All the robotic playthings get lined up for San Jose’s Super Toy and Collectibles Show
Celebrity guests: The Super Toy and Collectibles Show occurs March 4-5 in San Jose. See an overflow of comic books, video games, robots and action figures, plus “Star Wars” memorabilia. Special guests expected at this event include actor David Faustino from the TV series “Married with Children”; stuntman-actor Ernie Reyes Jr.; and Sacramento-born Scott Schwartz, best known for his roles in “The Toy” and “A Christmas Story.” Days and hours will vary for the personalities. The venue is the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. Early-bird admission March 4 is $15 for access from 9 a.m. to 10:59 a.m. Regular hours: 11 a.m.4:30 p.m. March 4; admission, $10. Hours March 5: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; admission, $10. Kids 12 and under get in for $4. Details: 408-809-4457, orwww. time tunnel news. blogspot.com. History lesson: At the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, catch a traveling exhibition “War Comes
Home: The Legacy.” The show, up until April 9, explores powerful themes such as wartime separation and adjusting to civilian life after a war is over. The display is rich with historic letters that span conflicts from the Civil War through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. A group of photos by photographer and author Steven Burchik taken while he was an observer in Vietnam augment the exhibit. Cost: $5 for adults, children $3. You’ll find the museum at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. Details: 925837-3750, or www.museumsrv.org.
Huge Oakland show: The Oakland Museum of California’s White Elephant Sale, Northern California’s largest rummage sale, occurs March 4-5. Inside the enormous warehouse find furniture, lamps, appliances, china, sporting goods, glass, fabrics, silver, paintings, prints, books, jewelry, toys and clothing. A few years ago, I unearthed an English children’s mug, circa 1850, for just $8! The event is at 333 Lancaster St., Oakland. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. No strollers allowed. Details: 510-536-6800, or www.whiteelephantsale.org. Coins, stamps: On Feb. 26 you can buy, sell or trade coins, stamps and jewelry at what is billed as the “Best One Day Coin Show in the Bay Area.” The event, sponsored for 45 years by the Cupertino Coin Club, will feature over 40 vendors. And with the free appraisals, you can learn what your coins are worth. Join the fun at Napredak Hall, 770 Montague Expressway, San Jose. Admission: $2 for adults, free for age 17
and under. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Details: 408-839-1883, or www.cupertinocoinclub.com. Morgan Hill history: On March 11, take a free
walking tour of downtown Morgan Hill. Docents lead the tours and talk about historic buildings. Meet at the Third Street Plaza at 10 a.m. The program lasts two hours, and sensible walking shoes are suggested. Details: 408-779-5755. Dixon days: On March 11-12, I will be in Solano County for the annual Dixon Antiques Show and
Sale, which raises funds for charities supported by Soroptimist International. Plenty of folks from around the Bay Area head to this sale boasting at least 40 vendors. I’m on hand both days from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. to informally assess your belongings. There’s a $5 cost per object. The show is held at the Dixon May Fair, 655 S. First St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 11 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 12. Admission: $6. Details: 530-241-4063, or www.tbcashows.info.
Show promoter: Postcard show promoter and longtime vendor Joseph
Jaynes died at the end of January. The Santa Cruz resident was a fixture at shows with his full beard and hearty laugh. Joseph will be sorely missed by the collecting community.