, visit our website: http://hhpz.org/edu/sleep.php

October 29 – Sunday
Haunt the Hollow: Trick-or-Treat through Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, from 1 - 4 p.m.  Trick-or-treat stations throughout the Park & Zoo will provide a fun, safe and family-friendly experience for all. Admission includes trick-or-treating, all rides, play areas, the Zoo and puppet shows. Hours are 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on this event day, and activities are included with regular admission of $6.00 per person. For more information, call Happy Hollow Park & Zoo at 277-4193 or visit www.hhpz.org. This scare free event is sponsored by 94.5 KBAY and The Mercury News.

October 31 – Tuesday
Children and parents can enjoy a safe and fun evening filled with games, bounce houses, candy-filled piñatas, a crawl through maze, a professional magician, a hands-on reptile house, a melodrama show, and lots of candy from 5:30 – 9 p.m. at Church on the Hill, 500 Sands Drive, San Jose. For more information, call 265-9000 or go to www.churchonthehill.com and click on Fall Family Blast.   

CLASSES

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 and artist. Class fees include instructions, all materials, use of tools, and kiln firings. Adult classes are held on Thursday evenings, and children classes are on Sunday early afternoons. For more information or to register, call (408) 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

FIFTY PLUS

Ongoing
AARP Campbell Area Chapter 5151 meets the third Tuesday of every month (except December) at 9:30 a.m. in room Q-80, Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Ave for informative and fun programs.  Visitors from all communities are welcome. Call 378-6996

AARP Information Center needs volunteers to staff their office. Duties include helping seniors find various services and programs, and providing information on senior needs. The office is located at 840 Willow Street, Suite 300, at the corner of Bird and Willow Streets on bus route #25. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 278-1855.

The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

MISCELLANEOUS

October 25 – November 1
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with Community Ofrenda at Museum of Quilts and Textiles: The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, 520 South First Street, San Jose, will celebrate Dia de los Muertos by hosting the construction of a community ofrenda or altar by San Francisco-based artist, Martha Rodriguez, in its Streetside Gallery. Alter construction takes place 10/25 – 10/27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On 10/28 at 1:30 p.m. there will be a Dia de los Muertos story, mask-making art project, and sidewalk procession. Reservations are required. On 11/1 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Artist Martha Rodriguez will be in the gallery to talk about her altar. For information and reservations, call 971-0323 x14 or visit www.sjquiltmuseum.org

October 28 – 29
The Tabard Theatre Company of San Jose will be holding auditions for a production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. Various roles include a narrator, grandparents, parents, children and “Oompa-Loompas”. Willy Wonka will be played by Andrew Ceglio. All auditions are by appointment only. A packet with audition location and information about the production, rehearsals, etc. will be e-mailed to all who have appointments during the week before auditions. For more information, or to schedule audition time, call 979-0231 or send an e-mail to cathy@tabardtheatre.org. Performances of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will run from April 20 – May 5, 2 007 at the Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose

October 28 – Saturday
Vineland Branch Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Ave., is presenting its Fall “Gently Used Book Sale,” from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Adult and children's books, fiction and non fiction, and media are available.  Profits go to support library programs.

October 29 – Sunday
San Jose Scales of Justice Lions Club announces the 9th Annual Bini’s Style Spaghetti Dinner starting at 4:30 p.m. All you can eat Pasta, Gourmet Marinara Sauce with special herbs and spices, Italian Sausage, Garlic Bread, Fresh Tossed Green Salad and desert. Raffle prizes and silent auction. Adults $12.00 Children $6.00 (under 12) Located at the Cambrian Park United Methodist Church. For more information, contact Mike Irving at 227-8815.

November 3 – 5
World Wellness Weekend: World Wellness Weekend is a unique community “lifestyle” annual event representing a multi-dimensional, complimentary view of health and wellness. Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center & Civic Auditorium, The San Jose World Wellness Weekend (WWW) features Deepak Chopra, named by Time Magazine as one of the “top 100 icons of the 20th century”, delivering the opening Keynote Address Friday night, at the Civic Auditorium. Admission is $35 - $55. For more information, call 800-595-$TIX or visit www.worldwellness.org

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