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 Committee on Local Arrangements |
| - Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 - |
Special Events Moderator’s Reception The Moderator’s Reception will be held at the new San Jose City Hall. The reception will be held in the Rotunda and outdoor Plaza on Sunday, June 22, 2008. The City Hall is a perfect location to host this reception planned for a beautiful Sunday afternoon following the worship service at San Jose State University. Designed by renowned architect Richard Meier the City Hall is symbolic of San Jose’s place as the Capitol of Silicon Valley. Good food, entertainment and a chance to meet the newly elected Moderator as well as your fellow Assembly attendees will be the order of the day.
Tours
The Committee on Local Arrangements has worked to arrange tours that are accessible to as many attendees as possible. Most of the tour sites are accessible by those who use wheelchairs or scooters. Wheelchair accessible transportation will be utilized for those tours where a participant specifies this requirement when purchasing advance tickets. Please read the tour descriptions carefully for information on the amount and type of walking involved, the number of stops, etc. Unless otherwise specified, all facilities on these tours are wheelchair accessible.
1. Monday, June 23, 2008 (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) Monterey and Steinbeck’s World. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, lunch at First Presbyterian Church, the Japanese El Estero Presbyterian Church. See the amazing Monterey Bay Aquarium featuring 200 galleries and exhibits devoted to the habitat of Monterey Bay, including a three-story living kelp forest, great white shark exhibit, and the popular playful freshwater otters. There are 35,000 animals & plants, representing over 550 species. The aquarium was begun by a group of marine biologists including Nancy Burnett, daughter of Tech pioneer David Packard. It has been directed by another Packard daughter, Julie, from its beginning. You will explore world-renowned Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck. Lunch with members of First Presbyterian Church, Monterey, founded August 5, 1883, and hear stories of the Japanese El Estero Presbyterian Church, begun as a Presbyterian mission to Japanese fishermen in 1908. Miss Margaret White, who taught English to the Japanese children, was a member of First Presbyterian, and instrumental in starting the El Estero. Hear how the Japanese churches survived even though closed completely during World War II internment. This tour is wheelchair accessible. There will be bus transportation between sites. Walking is limited to touring the exhibits in the aquarium. Travel by bus, 3 hours round trip.
Fee: $60.00 per person 2. Monday, June 23, 2008 (10:00 a.m. – Noon) Walk to San Jose’s One-of-a-Kind Martin Luther King, Jr. Library San Jose is the first city in the United States to combine its public library with that of a university in a cooperating institution. You will see specialty exhibits: The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies is the only institution in North America devoted solely to the composer’s life, works and accomplishments, and has the largest collection of materials outside of Europe, including a lock of the composer’s hair. The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies is the country’s preeminent archive, housing over 40,000 items and publishing a twice-yearly Steinbeck Review as well as hosting forums and other programs. View contemporary art, including 3 sculptures by African American artist Edmonia Lewis from around 1870, and 33 works by contemporary artist Mel Chin. Docent led walk, approximately 6 to 7 blocks each way. During the walk, you may read the poetry of Mexican writer Ernesto Galarza embedded in a sidewalk and a monumental table. All areas of this tour are wheelchair accessible. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection. No cost 3. Monday, June 23, 2008 (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Walk into San Jose City History: Downtown Historical Buildings Walk into history and visit the restored Peralta Adobe, the oldest (1797) address in San Jose, showcasing the city’s Spanish and Mexican roots. Early settlers in San Jose built houses and the first municipal courthouse and jail of adobe (sun dried brick and straw). Later builders had access to lumber and could build more elaborate structures of which the Fallon House (1855) is an example. Located in historic San Pedro Square, both houses help you relive periods in San Jose’s past. Docent led walk, approximately 6 to 7 blocks each way, through San Jose’s restaurant district. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection. Only the upstairs rooms of the Fallon House are not accessible by wheelchair. Fee: $6.00 per person 4. Monday, June 23, 2008 (1:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Hike through Earthquake Country The San Andreas Fault is only one of many earthquake faults running through the Bay Area, but is one of the worlds longest and most active. It is famous for the ’06 San Francisco, and the ’89 Loma Prieta quakes. Docents will guide an exploration of the 264-acre Los Trancos Open Space Preserve which is split by the San Andreas Fault. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains north of San Jose, Los Trancos has rolling grassland knolls alternating with oak woodland and shaded forest. On a clear day one can see the skyscrapers of San Francisco and 4000-foot Mt. Diablo across the bay. Evidence of earthquake plate tectonics is a fence line that moved three feet north in the 1906 quake. The trail is about 1 ½ miles long and climbs about 300 feet. Wear layered clothing, sun hat and shoes for hiking. Pit toilet available. This tour is not wheelchair accessible or a tour for anyone with any type of physical disability or limitation. Travel time by bus, 2 hours round trip.
Fee: $28.00 per person 5. Tuesday, June 24, 2008, (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Interfaith Exploration San Jose has a rich tradition of immigration which, over time, has built a city of great diversity. Out of a large number of religious traditions, you will explore three which most Presbyterians are unlikely to encounter: The Sikh House of Worship or Gurdwara, is the House of God where the Guru dwells (the Guru is the Divine Master, the Enlightener, the Teacher) and is built particularly for congregational worship. The spectacular building stands on 40 acres in the East foothills of San Jose. An invitation to sample their foods is part of the tour. The Muslim Community Association Mosque and School represents a diverse Muslim community made up of over 40 nationalities, the majority of whom are from Pakistan, India and the Middle East. It functions as a community center as well as a place of worship and is located in Santa Clara. Lunch will be served by community members. San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, is located in Japantown just north of downtown San Jose. Founded in 1902, the church’s primary focus is on following the path to enlightenment by preserving the Three Treasures of the faith: Dharma (the teachings), Sangha (the people), and Buddha (the Enlightened One). If time allows, you may walk through Japan Town and its unique stores. Travel by bus with approximately one hour at each stop. Variable travel times between destinations. Fee: $20.00 per person 6. Tuesday, June 24, 2008, (9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) Cameron House, San Francisco Chinatown Started by Presbyterians as the Occidental Mission Home for Girls in 1874, Cameron House began by rescuing young Asian women from virtual slavery in domestic service or prostitution. You will see the tunnel where young women were hidden. Donaldina Cameron was just 25 years old when she began her missionary work, and served for forty years. From those beginnings the House has evolved to a comprehensive family service organization serving low income, Asian immigrants and families in the Chinatown area. The tour will include a visit and lunch in the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown, the oldest Chinese Presbyterian Church in North America. There will be information from the San Francisco Presbytery Cameron House Partnership Task Force on Healing Workshops on sexual abuse. Afterward, as time permits, you may visit a fortune cookie factory, the cable car barn or Chinatown shops. This trip is wheel chair accessible but a caution as to maneuverability due to crowds and traffic in the Chinatown area. Travel by bus, approximately 2 hours round trip. Fee: $33.00 per person 7. Tuesday, June 24, 2008, (2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Reliving the “Valley of Heart’s Delight,” Santa Clara Valley in 1890 – 1920. History Park San Jose is a living museum, with 27 original and replica homes, businesses and landmarks illustrating the Santa Clara Valley’s agricultural past. The 14- acre site includes paved streets, running trolleys, O’Brien’s café (savories and sweets for sale), and an old print shop with working presses, a blacksmith’s, a stable, a trolley barn, a doctor’s office and more. A museum store offers historical books, regional gifts and children’s toys. A short walk leads to a traditional Japanese garden complete with Koi pond, which is directly adjacent to the History Park. Location is about 3 miles from downtown San Jose; travel by bus, approximately 45 minutes round trip. Docent led walking tour of exhibits. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection.Areas of the Japanese Garden are not wheelchair accessible.
Fee: $22.00 per person 8. Wednesday, June 25, 2008, (8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Steinbeck’s Eden--Salinas: the Steinbeck Museum and Agriculture Museum; lunch at First Presbyterian Church John Steinbeck was born and lived in the Salinas Valley, and much of his work is drawn from and immortalizes both his birthplace and nearby Monterey. At the Steinbeck Center and Rabobank Agriculture Museum, you experience a journey through the world of John Steinbeck’s writing. Seven themed theaters showcase works including East of Eden, Cannery Row, The Grapes of Wrath and more. The Rabobank Agriculture Museum shares the stories of the Salinas valley “from field to fork.” Lunch at the First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1869 as a United Presbyterian Church, and today the Presbytery’s largest congregation (over 2000 members), and with a contemporary ministry center opened in 2004. Visit will include a tour of the First Presbyerian Church Facilities. Share conversation about Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian, begun as a ministry to Japanese farm workers in 1913. Their story includes the time of internment during World War II when a former pastor of Salinas First kept in contact with the congregation in exile. Travel by bus, approximately 2 hours round trip. Fee: $47.00 per person 9. Wednesday, June 25, 2008, (8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) How Green Is My Valley? Tour of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens; visit to the pioneering “Green” Foothill Presbyterian Church. Lunch at Foothill Church.
The Guadalupe River Park is a two mile ribbon of green running through downtown San Jose to the San Francisco Bay. Trails, extensive public gardens, and public art enhance a flood control project for the city core which also protects much of the natural habitat for endangered fish (you may also see egrets, kingfishers and herons). High points include a “one of a kind” children’s carousel with five “animals” created specifically for San Jose, a 4 ½-acre heritage and modern Rose Garden, a 3.3-acre Historic Orchard and a demonstration Recycled Water Garden. Paths lead to a plaza high-lighting the Ohlone Indians indigenous to the Santa Clara Valley, and a commemoration of five Olympic ice skaters from the San Jose area. Foothill Presbyterian Church is the first “business” in San Jose, to “go green.” Participants will learn how that is accomplished, and see the evidence in the building and grounds. Lunch will include locally grown produce. Travel by bus to selected points; walking from point to point. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection. This tour is not advised for people who have trouble walking long distances. Fee: $30.00 per person 10. Wednesday, June 25, 2008, (1:00 to 5:30 p.m.) Coming Home: Creative Solutions in Extremely Low Income Housing for the Homeless www.pnteh.org Visit two amazing solutions to providing extremely low income housing for the unhoused: the Opportunity Center in Palo Alto and San Antonio Place in Mountain View which both offer housing available on a sliding scale to previously unhoused people. Besides housing, residents receive case management and a variety of other services. Both housing developments were inspired by church groups wanting housing for their poorest neighbors. Tour led by guides involved in these projects; see how similar housing could be built in your community. Sponsored by the Presbyterian Network to End Homelessness. Travel by bus approximately 2 hours total time. Fee: $25.00 per person 11. Wednesday, June 25, 2008, (1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Santa Cruz Mountain Winery Tour and Tasting: Byington Winery In contrast to the hustle of Silicon Valley, the Byington Winery is located within the quiet beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Originally conceived as a family residence, the building welcomes visitors to traditional elegance. The winery was established in 1987 by entrepreneur Bill Byington, and the family is still actively involved in day to day operations. A 45-minute tour includes the vineyard, the production facility and the wine cave. A selection of Byington’s current releases will be available for tasting. (Participant age minimum is 21.) Driving time approximately one and a half hours; wheelchair accessible. Wear layered clothing—the wine cave will be cool. Fee: $25.00 per person 12. Wednesday, June 25, 2008, (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Walk into San Jose City History: Downtown Historical Buildings (Repeat of Monday afternoon experience) Walk into history and visit the restored Peralta Adobe, the oldest (1797), address in San Jose showcasing the city’s Spanish and Mexican roots. Early settlers in San Jose built houses and the first municipal courthouse and jail of adobe (sun dried brick and straw). Later builders had access to lumber and could build more elaborate structures of which the Fallon House (1855) is an example. Located in historic San Pedro Square, both houses help you relive periods in San Jose’s past. Docent led walk, approximately 6 to 7 blocks each way, through San Jose’s restaurant district. Wear comfortable shoes, sun protection. Wheelchair accessible except for the second floor of the Fallon House. Fee: $6.00 per person 13. Thursday, June 26, 2008, (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) San Juan Bautista Mission and State Historical Park. Lunch at First Presbyterian Church, Hollister, and visit to Emmaus House, Women’s Shelter, a mission project of First Presbyterian. Explore mission San Juan Bautista, fifteenth of the 21 Spanish missions established in California along the El Camino Real, by Father Junipero Serra and his successor. The mission dates to 1797, and the cornerstone of the present church was laid in June 1803, with dedication of the building in June 1812. Even though it is built on the San Andreas Fault, it survived large earthquakes of 1812, 1906 and 1989. A Park Ranger will lead a tour of the only original Spanish Plaza remaining in California. You will be on your own seeing the Mission. (Movie buffs may remember this as the sight of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.) Lunch will be served at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollister (established 1873). Tour participants will hear the remarkable story of the Emmaus House shelter, which came about through the energy and determination of Hollister pastor David Rodriguez and members of his church. Opened in 2006, the Shelter is the first and only sanctuary in all of San Benito County for women and children victims of domestic violence. Travel by bus, approximately 2 hours total time. Wear shoes suitable for uneven walking surfaces, sun protection. There are portions of the San Juan Mission and the State Historical Park areas that are not wheelchair accessible or for individuals with walking limitations. Fee: $45.00 14. Thursday, June 26, 2008, (8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Stanford University: Rodin, Calder and Miró in a sculpture garden—the Cantor Arts Center. Peacemaking at the Stanford University Center on Conflict and Negotiation. Move into the out of doors at Stanford University for a tour of the Cantor collection of Rodin Bronzes, the largest in the world outside Paris. A docent led tour will guide participants to these and other sculptures by such artists as Alexander Calder, Claes Oldenburg or Joan Miró. Included in the tour are fanciful wood and stone sculptures of animals, people and magical characters in the Papua New Guinea Sculpture garden. Meet Presbyterian pastor, the Rev. Byron Bland, Associate Director of the Center on Conflict and Negotiation. A former Stanford campus minister, Byron has been involved in peace negotiations in Northern Ireland; he will lead a discussion of peacemaking efforts. Visit Stanford Memorial Chapel, the architectural centerpiece of the Stanford “quad.” Memorial Chapel was built by Jane Lathrop Stanford in memory of her husband, Leland Stanford, Sr. The façade is decorated with over 20,000 shades of color in mosaic tiles, and the ornate interior features intricate stonework and redwood ceilings. Travel by bus, approximately 1 ½ hours. Walking shoes and sun protection advised. Fee: $27.00 per person 15. Thursday, June 26, 2008, (1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Tour and Tasting: Guglielmo Family Winery.
The tour includes the facility, an overview of the wine-making process and tasting of six wines. (Participant age minimum is 21.) Travel by bus, approximately one hour total. Comfortable shoes advised. All areas of this tour are wheelchair accessible except the wine cellar. Fee: $23.00 per person ALL TRAVEL TIMES MAY VARY DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
BUSES LEAVE PROMPTLY AT STATED TIMES; LOADING BEGINS ONE HALF HOUR BEFORE DEPARTURE. |
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Copyright by the Committee on Local Arrangements |
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