Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive! August 8 – San Jose

Click here for MORE Pictures from 2009 Event

Saturday August 8 from noon to 5pm    Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!” San Jose – History Park

“Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!” is the theme for the third annual Day of Remembrance, hosted by History San José and Digital Clubhouse Network and presented by Brookdale Senior  Living.  On Saturday, August 8 from noon to 5 p.m. History Park at Kelley Park will again set the stage for an afternoon commemorating the end of World War II as well as honoring the legacy of America’s ‘greatest generation.’

“Veterans are invited to join us to record their personal stories and history,” said Robert Corpus, National Youth Director of the Digital Clubhouse Network, Silicon Valley and Stories-of-Service.  “This is a day for families to share memories that had historic impact.”

Edith Shain, the nurse from the famous “VJ Day at Times Square” photograph which became the touchstone for the end of the WWII, will again be a special guest.

Music from the 1940’s provided by the big band sounds of The Swing Solutions and the Singing Blue Stars from the USS Hornet. World War II living historians, World War II Research & Preservation Society, will set up a bivouac camp and share what daily life was like for the soldiers. They will create a field hospital, as well as other living history wartime vignettes.  Also, the 1924 “Birney” Trolley will be available for rides, and there will be a victory parade at 1 p.m.

“Hearing the personal stories, and talking with the people who experienced historic events, is what makes this a special day,” said Melissa Johnson, Curator of Interactive Media at History San José. “A Day of Remembrance is a wonderful way to celebrate the people that served aboard and at home during World War II.

As part of the effort to preserve the legacy of World War II’s veterans, young people across America  are invited to help local seniors in their communities submit written testimonials, photos, audio and video to the stories-of-service.com website.  This effort will be launced on August 14, 2009 in New York City’s Times Square, with a re-enactment of the famous “V-J Day Kiss” photo, featureing Edith Shain and Hollywood legend Tony Curtis. This effort will continue through August, 2010, culminating in the 65th Anniversary of the end of the War.  For more information visit spiritof45.org

Day of Remembrance is the perfect backdrop for the exhibit Home Front, inside the Pacific Hotel at History Park.  Home Front portrays life during World War II in Santa Clara Valley and how it influenced every part of life at home.  The exhibit will depict the stories, artifacts and ephemera of an era when the comics were as important as the news, and victory gardens were as significant as ration books.

Personal reflections of “The Day the War Ended” will be emceed by Janice Edwards, local broadcast celebrity. Community members are invited to share their memories and feelings of the day World War II ended

Youth from the Digital Clubhouse Network will be screening the documentries they have made in the Pacific Hotel and collecting information from visitors for future Stories of Service projects.

A Day of Remembrance and Reflection is for families and people of all ages.  Admission is free. City parking is $6 and Kelley Park is on VTA route 73.  History Park is located at 1650 Senter Road, between Keyes and Phelan, at Kelley Park. Gates to History Park open at noon.

This year’s Day of Remembrance is presented by Brookdale Senior Living, Also sponsoring are Digital Clubhouse Network, History San José, U-Haul and Southwest Airlines.

# # #

About History San José:

History San José (HSJ) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the continuing history of the Santa Clara Valley.  HSJ manages one of the largest and most comprehensive regional history collections in the State of California, from 1784 Spanish governmental records to twenty-first century Silicon Valley technology.

History Park at Kelley Park, located at 1650 Senter Road, is a 14-acre park featuring a town atmosphere, with free rides on historic trolleys, exhibit galleries and 27 historic buildings, including a Museum Store and O’Brien’s Café, with an ice cream parlor and candy store.   History Park is open Tuesday through Sunday, 12 noon – 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.

History San José 1650 Senter Road     San José, CA  95112       408.287.2290

www.historysanjose.org

About the Digital Clubhouse Network:

The Digital Clubhouse Network (www.digiclub.org) is a nonprofit organization that was created as a a result of a 1996 NASA research project to develop innovative ways of using technology to build community.  Its programs have received international recognition, including three Smithsonian medals and extensive media coverage.  STORIES-of-SERVICE is a national initiative that seeks to mobilize communities across America to preserve the memory of their local unsung heroes.

www.stories-of-service.org

About Brookdale Senior Living:

Atrium San Jose is a Brookdale Senior Living community. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The company owns and operates independent living, assisted living, dementia care, skilled nursing and continuing care retirement centers. In all, Brookdale operates 550 communities in 35 states with a capacity to serve approximately 52,000 residents, as well as operating a dedicated rehabilitation and therapy group serving its communities and residents nationwide. Brookdale is committed to providing exceptional living experiences within properties that are purpose-built, designed and operated to help residents live well while achieving an Optimum Life®. Brookdale Senior Living communities provide a daily experience of programs, services and care that are unique as a result of the collective talents and inspiration of the residents, their families, and its associates – demonstrating Brookdale’s promise of “Our People Make the Difference.” Brookdale is a publicly-traded company (NYSE: BKD). For more information, visit http://www.brookdaleliving.com. The Atrium San Jose is located at 1009 Blossom River Way in San Jose, Calif. For more information, call 408-445-7770 or visit http://www.theatrium-sanjose.com

Gatsby Picnic on Evening News

Love me some Mike Rowe and Gatsby Picnic!

In the News: Art Deco Preservation Ball

My picture made its way to the Diablo Magazine. I attended the Art Deco Society of California Preservation Ball at the Paramount in Oakland.

A night of glitz and glam, from the Art Deco days of old.

I am the one in the black and gold dress.

Jive Dance Contest

I recently did a JIVE dance contest with a VERY young man since my dance partner stood me up…we got to the second round!

Happy St. Patties

So I went down to the local pub and there was this amazing woman who had to be like 75 years in age – dressed to the nines and very classic. Than there was a younger guy dressed like Seattle grunge, flannel, beanie and — had a great voice signing along and playing air guitar to the music and we watched him for a bit and he noticed than asked the great classic woman out in the middle of the bar floor and danced with her. It was surreal — it was great like a Kodak moment but no one had a camera. A life affirmation of how age/ n youth don’t matter as long as you are just having fun.

Note to self, have more fun — never to old or young to have more fun. Suck the marrow out of life while you got it.

Dancing

I really love a good night of dancing. I usually go alone, and it allows me to spend more time on the dance floor getting into the music. It is nice though that there are people out there who make a distinct effort in talking to me – since they see that I am alone and are curious. I met a lovely girl this evening she was curious about me and was very charming. Another person approached me on the sidelines of the dance floor when I was sitting with her and they complimented my “release” – I wasn't sure exactly what they meant so I asked and they said it was they way I moved. That made me really smile. I said that is exactly what it is for me and thank you. What a great description of my dancing – I will have to hold on to that. Dancing is a great release for me and I am glad I have places to go with music that allows me to release. I do wish though that I could find more outlets to dance perhaps performing with a troupe but I have never been sure where to get started. Either way I am sure I will be dancing as long as my body allows for it. To bad I did not have these moves when I was a kid – I could have become a cheerleader or something like that- NAH! that would have cramped my freestyle.