Chinese Moon Festival, Overfelt Park San Jose Ca Sept 13, 2015

Chinese Moon Festival 2015
Sunday, September 13, 2015
1:00pm to 5:00pm
Free Admission and Parking

Overfelt Gardens
368 Educational Park Dr.
San José, CA
In the Chinese Cultural Garden ]

This is a tobacco/alcohol-free event

One of the stories told to children during Moon Festival is of the fairy living in a crystal palace. She comes out to dance on the shadowed surface of the moon. Legend says the "lady living in the moon" dates back to ancient times when ten suns appeared in the sky. The Emperor ordered a famous but mean archer to shoot down the nine extra suns. Once the task was accomplished, Goddess of Western Heaven rewarded the archer with a pill of immortality. But his wife, wishing to save people from his bad disposition, took the pill herself. She has been banished to the moon ever since. They say her beauty is greatest on the day of the Moon Festival.

The date of our Moon Festival was about a week after the real Moon Festival date. But because our student leaders need time to organize 200 school volunteers, it has become our tradition to select the third Sunday of every September to be this community's Chinese Moon Festival. We wish to acknowledge these young people for their spirit, hard work and dedication. Our event would not be as fun and wonderful without them, and we hope they come to fill their lives with the same joyfulness they present here today.

The Moon Festival is celebrated by billions of people. They celebrate it with dances, feasting and moon gazing. Delicious moon cakes are a traditional enjoyment. But on this day, we offer you the pleasure of sharing arts, crafts and creative activities in a Chinese garden setting. Culture is fun! Without art, music, poetry or dance - what would imagination do? We hope you enjoy what we've had fun planning for you. Have a Great Time!!!!!

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Italian Family Festa, San Jose Ca., Aug 29-30, 2015

Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Next to the SAP Center / SJ Shark Tank San Jose, CA

Sat Aug 29 (11am) Sun Aug 30 (11am)

Stop by and experience what Italians already know. Now in its 36th year, the Italian Family Festa draws more than 35,000 attendees annually. Share the day with friends and family while enjoying authentic Italian food, live entertainment and seeing the arts and crafts from merchants.

The festival features live continuous entertainment, a wine tasting garden in the Piazza Piccola Italia, Italian foods both sweet and savory, culinary demonstrations, bocce ball, bambino bocce, a grape stomp contests, opportunities to win prizes, unique arts & crafts and other activities for the entire family to enjoy.

All proceeds from the Festa help the Italian American Heritage Foundation (IAHF) maintain and promote Italian history in the Santa Clara Valley area, as well as to continue and enhance our IAHF Scholarship Program.

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Bacon Festival of America, San Jose CA, Sept 5-6, 20

Do you like bacon and craft beer? Do you on occasion listen to music? Are you a carnivorous human or maybe a service dog?
You are going to love this news: the ambitiously named Bacon Festival of America is return to San Jose this Labor Day.
This year is the festival’s third, and the Silicon Valley food truck company Moveable Feast (the organization throwing it) will bring around 15,000 people to nosh on delicious pork and swig excellent brews.

Bacon Festival of America (Labor Day Weekend)
Moveable Feast
Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 12:00 PM - Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 7:00 PM (PDT)
San Jose, CA

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ArtSplash, Montalvo Arts Center, Saturday, April 18, 11am-4pm.

A free and family-friendly festival, ArtSplash is an invitation for the community to explore and enjoy the beautiful Montalvo Arts Center! Join the fun on Saturday, April 18, 11am-4pm.

Now in its fifth year, ArtSplash features live musical performances, hands-on art activities, tours of the historic Villa and gardens, visual arts throughout the property, and more. Guests will also have the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes in open studios at Montalvo's Lucas Artists Residency—and the chance to talk with the artists-in-residence and witness them in creative action.

A variety of delicious food trucks (and ice cream!) will be on hand with options to satisfy anyone's palate. So, bring your walking shoes and your appetite and plan to spend the day.
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DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION - November 1 & 2, 2014

DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION - November 1 & 2, 10am-9pm in Courthouse Square.
Dia de los Muertos is a traditional Meso-American holiday dedicated to the ancestors; it honors both death and the cycle of life. In Mexico, neighbors gather in local cemeteries to share food, music, and fun with their extended community, both living and departed. The celebration acknowledges that we still have a relationship with our ancestors and loved ones that have passed away.
     In Santa Rosa, Day of the Dead has been celebrated at the Court House Square since Y2K. The opening ceremony is conducted by Julie Hubbell and throughout both days there are performances by the Pomo Dancers, Ballet Folklórico Cahuayoh, Aztec Friendship Dances, Native Resistance Drum, singers and musicians. We want to thank Anita Silva, Pomo Elder, for her prayers in years past and send her blessings and our thanks. There is an art area for creating decorations for the altars you construct for loved ones and as evening comes were continue our tradition with blessing and sharing food donated by our local restaurants. There is an all night vigil for deceased friends and family and our ceremony is concluded by offering the the altars back to the spirit world. 

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OneBeat Music Festival at Montalvo - October 19, 2014 - 11-4PM

15400 Montalvo Road Saratoga, CA 95070 408-961-5858

OneBeat is an international cultural exchange initiative that brings together musicians from as far away as Turkey, Colombia, Zimbabwe, and Russia to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music. This year, Montalvo Arts Center is OneBeat's first-ever West Coast host.

Join us on Sunday, October 19, from 11am-4pm for a FREE outdoor festival - the culmination of OneBeat's residency at Montalvo. Showcasing brand new work the musicians have created, the afternoon will feature small group performances staged throughout Montalvo's scenic grounds. Guests are invited to mingle among the musicians as they perform, and later gather in the Garden Theatre for an ensemble performance.

In addition to the musical performances, enjoy music-making activities and gourmet food trucks. RSVP today, and invite your friends: it's an afternoon you won't want to miss!

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Summer in St.James Park - San Jose Ca - Sept 19, 2014

Print Page"Classic Sounds for Cool Kids"

The Commons, an art and performance collective, and Summer in St.James Park presents an evening showcase of music and performance at historic St. James Park in downtown San Jose. Join the Commons on Sep 19th at 6:00 p.m. as they bring you an eclectic line­up of musicians from across the Bay Area performing a repertoire that ranges from the great classical composers to original indie­folk ballads.

Hosted by Santa Clara County poet laureate, David C. Perez, the festival features the cool workings of:

Awesöme Orchestra Collective feat. soloist Rachel Larsen playing works by Mozart, Copeland, and "Everything Is Awesome!" from THE LEGO MOVIE

Dirty Cello featuring the virtuosic cello stylings of Rebecca Roudman, one of the San Francisco bay area's most exciting cross­over cellists

Narrators a fixture on the local music scene with a signature sound incorporating glossy vocal harmonies into genre­-bending originals

Classical Revolution an organization of musicians dedicated to performing high­ quality chamber music in non­traditional settings feat. violinist Ishtar Hernandez and pianist Naomi Stine

and DJ Coco

The Commons in St. James Park is open to all ages and free to the public. There will be lawn seating, so feel free to bring blankets or lawn chairs!

Santa Clara Corvettes Spectacular Car Show - Downtown Los Altos - Sept 21, 2014

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Santa Clara Corvettes Spectacular Car Show

Santa Clara Corvettes presents our 38th Annual Corvette Spectacular on Sunday, September 21st on Main Street, Los Altos. Registration begins at 8 AM and awards are scheduled at 3:30 PM.
Live band, vendors & raffle prizes. FREE for spectators and one of the largest collections of Corvettes on the West Coast.
www.sccorvettes.org or www.wscc.ws

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Italian Art and Products at San Jose Festa - August 23-24, 2014

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Italian Art and Products at San Jose Festa in August

Gioia Italian Art and Products showcases Brigantino Organic Olive Oil, Artisan Italian Masks, Murano Glass Jewelry, Italian Ceramics and more at the Italian Family Festa in Guadalupe Park and Little Italy San Jose. Visit our Booth! This Festival is put on by the Italian American Heritage Foundation San Jose and is in its 34th year and draws over 30,000 attendees. Share the day with great friends and family, enjoy all that is Italy. Mark Your Calendar. No entrance fee.

Guadalupe River Park

W Taylor and W Santa Clara Streets
San Jose, California 95110

August 23 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
August 24 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

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Viejitos Car Club presents Juvenile Diabetes Car Show Fundraiser - Saturday, August 23rd 2014

Starts: Saturday, August 23rd 2014 at 10:00 am
Ends: Saturday, August 23rd 2014 at 4:00 pm

Location: History Park
Admission: $5/person $25/show car

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Half Moon Bay's Ol' Fashioned Fourth of July Parade, July 4, 2014

Half Moon Bay's Ol' Fashioned Fourth of July Parade
Half Moon Bay's delightful, Ol' Fashioned Fourth of July Parade celebrates Independence Day in classic small town America with a charming array of creative floats, marching bands, equine groups, classic cars, decorated trikes and bikes, "Pooches on Parade", youth sports teams, dance and theater troupes, a Color Guard by the American Legion, local dignitaries, and tons more. Decorated World War II US Army Air Corps Captain Ray Martini will serve as parade Grand Marshal. The parade is sponsored by the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee and Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival which takes place this year on October 13-14.
WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Main Street, Half Moon Bay.
COST: Free

INFORMATION: 650-703-6299

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Rotary Club of San Jose Fireworks Show, Downtown San Jose, July 4, 2014

A free, world-class fireworks display downtown San Jose

The Rotary Club of San Jose invites you, and your family and friends, to join us as we light up the night sky on Friday, July 4th, 2014.
Below you will find helpful information on the event.

We hope you join us!

Discovery Meadow is the best seat in the house,
and will be open to the public.

This is a free, family-friendly event, and seating is on a first-come basis.  The fireworks show will begin at approximately 9:30PM, after dusk.
Restrooms and a great view will be provided on site.  For a map of the Discovery Meadow click (here).

 

Expect crowds, take public transit.

We anticipate large crowds therefore we strongly encourage you to ride public transit.  VTA is providing special event service to and from the fireworks show.

Fireworks return to downtown San Jose for the first time since 2008. The Rotary Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a free fireworks show in Discovery Meadow, and while the Club says this show is a one-time-only event, we have our fingers crossed that this means the return of annual fireworks downtown, in one way or another.

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33rd Annual Summer Festival and Chili Cook Off, Palo Alto CA, July 4, 2014

33rd Annual Summer Festival and Chili Cook Off
12noon – 5pm
600 East Meadow Dr.
12-5pm (Chili and Ice Cream Tasting Starts at 1:30pm)
The tradition continues as we celebrate Independence Day at the 33rd Annual City of Palo Alto Summer Festival & Chili Cook-Off on Friday July 4. With live music featuring San Francisco based, La Gente Band; a variety of children’s activities including hair braiding, coloring and spiking by Snip-its; balloon making; art activities by the Palo Alto Art Center, old time party games and more. The Chili Cook Off has something for every member of the family.
New for 2014, the Summer Festival and Chili Cook Off will offer the Stanford Federal Credit Union Ice Cream Taste Off featuring local hand made ice cream vendors.  Local shops CREAM, Tin Pot Creamery and Green Girl Bakery will battle for the People’s Choice and the Best Overall Ice Cream Awards.  Winner will receive a special plaque to post in their shops.
For those glued to the World Cup, the Summer Festival and Chili Cook Off will be streaming the 1PM game live at Mitchell Park.  It’s an afternoon made for the whole family. Chili, food, ice cream, games, art, music, dancing and the World Cup! Bring the family, play some games, grab some food and purchase your tasting kits for chili and ice cream.  Sit on the grass and enjoy the fun, family and the World Cup.  What better way to enjoy the 4th of July!
Chili teams will compete in two categories; Corporate and Open, for cash and prizes.  Stylish plaques will be given for Best Decorated Booth, Best Spirit, and the People’s Choice Awards.  Tasting kits go on sale at noon $5 (for 5 tastes) and public tasting begins at 1:30PM. Beer and margaritas along with sodas and lemonade will also be for sale.  In addition to the chili tasting, food vendors will provide a variety of foods for all members of the family.

Offsite parking will be available at Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, just two short blocks away. A limited shuttle van will be available.  Please enter the south entrance for Cubberley.  The shuttle stop will be in front of the Theatre.

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San Jose Bacon Festival of America, July 4th, 3p-9p July 5th, 12p-8p 2014

This year, MVBL Feast will be celebrating our Independence Day TWICE with the San Jose Bacon Festival of America. Returning after last year’s inaugural Bacon Festival -- we have revamped and rebooted the festival (now with an exclusive fireworks viewing area on the 4th!), which is now offering:

*Double the food trucks!
*Double the event days!
*Double the bands!
*New bacon food booths!
*New bacon bank (more bacon)!
*New bacon merchandise!
*New fireworks viewing area on the 4th!
*New location at Plaza de Cesar Chavez!
*New Michael Jackson Dance Party!
*New wrestling exhibition!
*Now with actual square dancing!
*Now with giant bubbles!

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Dia de Portugal Festival, History Park, San Jose Ca, June 14, 2014

The Portuguese Heritage Society of California (PHSC), proudly hosts the annual Dia de Portugal Festival on the second Saturday in June at History Park San Jose (Kelley Park), one of the largest events in California celebrating the Portuguese culture.
June 14, 2014
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
History Park San Jose at Kelley Park
Just some of what awaits you:

• food and beverages
• live entertainment
• traditional parade
• children’s carnival
• music, books, crafts, novelties

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Año Nuevo State Park, in San Mateo County

Año Nuevo State Park, in San Mateo County, preserves and protects the scenic, biological, ecological, and cultural values of the central California coastline, including Año Nuevo Island and properties on the western slope of the coast range inland from Año Nuevo Point. The park protects and interprets the pinniped rookeries, a prime resource, and significant wildlife habitats on Año Nuevo Island and the mainland. It also contains sensitive native dunes and coastal terrace prairie habitats, and a diversity of inland plant communities, including old growth forest, freshwater marsh, red alder riparian forest and knobcone pine forest. Its four perennial streams support steelhead trout and coho salmon, and its wetlands are habitat to the rare San Francisco garter snake and red-legged frog. Cultural resources include the remnants of Native California Indian Ohlone occupation of the area and a number of structures from the nineteenth century Cascade Ranch and historic Steele Ranch. In conjunction with adjacent and nearby public lands, the unit protects important regional ecological corridors and linkages. On Saturday, January 28, 2012, the San Mateo Coast Natural History Association (SMCNHA), and California State Parks will host Seal Adventure Saturday, a special fundraising event to support educational and interpretive programs at Año Nuevo State Park and other state parks along the San Mateo coast. For one day only, visitors will have extraordinary access to linger for an entire morning or afternoon to view the elephant seals at the peak of the breeding season. This is a rare opportunity, one that can be enjoyed by everyone—from families to avid wildlife photographers.

California State Parks will preserve, protect, restore, interpret and manage the unit's archaeological, cultural, natural, aesthetic and scenic resources, making them available to the public for their educational, inspirational and recreational benefits

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Sunset Magazine Garden, Menlo Park Ca

Sunset Magazine Garden
80 Willow Road, Menlo Park
650-324-5400
http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscaping-design/sunset-garden-tour-00400000015024/


If you are the home-gardening type, you won't want to miss a visit to the famous Sunset Magazine Garden. Located at Sunset Magazine's headquarters in nearby Menlo Park, the display garden offers a glimpse of architecture and foliage from the major climate zones of the West. The garden contains a 1.2-acre lawn, four designated areas representing the Northwest, Northern California, Central California, and the Southwest Desert and Southern California regions, and a 3,000-square-foot test area. The test garden is full of the latest plants and garden projects the magazine is evaluating, and over 50% of the magazine's garden photography is taken in this area. The garden also contains a majestic oak tree coined 'The Old Man' because of its age and lopsided growth. The entire display garden is open for free, self-guided tours. With its different climate areas and constantly changing test garden, the Sunset Magazine Garden offers a unique and beautiful experience no matter what season it is!

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Stanford University trail opens May 20, 2011

A new trail along Page Mill Road and crossing south through the foothills will open to the public in the coming weeks. It was built by Stanford University as a condition of its general-use permit with Santa Clara County. Photo by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online.

A long-awaited public hiking trail that has been a decade in the making will open Friday, May 20.

The new trail, called the Matadero Trail, is the "S1" route in the Santa Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan. The trail runs on Stanford University land from the south corner of Page Mill Road and Foothill Expressway and alongside Page Mill to Deer Creek Road. It crests over a ridge and winds down to where Arastradero Road crosses under Interstate 280.

The path over the ridge is designed for pedestrians. Separate lanes planned for bicyclists will continue along Deer Creek Road. At the high point of the trail, hikers will have views of the San Francisco skyline, bridges across the bay, Mt. Diablo and Mt. Hamilton.

"This trail was a long time coming. It is beautiful, and we are pleased that the public can now enjoy it," Larry Horton, senior associate vice president for public affairs at Stanford, said.

Stanford Director of Land Use and Environmental Planning Charles Carter, who oversaw the trail's development, praised the county Parks and Recreation Department for its collaboration in designing and building the trail.

"This isn't a nature trail per se, but it crosses a variety of landscapes where one can see native oak trees, riparian communities, grasslands and wildflowers, birds and other wildlife. I hope people enjoy it and recognize how Stanford's stewardship of its land resources yields public benefits."

Hikers should plan to walk or bicycle to the trail since the area offers no public parking. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset, Stanford officials said. Although maintained by Stanford, the trail will come under the auspices of Santa Clara County. Stanford has granted a land-use easement to the county.

"I walked the lower part of the trail two weeks ago myself and enjoyed it a lot. It's a great addition to our recreational opportunities," Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss said.


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Alviso Marina County Park, Alviso, Ca

Welcome to Alviso Marina County Park, gateway to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This 18.9-acre bayside park, though small in size, offers a great deal of activities within its boundaries and on into the Wildlife Refuge. Both the pathways and boardwalks of the County Park and trails around the ponds in the adjacent Wildlife Refuge offer fantastic views of the mountains surrounding the bay, and of the wildlife that call these ponds home.
Activities
Hiking, biking and bird watching are favorite activities in both the park and the refuge, while picnicking and strolling along the manicured pathways can be enjoyed within the County Park. Dogs are allowed in the County Park's pathways and picnic areas, but are not allowed on the trails, levees and boardwalks. While bikes are allowed on all pathways and trails in the park, please walk your bikes on the boardwalks.
The launch ramp provides one of the few clear routes in the San Jose area through the salt marshes out to the open waters of the San Francisco Bay. Navigational charts can be obtained through www.noaa.gov or a local retailer (Ref. No. 18AHA18651). When using the waters of the bay, please respect the sensitive nature of this unique ecosystem.
For inquiries about the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, visit their web site. Teachers and groups may call (408) 262-5513 for information about the Environmental Education Center, and information about trails and interpretive programs can be obtained by calling (415) 792-3178.
How to Get There
Alviso Marina County Park is located at:
Mill Street, Alviso (the park has no physical address)
(408) 262-6980

Japanese Friendship Gardens, San Jose, Ca

1300 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA 95112-2520
Contact: +1 408 277 2757
Open Hours: 10a-sunset
Located in Kelley Park , this garden is modeled after Korakuen Park in Okayama, Japan, which is one of San Jose’s sister cities. In a very peaceful, relaxing setting, enjoy the unique bridges, ponds and pathways that exquisitely demonstrate the fine art of classic Japanese landscape gardening. You can even feed the fish. You will always be immersed in a wide variety of colors, varying from wisteria lavenders to azalea pinks and depending on the season.