Almaden Valley Turkey Run

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Turkey run 2017Thanksgiving has arrived, and with it, Almaden Valley’s most exciting annual running event – the Almaden Valley Turkey Run!

Come rain, come shine, the Run Turkey Run 5K/10K, organized by the Bret Harte Middle School Booster Club, has been a huge draw over the past years. This year the popularity of the event continues to be on the rise, with hundreds of Almaden residents expected to gather at Leland High School early on Thanksgiving morning.

The 10K run begins at 8:30 am and the 5K at 8:40 am on Thursday, November 23, 2017. For those planning to run at this event, pre-packet pick-up is on Wednesday, November 22, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the Bret Harte Middle School. On race day, spot entries and packet pick-up starts at 7:00 am. The race begins and ends at Leland High, and goes through trails along the Los Alamitos Creek trail. Whether or not you are running, don’t miss the fun. Join in to run or to cheer your friends and neighbors.

Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy the holiday with your friends and families!

For more information, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/SanJose/AVRTR

Mt. Umunhum Opens to the Public

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Mt. UmunhumThe long wait is finally over! The summit of Mt. Umunhum is now open to the public. With its landmark cube tower visible to the Almaden Valley and all over the South Bay, the reopening of this summit after 37 years has been a much anticipated even.

At an altitude of 3,486 feet, Mt. Umunhum is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains within the Sierra Azul Open Preserve. In recent years, it attracted a lot of attention from conservationists and nature enthusiasts, especially for its military contribution as an early warning radar station during the cold war years.

The summit offers stunning views of the peninsula extending to Monterey Bay, and at times even the Sierra Nevada range. The area surrounding the peak has new trails leading up to the summit, notably the 4-mile Mt. Umunhum trail, starting from the Bald Mountain parking lot.

The facilities at the top include a parking lot for about 54 cars, a restroom, a summit shelter, a viewpoint, a trailhead shelter and picnic tables.

Mt. Umunhum is definitely a must visit. Almaden residents now have an accessible peak comparable to Mt. Diablo and Mt. Hamilton. For more information, visit: https://www.openspace.org/mount-umunhum

Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2017

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Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2017It’s the end of summer, and the grand event that Almaden residents await is finally here… The Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival 2017!

On September 17, 2017, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Almaden Lake Park will be decked out and playing host to festivities featuring a wide variety of arts and crafts from local artists. To complement these festivities, you can savor wine and spirits from seven local wineries and breweries.

The festival, now in its 41st year, also brings to you live music, entertainment, and fun-filled activities for the entire family. There are over 80 vendor booths and a fun zone to keep kids occupied. Admission is free and all proceeds are donated to charity.

So, mark your calendars for the Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival. It’s an event not to be missed!

Almaden Community Center Fall 2017 Catalog

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Almaden Community Center Fall 2017The Almaden Community Center Fall 2017 Catalog lists a lot of new and exciting activities lined up this fall. The activity guide covers classes, camps and activities from September 2017 to December 2017.

The highlights include a host of new classes, special events like the Harvest Festival and Halloween Party, and camps like the Fall Break Day Camp. Here’s a summary of what you will find…

New Classes:

  • Elementary Funtoons!
  • Pastel Drawing – Even More Magnificent Masters
  • Apprentice Mechanical Engineering: Master Machines
  • Electronic Game Design – Platform Games
  • Girl powered engineering using Lego
  • Junior Mechanical Engineering – Widgets and Gadgets
  • Junior Software Engineering using Scratch – Space P
  • Little Sports Medicine
  • Little Veterinarian School
  • Beginner Fencing

Special Events:

  • 10th Annual Harvest Festival and Holiday Boutique – 10/21/2017, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Halloween Party – 10/26/2017, 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
  • Breakfast with Santa – 12/9/2017, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
  • North Pole Party – 12/14/2017, 4:00 p, to 5:30 pm

Camps:

  • Fall Break Day Camp – 10/2/2017 – 10/6/2017, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

For more information, visit: https://issuu.com/sjparksandrec/docs/almaden_community_center_05a57d80f34e11

4th of July 2017 in Almaden Valley

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4th of July 2017 in Almaden Valley is right around the corner, and Almaden certainly celebrates in style! Here are the highlights of some exciting events happening in Almaden this Independence Day.

4th of July 2017 in Almaden ValleyMontevideo Neighborhood Parade and Run/Walk

The Montevideo neighborhood of Almaden Valley celebrates the 4th of July with its unique annual float parade, run/walk, and barbecue and pool party at the Montevideo Cabana Club. The festivities open at 8:00 am with the 4-on-the-4th Run/Walk (participation fee – $5).

The parade begins at 11:00 am and the theme this year is “School Memories”. It starts and ends at the Montevideo Improvement Association (MIA) Clubhouse at the corner of Camden Avenue and Monteval Lane, and will pass through the following streets: Camden Avenue, Puerto Vallarta Drive, Vera Cruz Drive, Monteverde Drive and Montellano Drive.

The Fourth of July Parade within Montevideo is one of the most vibrant neighborhood celebrations in the South Bay. In addition to the public parade and run/walk, the Montevideo Cabana Club will also host a private barbecue and pool party for its members and guests.

For more details, visit: http://blog.miahomeowners.com.

4th of July Fireworks at the Almaden Lake Park

The Almaden Lake Park will come alive again this 4th of July 2017 with its spectacular annual fireworks display. Thousands of Almaden residents throng to this beautiful lake to see this dazzling show.

The event begins at 3:00 pm with entertainment by the radio station KRTY, local band Snarky Cats, and magician Pete E Magic. Activities for children include various arts and crafts, a fireworks safety demo, and writing a letter to a soldier. There are food trucks and booths by various local eateries.

The fireworks show kicks off after dusk, at about 9:00 pm. The event is free to all. A couple of tips: Come early to grab a spot, and carpool with neighbors to avoid parking hassles. Alcohol, pets, barbecues and personal fireworks are not allowed.

For more information, visit the sponsor website: http://www.krty.com/2017/06/27/almaden-lake-park-4th-of-july.

Summer Fun at Almaden Valley Pools and Cabana Clubs

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With summer around the corner, there’s nothing more inviting than a dip in the pool. Here’s a roundup of all the Almaden Valley pools and cabana clubs where you and your family can cool off from the sizzling heat.

Almaden Valley Pools and Cabana Clubs, Almaden Cabana ClubAlmaden Cabana Club

The Almaden Cabana Club is located on Bret Harte Drive and serves the residents of the Almaden Park and Shadow Brook II areas of Almaden Valley. It operates from May to September and is the perfect place to relax with your family and socialize with your neighbors.

The club is home to the Dolphins swim team. The Almaden Cabana Club also offers summer swim lessons for kids of both member and non-member families. For more information, visit http://www.almadencabana.com.

Shadow Brook Swim ClubAlmaden Valley Pools and Cabana Clubs, Shadow Brook Swim Club

The Shadow Brook Swim Club is a neighborhood cabana club for residents of the Shadow Brook neighborhood of Almaden Valley. Located at the corner of Almaden Expressway and Shadow Brook Drive, this club is home to the Shadow Brook Sharks swim team.

The pool is open annually between May and September. The club also offers summer swim lessons to kids. For more information, visit www.shadowbrook.org.

Almaden Valley Pools and Cabana Clubs, ASRCAlmaden Swim and Racquet Club (ASRC)

The Almaden Swim and Racquet Club is a popular sports and recreation club in Almaden Valley. Serving about 300 members, it is located on Northridge Drive in the prestigious Country Club neighborhood of Almaden. The facility offers a swimming pool, a kids wading pool, and a hot tub, in addition to six USTA championship tennis courts. ASRC membership is open to all, though there is a wait list. The club offers swimming lessons in the summer. For more information go to www.almadensrc.org.

The ASRC is also home to the Quicksilver swim team and Masters (QSS), which offers year-round competitive swim training for kids and adults. QSS also has a summer swim team. For more information, go to https://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=pcqs.

Montevideo Cabana and ClubAlmaden Valley Pools and Cabana Clubs, Montevideo

Residents of the Montevideo neighborhood in Almaden Valley can swim at the Montevideo Cabana Club. This club is home to the Piranhas swim team and offers summer swim lessons. The club also includes other fun facilities like a volleyball court. For more information, visit http://www.gopiranhas.com.

So, get ready for a summer packed with pool parties and grilling get-togethers, and go make a splash!

Almaden Community Center Summer 2017

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Almaden Community Center Summer 2017Registration has begun for Almaden Community Center Summer 2017 activities and camps. The Summer 2017 brochure has details of activities and camps from June 12, 2017 to August 18, 2017. There are various fun and exciting sports and educational programs on the offer for children and teens. Be sure to take advantage of them!

In addition to activities, here are some other important highlights noted in the brochure:

R.O.C.K. Afterschool Program

Registration for 2017-2018 school year begins on Saturday, July 22, at 10:00 am.

San Jose Recreation Preschool

Details regarding 2017-2018 sessions are provided in the brochure. Sessions span from August 21/22 2017 through May 31/June 1 2018. Contact the community center to register.

Almaden Valley Summer Concert Series

There’s live music coming to your neighborhood with the Almaden Valley Summer Concert Series! Every Thursday night in July you can relax with your friends and family at Graystone Park and enjoy live music. Remember to carry some food and drinks, and don’t forget your chairs. So, mark your calendars for July Thursday nights, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Graystone Park.

For more details about these and other exciting activities and events, check out the Almaden Community Center Summer 2017 brochure here: https://issuu.com/sjparksandrec/docs/almaden_community_center_fd73e1ce307b83

Kudos to Quixilver FTC team 8404

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Quixilver FTC team 8404

Quixilver FTC team 8404Leland Robotics Quixilver FTC team 8404 recently competed against 72 teams from 13 states at the West Super Regional Championships in Tacoma Washington. Of the 203 teams from Northern California, Quixilver 8404 was the only team to advance from the Silicon Valley.

After making it to the top ten in their division in the super regionals, Quixilver 8404 will now compete in the World Championships against 128 teams from 39 countries. The team is now having a fund-raising drive to buy sensors, cameras and other parts. If you would like to help this Almaden team get an edge in the world championships, go to their Go Fund Me page on https://www.gofundme.com/help-ftc-8404-go-to-the-world-championship. For more information about how to get involved with the FIRST Robotics program, contact FTC 8404 Quixilver at ftc8404@gmail.com.

Almaden Community Center Spring 2017 Catalog

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The Almaden Community Center Spring 2017 catalog is here!

Almaden Community Center Spring 2017Almaden Community Center Spring 2017 Activities

Coming up at the Almaden Community Center this Friday, March 24, 2017 at 4:00 pm is a free family movie evening. For more details about this event, call 408-268-1133.

Regular classes in art, music and dance begin the first week in April. Classes include ballet, hip hop, guitar and more. Sports activities like futsal, soccer, tennis and basketball begin at the same time. Additionally, there are enrichment activities for kids like Digital Computer Animation and Little Medical School. Registration has just begun. Hurry up and grab a spot in your favorite activity!

Almaden Community Center Summer Camps

Is your child interested in comic book design or in being an eco-explorer? Or perhaps she would like to be a young inventor. The Almaden Community Center Spring 2017 catalog includes a schedule of exciting summer camps and activities. Spread out from June through August 2017, there are a host of diverse and exciting day-long and half-day camps for children to choose from.

In addition to various sports camps, there are camps for technologically inclined children including Lego engineering, robotics, mobile app development, aeronautics and more. Camps for art enthusiasts include origami, photography, gardening, cooking and others. Your child can also learn to be a spy, train to be a super hero, or enter the magical world of Hogwarts – there are camps for those adventures, too!

Registration for summer camps is now open. Scholarships are available for select programs. For more details and to register, call 408-268-1133 or visit www.sjregistration.com. You can also view the complete Spring 2017 catalog here: https://issuu.com/sjparksandrec/docs/almaden_community_center_c7523a461121e5

More Almaden Valley Winter Holiday Events

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Here are a couple more Almaden Valley winter holiday events to enjoy in the days ahead…

Almaden Valley Winter Holiday Events Celtic RoseCeltic Rose: Rare Holiday Gems – An Afternoon of Celtic Holiday Music

The holidays are well and truly upon us. And what better way to enjoy a cold December afternoon in Almaden than with some ‘Rare Holiday Gems’? Celtic Rose: Rare Holiday Gems is a performance of holiday songs played to the accompaniment of the lute, the recorder, drums and the guitar.

Celtic music is the music of the people settled in the Celtic regions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall, among others. The music has a lyrical quality to it and uses a variety of traditional instruments. Performed by Doris Williams and Caroline Garbarino, “Rare Holiday Gems” will take place at the Almaden Library on Saturday, December 17 at 3.00 pm. For more information, visit: https://events.sjpl.org/event/celtic_rose_rare_holiday_gems_9874

Almaden Valley Winter Holiday Events Leland DramaLeland Drama Presents: Comic Shorts

The holidays would certainly be incomplete without a healthy shot of laughter! Head to the Leland High School Cafeteria this week for a hearty laugh with Comic Shorts. This winter production by the Leland High Drama Club is a montage of short comedy scenes, including:

  • Bobby’s Brain (by Bruce Kane), directed by Braeden Thomson: When Bobby meets the girl of his dreams, things go haywire in his brain and uproarious situations arise.
  • Who’s on First, directed by Quentin Thorne: This hilarious scene, inspired by Abbott and Costello’s famous series, will surely leave you in splits.
  • A Very Memorable Family Reunion, directed by Aidan Bates: A boy meets his fiancé’s family but has a shock in store for himself!
  • Comedy 101, directed by Porter Aman: An instructor is dressed in a chicken suit and the students tell terrible jokes…meet colorful characters like Blueberry Bob and Terry Terry.
  • The Ultimate Student Presidential Election, directed by Melissa Webb: When two students compete for the post of President, the results are hilarious!

Performances take place December 15 & 16 at 6.00 pm. For more information, visit: http://www.lelanddrama.org/