June 27, 2008

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

July 10 – Sept 4
Metro’s “Music In The Park” concert series will kick off its 20th season with the Latin jazz grooves of the Pete Escovedo Orchestra. Concerts are free to the public and held consecutive Thursdays at downtown San Jose’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez from 5:30 – 9:15 p.m. Music In The Park is sponsored by Dos Equis and features an eclectic mix of top-name performers. Food and beverages are available at the park, as well as Lounge in the Park, open to the public for beer, wine and sangria. For a complete concert details, visit www.sjdowntown.com and search on “music in the park.”

CHILDREN/FAMILY

July 4
The 18th annual San Jose America Festival opens its doors at noon with non-stop entertainment. This year’s new Concert for Affordable Home Ownership begins at 4 p.m., and culminates at 9:30 p.m. with the NBC 11 Fireworks Show. Food, fun, music and many arts and crafts booths will be available all weekend long, including a Spanish-language music concert on 7/5 and the annual Kihncert on the Green on 7/6. For more information about the San Jose America Festival, log onto www.americafestival .com or phone 841-8411.

July 4
The Sikh Gurdwara, 3636 Murillo Avenue in San Jose will host an ice cream social from 6 – 9 p.m.

July 4
The USS Hornet Museum in Alameda hosts its annual Independence Day party from Noon to 9:30 p.m. This family event features live music on the flight deck, interactive games for all ages, and a bounce house for kids. Tours of the famous aircraft carrier will be available throughout the day. In the evening, visitors can watch panoramic views of Bay Area fireworks from the flight deck. All-day admission is $25 for adults ($22 in advance) and $12 for children ages 5-17; museum members receive free admission. Family & Friends Membership for one year is $75. For more information, a complete list of the day’s events, or to purchase tickets, call 510-521-8448 x 282 or visit www.hornetevents.com

July 7 – 11
Kids in Parks - Summer Day Camp at Santa Teresa County Park's Historic Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. Held Monday – Friday from 9a.m. -2 p.m. each day, campers will explore local history and nature through fun outdoor activities and adventures with Park Staff. Each day offers new and different topics to explore, while building a healthy, respectful relationship with the natural, cultural and historic resources in or near their neighborhoods. A maximum of 20 campers aged 9-11 years will be accepted. The fee is $150 per child. Please call Mary Berger at 323-0107 for program and registration information.

July 9 – Aug 27
Looking for a fun, free outdoor activity for your summer evenings? Then look no further than downtown San Jose’s Cinema San Pedro and Cinema St. James 2008: Co-produced by Cinequest and the San Jose Downtown Association, these open air showings are free to the public and begin at dusk. Movies are preceded by an “opening act” activitiy, event, interactive game, etc. All you ned is a chair or blanket – snacks are available on site; dinners-to-go can be purchased in San Pedro Square. Cinema San Pedro Street is located between Santa Clara and St. John streets, Cinema St James at St. James and North Second streets. For a complete listing of movies and additional information, call 279-1775 or visit www.sjdowntown.com and search on “cinema.”

July 11 - 20
CMT Rising Stars presents Babes in Arms at the Montgomery Theater: This quintessential ‘Hey, kids, let’s put on a show!’ musical boasts one of the greatest scores ever written. The old-fashioned virtues of a 30’s musical comedy are peppered with socio-political issues which still resonant today as a group of teenagers are left alone for two weeks to put on their own production. As they prepare for opening night, their efforts on and off stage lead them on in their own march toward self-discovery, reconciliation and romance. Babes in Arms features a hallmark score by Rodgers and Hart including songs like “Johnny One Note” and “My Funny Valentine,” “All at Once,” and “Lady is a Tramp.” For more information, call 288-5437 or visit www.cmtsj.org

CLASSES

June 7 – July 26
Friends of Guadalupe River Park and Gardens Summer Walking Series: Get fit in the beautiful setting of Guadalupe River Park’s paved trails! Whether you are an avid walker or new to a walking program, you will learn about proper equipment, walking technique, stretching and beneficial strength exercises for walkers while meeting others who enjoy walking. Instructor Kristin Strellis will lead this 8-week Saturday series along with weekly emails of encouragement and walking tips. Session times are 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Fees are $30/members and $40/non-members. Pre-registration is required and participants must be 18 years of age or older. All classes will begin at the GRPG Visitor and Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue. To register, call 298-7657. For questions about the class, please contact Kristin Strellis at kstrellis@yahoo.com.

July 9
Master Composter Phil Cornish presents Composting Workshop: Complete your garden or get started gardening by learning how to compost - one of the best ways to add nutrients to your soil and keep waste out of the landfill at the same time. Phil Cornish, Master Composter, will cover items such as: what can be composted, the various composting methods available, and what to do with finished compost. He will also discuss worm composting and help you choose which method works best for you. Help make the world a greener place by joining in the fight for waste reduction! The workshop, co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Home Composting Program, San Jose Composts and Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the GRPG Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. The workshop is free to everyone but space is limited, so sign up today by contacting the Education Coordinator at education@grpg.org or 298-7657.

July 12
Flower Arranging 101: Summer is here! Join Master Gardeners Milli Wright and Bette Lloyd and Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for a workshop on the basic principles of floral design. Bring vases to take home your own creation with materials provided. You will also learn creative ways of combining colors, unique foliage fillers and tips and tricks for harvesting, preserving and sharing your flower arrangements. Surprise yourself with an easy workshop designed to bring out your inner Floral Designer. Pre-registration is required and participants must be 18 years of age or older. This workshop will be held at the GRPG Visitor and Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue. To register, call 298-7657. Fees are $10.00/ members, $15/non-members.

VOLUNTEERS

Free Ice Cream! – Rose Pruning in the Heritage Rose Garden: Want to do something different this summer to help your community and get a free ice cream as a reward? The Heritage Rose Garden needs volunteers to snip all the dead roses in order to promote more bloom.   We’re hoping you will help us on July 8, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., with a sweet payoff at the end. No experience necessary. Volunteer experts will show you how.  Bring your own clippers, or borrow one from the staff.  It will be an enjoyable and rewarding way to spend a summer evening. The San Jose Heritage Rose Garden is located on Taylor Street, at Spring Street, just east of Coleman Avenue.  For more information, and to sign up, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lucy Perez, at 298-7657 or email lperez@grpg.org
Summer of Service at Children’s Discovery Museum is a great way for youth to enjoy their summer while serving the community.   Youth grades 7 through 10 participate on one of five teams, each with its own theme of service.  These themes include community outreach, early childhood education, environment and ecology, media and museum, and leadership development.  Participants work in shelters, senior centers, and development centers; serve as role models and mentors for pre-school aged children while assisting classroom teachers; perform restoration projects throughout the county; volunteer in Children’s Discovery Museum while building media and technology skills; and build leadership skills while planning special projects and facilitating many important aspects of the program.  Visit www.cdm.org/sos for more information.

Humane Society Silicon Valley is actively seeking volunteers to provide foster care to kittens and dogs. Foster families provide long and short-term care for animal families in their homes. For more information, please visit http://www.hssv.org/you_can_help/volunteer/positions/foster.htm, or contact the special needs department at at 408.727.3383 ext. 834 for dogs and 819 for kittens.

Summer of Service at Children’s Discovery Museum is a great way for youth to enjoy their summer while serving the community.   Youth grades 7 through 10 participate on one of five teams, each with its own theme of service.  These themes include community outreach, early childhood education, environment and ecology, media and museum, and leadership development.  Participants work in shelters, senior centers, and development centers; serve as role models and mentors for pre-school aged children while assisting classroom teachers; perform restoration projects throughout the county; volunteer in Children’s Discovery Museum while building media and technology skills; and build leadership skills while planning special projects and facilitating many important aspects of the program.  Visit www.cdm.org/sos for more information.

MISCELLANEOUS

June 28 - 29
San Jose Amateur Radio volunteers participate in annual Field Day: San Jose RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) is a group of volunteer radio amateurs (“hams”) sanctioned by the city of San Jose to provide emergency communications support. Field day is an annual, national ham radio activity. On the fourth weekend in June every year, ham radio operators around the U.S. and Canada set up their stations under simulated emergency conditions and contact other hams all over the country, from Hawaii to Maine and from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland.. Many groups, including San Jose RACES, use portable equipment and emergency power sources, from generators to solar cells and windmills. Location is Nobel Park, 3321 Noble Avenue in San Jose from 11 a.m. on 6/28 to 11 a.m. on 6/29.

June 29
San Jose Punjabi Mela: This festive gathering of the Punjabi community is celebrated with cultural and sports events for children and adults. San Jose Punjabi Mela is a world class event attended by over 10,000 people, devoted to sharing, promoting, and celebrating the diverse cultures of the world. San Jose Punjabi Mela provides a free health fair staffed by volunteer Punjabi physicians to promote good health and wellness to those in need, especially senior citizens. Location is Evergreen Valley College, 3095 Yerba Buena Road in San Jose. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July 1
Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroups presents Dr. Joshua Coleman: Coleman, an expert in parenting, families and relationships, offers cutting edge advice about Marriage, Parenting and Relationships. He is the author of two critically acclaimed books, The Marriage Makeover: Finding Happiness in Imperfect Harmony and The Lazy Husband: How to Get Men to Do More Parenting and Housework. His most recent book is When Parents Hurt: Compassionate Strategies When You and Your Grown Child Don't Get Along. Discussion hours are 7 – 9.pm. doors open at 6:30 p.m. Location is the Campbell Community Center – Orchard City Hall: 1 West Campbell Ave in Campbell. There is a $5 donation for all non-Las Madres members. Visit www.lasmadres.org for further information or call 1-877-Las Madres.  Out of courtesy to all who attend, please keep children at home.  Babes in arms are acceptable.

Ongoing
Southside Boutique - Beautiful handmade items for sale, lovingly crafted by talented local artists.  Open 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday thru Friday, located at the Southside Community Center, 5585 Cottle Road between Poughkeepsie Road and Blossom Hill Road.  For more information, call 629-3336 or visit www.southsideseniorcenter.com .
The Evergreen Chapter of Society Dog announces weekly walks: These free walks happen every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. We will do a different walk each week, so check the Society Dog website for weekly details. The walk is followed by "Yappy Hour" at a dog friendly restaurant. Everyone is invited, but you must sign up as a member (Basic Membership is free) & agree to the terms of participation. One dog per person unless otherwise permitted by the Alphadog, alphadog@societydog.com.

James Lick High School Class of '58, 50th Reunion will be held on August 2, 2008 at 11a.m. at James Lick.  Tickets are $30 which includes a BBQ lunch.  For more information, go to Classmates.com and click on the Events/Reunion link and get info on registering before July 15th.  Any questions email Bettysjc@sbcglobal.net, put “Reunion” on subject line.

Announcing the Lincoln High School (San Jose) Class of 1973 - 35 Year Reunion: This event will be held on July 19 at City Beach in Fremont from 6 – 10 p.m. Cost is $65 per person. Email registration requests to alhs73reunion@yahoo.com

Get ready for a blast from the past! Leland Chargers Class of 1988 are reuniting this September. The location will be the Hotel Valencia in Santana Row at a to-be-announced date. For more details or to join a Reunion Committee, contact Paula Cavagnaro at CavagnaroPaula@yahoo.com or Laura Delizonna at ldelizonna@gmail.com
Willow Glen High School Class of 1988 Twenty Year Reunion. This event will be held on Sept. 13, 2008 at the Hotel Los Gatos, 210 E. Main St. in Los Gatos, at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $95 per person. For more information, go to Classmates.com and click on the Events/ Reunion link and register today.

Get listed!

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, and our weekly publication, Almaden Times Weekly. Items must be submitted by e-mail 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 Rd., Suite 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.