Easter Sunday arrives on April 8 this year. Remember to order special bunny-themed cakes, Easter flower baskets and springtime balloon bouquets early to avoid last minute disappointments. In the Sunnyvale area, the Rose Cart flower shop on Hollenbeck Road is offering free local Easter week deliveries on their sale-priced roses, balloon bundles and seasonal gift basket displays. Contact Rose Cart for details: (800) 408-7673.

Easter 2012 Is Held During National Humor Month

Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club is located in Sunnyvale at: 157 West Camino Real. This awesome location offers on-site adult comedy shows and offsite shows for corporate events, club gatherings or parties. Through the Comics-To-Go program, it is possible to choose the best comedy entertainers for your springtime or Easter celebrations. Call for on-site Rooster T. Feathers club reservations during comedy month. (408) 736-0921.

Easter 2012 Is Held During Lawn and Garden Month

Sunnyvale community gardens are located at 433 Charles Street. Local Sunnyvale residents can register to grow a garden on a designated plot of land that is owned and managed by the City. Organic growing methods are taught and used to ensure the soil stays healthy for years. Community gardens are not available in all locations. Sunnyvale offers garden spaces for adults, youth groups and handicapped gardening enthusiasts. For more information about the Charles Street Gardens, email: efulda@sbcglobal.net .

In San Francisco Bay communities and Silicon Valley, the times — they are a-changin’. Many of the smaller nightclubs and entertainment bars that once offered live bands have cutback on costs through offering hosted DJ spin-shows and mechanical karaoke nights. However, nestled into a hard-to-find Sunnyvale strip mall, The Quarter Note nightclub still offers nightly live music, professional jam sessions and the live semi-pro rock, jazz and blues musicians and bands who are attempting to catch our attention.

About The Sunnyvale Quarter Note Nightclub:

The Silicon Valley Quarter Note jazz club was founded during the mid-1990s in Sunnyvale as a neighborhood entertainment bar. This nightclub offers a roomy dance floor, professional stage lighting and an admirable sound system that leaves nothing to the imagination. As most jazz and blues music connoisseurs understand, the soul-moving live entertainment experience is found within the music and not in the building decor.

Robert, the owner of the Sunnyvale Quarter Note Nightclub, keeps about twelve types of beer on tap, house wines and a variety of sodas for the nightclub patrons who have volunteered to be the designated drivers for their groups. Beyond the beer, wine and mixed drinks, the mid-evening bowls of free popcorn are too tempting to resist. There are pool tables, shuffleboards, common video games and a variety of bar-things on the walls.

An entrance fee or cover charge is enforced on evenings when the Sunnyvale Quarter Note club is crowded; other nights, patrons can enter this live music establishment free and keep costs to a minimum while bands are practicing or offering jam sessions. One night each week, karaoke happens and many of the patrons appear to have trained singing talents. The Quarter Note jazz and blues club might be a small-town musician hangout.

When out-of-town guests are planning to travel to Sunnyvale to experience this smaller live music neighborhood bar, it is always best to call ahead to determine the schedule of events for the evening. The Sunnyvale Quarter Note owner, Robert, can be reached at: robert@quarternote.com or at the on-site club number: (408) 732-2110. Parking occurs in a well-lit strip mall lot near the entrance to the nightclub. Easy handicap access.

February 17, 2012: California Blues Machine

On Friday night, February 17, 2012, starting at 8:00 p.m., the Sunnyvale Quarter Note nightclub will host the California Blues Machine band. This 5-piece band offers well-rounded renderings of popular favorites by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, BB King, Blues Brothers, Muddy Waters and more. California Blues Machine is based out of Campbell, CA and best known as being a blues band with jazz and rockabilly capabilities.

For Sunnyvale residents who cannot attend the February 17, 2012 California Blues Machine show at the Quarter Note, the band will also be playing at this Sunnyvale nightclub on Friday, March 16, 2012. The California Blues Machine band is available to hire for events, parties and weddings in Sunnyvale. If you enjoy the show at the Quarter Note nightclub, this wonderful band can be reached for bookings after their performance.

Visit the Quarter Note Club in Sunnyvale

The Quarter Note live music bar in Sunnyvale is tucked into a strip mall, in a location that does not appear to be in harmony with live music performances. The street address is listed as 1214 Apollo Way and these numbers cannot always be seen easily from the street. The Quarter Note is a Bar & Grill open every day from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.; lunch and dinner foods are available. For all people who have not experienced hearing live music played to a small audience, now is the time before DJ shows are everywhere.

For more information, contact the Quarter Note Bar & Grill at: (408) 732-2110

The Sunnyvale ‘Toys R Us’ building that is located at 130 East El Camino in Sunnyvale, was built over land that was once an active apple ranch during the late 1800s. In our Sunnyvale area, large fruit orchards replaced wheat farming during the decade of the 1870s; by the late 1880s, many nationalities were represented in local farm labor roles. During the 1970s industrial growth period, a single-story, 60,000-square-foot ‘Toys R Us’ building was erected in Sunnyvale on the land that was once the John Murphy ranch.

Our Sunnyvale ‘Toys R Us’ Ghost: Johnny Johnson

When the new ‘Toys R Us’ store opened in Sunnyvale in 1970, strange events were noted quickly by staff members, management and customers. While shopping or working in the store, women with long hair were singled out by an unseen entity that enjoyed touching their hair. At times, men and women both reported hearing strange sounds or their names called softly by an unidentified person. In the 1970s woman’s bathroom, it was a common occurrence for water facets to turn themselves on or off without a showing explanation.

By 1978, local writer Antoinette May became interested in the lengthy collection of abnormal events that were happening at the local toy store. Objects were reported as flying up to 30-feet through the air without warnings, overnight mischief often resulted in merchandise, toys or books scattered over areas that were under lock-and-key, and some employees were feeling nervous about working alone in some sections of the store. The writer May was instrumental in attracting the attentions of famous psychic Sylvia Brown.

While psychic Sylvia Brown is not always viewed in the best light today, during the mid-1970s, she was among the ultimate authorities in paranormal activities. Sylvia Brown, a photographer and support staff spent the night in the Sunnyvale ‘Toys R Us’ store in 1978. Portions of this overnight stay were shown on the 1978 national television show called: That’s Incredible. With cameras rolling, Sylvia Brown claimed to have made contact with the Sunnyvale Toys R Us ghost and that his name was Johnny Johnson.

As the story goes, Johnny Johnson appears as a slim tall man, younger than age 35. His attire is that of a farmhand during the pre-1900 years. According to Sylvia, Johnny claimed in a Swedish accent that he was searching for a gal called Beth; further, that Sylvia Brown had better move if she did not want to get her feet wet. After research, it was discovered that the Sunnyvale ‘Toys R Us’ building was built over the site of the ranch well and that Sylvia Brown was standing in the right location to receive wet feet.

A man named Johnny Johnson once lived in Pennsylvania before coming west during the 1870s, while employed as a country preacher. Johnson was working at the Toys R Us site, the John Murphy ranch, when he died in 1884. Johnny Johnson suffered from the symptoms of encephalitis and this swelling of the brain caused Johnson to act in a manner that earned him the title: Crazy Johnny. Johnny died while chopping wood near the ranch well when his axe slipped and cut into his leg. Days later, the body was found.

Crazy Johnny Johnson held a love for Elizabeth Yuba Murphy Tafee, the ranch owner’s daughter, or “Beth”. Long before Johnson died, Beth had left the ranch to marry another man. While Sylvia Brown claimed to see Johnny Johnson as a young man, Mr. Johnson was thought to be about eighty-years-old at the time of his death on the apple ranch. The crush that Crazy Johnny had on Elizabeth was noted during his first years working as a ranch-hand on the John Murphy apple ranch, on land under the current ‘Toys R Us’ store.

Sunnyvale’s “Crazy Johnny” Ghost Story Today:

While there are glaring discrepancies between the real-life Johnny Johnson story and the details associated with the haunting at the old Sunnyvale ‘Toys R Us’ location, there are also similarities that cannot be ignored. The Sunnyvale “Crazy Johnny” story has been heavily reported in books and on television shows between the late 1970s and today. In Sunnyvale, it is still possible to find many people that claim personal experiences with the local Sunnyvale ‘Toys R Us’ (on East El Camino Road) mischievous ghostly entity.

The ‘Toys R Us’ aisle number 15C is where many people claim to feel nervous and smell the aroma of freshly cut flowers from time-to-time. During past interviews, the ‘Toys R Us’ management claims to be very happy with their ghost that brings increased sales each time that the story is reinvestigated. Amateur Sunnyvale ghost-hunters might enjoy a visit to the old John Mayer apple orchard site where the ghost of Crazy Johnny is perhaps still visiting the large ‘Toys R Us’ Sunnyvale shopping districts, along East El Camino Road.

People of all ages know the story of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer. For adults, Tom Sawyer’s adventures probably bring them back to the time when they first discovered these magical tales, and for kids, that sense of wonder that comes with this timeless story is something that must be experienced.

And now they can, with the California Theatre Company’s production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at the Sunnyvale Theatre. Go back in time to the deep south in 1845, as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn go off on an adventure across Missouri to explore the world and maybe, just maybe become the pirates they’ve always dreamed about.

CTC’s production of The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer runs for two weekends, this Saturday (January 22) and next Saturday (January 29). Both shows start at noon and are appropriate for children over the second grade.

For more information, see our listing or visit the CTC’s website.

“Where do you want to go tonight?” Whether it’s with friends or that special someone, that question seems to come up all too often. Don’t worry, though, Sunnyvale has plenty of bars to offer something for every person and every mood. Here’s an excerpt from our latest article where we cover the best of Sunnyvale bars.

“Whether it’s for a date, happy hour, or a place to watch the big game, Sunnyvale has just about every type of bar for a great night out. Here’s an overview of where to go when you need to get a drink…

The Firehouse Grill and Brewery serves its award-winning beer across a grill menu that caters to every taste. Yes, you can get nachos and sliders, but how about salads and pastas too? Firehouse has large flat-screen TVs all around, so you can watch multiple games at once.

Faultline Brewing Co. is, like Firehouse, another brewery with a grill restaurant. Faultline’s restaurant is a little less casual than Firehouse, so you’ll probably find fewer people their catching the game and more Silicon Valley workers enjoying happy hour after a long day at the office. It’s also a great place to go on a low-key date.”

Read the whole thing right here and start planning your big night out!

If you’ve got high-school aged children, you know the stress that comes with the first half of the school year as anticipation builds towards SATs. SAT tests are given throughout the year, with upcoming test dates in late June, March, May, and June. Revolution Prep is hosting test preparation courses at Sunnyvale’s Fremont High School on Saturday, January 15 with additional sessions being offered on Saturday, January 29.

What can students expect when they come to a Revolution session? Groups average around 15 students per session, so you can be sure that students will get dedicated attention. There are six comprehensive classes to pick from, and the group courses focus on techniques and strategies for both test taking and preparation. (If it’s been a while since you took a standardized test, you may forget that those are two very different things!)

Revolution also offers practice tests to get students familiar with the environment (and intensity) of taking the SAT. If you’ve got a sophomore or junior in college, check out our event calendar for more information on these upcoming test prep courses. And remember, tell your kids that it’s all about short-term pain for long-term gain.

Sure, we all love the holidays – friends, family, fun, and of course, exhaustion. With all of that behind us, what’s the best way to rejuvenate yourself? To answer that, our latest Sunnyvale.com took a look at everything from beauty salons to chiropractors. Here’s an excerpt:

“The holiday decorations are put away, the bills for gifts have been paid (hopefully!), and all of the New Year’s festivities have come to an end. Ready to take a breather? Better yet, how about treating yourself for all of that hard work?

Sunnyvale has it all when it comes to pampering yourself. For the complete day spa experience, check out I Joy Spa on Mary Avenue. I Joy offers everything from massages to microderm abrasion, so you can leave both looking good and feeling good. There are also specialty shops out there, such as Brows R Us Threading Salon for people that want to perfect their eyebrows through the fine art of threading while Art Of Male Waxing caters to male customers. Of course, when it comes to spa services, your experience can only be good if you get a professional that suits your tastes. Check out Sunnyvale.com’s directory and call around; sometimes, you’ll be surprised when you find that perfect fit.”

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the article now for a complete rundown of Sunnyvale’s best professionals to help get you back feeling good and looking good.

The holidays are over and now you’re left with the cold, dark winter. Is that a reason to mope? Of course not! In fact, there’s still plenty to do for kids, teens, and adults in Sunnyvale and beyond. Find out exactly what to do with our latest article. Here’s an excerpt:
“Now that the New Year is upon us — along with a cold and very wet stretch — it’s the dead of winter. What’s there to do in Sunnyvale when you can’t enjoy the parks, tennis courts, and other great outdoor activities? Fear not, even in the dark of winter, you’ll find plenty for people of all ages to enjoy themselves. Let’s see what you can do to stay warm and entertained during the cold month of January.
For kids:
Afterschool just isn’t as fun when you can’t run around the outside. The City of Sunnyvale’s trying to bring some of that spirit indoors with The Extreme Zone, a community-run gathering for kids that features video games, indoor activities, sports, and other fun past times. Looking for something a little more athletic…”
Read the whole article here and keep those winter doldrums away!

The City Of Sunnyvale’s Evening Of Cultural Arts season continues following the holidays with the musical stylings of The Barefoot Nellies. As they put it, it’s an evening of “Texas fiddling, heart-thumping bass, and irresistible banjo” combined with vocal harmonies and a songbook that blends modern, classic, and even a little Led Zeppelin. (No word if anyone will wear a Jimmy Page wig.)
The Barefoot Nellies – or The Bay Area’s Finest All-Gal Bluegrass Band, as they call themselves – are recognized statewide and often perform at bluegrass festivals up and down the California coast. For Sunnyvale’s Evening Of Cultural Arts, they’ll be performing at the Sunnyvale Theatre. Here’s the vital info:
Sunnyvale Theatre, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, CA. 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. All ages. General admission $28; students and seniors $22. Box Office: (408) 733-6611, open Monday-Friday afternoons and two hours before the show.
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind musical experience on January 8! For more information, check out the Barefoot Nellies website at www.barefootnellies.com.

Have the holidays given you the blues? Then go out in style with The Quarter Note’s New Year’s Eve bash. No, it’s not about moping around and feeling bad from all the money you spent on Christmas gifts. Instead, The Quarter Note brings in Archie Lee Hooker, Jr., nephew of blues legend John Lee Hooker and notable musician in his own right. Archie’s played and been played all over the country, and blues aficionados know that Archie carries on his family legacy of soul-stirring blues music.

Also appearing on New Year’s Even will be the Dave Sobel Blues Band, for a full night of blues music. There’s a free champagne toast, party favors, and the customary balloon drop. It’s just $15 in advance (get tickets in advance at The Quarter Note’s website), and The Quarter Note’s famous Mike’s Grill will be open to chow down all night long. Of course, you can also get tickets at the door for $20.

What better way to bring in the new year than with your close friends and fantastic one-of-a-kind music? Archie Lee Hooker, Jr. is a California treasure, having returned to his adopted home of the Bay Area back in late 2005. Since then, Archie’s music has riveted fans all over California, so you don’t want to miss this special New Year’s Eve performance.