Local Notebook

Our City Forest holds training course

San Jose-based Our City Forest is holding tree planting classes for individuals interested in learning more about trees and possibly becoming volunteer "tree amigos."

The community-based nonprofit helps neighborhoods throughout the Silicon Valley to plant trees and improve the urban forest, project coordinator Christian Bonner said. The nonprofit also has contracts with the cities of San Jose and Campbell, he said.

"We enable people to plant trees and use that as a tool to bring people together, to get people in the community involved," Bonner said. "We rely heavily on our tree amigos to be our eyes and ears out there."

To become a tree amigo, one must attend all six three-hour classes beginning Oct. 2, on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, but classes can also be taken individually. The curriculum will include planting techniques, species identification, basic tree care and how to help organize a community planting. The classes are at the nonprofit's offices, 595 Park Ave., Suite 100. For more information, call 408.998.7337.

Living History Day set

A consortium of business and neighborhood associations and other organizations are hosting the seventh annual Living History Day on The Alameda on Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a children's parade at 11:30 a.m.

The street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Hanchett and Hester avenues from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow for the celebration of old San Jose and the original route that connected the Pueblo de San Jose and Mission Santa Clara.

Children are invited to participate in the parade riding decorated bicycles, tricycles and skateboards, said event spokeswoman Chris Di Salvo. The event will include performances by the Children's Musical Theater, a Mexican folkloric group and salsa band Mystique. It will also include San Jose History Museum staff dressed in period costumes, vintage cars, food and crafts.

Parking is available in lots behind Andy's Pet Store, 1280 The Alameda, Di Salvo said.

River Park holds Scarecrow Contest

The Guadalupe River Park and Gardens is inviting everyone to enter the Scarecrow Contest at its sixth annual Pumpkins in the Park event at the Arena Green, adjacent to the Compaq Center, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free event, which is also sponsored by Mervyn's, will include children's activities, live music, environmental education, apple tasting and food.

Scarecrow entries should be made ahead of time and will be judged by the public with prizes for the winners. Individuals and groups can enter, and the contest is free. For more information, call Phil Cornish at 408.277.8845, or visit www.grpg.org on the web.

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