March 11, 2005

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC
March 13 – Sunday
The San Jose State University School of Music and Dance presents a concert by the Premiere Saxophone Quartet at 7:30 p.m. in the Music and Dance Concert Hall. A Champagne reception will follow the performance. Tickets are $10 fro adults, $for seniors and $5 for students.

March 18 – Friday
The San Jose Symphonic Choir will be celebrating its 80th year by presenting William Walton’s “Belshazzar’s Feast” and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Five Mystical Songs” featuring Nathan Gunn, Baritone, and Menlo School Select Chorus and accompanied by Mission Chamber Orchestra. The performance begins at 8 p.m. at the California theatre, 345 South first S treet in San Jose. Tickets are $30 and $22. All seats reserved. For information or to reserve your seats, call 286-2600 ext 23.

March 20 – Sunday
Pocket Opera presents “The Merry Widow” at the Montgomery Theater at 2 p.m. Watch as Anna Glavari, the “merry widow,” who has recently become the richest woman in Europe, takes Paris by storm in this waltz-strewn romantic comedy, most beloved of all operettas. Tickets are $30 - $32 each. For additional information, call 415-972-8934 or www.pocketopera.org.

March 20 – Sunday
The award-winning California Youth Symphony, under the direction of Maestro Leo Eylar, continues its season with CYS Young Artist Competition winner Juliann Ma as piano soloist performing at the Flint Center in Cupertino at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are$12, general admission, and $6, students and seniors, available at the door. For performance and ticket information, call 650-325-6666 or visit www.cys.org.

THEATER
March 12 – April 9
West Valley light Opera Association will open its second production of its 40th Season, “Smokey Joe’s Café” at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale in Saratoga at 8 p.m. on March 12 with a Champagne Gala and continue performances on weekends through April 9. This musical brings to the stage songs from the 50’s and 60’s with the music and lyrics by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. For reservations and information, call 268-3777, or visit www.wvlo.org.

March 15 - 20
American Musical Theater San Jose presents “Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance” tour—the international sensation that has broken box office records in more than 30 countries—is returning to theaters across the United States. Audiences will have a chance to experience the extravaganza that has helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight and created a new wave of Celtic dance mania. “Lord of the Dance” will be performing at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. For tickets and show information, call 453-7108 or visit www.amtsj.org.

MEETINGS
Ongoing:
The Las Madres Adoptive Moms Group meets twice a month on Friday mornings for play dates and lunch.  Once per month we also have Mom’s Night Out, a family activity and a newsletter with stories written by members as well as informative articles and book reviews on adoption.  For more information, visit www.lasmadres.org
The San Pedro Squares Toastmasters Club meets every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant, 1001 East Capitol Epwy (near McLaughlin Rd. and Capitol Epwy); contact Kam Amin at 404-1855, or kbamin@kbamin.com for further information or check out our website at http://www.sanpedrosquares.org
Business Leads Unlimited (www.onlineblu.com/admin ) meets at 7:15 a.m. every Tuesday, at the Denny’s Restaurant on Blossom Hill Rd approximately one half mile east of Almaden Expy.
Adlib Toastmasters Club meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 5 - 6:45 pm and the last Tuesday of the month from Noon to 1 p.m.  All meetings take place at 5600 Cottle Rd. Bldg. 50-B1.  For more information, contact Regan Eyerman at 264-4370 or at DREyerman@earthlink.net.  Cost is $65 for a 9 month term, (amount is pro-rated). Start the year right by improving communication, presentation, leadership, listening, evaluation and thinking skills.
The Billy De Frank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 938 The Alameda in San Jose, hosts a weekly “Coming Out Group,” which offers a safe space to explore different subjects. Topics include how to come out to yourself, and how to comfortably live and work as a gay or lesbian in the larger community. All groups are run by trained facilitators in a closed door meeting room. This group meets every Wednesday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 293-3040 or visit www.defrank.org.
Las Madres Adoption Group is a wonderful support system for those who have gone through the adoption process and are looking to share the joys and challenges of parenting an adopted child.  We have regular play dates for newborns-5 years old and monthly “mom’s night out.” For more information, contact Barb Griswold at barbgris@aol.com or call toll free 1-877-LasMadres.  
Oakridge Century Theatres in association with Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroups presents CineMamas! A morning out to the movies for moms and their little ones. This group meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m., There are three showings to choose from, baby-safe sound levels, cheerios at the concession stand and a relaxing atmosphere with other moms who understand kids are kids! Check CineMamas.com for a weekly update on what is showing. Kids under 3 are free!
Le Tip International, a business leads networking group meets every Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant, 1140 Hillsdale Aveue. For more information, call 298-9131.

CLASSES
Ongoing
Fine Art Lesssons: Fine Art Classes in Watercolor, Oil and Soft Pastel with Gillian Lane Altieri, at the New Almaden Community Center, Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beginning and intermediate classes, all skill levels are invited. $20 per lesson or $60 per month (3-4 lessons).Call 268-2990 for information and materials lists.
ACE Tennis Academy offers tennis instruction for boys and girls ages 7-17, from beginner to tournament level players. Classes are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information and registration, phone 650-302-4250 or e-mail acetennis@sbcglobal.net.

HEALTH
March 19 – Saturday
The Health Trust Women’s Health Conference will be at the San José McEnery Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is geared towards women of all ages and all phases of life, inspiring wellness, harmony and strength. Conference admission includes free health screenings, exhibits, books, entertainment and more. Call 559-5584 for more information or www.healthtrust.org. Admission is $75 - $95 per person.

Ongoing:
Aasha Pediatrics, 2060 Aborn Rd., Suite 230, (behind Red Lobster) is offering free consultation on newborn care to expectant parents. Get all your questions answered toward being best prepared for the arrival of your child. For a personal appointment, call Dr. Meena Sathappan at 274-9099.
Bay Area Alzheimer’s Association now includes meetings at Kaiser Santa Teresa. Meetings are held in the San Jose Kaiser Family Health Center, Conference Room C, 3rd Floor, located at 276 International Circle. For more information call 800-660-1993.

FIFTY PLUS
Ongoing:
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.

VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
Day Break Respite and Caregiver Support Services, a program of Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, is a volunteer-based program that provides respite to caregivers of dependent older adults and escorted transportation to homebound seniors. Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts and hours. Call Fran Kiernan at 270-4900 for more information
EMQ Children and Family Services is a non-profit agency serving children struggling with severe emotional issues. EMQ is seeking adult mentors to connect with youth ages 7 – 17 for two hours per week. Training is provided. Applicants must be a licensed driver. Interested volunteers should call 335-1857 or visit www.emq.org.

MISCELLANEOUS
March 17 – Thursday
Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for a bus tour to the 2005 San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. Their chartered bus will leave the Guadalupe Garden Center in San Jose at 8:30 a.m. and return by 5 p.m. The price of the trip is $50 for members and $55 for non-members, which includes the $16 admission price to the show, transportation and parking. The price does not include lunch, but there is food available at the show, or you may bring your own “brown bag”. And don’t forget to wear some Irish green and bring your wallet to shop at the Marketplace. The trip will be filled on a first come, first served basis and refunds will only be made if the trip is cancelled or if there is a waiting list. Send checks, payable to Friends of the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, to 50 West San Fernando Street, Suite 1100, San Jose, CA 95113. Or contact Kary at 298-7657 or kary@grpg.org to pay with a Visa or MasterCard. For more information visit www.gardenshow.com

March 19 – Saturday
The Junior League of San Jose—a non-profit organization of more than 800 women volunteers— has sponsored a rummage sale every other year since 1969. Proceeds from the Sale help to train JLSJ’s women volunteers and support their community services. The rummage sale will be held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds – Pavilion Building, 344 Tully Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a one day only sale and the largest of its kind in the bay area. Come for outstanding bargins, excellent selection and to help a wonderful cause. For maps and directions,visit http://www.thefair.org/map.php. For information of the Junior League of San Jose call 264-3058 or visit http://www.jlsj.org/.

March 25 – Friday
Single Professionals of all ages are invited to dress in their finest for the Spring Ball for Single Professionals, 8pm-Midnight, at Camino Ballroom at Hyatt Rickey’s Hotel, 4219 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Admission is $20 at the door and includes dancing to today’s hottest hits and the great songs of yesteryear, plus a hot pasta buffet the first hour.Free parking.The Ball is co-sponsored by The Society of Single Professionals, a non-profit organization, and Singles Soirees, a division of Singles Supper Club, the Bay Area’s premiere dining club for romantic eligibles.  Anyone wishing more information may visit www.ThePartyHotline.com or call 650-327-4645.

March 26 – Saturday
Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) will celebrate 75 years of bringing people and pets together at its second annual Fur Ball. The gala event, with presenting sponsor Gentry Magazine, will be held at the Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose from 6 – 11 p.m. and includes a sit-down dinner, silent and oral auction, and dancing to the music of the Martini Brothers. Tickets to the Fur Ball are $125 per person. All proceeds benefit the shelter. For ticket information, or to make a donation, call Joe Romagna at 727-3383 ext. 883.


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.