May 4, 2005

CALENDAR

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

DANCE
May 5 - 8
“A Grand Finale” Ballet San Jose’s Final Program of the season will feature the following works: “Some Times,”a romantic jazz ballet set to a commissioned score by Claus Ogerman with choreography by Dennis Nahat. Flemming Flindt’s master work “The Lesson,” inspired by Eugène Ionesco’s dramatic play, which tells of a psychopathic ballet teacher so driven by his work that he murders his pupil in the process. The Grand Pas de Deux, “Diana and Acteon”excerpted from “La Esmeralda” with choreography by Agrippian Vaganova and music from Riccardo Drigo will have you jumping out of your seat! And Nahat’s “Moments,” a striking and endearing large company work set to Felix Mendelssohn’s Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello. All performances will be at the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. Ticket prices are $22-68. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org. Tickets are also available through TicketMaster.

THEATER
May 17 - 22
American Musical Theatre of San Jose Presents “CATS!” Broadway’s longest running musical returns. “CATS,” the dazzling theatrical event and multiple Tony® Award-winning extravaganza by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is unlike any musical before or since, taking Broadway by storm, breaking new ground in concept and staging, and keeping its audiences purring with delight! The smash hit of any season and winner of seven Tony®Awards including Best Musical, CATS is a unique spectacular event. Experience it – the memory to last 9 lifetimes! All performances will be at the Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and additional information, call 888-455-SHOW or visit www.amtsj.org.

MUSIC
May 8 – Sunday
Babbu Mann Live in Concert: The Civic Auditorium presents an Indian Punjabi concert featuring renowned performer Babbu Mann from 6 -11:30 p.m.Admission is $35 per person. Call 650-771-0933 for ticket information.

May 14 – Saturday
Celtic folk group “Wake The Dead” will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Almaden Adventures in the Arts concert series at Joint Venture Churches of Almaden in San Jose. Seven of the best-known and most respected players in Northern California comprise “Wake The Dead”, a landmark meeting of traditional Celtic tunes and Grateful Dead classics. The eclectic group includes Maureen Brennan on harp; Cindy Browne on bass; Danny Carnahan on vocals, fiddle, octave mandolin, and guitar; Kevin Carr on uilleann (Irish bellows) pipes, fiddle, and whistles; Sylvia Herold on vocals; Paul Kotapish on mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar, and National steel guitar; and Joe Craven on percussion.
“Wake The Dead” will perform at Joint Venture Churches of Almaden, 6581 Camden Avenue in San Jose. Tickets are $15 advance/$20 door for adults and $8 advance/$10 door for students with ID. Childcare will be provided. For more information, call 268-0243.

May 21 – 22
Created by contemporary legend theatre artistic director Hsing-Kuo Wu in 1986, “Kingdom Of Desire” presented at the historic California Theater, is an epic Chinese opera interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” This unique work of art had toured around the world for the past 19 years, including Europe and Asia, but has never visited the USA. “Kingdom of Desire” is a lavishly staged theatre epic performed by a company of 40 actors, acrobats, dancers, singers and musicians. The story is set in 3rd Century B.C. China during the Warring States period and its turbulent era creates the Chinese “Macbeth,” a completely different political and social scenario. Admission: $36 - $100 (VIP). For more information, call 408-257-6555 or www.dimensionarts.org

MEETINGS
May 8 – Sunday
The South Bay Astrological Society meets on the second Sunday of each month at 1:30 p.m., at the Divine Science Community Center, 1540 Hicks Ave. in San Jose. Lance Carter will discuss “Colors and Astrology.” Discover how colors and planets reveal temperament types. Carter produces astromancy.com, which features a monthly astrology forecast that receives over half a million visits per year. Carter has studied with Carroll Righter and Marc Edmond Jones. Admissions are $10 non-members, $5 members. Refreshments are served. For more information call 395-7082 or visit www.astrologyclub.org.
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
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 Avenue. For more information, call 298-9131.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
May 6 – 15
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose is proud to present “Seussical, The Musical,” a CMT Mainstage premiere, performing two weeks only, at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose (corner of Market and San Carlos streets). Tickets are now on sale to the public for $18 adults, $13 children 12 and under. Special Target® Family Matinee performance Saturday, May 7 at 2:00 pm, all tickets $9.50. Inspired by the unmatchable rhyming and whimsical imagination of Dr. Seuss, “Seussical, The Musical” follows Horton the elephant from the Jungle of Nool, to the Circus McGurkis and back, protecting his small friends on the planet of Who from danger and despair. Horton is joined by other familiar Seuss characters including Gertrude McFuzz, the Sour Kangaroo, Yertle the Turtle and of course, The Cat in the Hat who orchestrates the entire story in his own mischievous and zany ways. Like Seuss stories, “Seussical, The Musical” carries a positive message to both onstage characters and audience members alike, reminding all to believe in themselves and others around them for exactly who and what they are. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the CMTSJ web site at www.cmtsj.org. Or phone the CMT Box Office at 288-5437.

May 7 – Saturday
Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay Beach Club™ at Paramount’s Great America is bigger, better and wetter in 2005! The expanded water park is now three times bigger and offers more than 11-acres of family water fun including a new heated lagoon, the area’s longest lazy river for inner tube lounging, two new body water slides, exclusive poolside cabanas and brand new changing facilities! With the 2005 additions, Paramount’s Great America offers guests a total of 13 water slides. Plus, Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay Beach Club continues to be California’s only water park inside a theme park, free with admission. Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay Beach Club opens at 11 a.m.

May 7 – Saturday
Almaden Quicksilver Park hosts an adventurous Wildflower search, a scenic two-mile walk with park staff, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A map, guide and recording chart will be provided upon arrival and a prize goes to the first person that finds all the flowers. The event is open to all ages. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees should meet at the McAbee park entrance. For more information, call 268-6541 or 355-2255. Almaden Quicksilver County Park: 21785 Almaden Road, San Jose.

May 7 – Saturday
Mother’s Day Rose Petal Cards - Dads and grandparents, let mom sleep in and take the kids to make her a one of a kind Mother’s Day gift. The Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens will provide dried rose petals and all the glue and other materials needed to make her a card she will cherish forever. You can also choose a rose for mom from the 3700 varieties that will be blooming in the Heritage Rose Garden! Class hours are from 9:30 a.m. to noon (drop-in between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.)Fee: $5.00 per child – All ages welcome.

May 13 - 14
The Adventures of Snow White: Family entertainment including exciting scenery, special effects and classical characters! Join us for a theatrical and dance performance that incorporates ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, karate & acrobatic stars! All performances will be at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. Show times are: May 13, 7p.m. – 9 p.m. and May 14, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is $15 per person. For more information, call 408-244-1968 or www.adnpp.com.

May 21 – Saturday
To celebrate the new formation of a Youth Advisory Council for San Jose City Council District 6, the Advisory Council will be hosting our first ever “Barbecue Bonanza” a family fun day and BBQ at River Glen Park, 855 Pine Ave, in Willow Glen. The BBQ lunch cost of $4 includes hot dog, hamburger or vegetarian burger plus chips/fruit, drink and dessert. Family entertainment features a clown, jump house and balloon animals. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a fun family day. Schedule of events: -11a.m. Welcome, 11:30-1:30 p.m. lunch, and 12 – 1 p.m. clown (clown courtesy of Victoria’s). For more information, contact the Youth Commission office at 277-2744.

CLASSES
May 14 – Saturday
Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens and the San Jose Museum of Art to refresh your drawing skills or begin anew in the “Plein Aire Drawing Class” workshop led by SJMA Faculty Jane Burgunder that focuses on drawing from the fantastic subtleties of nature. In this class, we’ll work with all of the basic elements of drawing - line, shape, form, value and composition, using organic materials from within Guadalupe Gardens as our reference point. All levels welcome.
The workshop will meet at the Guadalupe Garden Center, 715 Spring Street. Class hours are 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The cost is $40 for members and $45 for non members (all materials included). Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by sending a check to: Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, 50 West San Fernando Street, Suite 1100, San Jose, CA 95113.  Visa and MasterCard are also accepted via phone or mail.  Refunds for the events will only be made if the event is cancelled or if there is a waiting list. For more information please visit www.grpg.org or contact Kary Wilson, the Education Coordinator, at education@grpg.org or 298-7657.

HEALTH
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 or visit www.aashapediatrics.com.
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
May 14 – Saturday
Almaden SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold registration for computer classes at the Almaden Winery Community Center, 5730 Chambertin Drive just off Blossom Hill Road. Registration for intermediate courses will be at 1:30 p.m. and registration for Computer Fundamentals will be at 3 p.m. All classes will be held at the Vineland Branch of the San Jose Library, 1540 Blossom Hill Road. For more information log on http://www.snlcsj.org/ or call Don House at 268-1703.

May 29 – Sunday
Join a group of mature, adventurous women for an early morning paddle at Vasona Lake County Park from 8 - 11 a.m. A potluck breakfast in the park follows the event. Call 354-2608 for reservations or information. Vasona Lake County Park is located at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos.

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:
The Campbell Highland Games Association is seeking volunteers for all day on Friday and Saturday June 17-18 for the 27th Annual Campbell Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Gathering. The event is June 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Campbell Community Center, but the work starts now. High school and Church community service groups are also welcome. If you are interested, call 219-9264, or 629-9325.
Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, www.wcsv.org, seeks center volunteers and home care volunteers to care for injured and orphaned wildlife for release back to the wild. We also need volunteers to help with educational outreach, database/office management, landscaping, facilities planning and fundraising. The Wildlife Center, located in San Jose, has an active and enthusiastic corps of volunteers committed to welcoming and training new supporters.  Join us in giving a hand to our Silicon Valley wildlife. Email Patricia at volunteer@wcsv.org or call 929-WILD (9453) ext. 350 for orientation dates.

MISCELLANEOUS
May 7 – Saturday
The public is invited to hear Bob Farnquist, Organizational and Career Development Manager, speak on “From Success to Fulfillment—Why is Personal Change So Hard to Make?” at 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Almaden Valley United Church of Christ (Congregational), 6581 Camden Avenue. Call 268-0243 for more information.

May 7 – Saturday
The Original Rubber Stamp Convention: Originally called the Rubberama Stamp and Paper Arts Festival, we have taken on the name of our original Southern California shows. An art rubber stamp convention that features much more than fun rubber stamps, you will see many accessories, such as stationery, stencils, memory scrapbooking supplies, embossing goods, stamp pads, markers, etc. Learn to create your own hand-made greeting cards, invitations, scrapbooks, and much more. There are always on-going demonstrations during the show as well as free Mini-lectures and Make It and Take It classes. Event hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Parkside Hall. Admission is $6, Children under 12 are free. For more information call 310-884-9700 or www.astampinthehand.com

May 14 – Saturday
The San Jose Fraternal Order of Eagles will be hosting their annual Cancer Fundraiser Dinner at the San Jose Aerie at 1036 Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen. This year’s theme will be a Hawaiian Luau, with a wide variety of dishes that will take you away to the islands. There will be entertainment throughout the evening, including hula dancers, as well as prize giveaways. All proceeds after food and entertainment costs will be donated to help fund cancer research. Tickets to this event are $40 per person and are tax deductible. For additional information, visit http://www.foe.com/8/2005cancer.html, or send an email to Robert Prieto eagle_aye@sbcglobal.net

May 15 – Sunday
From noon to 2:30 p.m., Vasona Lake County Park hosts a “Just for Fun Dog Show” featuring games, obstacle courses, dog walks and treats for all. Participants should meet at the Ranger office lawn with dog and leash. Call 354-2608 for reservations
and information. Vasona Lake County Park is located at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos.

May 20 – 22
Join us in “Celebrating Our Diversity“ at our St. John Vianney Fiesta 2005! Enjoy a fun filled weekend of unique games, prizes, carnival rides, great food plus a variety of Live Entertainment and Music. Don’t miss Sunday’s Famous Chicken BBQ from noon until 6 p.m. (or until food runs out) plus Prizes & Raffles. Event hours are Fri., May 20 from 5 - 11p.m., Sat., May 21 from 11a.m. - 11p.m. and Sun., May 22 from 11a.m. – 9 p.m. Venue: 4601 Hyland Avenue in San Jose (just off S. White Rd and Alum Rock). For more information, call 258-7832 or visit www.sjvsj.net

May 21 – Saturday
Pre-registration for the Fifth Annual Santa Clara Peace Officers Memorial Run to benefit C.O.P.S. (Concern of Police Survivors) and California Police Officers Memorial Association will be available until May 13 for $20 single rider and $30 rider with passenger. Forms are available online. Pre register with credit card by calling Joanne or Roberta at 298-1133. Registration the day of the event will be available from 8:30 – 10 a.m. $25 single rider and $35 for rider with passenger. Event day Memorial Service 10 – 11 a.m. at the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, 55 West Younger Avenue in San Jose, followed by an escorted ride to Bolado Park in Hollister for BBQ, Beverages and live music. Donation drawing features Grand Prize of Harley Davidson Safe with HD Jewelry.

Ongoing
Campbell High Class of 1980 25th Reunion: August 6, 2005 at the Campbell Community Center.  Open to classes of 1978-1981. For more information contact Tami Gee-De Fiore at 866-1284 or www.campbellhighreunion.com
The Almaden Valley Women’s Club is currently seeking sponsors for The 29th Annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival held at Almaden Lake Park on Sunday September 25, 2005.The Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival sponsorship program enables corporations, small businesses, and individuals to support the community through the philanthropic activities of the Almaden Valley Women’s Club. Different levels of sponsorship are available. Information about the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival can be found at www.almadenartwinefestival.com. Interested sponsors please contact Ellen Hudson-Snyder at sponsors@almadenartwinefestival.com.

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.