Institute for the Study of Western Civilization

From the first arrivals to the Americas in the&nbsp;16th century to the great migrations of the&nbsp;19th and 20th, immigrants arrived&nbsp;on our shores in the millions.&nbsp;Where did they go?&nbsp;How did they fare?&nbsp;Led by Dr. William H. Fredlund, this 30-week class (3 quarters) offers an engaging look at our American story and can be attended in person or via live interactive simulcast for $350 per household per each of the three quarters. Enroll at store.westernciv.com or call 408-864-4060 (M-F, 10-5).

Local Event: Coming to America

Santa Clara County

Cupertino

California

Coming to America

From the first arrivals to the Americas in the 16th century to the great migrations of the 19th and 20th, immigrants arrived on...

Hands-On Bamboo Workshop at Hakone Estate and Gardens
Spend two days learning in the garden during a hands-on bamboo workshop at Hakone Estate and Gardens.
Led by Hakone Garden Curator Jacob Kellner, this two-day workshop will introduce participants to traditional techniques used in Japanese garden construction and maintenance. Participants will work alongside Jacob to build a bamboo garden fence while learning about bamboo selection, preparation, construction techniques, and the role these structures play in Japanese garden design.
Designed as a hands-on learning experience, the workshop offers a rare opportunity to develop practical skills while working within Hakone’s historic Japanese garden.
October 10–11, 2026 9:00 AM–5:00 PM each day Hakone Estate and Gardens, Saratoga
Tools and materials are provided. Participants must be 16 or older and should be comfortable with lifting, working outdoors, and using hand and power tools. The workshop will take place rain or shine.
Space is limited. Advance registration is required.

Local Event: Fence Building Workshop

Saratoga

Fence Building Workshop

Hands-On Bamboo Workshop at Hakone Estate and Gardens
Spend two days learning in the garden during a hands-on bamboo workshop...

McAfee Performing Arts Center, 20300 Herriman Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070

The San Jose Wind Symphony is pleased to present its 2026-2027 season titled "Storytellers." This season explores the many ways music tells stories through literature, mythology, cultural traditions, film, history, and community.A Novel Concert, Sunday, October 11. Step into the pages of great literature brought to life through music. The San Jose Wind Symphony draws from beloved characters and narratives spanning centuries of storytelling, with works connected to Candide, Scheherazade, Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, and the epic voyage of Moby-Dick through McBeth's Of Sailors and Whales. Aaron Lington, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer, and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at San Jose State University will be featured soloist on Maxime Aulio's The Butterfly That Stamped. Together, the program unfolds like a great book, one musical chapter at a time.&nbsp;October Concert Program:Overture to "Candide" by Leonard Bernstein arr. by GrundmanThe Young Prince &amp; the Princess - 3rd Movement from "Scheherazade" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov arr. by HindsleyThe Butterfly That Stamped by Maxime Aulio&nbsp; &nbsp;Aaron Lington, baritone saxophoneSymphony No. 1 Lord of the Rings 1. "Gandalf" by Johan de MeijINTERMISSIONWaves Toward the Pebbled Shore by Peter MeechanOf Sailors and Whales, Op. 78 by W. Francis McBethFinale to Symphony No. 3 by Gustav Mahler arr. by Saucedo- Buon Natale with Pasquale Esposito; Sunday, December 13. We celebrate the season with internationally acclaimed tenor Pasquale Esposito and the San Jose Wind Symphony in an afternoon of music, memory, and holiday tradition.- Myths and Legends; Sunday, Feb 28, Journey through the realm of gods, spirits, and fantastical creatures in a program that brings timeless stories to life through music.- Star Wars at 50, A Galaxy of Music; Sunday, May 16 Celebrate one of the most recognizable examples of cinematic storytelling as we mark 50 years of Star Wars.0 to $25.Presented by San Jose Wind Symphony

Local Event: San Jose Wind Symphony Presents 'A Novel Concert'

San Jose Wind Symphony Presents 'A Novel Concert'

The San Jose Wind Symphony is pleased to present its 2026-2027 season titled "Storytellers." This season explores the many ways...

Congregation Beth David

<table><tbody><tr><td>Join us for a concert by 2Low, featuring Charles Chandler (bass) and Amos Yang (cello) of the San Francisco Symphony! $20.00 per person</td></tr></tbody></table>

Local Event: 2Low Classical Concert

2Low Classical Concert

Join us for a concert by 2Low, featuring Charles Chandler (bass) and Amos Yang (cello) of the San Francisco Symphony! $20.00...

Congregation Beth Am

Charlotte Korchak will provide an overview of Israel, Zionism and the Jews, and will outline some of the common fallacies typically encountered which challenge us, explaining why they're false, and offering effective responses to use. Charlotte Korchak is well known for her deep knowledge of Middle East history and current events, and her ability to break down the most challenging concepts into comprehensible pieces.

Local Event: Understanding Fallacies About Israel, Zionism, and the Jews—and How to Respond

Understanding Fallacies About Israel, Zionism,...

Charlotte Korchak will provide an overview of Israel, Zionism and the Jews, and will outline some of the common fallacies...

Understanding Fallacies About Israel, Zionism, and the Jews—and How to Respond

Saratoga High School

<h2>Girls STEM Opportunity (with prizes!)</h2>

Interested in putting your STEM entrepreneur skills to the test? Our award winning robotic team, 6165 MSET CuttleFish from Saratoga High, is hosting&nbsp;FishTank&nbsp;Girls, a free "Shark&nbsp;Tank" STEM and business competition for middle school girls! Students will work in small teams to ideate, design, and present products to solve a given issue, relevant in today's world.&nbsp; At the end of this event, the girls will pitch a product in front of a lineup of judges from STEM and business industries and get the chance to win&nbsp;CASH PRIZES.&nbsp; Lunch and snacks will be provided. No prior coding or engineering experience required. DATE: Saturday, Oct 24 - Oct 25 TIME: 10am - 3pm each day LOCATION: Saratoga High School Library REGISTER NOW:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/2026FishTankGirls" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">tinyurl.com/2026FishTankGirls</a> <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2026FishTankGirls" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"></a> Questions? Email&nbsp;ainsley.m.nguyen@gmail.com

Local Event: FREE Middle School Girls STEM Competition

FREE Middle School Girls STEM Competition

Girls STEM Opportunity (with prizes!)

Interested in putting your STEM entrepreneur skills to the test?  Our award winning...

San Jose resident Anastasia Torres-Gil shares her experiences with us about what is like to be in Israel under rocket attack, and describes her encounters with Israeli resilience and community there.

Local Event: 	Experiencing Israel During War

	Experiencing Israel During War

San Jose resident Anastasia Torres-Gil shares her experiences with us about what is like to be in Israel under rocket attack,...

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church 13601 Saratoga Avenue Saratoga, CA  95070

Enjoy a classical music FREE orchestra concert with exciting rhythms and beautiful melodies! All 3 music works were written by Russian composers, with lyrical melodies, active rhythms, and orchestral richness. A special Prokofiev Piano Concerto features internationally acclaimed Daniel Glover as Piano Soloist. Conductor Dr. Jason Klein talks about each music piece for the audience before it is performed. This adds pleasure and education to the concert.&nbsp;Saratoga Symphony website has more Upcoming Concert details, with a Concert Poster listing the music pieces for this concert program: &nbsp;https://saratogasymphony.org/concerts/
Free concert. NO tickets or reservations needed. Open seating in the Church. Doors open at 2:00pm. Free parking.

Local Event: SARATOGA SYMPHONY CONCERT   "From Saint Petersburg With Love"

SARATOGA SYMPHONY CONCERT   "From Saint...

Enjoy a classical music FREE orchestra concert with exciting rhythms and beautiful melodies! All 3 music works were written by...

SARATOGA SYMPHONY CONCERT   "From Saint Petersburg With Love"

Welcome to the 5th Annual SMASH!
Ready for some post-Halloween fun with your pumpkins? Saratoga High School’s award-winning Worlds FTC Robotics Team 6165 MSET Cuttlefish invites you to their <a href="https://saratogasmash.web.app/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">5th Annual SMASH Maker Fair</a>, a FREE Halloween-themed STEM event for the whole family! On Saturday, November 1, 3:30–6:30 PM, at Saratoga High, bring your pumpkins and try out 3 custom-built pumpkin smashers to help compost leftover Halloween pumpkins. You can also enjoy visits from Makers Across California, fun science experiments, robot demos, and games for kids. Last year, over 750 attendees joined the fun, and this year promises even more excitement!

Local Event: FREE STEM Pumpkin Smash Event for Kids!

FREE STEM Pumpkin Smash Event for Kids!

Welcome to the 5th Annual SMASH!
Ready for some post-Halloween fun with your pumpkins? Saratoga High School’s award-winning...

Cupertino High School

The landmark 10th free Bay Area Kids' Book Fair is coming to&nbsp;Cupertino on Saturday, Nov. 7. 
The next day, Nov. 8, the Book Fair will be in San Ramon.
The Silicon Valley Book Fair is once again at Cupertino High School, 10100 Finch Ave., off Stevens Creek Blvd.
The East Bay Fair on Nov. 8 is at Pine Valley Middle School, 3000 Pine Valley Rd. in San Ramon off San Ramon Valley Blvd.
All-time favorite children’s books characters Elephant &amp; Piggie plus movie stars Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story will be on hand each day to meet and greet their fans of all ages at the Bay Area Kids’ Book Fair.
Storytelling with authors each day at the Book Fair is sponsored by Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. The Fair features authors, illustrators, publishers and educational programs.
The Book Fair is open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with free admission and free parking at each site.
The first 200 families daily will get a free book backpack compliments of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate. They will receive a free raffle ticket for each donated can. 
Free Bay Area Kids’ Book Fair family tickets can be reserved by clicking on the Eventbrite link at the event website <a href="https://www.BayAreaKidsBookFair.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.BayAreaKidsBookFair.com</a>. All adults registering in advance online will receive a $2 Book Buck at check-in to be used for their first purchase at the Book Fair.
The East Bay Kids' Book Faar is at Pine Valley Middle School in San Ramon on Nov. 8.
Authors, booksellers and educational programs can secure an exhibitor space at the Book Fair. Visit <a href="https://www.BayAreaKidsBookFair.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">BayAreaKidsBookFair.com</a>

Local Event: Silicon Valley Kids' Book Fair coming to Cupertino Nov. 7

Silicon Valley Kids' Book Fair coming to...

The landmark 10th free Bay Area Kids' Book Fair is coming to Cupertino on Saturday, Nov. 7. 
The next day, Nov. 8, the Book...

Silicon Valley Kids' Book Fair coming to Cupertino Nov. 7

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Illusive Comics & Games, LLC

All are welcome at Illusive Comics &amp; Games, located in Santa Clara. Woman owned and all spectrum friendly, we are a brightly lit, well organized, and welcoming shop. It's easy for anyone to come in and wander, and shop. Roll some gorgeous dice and play some boardgames if you have the time. We will you pick out the perfect item you're looking for! We have the largest selection of new comics in the Bay Area. You can also find Dungeons &amp; Dragons, Pokemon, Magic: the Gathering, and a huge selection of boardgames. We've got comic books for every age, starting with Superhero board books. We have a full weekend of events all of the time, which we update on our website each week. There's also space for free Boardgaming for you and your friends. Illusive has been a Santa Clara mainstay since 2007. We're on Stevens Creek at Lawrence Expy and 280, next to Harbor Freight, on the other end of the center from MicroCenter. Open every day of the year, our Holiday Hours for 2026/27 are Mon 11a-7p Tues 12p-7p Wed 11a-8p Thur 11a-7p Fri 11a-9p Sat 10a-7p Sun 11a-7p (Libraries, Teachers and Schools- contact us for bulk ordering discounts for your schools and fundraising options!)

All are welcome at Illusive Comics & Games, located in Santa Clara. Woman owned and all spectrum friendly, we are a brightly lit, well organized,...

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Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending

Tuesday, October 6

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Sunday, October 11

Sunday, October 18

Saturday, October 24

Sunday, October 25

Sunday, November 1

Saturday, November 7

Illusive Comics & Games, LLC