July 3, 2008

Calendar of local events

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. Other artists include Flogging Molly on July 17 and Vanessa Carlton on July 24. 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 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.”

VOLUNTEERS

July 8
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 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

Ongoing
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.

CLASSES

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.

Ongoing
Children's Drawing & Painting Classes - art classes for children 7-12 years old are offered in Nelly Rouhani's house in Almaden. Classes are on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. with a maximum 4:1 child to teacher ratio. Children will learn about the fundamentals of drawing and paint using various media. Tuition is $100 per month, and includes all required materials. A snack will be provided. For more information, call 607-7588 or email niloufarafshin@sbcglobal.net.

Clay classes for adults.  New handbuilding ceramics classes are forming now. These small, relaxing clay classes are held on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., and Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11 a.m. The fee includes instructions, clay, glazes, use of tools, and kiln firings. The classes are held in the artist's studio in Almaden. For more information or to register, call 679-0238. Space is limited to only 4 students for each class, so register today!

MISCELLANEOUS

Ongoing
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, 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.



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.