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Updated January 31, 2012 -  Next step is Semi-Finals scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 5pm.

South Bay Teen Idol is a three-part amateur vocal competition awarding a $2,500 Scholarship to the best teen vocalist in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. The competition is open to vocally talented teenagers in 8th-12th-grade (ages 13 years and older).

Students must be in good standing at their school with a GPA of 2.0 at a public or private high school. Auditions are January 29, 2012 with the Finals scheduled for March 31, 2012 at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Los Gatos.

Click here for complete details and to register.

Sign Up for a FREE TuneCore account, and Pay Only $9.99 for Music Distribution!

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Celebrate this holiday season with tickets to a Bay Area Nutcracker performance by either the Ballet San Jose,  the Oakland Ballet or Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre!  We are giving away a family four pack of tickets to each of the ballets.   Which will you choose?  The  beautiful sets and sparkling costumes of the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre? Perhaps the magic that is Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker performed at Oakland’s historic Paramount Theatre.  Or will you brave the Mouse King at Ballet San Jose’s production at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts?

No matter which you choose, it will be an evening of grace and awe, beauty and pageantry as your family enjoys this wonderful holiday tradition.

To enter click on the link below.  Please list your preference for location/ballet company.  Good luck!

Win tickets to a San Francisco Bay Area Nutcracker Ballet

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Public transportation plays a significant role in finding solutions to the numerous challenges facing America today. Whether it’s more jobs, a cleaner environment, energy independence or a better quality of life, public transportation takes us there.

Looking for something cool and green to do this summer? If you will be a high school junior or senior in Fall 2011, join your peers from across America as they come together June 26 - 30, 2011 in Washington, DC to explore how partnering with public transportation can help promote better communities and a healthy environment. Applications Due: Friday, April 22.

With this all expenses paid opportunity, you will:
* Experience five days in the Nation’s Capital
* Meet lawmakers and congressional leaders
* Participate in hands-on local transit tours
* Discover the wide range of exciting career paths within the transit industry
* Learn how public transportation is helping shape a brighter future

Deadline to enter is April 22, 2011. Program Manager: Cheryl Pyatt, cpyatt@apta.com.  For more information click here.o  Source:  Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA)

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The Queen of the Festival scholarship program announces its fifth year of supporting young women in furthering their higher education. Five high school seniors will compete for the Queen title and a $6,000 scholarship. The total amount of scholarships awarded is $15,000.

The Queen of the Festival scholarship program promotes community service and it is open to high school seniors who will be attending university. This scholarship program is part of the Sheriff’s Youth Program Fund and held in conjunction with the 10th Annual North Fair Oaks Community Festival on August 21, 2011. The festival is a multicultural event sponsored by San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Greg Munks. He welcomes the community to enjoy a day of free live entertainment, arts and crafts, food and beverages, children’s rides and activities, and a festive parade.

“We are proud to sponsor university scholarships for young women in our community. The Queen of the Festival scholarship program inspires young people of all ages to aspire to higher education and provides positive role models. It is a tremendous effort by the entire community,” said Sheriff Greg Munks.

The top scholarship award is $6,000 for the queen; two princesses will receive $3,500 each; and two finalists will receive $1,500 scholarships each. Applicants must be university-bound females with excellent academic, community service credentials and must submit a community involvement essay. Applicants are evaluated and five outstanding finalists are selected by a committee compromised of community leaders, including co-chairs Beto Chavez and Lilia Ledezma. The application deadline is March 30, 2011 at 5 p.m.

Click on this link to visit the site and download scholarship applications.

Congratulations to the reigning 2010 Queen, Martiza Nuñez-Pereda (Sequoia High School, 2010; Notre Dame de Namur University, 2014)..

Source: Redwood City Newsletter

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Next week is President’s week which means that school children of all ages will be on vacation. So what’s a parent to do? Here is a list of family things to do and places to go that will keep your children engaged without straining your budget.

Visit A Library
Visit the Dr. King Jr. Library in San Jose and go on a scavenger hunt. Stop by the Information Booth and obtain a listing of the Public Art Collection housed at the library. Popular items are the “Wise Cracks” and the Hatch (otherwise known as the Alice In Wonderland door) in the elevator. Details about each item and its location in the library are included in brochure.

See A Movie for $5 A Ticket
BlueLight Cinemas (Cupertino) always has family friendly movies. Admission is $5 every day.

Visit a National Park, Monument or Historic Park
There are a number of these in the Bay area, most of which are free or charge only a nominal admission fee. Visit Rosie the Riveter–World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond or Pinnacles National Park, home to the largest maternity colony of Townsend’s big-eared bats between here and Mexico.

Take Advantage of Your Reciprocal Membership Privileges
If you have a membership at a museum or zoo, then likely you have reciprocal privileges at other attractions in the Bay area, the least of which would be a discounted admission. For example, membership to the Tech Museum equals 50% admission discount to Zeum, Exploratorium and more.

See Disney on Ice Presents Let’s Celebrate! at HP Pavilion
Shows are scheduled for February 23 - 27, 2011. $25 tickets for Wednesday night are discounted to $15. Tickets are $15 - $75. Visit our sister site, Celebrate-Family.com for a list of discount codes and special prices.

Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) Open Rehearsal
In preparation for the Friday night program, The Planets and Stars, OEBS has an open rehearsal including comments from Maestro Morgan about the myriad of details and nuances of creating a symphonic performance. February 24, 2011 at the Paramount Theatre, 3:30 pm. Free

3 for 1 Admission on Black History Day
The Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts are offering a 3 for 1 admission ticket on Thursday, February 24, 2011. Each venue is hosting an exhibit celebrating the musical heritage of African Americans. Admission at the Contemporary Jewish Museum or MoAD is $10 for adults and children are free.

What’s Free All the Time
Visit these locations any time of the year for free.
The Intel Museum (Santa Clara)
Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito)
The Randall Museum San Francisco)

Sources: Celebrate-Family.com, Contemporary Jewish Museum, US National Park Service, San Jose Public Library

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KDFC is looking for non-professional classical instrumentalists or vocalists in two simple categories: ages 10-20; and 21 and over. Three finalists in each group will perform at the live Finals Event on May 11 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  Winners of the competition will receive $1500.

KDFC has extended the date to enter until April 5, 2009.

Ths yearly competition  is a wonderful way to highlight the love of classical music in our children.  The finals competition will be held on Monday, May 11, 7 pm at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Thanks again to KDCF for their annual Children’s Day at the Tech.  The concert was wonderful and free admission to the Tech is always welcome.  Thanks also to Safeway for the snacks and drinks.

We recommend the Beethoven’s Wig series for children ages 10 and under as a great way to introduce children to classical music. 

Each cd includes classical music selections with lyrics written just for children.  For example, “Light Cavalry March” by Suppe becomes ”Stuck In The Saddle Again” and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony becomes Beethoven’s Wig and entire song devoted to Beethoven’s flowing wig. Visit the Beethoven’s Wig store at Amazon.com to purchase these cd and listen to the individual clips.  

Celebrate Family!

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The Lick Observatory is comprized of the main observatory building with telescope and the nearby Shane Dome.  In the main Observatory building, visitors can enjoy looking at at the Great Lick Refractor in the 36-inch telescope dome.  While in the Shane Dome you can view the 120-inch Reflector from the Visitors’ Gallery.

There are two special programs offered during the summer:

• Summer Visitors Program (SVP) where the public is invited to observe through both the 36-inch Great Lick Refractor and Nickel 40-inch Reflecting Telescope. Each evening also features two speakers, who present programs even if clouds or fog prohibit viewing.
• Music of the Spheres Summer Concert Series which includes a talk by an astromer, a concert and viewing through the refractor and reflecting telescopes.

Tickets for the summer programs must be purchased in advance and sell out quickly.  I would suggest submitting your name for the observatory’s email blast. Visiting the observatory is a great way to spend the day.

Music in the stars

Summer visitor program

General visitor informtion

Celebrate-Family!

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So grab your camera and showcase what you feel makes Los Gatos special!  There is a $10 entry fee for this competition but all ages are welcome.

For more information visit: LG Chamber of Commerce.

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Our City Forest (if you want a free tree, this is site to visit) is looking for artistic children to enter their Green & Healthy Neighborhoods poster contest. The competition is open to all children from K - 12.  Deadline date for entry is April 10, 2009.

Entrants must create a poster which illustrates why trees in cities are important plus a short paragraph describing why their poster reflects this year’s theme.

For more details and entry forms visit: Our City Forest

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