How You Can Observe Sunday, Sept. 11

The following is a list of local observances of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.

There are solemn ceremonies at parks and festivals. Some are fundraisers, some are barbeques, some are dinner and thoughtful discussion. Some are church or interfaith services, including the National Requiem.

If volunteering is your desire, some communities are participating in National Day of Service as a forward-looking tribute to sacrifice. 

SANTA CLARA COUNTY:

Los Gatos

1-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, the public is invited to a reception commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and honoring the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty at the APJCC, 14855 Oka Rd. Refreshments will be served during the artist's reception on Sept. 11. The events are free. Details: Lisa Ceile at lisacg@svjcc.org, or 408-357-7492.

10 a.m., Don't be alarmed Sunday morning, 9/11, when you hear the sound of multiple police car sirens emanating from the15900 Los Gatos Blvd. According to , about a half dozen patrol units will be joining a national Moment of Remembrance by sounding the sirens for one minute in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

2:15-3:30 p.m., A formal ceremony "honoring the impact" of 9/11 will take place Tuesday, Sept. 13, at West Valley College's Fox Center, room 120, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., in Saratoga, featuring Zahra Billoo, a member of the Council for American Islamic Relations and Karen Wallace, the college chaplain.

Campbell

10 a.m., Blue Star Moms Fundraiser Brunch: Patrons coming to kick off the NFL season at Boswell's for brunch. Proceeds from breakfast go to Blue Star Moms, as does every pint of Blue Moon draft beer sold during the day.

7 p.m. Joint Christian-Muslim Prayers for Peace: The Campbell United Methodist Church will be hosting a dinner and joint Christian and Muslim prayers for peace.  The event will provide an important opportunity for the development of better understanding and mutual respect between the two communities. To reserve a space at the event, please contact Ginny Johnson at ginnyjnsn@aol.com. Location: United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA 95008.

Gilroy:

10 a.m. National Day of Service: Gilroy will host a National Service Day. Those interested in serving on September 11 can find volunteer opportunities at the Gilroy Demonstration Garden and the Gilroy's Farmers Market. Volunteer hours will be between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., lunch provided at the garden.

4-6 p.m.  : A public remembrance ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will be at the Christmas Hill Outdoor Amphitheater. Presenters include members of the Gilroy police and fire departments, and guest speaker Jim Uhey, a chaplain and a natural disaster relief specialist. Christmas Hill Park, 7050 Miller Ave.

Los Altos Hills

6 p.m. : The church, led by Father Samer Youssef, will hold special service and a moment of silence for the victims during the church's . Take shuttle from , where there is parking. The church was rebuilt in 2005 after an arson fire destroyed the original in what was investigated by federal authorities as a hate crime. 

Mountain View

11 a.m. : Starts with a downtown processional beginning at Bryant and Mercy streets on one side, and Mercy and Hope streets on the other, joining at Mercy and Castro streets. The processional of public safety, military and service clubs will move down Castro Street and end at the Civic Center. A lowering of the flag to half-staff, speakers, and moment of silence will be observed.

Palo Alto

9 a.m. 9/11 Memorial Event:  Join the Mayor and City Council at a special 10th anniversary memorial event to recognize those who lost their lives from the terrorist attack. Nearly 2,900 flags placed in the grassy area at the corner of Newell and Embarcadero Roads in front of the will provide the backdrop to this memorial event. There will be a brief ceremony that includes Council members adding the last few flags and music to close out this solemn event. After the ceremony, participants are invited to walk the few blocks to Eleanor Pardee Park and visit the City's 9/11 Memorial site.

1:30 p.m. Stanford National Requiem of Remembrance: A performance of Mozart's Requiem in D Minor at featuring Schola Cantorum, an 80-member chorus based in Mountain View. Part of the National Requiem, this performance will be the second time Schola Cantorum and Stanford's Office for Religious Life have collaborated in a memorial performance of Mozart's Requiem to honor the victims of 9/11.  is free and open to the public.

8 p.m.  Interfaith community gathering with music, prayers and candlelight vigil in Schultz Cultural Arts Hall Watch for details at http://www.sivicouncil.org/. , 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Free.

San Jose

10 a.m. We Remember: 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Memorial Service San Jose Giants - Municipal Stadium. Almaden and Cambrian churches present a faith-based commemoration ceremony. The community is invited to join the service honoring the 3,000 lives lost that day as well as San Jose's police officers, firefighters and residents serving in the military.  A live band will perform patriotic and faith-filled songs. Children are welcome. People are asked to come early. A free lunch follows,  including hot dogs, chips and fresh-squeezed lemonade. is located at 588 E. Alma Ave. For more information, call 408.499.9790. For more information, contact Captain Mary Gutierrez at 408.794.6965 or sjfdpio@sanjoseca.gov.

11:30 a.m. 9/11 Patriot Day: The city's observance begins with mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market St., followed at 12:40 p.m. by a memorial march down Market Street to Fire Station One and the Ringing of the Last Alarm at 1:30 p.m. to remember the first responders who gave their lives to save others. Keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, will discuss reflections on 9-11. Mayor Chuck Reed, Supervisor Dave Cortese, council member San Liccardo, Fire Chief William McDonald, Police Chief Chris Moore and Assembly member Nora Campos will also attend.

Participating agencies include the San Jose fire department, the Santa Clara County sheriff's office, the Santa Clara fire department and the city of Cupertino.

7:30 p.m. Candlelight Vigil and Wreath-Laying Service: for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 will be held at the monument and memory wall inside Oak Hill Memorial Park. This will include a depiction of Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania and a new 24-foot memory wall that will list all the names of those who were killed. 

8 p.m. Into Light: A 9/11 Memorial Concert: in the San Jose State University Music Concert Hall. SJSU President Mohammad Qayoumi will offer opening remarks. The SJSU Air Force ROTC color guard will participate, and there will be a candlelight vigil afterward. 

Santa Clara

5 p.m. From Fear to Friendship: Light the Night for Peace and Friendship: An intimate dinner, program and candlelight vigil with Rev. James Lawson (called "the leading nonviolence theorist in the world" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.), Imam Alaeddin Elbakri, Supervisor Dave Cortese, Imam Faheem Shuaibe, Assemblyman Jim Beall, Imam Tahir Anwar. Sponsored by American Muslim Voice and Silicon Valley Interreligious Council at the Muslim Community Association, 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara

10:00 a.m. 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: Santa Clara Sister Cities Association has partnered with the American Legion, Santa Clara Police and Fire Departments to hold a Remembrance Ceremony, BBQ and Music at the American Legion Post 419, 958 Homestead Rd. Contact Debi Davis at (408) 687-0331.

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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Aptos 

7:30 p.m. Community Candlelight Remembrance of 9/11: People of all denominations are invited to join clergy from several Santa Cruz County churches at the Aptos United Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Dr.Aptos, CA 95003. The evening will include a bell choir, chancel choir, and special messages from people of faith from throughout the community including St. Andrew Presbyterian, Christ Lutheran, Beth El Synagogue. 

Capitola 

12-3 p.m. : One of several stations to commemorate the anniversary and share hopeful visions for a peaceful Santa Cruz county community. Participants can record short messages of gratitude to local first responders. Organizers hope to gather more than 200 peace tiles from "Projects for Peace" stations across the country to assemble a traveling peacetile mural installation to inspire civic engagement and actions to create greater unity and peace. Phone: (831) 427-5070, lead@scvolunteercenter.org; 1501 41st Ave Ste K, Capitola, CA 95010

Santa Cruz

4-6:30 p.m. : One of several stations to commemorate the anniversary and share hopeful visions for a peaceful Santa Cruz county community. Participants can record short messages of gratitude to local first responders. Organizers hope to gather more than 200 peace tiles from "Projects for Peace" stations across the country to assemble a traveling peacetile mural installation to inspire civic engagement and actions to create greater unity and peace. Phone: (831) 427-5070,  lead@scvolunteercenter.org; Memorial Plaza, 1550 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (outside of Jamba Juice) 

Watsonville

12 noon : 
Fire departments, police agencies and other first responders will be honored at in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. A fly-over and a 21-gun salute will take place. John Blauvelt, a survivor who escaped the twin towers that day, will be present at the event. The audience will be invited to the speedway infield to plant small flags at the base of the monument flagpole that will stay for the duration of the fair. The agencies and the Red Cross will have information booths. There's also a country western band and free barbeque. Free. 

12 noon : National Day of Service event at St. Patrick's Church, 721 Main St., to commemorate the anniversary and share hopeful visions for a peaceful Santa Cruz county community. Participants can record short messages of gratitude to local first responders. Organizers hope to gather more than 200 peace tiles from "Projects for Peace" stations across the country to assemble a traveling peacetile mural installation to inspire civic engagement and actions to create greater unity and peace. Phone: (831) 427-5070

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Selected Locations Elsewhere:

San Francisco

2 p.m. 10th Anniversary of 9/11: Opera in the Park: The city's official event with the San Francisco Interfaith Council transforms the annual Opera in the Park to a citywide observance, featuring Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor, as well as works by Christopher Theofanidis, Harold Arlen, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and John Williams. Music Director Nicola Luisotti will conduct. During the Mozart Requiem, meditational texts will be read by representatives of various religious traditions that make up the San Francisco Interfaith Council. Sharon Meadows, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Free.

9 a.m. National Day of Service Events: The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department will have three tribute projects in partnership with Hands On Bay Area. Volunteers will gather at the Veterans War Memorial Building courtyard (near 401 Van Ness Avenue) to honor the memories of the victims of 9/11 and then give tribute to the fallen by serving at community projects. Registration and a light breakfast, followed by a 20-minute program. At 10 a.m. volunteers will disperse to their projects. Project sites include Jefferson Park, Margaret Hayward Playground, and Patricia's Green. For more information, visit www.sfrecpark.org. People must register to take part; registrants receive a free T-shirt.

The Presidio Trust also has a tribute project restoring habitat at a site called Park Scrub at Mountain Lake. Registration, free but required.

Union City: 

1 p.m. : The hour-long ceremony will feature a special Honor Guard, the singing of the national anthem, a 21-gun salute and the reading of the heroes names. It will conclude with the mournful notes of taps. The public is invited to share this simple, yet moving, ceremony to honor the Heroes of Flight 93, experience the elegant power of the memorial’s design and ponder the words, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”