June 24, 2004

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC
June 24 - Thursday
Miller Music in the Other Park concert series at St. James Park in downtown presents Disco and R&B greats GQ on June 24. This performance wraps up the Music in the Other Park concert series. This performance begins at 5:30 p.m. Food and drink will be available at the show.  Call 279-1775 or check www.sjdowntown.com for details.

June 25 – 27
Britannia Arms Almaden, 5027 Almaden Expressway presents live music every weekend. This week features “Roshambo” on June 25, “Holywood” on June 26, and “The Gents” on June 27. For more information, and show times, call 266-0550 or visit www.britanniaarms.com.

June 25 - 27
Almaden Feed and Fuel, 18950 Almaden Road, presents live music every Friday through Sunday. This week’s entertainment features “Suave” on June 25, “Engine Room” on June 26, and “Hopped Up” on June 27. For more information and show times call 268-8950.

June 30 – Wednesday
Renowned acoustic artist Kerry Getz will be performing at Espresso Garden & Café, 814 Bascom Avenue at 8 p.m. Getz, whose recent releases “Apollo” and “little victory” have earned her rave reviews, will be performing with Michael McNevin and Christene LeDoux. For additional information, visit www.espressogarden.com.

THEATER
June 26 – July 31
The West Valley Light Opera Association presents “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” directed by Jeff M. Hicks, performing at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga. Join the June 26 opening night champagne gala at the 8 p.m. performance! This musical, based on Stephen Vincent Benet’s Novel “The Sobbin’ Women,” was made into a musical by MGM in the 1950’s. The story is a comedic tale about the rustic romances of seven wild Oregon pioneer backwoodsmen. Evening and matinee weekend shows will available through July 31. For more information, call 268-3777 or visit www.wvlo.org.

ART
May – September
Art appreciation is on the move again in downtown San Jose! The San Jose Museum of Art commences its 2004 season of Art in Public Places Walking Tours. Beginning Monday, April 19, these free, 45-minute tours offer the local public an enjoyable lunch hour outdoors, or the opportunity for out-of-town art lovers to discover what San Jose has to offer. As the Museum itself is closed on Mondays, the Tours provide an excellent art-intensive alternative for both the general public and art enthusiasts alike. In spring and summer, San Jose Museum of Art docents lead tours of four different downtown art walks. All tours meet at the entrance to the Museum, in Fairmont Plaza. The four tours are offered on a rotating basis and run from April 19 through September 27, 2004. Please note: rain cancels tours and no tours are given on Memorial Day (May 31), July 5, or Labor Day (September 6). For 24 hr. information, call 294-2787 or visit www.SanJoseMuseumofArt.org..

MEETINGS
June 19 – Saturday
Come celebrate the beginning of Summer at the Summer Solstice Celebration benefit fundraiser at the Divine Science Community Center, 1540 Hicks Avenue. Join in the sacred medicine wheel ceremony, and participate in the music circle with drums, rattles, flutes & guitars (bring your instruments). Explore sacred spaces with Singing Crystal Bowls. Hear rapturous music, and find out the esoteric meanings behind the solstice. The Summer Solstice Celebration will happen at 7 p.m. $10 is the suggested donation for this event. For more information, contact Eric Meece at 448-6726 eameece@california.com or Rev. Christine or Pat Moore at 293-3838 cemmerling@earthlink.net

June 29 – Tuesday
Business Leads Unlimited meets every Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. at Denny’s 1015 Blossom Hill Road. Please contact Richard at 378-2225 if you plan to attend.

June 29– Tuesday
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!

June 30 – Wednesday
South Valley Chapter of Leads Business Networking Group meets for lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost to attend. Call or email Renee to get location details. 210-7361 or rdaggett@adminbooks.com

Ongoing:
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!

HEALTH
Ongoing:
The New Almaden Community Center will be hosting a weekly yoga class on Mon/Wed/Fri. at 6 a.m. and on Tues/Thurs. at 7 a.m. Attendees should bring their own yoga mats, however, there are a limited number of pads available. For more information, contact Tara at 997-9383. Class fees are $6 each or $24 per week. Classes are appropriate for both beginner and intermediate levels.

FIFTY PLUS
June 2 – July 23
Computer Classes are still available at the Cypress Senior Center in San Jose. Beginner computer lessons will teach email skills and guide you through the basics of “surfing” the Internet. The Cypress Senior Computer Center offers 18 year-round courses to choose from. Course fees range from $25 to $30. For more information and to receive a mail-out brochure, contact 244-1353.

Ongoing:
Spaces are still available in the following Almaden SeniorNet classes: Word 1, Digital Photography, Quicken, E-Mail A-Z, Internet/e-mail, Fine-tuning and Troubleshooting XP and Computer Fundamentals. All Almaden classes will be held at the Vineland Branch Public Library on 1540 Blossom Hill Road. The other SeniorNet sites are Willow Senior Center at 2175 Lincoln Avenue and Cypress Senior. Call Don House at 268-1703 for more information.
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.

CHILDREN/
FAMILY EVENTS
June 2 – August 22
Paramount’s Great America announces Summers hours! Enjoy Paramount’s Great America and the all new Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay™ Water Park seven days a week. The park opens daily at 10 a.m. for summer fun.

June 26 – Saturday
The Annual Campbell Highland Games will be returning to the newly renovated Campbell Community Center with the usual complement of pipe bands, Scottish dancing, Open Stone Put, Caber Toss, Scottish Hammer and the ever-popular Bonnie Knees Contest. Additional attractions include Celtic food booths, dry good vendors and some surprises for 2004. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 219-9264 or visit www.campbellgames.com

June 28 - Monday
Star viewing at EVC’s Montgomery Hill Observatory. Come gaze at the evening summer sky from 9:30 – 10:30 p.m. at the new Montgomery Hill Observatory at Evergreen Valley College. Recommended for ages 10 and older. For reservations, please call (408) 270-6490 before 6:00 pm. The events will be cancelled if it’s raining or clouds cover most of the sky.

June 30 – Wednesday
Barnes and Noble Almaden, 5353 Almaden Expressway, presents author Elina Wong highlighting excerpts from her book “Kids’ Adventures Around San Francisco Bay” at 7:30 p.m. Wong’s tips offer great places to take the whole family that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Educational, interesting and fun, this is a great all-around guide to escape a ho-hum summer.

July 3 – Saturday
Symphony Silicon Valley, under the baton of Maestro Theo Alcantara presents a special Sunset Symphony and fireworks event at Lake Cunningham Regional Park, 2305 South White Road at Tully in San Jose. Grounds open at 5:30 p.m., the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and concludes with an exciting fireworks display. Parking is available both at Lake Cunningham and offsite with shuttle service. Food and drink will be available for purchase, or attendees may bring their own picnic baskets. Admission is $15. For tickets call 286-2600 x 2. Tickets will also be available at the park on the day of the concert for cash only.

July 3 – Saturday
Paramount’s Great America will hold its Independence weekend fireworks sky concert, choreographed to patriotic and popular music, on Saturday night. Park hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park will close at 6 p.m. on Sunday July 4th.

July 4 – Sunday
Lincoln Glen Church, 2700 Booksin Avenue, will host a free community July 4th picnic from noon to 3:30 p.m. This family-oriented event will feature free food and ice cream, children’s games, Astro jumps, table games and music. For more information, call Larry Albright at 267-3663.

July 4 – Sunday
A new twist on the 14th Annual San Jose America Festival add the 5th Annual Concert for the Homeless to San Jose’s July 4th activities. Held at Discovery Meadows at West San Carols and Woz Way, this free event will feature assorted music, 15 food vendors, family fun, arts and crafts, and a plethora of independence celebrations. The Concert for the Homeless benefits programs for the Emergency Housing Consortuim. Festival doors open at 11 a.m. the Concert for the Homeless runs from noon to 3 p.m. with additional music and entertainment continuing from 3:30 until 10:30 p.m. Fireworks will launch at 9:30 p.m. For additional information, visit www.americafestival.com.

July 12-16, 26-30 & August 9 - 13
Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens’ San Jose Safari Day Camp offers children a week of fun-filled activities as they “trek” through San Jose on an adventure of discovery at several of our city’s premier cultural institutions. The Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, in collaboration with History San Jose, Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose Museum of Art, the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, and Don Edward’s San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge are presenting this unique summertime opportunity. 
Campers will meet every day at 8:30 a.m. (Wednesdays at 8 a.m.) at the Guadalupe Garden Center, 715 Spring Street, to begin the day’s adventures. Campers will return to the Guadalupe Garden Center each day for 5 p.m. pick up. Three camp weeks will be available for children between the ages of 7 and 10, during the weeks of July 12, July 26, and August 9. The cost to attend is $225 per child, campers will need to provide their own bag lunch each day of the camp. Some partial scholarships may be available to qualified families. Space is limited! contact Education Coordinator Kary Wilson at education@grpg.org or 298-7657 for more information.

VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing care to animals, has volunteer opportunities
for foster caregivers for kittens and cats and for petfaire workers for our Saturday PetClub events.
For more information, visit www.safehavenanimalsanctuary.org, or contact us through volunteer@safehavenforanimals.com or call 420-7233.
Sacred Heart Community Service needs volunteers to assist in our Self-Sufficiency Programs, including Youth and Adult Education, JobLink and Embracing Families. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. For more information contact the Volunteer Office at 278-2171 or visit www.sacredheartcommunityservice.org.
Child Abuse Prevention Center is seeking volunteers to join the Volunteer Case Aide program, which assists children and their families by providing services requested by county social workers. Call (650) 595-7640 for more information.

MISCELLANEOUS
Ongoing
Welcome Wagon #3 is a non-profit, diverse group of volunteers dedicated to charity, community and each other. Welcome Wagon offers 15+ activity groups of various interests for our members to enjoy. Twice yearly WW hosts charity events to raise funds, giving back to the community. WW #3 meets as a whole on the third Wednesday of each month for luncheons and programs to various restaurants in the area. New members are always welcome! For additional information, call our new member hotline at 445-7015. Ask for President Glenda or membership chairs Beverly or Barbara.

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.