Local Notebook
Sacred Heart selects new executive director
Sacred Heart Community Service (SHCS) has appointed Amari Romero Vorwerk as its new executive director. Vorwerk will assume her new position on May 1.
For the past two years, Vorwerk has served as a senior consultant for CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, where she assisted numerous nonprofits in leadership transitions, executive coaching and staff development. Vorwerk spent most of her professional career in the human resource development/management area and leadership training.
"SHCS is an incredible agency with a solid reputation and a record of outstanding service to its customers," Vorwerk says. "The spirit with which everyone serves is so inspiring. It is an honor to be the new executive director, and I am very excited about the future possibilities for the Heart."
Vorwerk will replace Jennifer Lin Tang, who has served as the interim executive director since March 9. Tang succeeded Sacred Heart's longtime executive director, Barbara Zahner, who led the agency for 15 years and retired on March 8.
"The board wishes to thank Jennifer for the strong and faith-filled leadership she has provided during this interim period," says Marie Bernard, president of Sacred Heart's board of directors. "Our transition could not have proceeded this smoothly and seamlessly without Jennifer's grace and commitment to the Heart."
Sacred Heart will host an open-house reception to invite the community to meet and welcome Vorwerk on Friday, May 17, 3-5 p.m., at Sacred Heart Community Service, 1381 S. First Street, San Jose. For more information, contact Interim Executive Director Jennifer Lin Tang at 408.278.2175.
WG High School has modernizes 'Birdie'
Willow Glen High School's performing arts club will present a slightly modernized production of the Elvis Presley parody Bye Bye Birdie at the campus' Little Theatre Thursday, April 25, Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28. The musical is directed by drama teacher Sarah Miller. The choreographer is Sarah Escosa, and the musical director is JoLynn Cunningham.
Bye Bye Birdie's basic premise will remain the same, but Miller says she has added some modern touches. For instance, the original musical's frequent references to '50s/'60s variety-show host Ed Sullivan have been replaced by references to MTV host Carson Daly.
"I wanted the choreography to be modern. I thought kids would be more likely to want to do that because the original is pretty cheesy," Miller says. "We also wanted to make Bye Bye Birdie more local, so we have it taking place in Sweet Willow instead of Sweet Apple."
Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults and $10 for reserved seating. Evening performances will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee performance will begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 408.535.6330, extension 615.
Presentation High will present 'Wizard of Oz'
On April 18, the Presentation High School Theater Arts Department premiered its production of The Wizard of Oz at the school's new Valenzuela Theater.
"For our first performance in the new theater, we wanted a musical that showcased a large number of our students," says the play's director, Monica MacKinnon. "There are a lot of great roles in The Wizard of Oz, and it's a feel-good favorite that I hope the audience will enjoy. We're planning to use our new technology and we'll rely heavily on lights and special effects to create Oz."
The production features an all-female cast and is choreographed by Carrie Madsen-Olson. Bob Russell is the musical director. The Wizard of Oz's final performance date will be Sunday, April 28. All performances begin at 7 p.m., except for Sunday matinees, which start at 2 p.m. For ticket information, call 408.264.1664.
Gardening festival to celebrate springtime
The Spring in Guadalupe Gardens festival will take place Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at Columbus Park in Guadalupe Gardens, at the intersection of Spring and Taylor streets in San Jose. Local professional growers will sell specialty plants and provide expert gardening advice. The Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will offer unique tomato and pepper plants for sale. Roses, gourds, topiaries, Japanese maples and fruit trees, garden art, books and birdhouses will also be available for purchase. BFI will be giving away a bag of compost to each visitor on a first-come, first-served basis.
Docent-led tours of the Heritage Rose Garden, the Recycled Water Demonstration Garden and portions of the River Park will be held throughout the day. There will be information and demonstrations on home composting and water-wise gardening techniques. The festival will also include games and activities tailored for children.
For more information, call Phil Cornish of Friends of the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens at 408.277.8845, or visit www.grpg.org.
Seeking volunteers
The Child Abuse Prevention Center is looking for volunteers for one of its Volunteer Case Aide programs, which assists abuse victims and their families in Santa Clara County by providing services requested by county social workers. All volunteers are fingerprinted and screened by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The center is also recruiting Speakers Bureau volunteers to teach child abuse prevention and personal safety to children and adults. Bilingual volunteers are also needed.
A training class for prospective volunteers will be held Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in Belmont. For more information about training and volunteer opportunities or the location of the class, call 650.595.7640 between Monday and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Gala raises $102K for ballet company
On April 6, the Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley Council presented its annual fundraising gala at Santa Clara University's Leavey Center. The "Shake, Rattle & Roll" gala was attended by 320 people and raised more than $102,000 for the ballet company. The event included dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions and a preview performance of Blue Suede Shoes, choreographer Dennis Nahat's dance tribute to Elvis Presley, which ran the following weekend, April 11-14. The guests, as well as the company's 25 dancers, dressed in '50s and '60s-style fashions.
"This was definitely a nostalgic evening and a step back in time. We rocked the night away," said Ballet Council member and event chairperson Susan Swoboda.
The event's master of ceremonies was Jan Hutchins, former Los Gatos mayor, ex-KICU-TV news anchor and now owner of the Yoga Center of Los Gatos.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
