October 26, 2006

Tarantulas on the loose!

New Almaden residents have been collecting arachnids lately in preparation for their appearance in the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch “Bugged Out Movie Night.”

A dozen tarantulas will have star billing at the “Bugged Out Movie Night.” Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“We’ve collected about a dozen males and one blond female tarantula we call Marilyn,” said New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum park interpreter Terri Sanislo-Williams.

“They’re really fascinating and very cute little guys.”

Sanislo-Williams will describe the exotic life of the California brown tarantula along with Bernal-Gulnac-Joice park interpreter John Dorrance who presents the “Bugged Out Movie Nights” periodically throughout the year featuring bug experts, live specimen collections and old movies. He will feature the campy 1950s black and white film “Tarantula” on Oct. 28 from 7:30 to 10:30 with popcorn and lemonade followed by what he promises to be safe close encounters with the real life creatures.

Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch is located at Camino Verde and Manila Drive in Santa Teresa Park. Call (408) 226-5453 for more details. Entrance is free, although donations are accepted. —Jeanne Carbone Lewis