Ventriloquist, Steve Chaney, is coming to Almaden Valley with with The Corny Crow Show. Corny and Steve visit 50 libraries annually presenting a fun and entertaining program for all ages.
The Corny Crow Show with Steve Chaney in Almaden Valley
35th Annual / 2011 Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival
The 35th Annual / 2011 Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival features something for everyone, so bring your family and friends.
The festival features a wide variety artwork and hand-crafted items from local artists, wine and beer tasting, food booths, live music and entertainment, and children’s play area. Check out the festival booth map.
Summer 2011 Outdoor Activities at Santa Clara County Parks in Almaden Valley
If your family loves spending time together doing outdoor activities, then you’re going to love this one.
Following is the Summer 2011 Calendar of Outdoor Activities for Almaden Quicksilver County Park and Calero County Park. Both parks are conveniently located here in beautiful Almaden Valley.
The events include everything from history hikes, wildlife hikes, geocaching, moonlight paddles, bat sightings, and mining adventures.
2011 Almaden Valley Summer Concert Series
The 2011 Almaden Valley Summer Concert Series offers a great evening of Summertime musical enjoyment.
This year’s line-up of bands will play funk, soul, disco, latin, rock n’ roll, and rhythm & blues.
Relax and listen to some great music. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic dinner, and ice coolers. Fun for the whole family!
East Bay Vivarium’s Traveling Reptile Program Coming to Almaden Valley
East Bay Vivarium Traveling Reptile Program features between 20 and 30 reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids.
The program typically brings along an assortment of creepies, crawlies, and critters, including tarantulas, frogs, lizards, turtles, spiders, scorpions, and snakes. The program is very exciting and perfectly safe. Children will also learn a little natural history, animal husbandry, and safety.
2nd Annual / 2011 Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Fundraiser in Almaden Valley
The Northern California Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation is pleased to announce its Second Annual / 2011 Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Fundraiser.
This event includes a 2-Mile Walk / Fun Run, 10K Competitive Run, and fun for the entire family with silent auction, food, and music.
For families who enjoy getting outside, the 2-Mile flat distance is perfect for a morning walk. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome.
For individuals who are training for late Spring and Summer events, the 10K distance is an excellent way to kick start the racing season. New for 2011, the course is professionally managed so the distances will be accurately measured, well marked, and timed.
The course also has a new starting point that sets the walk and run courses off in opposing directions so runners can focus on being competitive and families won’t have to dodge runners.
Lastly, don’t forget your wallet because once the finish line is crossed there will be raffle and silent auction items to browse. All proceeds go towards supporting the Scleroderma Foundation, the leading non-profit supporter of Scleroderma research and patient support in the United States.
In 2010, an impressive 600 people came out for the inaugural Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Fundraiser, and the Northern California chapter hopes to double that number this year.
The event is at Almaden Lake Park on Sunday, May 15, 2011. Registration will begin on race day at 8:00am, and the walk/run will start at 9:00am. You can register online before race day. Entrance fee for the 10K is $40, 2-Mile is $30 for adults and $20 for youth. Ages 4 and under are free.
When you register online be sure to check out the online raffle. Purchasing raffle tickets will give you a chance to win the “San Jose Sharks Experience” or tickets to see World Series Champs, San Francisco Giants!
Become a member of Jane Johnson’s fundraising team. Jane is a resident of Almaden Valley.
For more information about this event, view the press release or call 916-832-1102.
FamilyLife’s The Art of Marriage Seminar is Coming to Almaden Valley
Whether you are newlyweds or have been married for over 50 years, whether you just got engaged or you feel your marriage is at a crossroad, The Art of Marriage seminar is for you!
Learn how to build a stronger and healthier marriage, how communication and conflict resolution leads to real intimacy, and how to build a lasting legacy – not just a great marriage.
The Art of Marriage is at South Hills Community Church in Almaden Valley on Friday, May 6, from 7:00-9:30pm and Saturday, May 7, from 9:00am-4:00pm.
Early bird price is $60 per couple; $80 per couple after April 25, 2011 and at the door. More information and to register.
Deep Gulch History Hike in Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Take a walk back in time on this 2.5-mile strenuous but leisurely paced trek up the Deep Gulch Trail.
Stop along the way at areas of historical interest, and discover how this route was used back when the mining operation was active.
Almaden Quicksilver County Park encompasses 4,152 acres and is the site of over 135 years of mining history and former home to more than 1,800 miners and their families.
Remnants of the mining era also offer an exciting look into the mining operations of the latter part of the 19th century.
As an added bonus, during the early Spring the park offers one of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the region.
Meet at the Hacienda entrance of Almaden Quicksilver County Park on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 10:00am – 12:00pm.
Reservations are required. Call the park office at 408-268-3883. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection, snacks, and water.
View the Almaden Quicksilver County Park Historic Trail Guide.
Spring 2011 Parenting Programs at Almaden Valley Counseling Service
Join Almaden Valley Counseling Service (AVCS) for its popular parenting programs. Two different programs are being offered this Spring.
The S.T.E.P. Positive Parenting program is for parents of preschool, school age, and teenage children. Learn to understand yourself and your child, build your child’s self-esteem and instill responsibility, implement discipline versus punishment, and so much more.
S.T.E.P. Positive Parenting classes begin the week of April 18, 2011, and are held one night a week for 7 weeks from 7:15 to 9:15pm. The price is $125 for one parent or $175 for a couple (includes class materials). Get more information about AVCS’s S.T.E.P. Positive Parenting program.
The Cooperative Parenting and Divorce program is for parents who are either divorced or in the process of divorcing. Learn how to parent as a team when you are no longer a couple. The class focuses on shifting roles from former spouses to co-parents, managing anger and resolving conflict, and understanding the factors and issues that influence a child’s post-divorce adjustment.
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce classes begin the week of April 18, 2011, and are held on Thursdays for 8 weeks from 7:15 to 9:15pm. The price is $165 per person (includes class materials). Get more information about AVCS’s Cooperative Parenting and Divorce program.
For more information, call 408-997-0200 or email staff@avcounseling.org.
Almaden Valley Women’s Club Hosting Women’s Safety Seminar
Almaden Valley Women’s Club is featuring the Laugh Yourself Safe seminar during its March 2011 general meeting.
Laugh Yourself Safe is a dynamic, educational, and entertaining program that addresses the safety of women and their families. The seminar is presented by Crime Stop USA.
You will learn how to get to and from your car safely, how to identify red-flag behavior, how criminals pick their victims, how to stop home invasion, and what every woman should know about sexual assault and rape.
“Almaden Valley Women’s Club is dedicated to the personal and professional growth of its members and is grateful to Crime Stop USA for presenting this informative seminar. In a time of increasing crime, it is important to empower people, especially women, to know how handle any situation,” said club President, Sharon Townsend.
This special program is at Almaden Valley Joint Venture Churches (6581 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA, 95120) on Tuesday March 1, 2011, at 7:00pm.
Almaden Valley Women’s Club is currently accepting new members. Club members coordinate and participate in the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, attend social events and make new friends, and help make a difference in the Almaden Community. Almaden Valley Women’s Club was established in 1965.
To find out more about the Almaden Valley Women’s Club membership and programs, contact the group’s Membership VP, Angela Kelly, at membership@almadenwomen.org.
Spring 2011 Wildflower Scavenger Hunt in Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Photo by Jason Hollinger
New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association is holding its annual Wildflower Scavenger Hunt.
Join Docent Kitty Monahan and Friends of New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association as they take you on a wildflower scavenger hunt in beautiful Quicksilver Park.
This outdoor hunt for flowery delights will take you through various stations at Jacque Ridge along Wood Road Trail in Almaden Quicksilver Park.
The meeting location is at the Wood Road Trail parking lot. The event is Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 10am to 12pm.
The event is free. Registration is required. You can register online. For more information call 408-355-2240 or view the flier.
Internet Safety Seminar for Parents in Almaden Valley
Common Sense Media is providing an Internet Safety Seminar in Almaden Valley. This seminar will address issues such as cyberbullying, texting, and social networking. The event is for parents only.
The Internet is social for preteens and teens. Kids at this age still need parental guidance on how to conduct themselves online. You will learn how to help your child become responsible digital citizens, which will ultimately keep them safe online.
Common Sense Media is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that provides trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families have a choice and a voice about the media they consume.
The seminar is at Bret Harte Middle School in Almaden Valley on March 16, 2011, from 7-8pm. Mark your calendars!
View the Internet safety tips and resources from Common Sense Media.
Meet Smokey the Bear and Learn About Fire Safety in Almaden Valley

Smokey the Bear and Santa Clara County Firesafe Council are coming to Almaden Valley!
This special event features stories, songs, and essential information about fire prevention and fire safety. And an opportunity for the kids to meet Smokey the Bear! This will be a fun and educational event for kids of all ages.
The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council is a non-profit organization composed of individuals, public and private agencies, and private sector businesses that share a common interest in preventing and reducing losses from wildfires.
This event is at the Almaden Branch Library on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 12:00-12:30pm.
Almaden Valley Counseling Service’s Winter 2011 Effective Parenting Program
Learn how to really STEP up to the challenge of parenting. Join Almaden Valley Counseling Service’s seven-week effective parenting program.
The program is based on the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) model. Classes are for the parents of pre-school age, school age, and teenage children. You will learn how to:
Papa Hugs Musical Performance Coming to Almaden Valley
Papa Hugs is coming to Almaden Valley to share his original program of singing, dancing, and fun! Children and their families will laugh and sing along to the songs.
Papa Hugs, a.k.a. David Sharpe, will be accompanied by his Playtime Characters, including Wonder The Kangaroo, Scary Bug, Robbie the Robot, Fitness the Frog, and Stinky Beetle.
PapaHugs’ music is educational, interactive, upbeat, silly, and fun. It teaches children about relationships, health, our environment, and the world around us. PapaHugs songs are straight from the heart and welcome you with open arms.
The show is at Almaden Branch Library on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. The program is made possible by the Friends of the Almaden Library.
2010 Breakfast with Santa at Almaden Community Center

Photo by By Axel Bührmann
Attend the annual Breakfast with Santa event. The morning starts with a tasty breakfast for your entire family.
Children will then be able to participate in a variety seasonal arts and crafts, and take their creations home with them.
Santa will be making a special visit. Children can get a picture taken with Santa and receive a special gift. (Pictures will also be available for purchase.)
Breakfast with Santa is at Almaden Community Center on Saturday, December 11, 2010, from 9:30am to 12:00pm.
Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The price is $10 per person. Children one and half years of age or younger are free.
Yuletide Festivities at Casa Grande in New Almaden

Photo by Eco Dalla Luna.
Take a visit back in time for a real holiday treat at the newly renovated Casa Grande. Enjoy the afternoon with your family in a beautiful Victorian setting while learning about local history in the Quicksilver Mining Museum.
Sip hot spiced cider, munch on delicious cookies, and enjoy the holiday décor in this exquisite historic building. You can also purchase holiday gifts and local crafts from the unique gift shop.
At Casa Grande in New Almaden December 10, 2010 through January 2, 2011, from 12:00 to 4:00pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (except Christmas Day). For more information, call 408-323-1107.



