January 27, 2006

NEWS BRIEFS

Thirty-fourth Annual Wildflower Show set for April 22-23 at Mission College

The 34th Annual Wildflower Show, the premier botanical and horticultural event of the South Bay and Peninsula, will take place at Mission College in Santa Clara over the weekend of April 22-23.

The Wildflower Show is a two-day expo showcasing the diversity and beauty of wildflowers of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Over 400 species of wildflowers and native plants are displayed, each accurately labeled, many suitable for the home garden. Knowledgeable botanists and gardeners are on hand to answer questions. Books, posters, seeds, note cards, and other wildflower-related items are available for purchase. This year’s show will also offer free classes on native plant identification, wildflower gardening, and gardening with native plants.

Now in its 34th year, the Wildflower Show is a well-known and loved tradition in the South Bay and the Peninsula. Organized by the Santa Clara Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society, this educational event is free and open to the public, and suitable for the entire family. Here one can learn about the breathtaking diversity of California’s native flora, and even pick up ideas for the home garden.

The venue is the Mission College Hospitality Management Building, conveniently accessible from the Great America Parkway exit off Highway 101 in Santa Clara. Parking is free in the designated lot. The Wildflower Show is sponsored by the Mission College Biology Department.

For more information, go to www.cnps-scv.org or call (650) 691-9749.

Schoolhouse of Music and Arts Enrollment and Auditioning for
Children’s Chorus for Spring 2006 Season is underway

The Schoolhouse of Music and Arts, located on 3571 Springbrook Avenue in San Jose, announces its classes in Piano, Voice, Guitar, Marimba, Early Music, and Children’s Art Expression. Enrollment and Auditioning for Children’s Chorus Spring 2006 Season is underway.

For more information, please call (408) 274-3807 or email eleanor@theshoma.com.

“Ask Brenda” real estate seminars set for Feb. 4 and 25

‘Ask Brenda’ Real Estate Seminars presents ‘Know the Essentials of Selling your Home, Before you put it on the Market.  

Brenda and her panel of experts will discuss what the term ‘Buyers’ market’ means, how rising interest rates effect home prices, how to get TOP $$ dollar for your home, and how to sell your home fast. 

Seminar dates and times: February 4 and 25, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon Location:  2690 S. White Road, San Jose, CA  95148. 

The Seminar is FREE, however, we do suggest you call to reserve you seat (408) 799-9384 or (408) 528-7299.

Upcoming San Jose Public Library Programs for February 2006

The San Jose Public Library System offers a multitude of unique and interesting programs that are open to the public and free of charge. For more information about any of the following programs, or to confirm program schedules, please contact the branch library specified or check the library’s web site: www.sjlibrary.org.

Library programs are made possible in part by the Library Parcel Tax (exp. 2014).

Featured This Month:
Louise Steinman, Author of The Souvenir: A Daughter Discovers Her Father’s War
Steinman’s book is a combination memoir, biography and history lesson. After her parents’ death, Steinman finds hundreds of letters written by her father, while he was in the Pacific during World War II. She also discovers a Japanese flag with the name of a Japanese soldier, and travels from California to Japan to return the flag to his family.

Saturday, February 18, 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Branch Library, 3090 Alum Rock Ave., (408) 808-3090

Saturday, February 25, 1:30 p.m.
Tully Community Branch Library, Community Room, 880 Tully Rd., (408) 808-3030

Book Sales
Tea and Romance Book Sale
Join the Friends of the Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Library for complementary tea and cookies while shopping for a good romance novel.

Sunday, February 12, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Branch Library, 3090 Alum Rock Ave., (408) 808-3090

American Musical Theatre of San Jose Offers Summer Conservatory

Based on the popularity of last year’s Summer Conservatory, American Musical Theatre of San Jose (AMTSJ) is offering two five-week Summer Theatre Arts Intensive Conservatories. Session I runs June 12 to July 14, Session II runs July 17 to August 18. The program is held at the AMTSJ studios at 1717 Technology Drive in San Jose. Classes take place five days a week for six hours each day.

The focus will be on comprehensive studies of fundamental, intermediate and advanced musical theatre practices. Curriculum will include demanding singing, acting, dance, and scene study classes as well as symposiums in career management. Training includes strengthening skills and building self-confidence in a healthy environment. Current working theatre professionals, including returning faculty from last year’s successful AMTSJ Conservatories, will teach the classes.

Instructors include Jenn Harris of The Wizard of Oz (ballet, yoga, pilates); Elizabeth Palmer, who played the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (acting); and Troy Rintala, director and choreographer of Gypsy (musical theatre dance/tap).

Cost for each five-week Summer Theatre Arts Intensive Conservatory is $750. Limited partial scholarships are available. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due at time of registration. The program is by audition only and is open to any intermediate to professional performer ages 14 and up. Auditions are held at AMTSJ studios on Saturday, February 4, and Saturday, February 11, starting at 1:00 p.m. both days. Enrollment is limited to 45 students per Conservatory session. For additional information, contact (408) 453-1531 or email trintala@amtsj.org.

American Musical Theatre of San Jose is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to the performing arts and supported by the community and the generosity of its corporate sponsors.

Sacred Heart Community Service in need of adult volunteers
Sacred Heart Community Service needs adult volunteers to help in Louise’s Pantry and Gracie’s Clothes Closet, especially between the hours of noon and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Regular weekly volunteers are essential to prepare and distribute food to 20,000 individuals per month. Even one shift per week can make a difference.  Help by sorting food donations, packing family and homeless food bags, distributing groceries and produce, or sorting and hanging clothing donations, all while providing service to the customers with dignity, compassion and respect.

There are other shifts during the hours of 8 a.m. – noon, and 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. SHCS is located at 1381 South First Street at Alma, near downtown San Jose. More information is available at www.sacredheartcommunityservice.org, or by calling the Volunteer Office at 408 278-2171 or volunteers@sacredheartcommunityservice.org.

Beshoff Motors sponsors 20 years of Great Ballet on March 18

Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley Council celebrates 20 years of world-class ballet in San Jose with a Gala Evening sponsored by Beshoff MotorCars of San Jose. Shown here in front of The Fairmont San Jose with a 2005 Maybach 57 are Ballet San Jose leaders (left to right) Shannon Burnett, Stephanie Corrigan, Alicia Del Grande-Sanguinetti, Greta Jackson, Shellie McLean Fry, Courntenay Corrigan, and Michelle Rose. The event will be held on Saturday, March 18 at the Fairmont Hotel. Photo by Robert Shomler

A gala evening celebrating 20 years of Great Ballet in Silicon Valley, honoring Artistic/Executive Director Dennis Nahat and our dancers of the Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley will take place Saturday, March 18 from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight at the Imperial Ballroom at The Fairmont Hotel in San Jose.

Beshoff Motorcars of San Jose is the event sponsor for the fourth year running.

Music and entertainment will be provided by Wayne Foster Entertainment of Beverly Hills, so wear your black tie and your dancing shoes. Live and silent auctions will also take place at this gala event.

Cost is $250 per person, with donor tables priced at $2,500 and sponsor tables at $3,500.

For more information, call Gala Reservations at (408) 288-2820 ext. 240 or email vkohl@earthlink.net

For any additional information, also visit www.balletsanjose.org.