July 14, 2006

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

July 16 – Sunday
“2006 Opera in the Park” followed by dinner at La Estancia estate. This elegant evening of music and dinner is presented by The San José Opera Guild in cooperation with the Town of Los Gatos Arts Commission. The evening begins with a free Opera concert on the lawn at the Los Gatos Civic Center,110 East Main Street in Los Gatos, and will feature the newly arrived singers from Opera San José. Following this event will be an elegant buffet dinner at 7:30 p.m. held in the courtyard at La Estancia, a historic estate in Los Gatos. The price is $65 per person. For more information contact Olga Nespole at 395-2035, or visit San José Opera Guild website www.sjoperaguild.org.

THEATER

June 9 – July 22
Returning to the Sunnyvale Theater by popular demand is of one of California Theatre Center’s greatest hits! “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” (abridged) by Borgeson, Long & Singer. For any of you that thought that Shakespeare was either long or tedious, there is a great surprise in store for you this summer. In this, London’s longest running comedy, you can witness The Bard’s complete works in less than two hours. Impossible, you say! Shakespeare said that "brevity is the soul of wit" and this madcap comedy illustrates his point. Developed by a comedy troupe that excels in taking long, serious material and transforming it into short, sharp, informed hilarity, this production gives new meaning to fast-paced comedy. If you are seeking laughter and the funniest night you’ll ever have in the theatre, this is the show for you! All performances are held at the Sunnyvale Theatre at the Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 East Remington Drive, just off El Camino Real in Sunnyvale. For tickets and more information, call the CTC Summer Rep Box Office at 408-720-0873, or visit us online at www.ctcinc.org.

July 14 – August 5
The Fifth Annual Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival presents three plays in its repertory for the 2006 season in Oak Meadow Park, 200 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. Festival Theatre Ensemble presents: Season opener "Hamlet," followed by Shakespeare's hilarious farce, "A Comedy of Errors." Both productions are directed by Bruce De Les Dernier. The season also includes the witty and poignant dark comedy "The Lion in Winter," directed by Amy Himes. Performance times are 8 – 11 p.m. This is an all-outdoor venue next to Lake Vasona County Park. Tickets range from $14-$20 and are available by calling (800) 838-3006 or online by visiting the website at www.lgshakes.org.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

July 14 – 23
Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose presents “Godspell”: Showing at the Montgomery Theater, this is the Gospel according to Matthew told through hit Broadway songs and various theatrical traditions, Godspell take a human approach to the Gospel and will engage audiences with its lessons on humanity, civility, and heart. With an award winning score by Broadway veteran Step Schwarts (Wicked, Children of Eden), Godspell will enthrall audiences of all ages. For information, call 288-KIDS or www.cmtsj.org

July 14 – 18
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum presents a week-long Ancient Egyptian Epagomenal Festival! Epagomenal- Intercalary: These days were inserted in the Egyptian civil or wandering calendar to match the solar year. At the end of each year, the ancient Egyptians celebrated 5 days at the end of their calendar year.  Each day centered on a different deity.  Join us for our own festival honoring their traditions.  Events will include special talks, stories of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, ceremony re-enactments, games and activities for children and the whole family. Activities are free with museum admission.  Donations are appreciated.  For more information, please contact the Museum Events Coordinator at 947-3683 or email at activities@egyptianmuseum.org

June 19 – August 11
The Tech Museum’s Weekly Summer Camps are hands-on science and technology classes for 4th-8th graders at the world-class Tech Museum of Innovation. Choose from 14 different class topics including Lego Robotics, Video Game Design, Roller Coaster Physics, Inventors’ Workshop and many more. The cost is $200 - $500 weekly. For more information call 800-854-3684 or visit www.thetech.org/summercamps.

July 22 – Saturday
Taipei Youth Folk Sports at San Jose’s Center For the Performing Arts: A group of 6-8th graders, from Taipei, have been selected to visit different places in Asia, America, Europe, and Africa, entertaining overseas Chinese and foreign friends. The Chinese folk sport and Aborigines tribe dance they present are shuttlecock, diabolo sprinning, rope skipping, martial arts and burnun. Event time is 3:30 p.m. Admission is $10 - $40. For more information, visit www.wceo.org

July 26 - Wednesday
One day Cheer Camp at Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill: Hours are 8:30-5:30 p.m. Cost is $45.00 and includes a camp gift and lunch. You will be learning new dances, game-action cheers and jump techniques. This camp is open to anyone interested in cheer. Contact sobratocheer@yahoo.com for registration forms, or call 858-0476. Last day to register is July 17.

July 31 – August 4
Are your kids bored yet? Or have some of your other summer plans fallen through? If so, two sessions of the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens popular week-long summer day camps, San Jose Safari, still have openings (at press time) for 7-10 year olds. Sessions still available: July 10-14 and July 31-August 4. Camp meets five days per week, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Campers spend a week in small groups, exploring and discovering many of the premier attractions in San Jose and Santa Clara County, including the Guadalupe River Park, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, History San Jose, the Winchester Mystery House and downtown institutions like the new City Hall and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Public Library. Every day is a new adventure! Children are dropped off and picked up at one convenient location, the GRPG Visitor Center on Coleman Avenue, close to downtown and major highways. The cost is $225 per child. Extended hours are available, morning and afternoon, for $30 each hour. Further information is available on our website, www.grpg.org or by calling Kary Houle, Educational Coordinator, at 298-7657.

July 31 – August 4
Christian Sports Camp "Beyond the Gold' Hours are 9 a.m. - noon. Ages 6-12 years. Choose soccer, basketball or cheerleading. Features: Christian coaches, quality instruction, positive roll models, Bible times, skits & fun. $65.00 per child includes camp T-shirt. Sponsored by St. Stephens in the field Episcopal Church. Event held at Cahalan Park. Applications are on our website http://www.ststephensinthefields.org or call 629-1836.

CLASSES

Ongoing
Tai Chi Chuan classes at Hakone Gardens: Beginning/intermediate classes are ongoing and meet on Thursdays from 3:45 - 4:55 p.m., Hakone Gardens is located at 21000 Big Basin Way, close to downtown Saratoga. Fees are $96 for a consecutive 8-week series or $20 for a drop-in class. For more information, call Instructor at 295-9439 or email linda@xs.com. Tai Chi is a soft, internal energy martial art. It promotes balance and flexibility, strength, clarity, health and relaxation. This class is suitable for people of all ages.

FIFTY PLUS

July 29 - Saturday
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold registration for computer classes at the "new" Almaden Community Center located at 6445 Camden Avenue. Registration for intermediate courses at 1:30 p.m. Registration for Computer Fundamentals at 3:00 p.m. All classes will be held at the newly renovated Almaden Community Center. For more information call Don House at 268-1703 or visit www.snlcsj.org.

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.

VOLUNTEERS

Ongoing
Odyssey Healthcare Hospice volunteers: The individuals who work with us to serve all people during the end of life’s journey encounter situations that are sad, to be sure. We also see much valor, humor, love, and unvanquished humanity. It's worth every minute! We need people to do the little things that bring encouragement to our patients and their families: visiting, reading aloud, writing letters, giving caregivers short periods of respite--and sometimes, just being an attentive listener. Please call Melanie at Odyssey Healthcare: 626-4868.
Kaiser Permanente San Jose is seeking individuals who want to make a difference in someone's day.  Join a Volunteer community that shares your interest in helping others.  Greeting and assisting visitors, reading to children, conducting tours, or assisting in the Volunteer office are just a few of the opportunities available.  We are easily accessible via Hwy 85 and Light Rail, plus we offer Free Valet Parking.  Phone us at 972-6233 or visit our website at www.kpsantateresa.org for more information.

Volunteer with Hands On Bay Area and make a difference in your community! Each month, Hands On Bay Area offers over 100 community service projects across the Bay Area addressing issues such as: the environment, hunger, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, family service, children and teens, seniors and people with disabilities. Catering to today's busy lifestyles, most projects take place outside of regular working hours at night or on weekends, do not require a long-term commitment, and are group-based. A brief one-time orientation is required. For more information go to www.handsonbayarea.org .

MISCELLANEOUS

May 1 – July 30
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum,1342 Naglee Avenue, San Jose, will explore the life and career of Leonardo Da Vinci in its new exhibit "Leonardo Da Vinci: Artist, Scientist, Mystic." This family-friendly exhibit will feature reproductions of Leonardo¹s sketches, scale models of his inventions  (including the winged-glider), and materials from the Rosicrucian Library. Docents will be available, and there will be gallery discussions regarding Leonardo¹s historical context of, his spiritual and artistic sides, and his being a link between the Ancient World and the Modern World. Entrance to the Exhibit is included with Museum Admission. For more information visit www.egyptianmuseum.org or call 947-3636.

July 17 – Monday
Take a swing against hunger at the 17th Annual Golf Tournament being held at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club. Proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. For more information, visit www.2ndharvest.net, call 266-8866 x 281 or email msklar@shfoodbank.com.

July 20 – Thursday
3rd Annual CSR Golf Tournament to benefit the Autism Tree Project: CSR Realty and the Autism Tree Project Foundation is creating brighter futures for children with autism.  The CSR annual golf tournament will offer 18 holes of golf at Almaden’s exclusive Cinnabar Hills Golf Club along with lunch.  The event continues into the evening with dinner and an auction of prizes, including original artwork and signed sports memorabilia. All proceeds benefit ATPF. You don't have to be a golfer to be involved!  Support the tournament by being a "hole sponsor", donate auction items, and many other ways to get involved.  Contact CSR Realty for more information at 558-5000 or visit www.autismtreeproject.org.

July 20 – Thursday
"The Day The Water Died", a documentary about the Exxon Valdez oil spill 15 years ago, and the current status of Prince William Sound--will be shown at the Sierra Club's Guadalupe Regional Group meeting in the Community Room of the Saratoga Library, corner of Saratoga Ave. at Fruitvale, in Saratoga. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and the public is invited. Refreshments are provided--bring your own cup/mug to minimize waste! For more information, contact Marj Ottenberg, 867-4576.

July 20 – 21
LA Christian Expo: Held at Parkside Hall, LA Christian Expo is a platform to promote the Christian industry, businesses, mass media & non-lucrative organizations at a national and international level. Outstanding conference, workshops, concerts will be presented by worshippers and ministers. This event is organized by La Revista Conquistadores and is covered and endorsed by several organizations, inter-dominations ministries and mass media at a national level. For more information, visit www.lachristianexpo.com or 925-497-2931

July 28 – Friday
Stargazing Night at Rancho Cañada Del Oro Open Space Preserve - Perfect for those who love the night sky; join the Open Space Authority at the preserve on clear, dark nights when the land will be open just for you. The preserve is located in the western foothills of Santa Clara County (just south of Calero County Park.) Don’t forget your telescopes or blankets, and head out to a place where city lights are left far behind. Experienced stargazers will find a fantastic place to view the constellations. Novices will find people excited to share their knowledge about the night skies. Free. For more information call 224-7476 X 20, or visit www.openspaceauthority.org

August 12 – Saturday
Santa Teresa Branch Library book sale: Several Thousand books to select from. Eighty-five percent of the books are donated, and the proceeds will help with Children and Family events at the library. Sale location is 290 International Circle, hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ongoing
Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is offering discounted spay/neuter surgeries during the month of July to encourage the public to sterilize their cats to prevent unwanted litters of kittens. Throughout the month, female cat spays are $50 while male neuters are just $25. Appointments are still available and can be made by calling 727-3383 extension 827.

Eastside Neighborhood Center of Catholic Charities, 2150 Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose offers a variety of activities and services on an ongoing basis. These include Bingo, Free legal assistance for seniors, Dancing, and Immigration Consultation. Call 251-0215 fro more information and schedules.

Branham High School Class of 1976.  Our 30th Reunion is September 30 at Coyote Ranch.  We are looking for you and your high school friends.  Please email Pam Poor at pamela.schuur@comcast.net to get on the mailing list and visit www.geocities/branham76 for updates.

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.


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.