October 4th is just a couple of weeks away, so it is time for San Jose runners to get ready for the Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon. Though this news is exciting for the runners, and good for the city, for me it is just ho-hum. That was until I heard about the post race concert.

* Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon Post-Race Concert:
* Finish Line Festival Stage – Plaza de Caesar Chavez.

# 1 Jonny Lang – (Grammy winner) is the concert headliner.

# 2 It is free! – and open to the public. (the concert)

# 3 Lang is scheduled to take the stage around 12 PM.

Note: For the marathon – register online

This Saturday May 30 is the 13th Annual Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival along North Shattuck Avenue.

Amateur to professional artists young and not so young will be assigned areas of sidewalk to create their own chalk drawings for free; same-day registration at the event booths located along North Shattuck Avenue. Artist’s chalk is available for a fee. There will be a contest for the best drawing with a first prize of $250, judged after 4:00 pm.

Now, on to the real reason we are here, chocolate!

Select merchants (flying festival balloons) along North Shattuck Avenue, Vine Street, and Walnut Street will serve up classic chocolate treats like truffles (various types), dark chocolate sorbet, and ice cream to some very interesting items including chocolate chicken tikka kabob, Caribbean black bean chocolate soup, chocolate pizza w/ricotta, chocolate jalapeño gelato, and other joys. Check the chocolate to-go menu for items, locations, and times. Tickets are $10 for 10 tickets available at any of the registration sites; chocolate items are from 1 to 5 tickets each. Strolling around looking at the artwork, listening to music, and enjoying the day is free.

Vendors with chocolate-related items and hand made arts & crafts fill the Farmer’s Market area along with entertainment at various locations throughout the day.

This Business Directory Map has locations of area merchants, very handy.

Take BART to the Downtown Berkeley BART Station and walk north six blocks.

13th Annual Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival
Sidewalks along North Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Saturday, May 30, 2009
10:00 am – 5:00 pm

510.548.5335

Free electronic waste drop off fundraiser this Saturday, May 2nd from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Drop off unwanted electronic waste (computers, monitors, laptops, TVs, printers, fax machines, cell phones, e-scrap, aluminum cans, bottles, and more).

West Valley Presbyterian Church
6191 Bollinger Road
Cupertino, 95014

Recycling service provided by:
GreenMouse Recycling
408-464-9999

The 18th Annual Kids Free Fishing Days is this weekend at the Campbell Percolation Ponds, Los Gatos Creek Park.

Kids 17-years-old and younger fish free and adults are welcome to attend. Bring your own rod, reel, and bait. The ponds will be stocked with 30,000 pounds of trout donated by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Kids who catch specially marked fish will be awarded prizes, including rods, bait and tackle boxes. For very young kids there will be opportunities for prizes at a rubber duck wading pool.

Even though the fishing is for the kids, the whole family can enjoy the event, which also features prizes, games and music. Bring a picnic lunch; there will be hot dogs/sodas available to purchase.

Los Gatos Creek County Park
1250 Dell Ave, Campbell

Saturday and Sunday, May 2 – 3
Begins at sun up and ends at sundown

Los Gatos Creek Park Parking (Vehicle Entry Fee): $6.00

Lippold, 'The Drifter'

Director Kurando Mitsutake dropped Spaghetti and Sushi into a blender, hit the liquefy button and poured out a spoof film of perfect consistency … ‘Samurai Avenger: Blind Wolf.’

This is not a film for the faint of heart or should I say, not for the queasy of stomach. Those who like blood and guts won’t be disappointed. Maybe some Intel 3-D next time?

The storyline did its job, which was to support the action scenes. The narrative gave intervals of relief from the gore with a laugh or with weapon (sword) education etc.

I asked Jeffrey James Lippold (Drifter/Lead) if the film’s take on swordplay and the soul of the samurai was based on fact. He said that some may have come from myth and folklore, but that some might have been performed at one time.

I thank Cinequest for the opportunity to be among the first to view ‘Samurai Avenger: Blind Wolf.’ A film destined to attract a huge world following.

(How this photo of Lippold, ‘The Drifter’, came about. During the Q & A – He politely declined when someone asked about his physique and calls to remove his shirt rang out. For me, he gave a little bit.)

Last chance to take it all in: Monday 3/2

9:30 PM at the Repertory Theatre