Last year the folks at Epic Change did an amazing job creating a stir about Tweetsgiving and raised over $10,000 to build a classroom in Arusha, Tanzania in just over 48 hours. When I met Stacy Monk and Avi Kaplan at the NTEN Conference I couldn’t help but offer to chip in and help this year to benefit the school, where a dormitory/orphanage, library, school cafeteria and additional classrooms are sorely needed.

This year there will be a fundraiser in over 40 cities around the world to raise funds for the school and one of those events is right here in San Jose at Santana Row’s Rosie McCanns.

Wednesday Nov. 25, 2009
6 PM- 9 PM
Local authors will be signing books including:
Shel Israel – Twitterville
Mitchell Levy 42 Rules for Driving Success with Books
Janet Fouts- Social Media Success!

Donations are recommended, and each donor will get a raffle ticket for some great prizes as well as a drink at the bar (soda, wine, beer or well), plenty of lively conversation and the knowledge that you’ve made a big difference in the lives of these children. Watch this video to see more about where the funds go. Tweetsgiving is for the kids and how you can help.

What are you waiting for? Sign-up and celebrate Thanksgiving twice!

KFJC at Foothill College began broadcasting on October 20, 1959. I got the calculator out, punched in the numbers, and the screen displayed “Golden Anniversary.”

KFJC is celebrating the station’s 50th Anniversary with various activities including the Live Broadcast and Penny Pitch at Streetlight Records in San Jose Saturday September 5 from 1:00 to 6:00 pm.

Like a number of college radio stations, KFJC 89.7 fm, has a play most anything format, very unlikely you will hear the same thing over and over.

The Live Broadcast and Penny Pitch at Streetlight Records kicks off KFJC’s fundraising season; so, bring your change and dump it into the change bucket. There will be free food and drinks. Live KFJC DJs followed by live music from Chen Santa Maria (4:00 pm).

Live KFJC DJs:

1:00 pm – Robert Emmett
2:00 pm – SAL 9000
3:00 pm – Anubis
4:00 pm – Cadillac Margarita
5:00 pm – Mitch Lemay

Streetlight Records
980 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose

Saturday, September 5, 2009
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm

The SJ Rep is helping you help the community – AND see a play!

The San Jose Repertory Theatre has always been a leader in bringing the arts to everyone and giving back to the community. This season they are taking even broader steps in this direction.

In order to help community members who cannot afford regular priced tickets to the outstanding productions held at the Rep this year, they are offering Pay What You Will Tuesdays. The first preview Tuesday for each production of San Jose Rep’s 2009-2010 season, starting with the Tuesday, September 1 production of As You Like It, will be open to all members of the community for a suggested ticket price of $10, however any amount will be accepted. In addition, a canned food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank will have food bins in the lobby hoping for your donations. In this way any member of our community can not only see an exciting new production at the SJ Rep, but they can also help Second Harvest help those who are in even greater need.

Tickets go on sale at San Jose Rep’s box office one week prior to the scheduled performance. Seating is general admission and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pay What You Will Tuesday:

• Groundswell – Tuesday, Oct. 13

• A Christmas Story – Tuesday, Nov. 24

• The Weir – Tuesday, Jan. 26

• Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Tuesday, March 16

• Sonia Flew – Tuesday, May 11.

If you don’t make it to this Tuesday’s preview of As You Like It, you can still see the production of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays at the SJ Rep from August 29 to September 27.

Sibling rivalry, royals in exile, mistaken identities, cross dressing (no kiddin’), and love at first sight, all make an appearance in this bewitching and sophisticated comedy about freeing oneself from the shackles of technology and finding oneself in nature. Really! The actors will be texting onstage, and you can too, during intermission and after the show!

Don’t miss this exciting new production. San Jose Metblogs is excited to attend the September 4 show and we will have our review up by Saturday afternoon. See you at the Rep!

As a youngster growing up in Modesto one of the highlights of summer was going to a baseball game. Mom brought a Thermos filled with ice cold Kool-Aid and dad brought the cowbell. It was my job to ring the cowbell for the home team. I rang that bell for every base hit, stolen base, runner who crossed home plate, and I gave it an extra big shake for a home run. Those were the days. The kind of days memories are made of.

Today I am ringing a ‘bell’ for a baseball game here in San Jose. The August 15th meet up between the San Jose Giants vs. the Stockton Ports will be more than just a good game, it will also be an event called “Don’t Let Cancer Steal 2nd Base”.

To help fight breast cancer please take a look at “Boobs by the Bay”

Put on your pink and make some baseball memories. Get your tickets now!

Game/Event Tickets cannot be purchased via the SJ Giants Box Office…they can only be bought directly from “Boobs by the Bay”

Payment can be made by cash, check or arranged via Paypal.

Delivery of tickets can be via snail mail, hand delivery, or even left at Will Call.

Please contact: Kerri Lodge at 408.846.4206 or check out the site click ‘Events’ to learn more, and purchase your tickets.

When: August 15th at 6 PM
Who: San Jose Giants vs. Stockton Ports
Where: San Jose Municipal Stadium
Why: To raise money for Breast Cancer

You may never have given this much thought, but most government and private support available for low income parents do not cover diapers. Even though there is plenty of data out there showing children who wear soiled diapers can lead to diaper rash and other bacterial infections.

Now imagine you have to decide between buying a box of diapers for your child and food to feed her. Which would you choose?

Help a Mother Out (HAMO) is a unique organization providing diapers to homeless and low income mothers. On July 1, 2009 between 5PM and 7 they’re going to be collecting diapers at Willow Glen’s BabyBuzz, a chic shop offering clothes and toys for babies and toddlers as well as infant massage and mom’s night out parties.

The goal is to collect 1,000 diapers to distribute to shelters and moms in need. Bring a pack or a case of diapers down to the store between , do a little shopping and enjoy a little wine, a cup of tea, and the knowledge you’ve made the decision between food and diapers easier for someone. RSVP on Facebook or just drop off the diapers.

Here’s the address: 1314 Lincoln Ave #1A, San Jose, CA 95125 and a map. Can’t make it? You can select a non-profit to help and donate right now!

Great news from the San Jose Repertory Theatre: 

In the span of two months, thanks to the support of donors like you, we have raised the $22,000 match to the grant put forward by our Emeritus Trustee, John M. Sobrato for new lobby carpet. We will now be able to install new carpet in our lower and upper lobby in time for the start of Rick Lombardo’s Inaugural Season in September.

This is really incredible news, and I would like to personally thank each and every person who made a donation, including Emeritus Trustee John M. Sobrato, even if your personal donation was only $1.  As you can see, it all added up and we will now have a beautiful Repertory Theatre to show the world by September.  Thank you!

The good news is the SJ Rep has extended the run for The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  The bad news is The Rep’s carpet is completely worn out (see great news below!).  Fortunately, we have delightful news on both counts plus two new shows for the summer!  Read the announcements below and then donate some money, go see a great show, and why not have a nice dinner with Dine Downtown before the curtain goes up!

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has been extended:

Due to packed houses, overwhelming great reviews and exuberant standing ovations, The San Jose Repertory Theatre has extended the Putnam County Spelling Bee through June 14.  As we have said before, this musical production should not be missed.  It will appeal to adults and college students, and high school kids will also love it.  You don’t want to lose your last chance to see it and now The Rep has made it easier to go:  They have reserved 25 seats at every performance for the low price of $25 each.  You can purchase one or you can purchase all 25, but once they are gone they are gone.  If you miss getting that deal, you may fall into one of the below categories:

Price range: $33-$62

Students (full-time, with valid ID) - 1/2 off tickets for all performances, all seats.

Seniors (65 yrs +) and Teachers - $6 off tickets all performances, all seats.

ADA or ASL discount - $6 off your ticket and your companion’s ticket.

Subscriber Single Ticket Discounts - $6

Rush Ticket Discounts - Balcony price for that performance

By phone: 408.367.7255

Online: www.sjrep.com

By fax: 408.367.7236

In person: Rep Box Office, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose

REMINDER: The SJ Rep has received a Challenge Grant, needs your help!  

I noticed recently that the carpet at the SJ Rep is in horrible condition. Thank goodness someone else noticed too – If the SJ Rep can raise half the money through donations, they’ll receive a grant to pay for the rest of it.  Click this link for details:
The SJ Rep gets called to the carpet
UPDATE!  The Rep has already met their goal!

Two new Summer Shows: Forbidden Broadway and The Second City

Tickets on Sale June 10^th!

Forbidden Broadway opens July 7 and runs through July 12.  New York’s longest running musical comedy revue that parodies, jeers and cheers American musical theatre celebrates its record-breaking 25^th year.  This year’s special victims include the puppets of “Avenue Q,” the witches of “Wicked,” “Billy Joel’s Movin Out” and new look at old favorites such as “La Cage aux Folles,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Les Miz,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Chicago.” Rounding out the laughs are Mel Brooks’ “The Producers,” Abba’s “Mamma Mia” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie;” with lots more Broadway past and present.

The Second City, running from July 14 through July 19, provides audiences with the chance to see comedy stars in the making, but they will also have the opportunity to see absolutely hilarious satire and cutting-edge improvisation.  No topic or subject matter is off limits for The Second City.  If your parents asked you not to speak about it at the dinner table, chances are it will be made fun of in an evening with The Second City.

Our own San Jose Repertory Theatre is a really beautiful venue, even more so inside than out.  They also generously support our community and youth, and are a huge contributor to the Cinequest Film Festival.  San Jose would not be such a fun place to live without the Repertory Theatre.

However, upon exiting the balcony from a recent show that I attended, I happened to look down at the steps and was shocked at the condition of the carpet.  Threadbare, dull and worn, it really showed the effects of having thousands and thousands of feet walking through over the years.  It was so disappointing to see how worn it was, and it really takes away from the great beauty of the rest of the building.

So I was surprised and very happy to hear that the SJ Rep has received a Challenge Grant to remedy this exact problem!  Emeritus Board member John Michael Sobrato has pledged to pay half the cost of new carpet if The Rep can bring in the other half with contributions.  This is a very generous gift, and one I hope will not be missed.  In even more wonderful news, The Rep has already raised one third of the matching funds.  The other 2/3 must be raised by June 30, 2009, and despite their very generous regular donors, they need funds specific to this fundraising goal.

Offers as generous as this don’t come around very often.  It is my sincere hope that although we are all in some very tough times, the people of the South Bay can help pitch in to take advantage of this offer.  If you could contribute just five dollars it would be so appreciated.  If you could contribute $20 or $50 it would bring them even closer to their goal.  They only have one month to collect donations in order to receive this Challenge Grant; I hope we can all pull together and help The Rep achieve this goal.

Time is of the essence.

Please contact Development Associate Janet Herrington to make a donation to this cause.  She can be reached at 408-367-7264 or JanetH@sjrep.com. 

The neighborhood of Hanchett Park will host its first first Historic Homes Tour on Saturday. Hanchett Park was developed as a residence park in the early 20th century. Today, the area still has some of San Jose’s best preserved historic homes.

The tour theme is “Preservation and Inspiration”, and the tour features five homes reflecting an “eclectic mix of architecture and lifestyles.”

When: Saturday, May 30. 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Where: Purchase same day tickets at 1265 Sierra Ave., San Jose. Addresses of Tour homes are provided on your ticket. Purchase advanced tickets at Silver Leaf Antiques (1343 The Alameda), Willow Glen Home and Garden (1123 Lincoln Avenue), or online.

Price: $21 per person in advance. $25 on tour day.

I’m team captain for Team Willow Glen in the Avon Walk-SF again this year. This is an event that is very close to my heart, and though I’m not looking forward to the blisters and exhaustion of last year’s experience (it was my first 39 mile city hike) I am looking forward to the amazing camaraderie and the feeling that I too can make a difference.

If you’ve never done this kind of walk before, let me tell you, it’s exhilarating, exhausting, agonizing and one of the most moving experiences you will ever have. People line the streets to cheer us on, give us water, even say thank you, and everybody who is walking is supportive, encouraging and as excited as you are. As you walk you hear the stories of people who have overcome amazing odds, the doctors walking for their patients, the families walking together for a loved one and it’s truly un-forgettable.

The bicycle cops come up from San Jose and encourage, cajole, entertain, coddle and above all, keep us safe. In 2000 the walk started in San Jose and the bicycle cops escorted the walkers. Now-even in San Francisco- they volunteer their time to participate and they really do San Jose proud.

So here we are, ready to shlog another 39 miles over some of San Francisco’s most treacherous hills (can’t avoid that now can we?) with several thousand men, women and children from all over the world. Are you thinking about walking? Why don’t you join us? The Avon support teams have lots of training info and we will be doing some team training walks as well.

If you can’t walk with us, support us. Pick one of the walkers and donate directly to them. We’ve also got a number of fundraising events coming up. Elva’s Coffee Stop is hosting a silent auction for the team and it’s Elva’s second year with the team. Donate an item for the auction or chip in with a bid! Cindy Sanders, owner of It’s A Girl Thing is offering us 10% of her sales on Saturday May 30. Shop the store and make a donation!

If you’ve got fundraising ideas we’d love to hear them. If you want to walk with us we’d love to have you come and be part of this amazing experience. If you want to know where the money goes, check out this link. The money raised for San Francisco goes to some amazing local organizations that help people who might not otherwise get the treatment they need.