January 8, 2008

CALENDAR

Unless otherwise noted all phone numbers are in the 408 area code.

DANCE

Nov. 20 - 23
Ballet San Jose opens the 2008-2009 season with the lost August Bournonville ballet, “The Toreador,” reconstructed and staged by Flemming Flindt.  This romantic comedy tells the tale of a dashing bullfighter, a young peasant girl and a beautiful French ballerina caught in a lover’s triangle.  This delightful ballet has a humorous touch and is appropriate for the whole family. Four performances only, at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets are from $25-$85.   

Call 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org. for more information. Group Discounts are also available by calling 288-2820 x204

CHILDREN & FAMILY

Nov. 15
Fammatre’s 5th Annual Holiday Boutique: Held at the school campus, 2800 New Jersey in San Jose, event hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our boutique will feature many unique gift items including hand-crafted jewelry, candy, ceramics, totebags, candle making for the children and much, much more. If you are interested in joining the fun, applications may be picked in the school office, or email your request to remmuh@sbcglobal.net or call Laura Miles at 559-6254.

Nov. 18
Santana Row’s 7th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony “Light Up the Row:” Santana Row kicks off the holiday season with its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, hosted by NBC 11’s Brent Cannon and Laura Garcia-Cannon. This South Bay tradition takes place from 7-7:30 p.m. on the Celebration Stage on Olin Avenue and will include the lighting of more than 500,000 twinkling lights adorning the entire neighborhood as well as a magnificent 40-foot Christmas tree in Park Valencia. In addition to music and dance performances, San Jose native Katee Shean, a recent finalist on season four of “So You Think You Can Dance,” will make a special appearance. Additional festivities include live music and dance performances and holiday activities for children of all ages as well as food and beverage sampling from 6:30 – 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.santanarow.com

Nov. 28 – Dec. 28
San Francisco’s legendary Sir Francis Drake Hotel will host Zanzibar Fairytale Puppet Theater’s Cinderella: Created by Theodore Dawson’s Zanzibar Fairytale Puppet Theater, this enchanting puppet show debuts at the Sir Francis Drake’s Empire Ballroom this holiday season.  Designed to delight the entire family, the story unfolds upon a magical Christmas Eve and sets a new standard for puppet shows with beautifully costumed and wonderfully crafted puppets, exquisite scenery, entrancing lighting, a lush musical score and a dazzling indoor snowfall. Guests will also delight in a Viennese buffet made up of a fantastic array of cakes, cookies, tarts and hot chocolate, along with other delicious holiday confections.  Opening Night follows the Union Square tree lighting. Sir Francis Drake is located at 450 Powell Street, San Francisco. Admission is $65 per person, which includes the show, buffet and hot chocolate. Call (415)433-1235 to reserve tickets, or visit www.zanzibarpuppets.com for reservations and show times.

Nov. 28 – Dec. 31
Santa Clara County Parks Department presents its annual “Fantasy of Lights” event at Vasona Lake Park. Celebrating its 10th year Anniversary, this bay area tradition will feature new displays – including an erupting volcano – prizes, a drawing, and coupons on the website. Go to www.Parkhere.org for more information and directions. Hours are 6 – 10 p.m. nightly; admission is $10 through Dec. 10, $15 from Dec. 11 – Dec. 31. Vasona Lake Park is located at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos.

CLASSES

Nov. 15
Learn how to have Healthy Soil for Healthy Plants at Metropolitan Adult Education Program’s World Garden Workshop, at the Erikson Adult Center located at 4849 Pearl Ave in San Jose. Master Gardener Laura Moncynski will teach gardeners of all skill levels how to re-energize their soil for the next growing season. Moncynski specializes in growing organic edibles in her garden and will share tips with gardeners about organic soil amendments, compost, working with local clay soils and more! Healthy gardens start with healthy soil. This free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. To register, call 723-6450 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and ask to have your name added to the November World Garden Workshop list, or email your name and phone number to ritab@metroed.net. Sign-up early, space is limited.

VOLUNTEERS

Join us in the Willow Glen High School HOSTS Program and Help One Student to Succeed. Volunteer one hour per week at the high school and tutor a student in English/reading/writing. For information on how to get involved please contact Debbie at wghsvolunteer@sbcglobal.net or 266-1351.

Do you enjoy working with children?  Do you enjoy art?  Let’s Look at Art, an innovative museum program in which trained art docents bring an education field trip into the classroom, is currently seeking volunteers.  The times and dates of school visits are flexible.  No art experience is necessary.  Training will be provided, beginning Jan. 6, 2009.
Come join this group of community-minded people who enjoy sharing the joy and fascination of art with students.   For more information, please call 291-5393 or e-mail vol4LLAA@sjmusart.org. 

Santa Clara County Open Space Authority is looking for people that are interested in trail patrol for hikers, bikers and equestrians. On Oct. 29 from 7- 9 p.m. we will be holding an informational meeting, and on Nov. 8 from 12 - 5p.m. we will be holding a volunteer trail patrol workshop. Please contact dneumann@openspaceauthority.org for more information.

MISCELLANEOUS

Nov. 1
AIM Holiday Boutique Fundraiser: Browse through the wonderful products offered by some of your favorite Party Plan vendors, along with unique handcrafted items, and then pamper yourself with a soothing chair massage. Boutique Hoursa re 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the AIM Center, 3960 Twilight Drive in the Cambrian School District Administration Offices next to Houge Park. The Atypical Infant Motivation (AIM) program is a private, nonprofit program that provides much needed early intervention services to infants and toddlers with special needs. For more information, call 559-1400.

Nov. 7 - 9
Oak Grove Eagles Class of 1988 Reunion Weekend: 11/7 Homecoming game 7p.m. at Oak Grove High School;  11/8 Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge 6 -10 p.m.  til closing, location is 99 E San Fernando St in downtown San Jose. 11/9 Sunday Brunch, location TBA. For more info www.oakgrove88.homestead.com

Nov. 25
At this month’s meeting, the Civil War Round Table of the South Bay will hear a presentation by Jean Libby, editor and publisher of a history of the John Brown family in California. Jean will show a photo chronology of John Brown from 1847 to 1859, this being the 150th anniversary of the famous Harper’s Ferry raid in October 1859.  Discussion begins by 7:15 p.m., so, listen for free to this unusual presentation on an important anniversary.  Come earlier if you plan to order dinner at Holder’s Country Inn, 998 South De Anza Blvd. (cross street Highway 85).  Talk about history and receive our newsletter before deciding to join our round table.  Contact Bill Noyes at 374-1541 for more information.

Ongoing
Open Mic at Monsieur Beans of Willow Glen! Stand up performers, musicians, comedians or poets of any kind are welcome. Every 4th Friday of the month, sign ups for performers start at 7 p.m., gigs begin at 8p.m. Local Fun! 1383 Lincoln Ave. 95125. Call 297-9077 for more information. Sound systems are provided by the house.
New Mom Support Group: Wednesdays, from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at Baby Buzz Cafe, 1314 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose. For more information, please contact group facilitator Cheryl at mamamiacher@yahoo.com

The Willow Glen Chapter of Society Dog announces weekly walks. These free walks happen every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. We meet at the Public Parking Lot across from the Willow Glen Elementary School (near Minnesota and Lincoln) and walks are followed by “Yappy Hour” at a dog-friendly restaurant. Everyone is invited, but you must sign up as a member (Basic Membership is Free) and agree to the terms of participation. Feel free to contact us at the Yelp Line: 671-3417 or helpdog@societydog.com

FIFTY PLUS

AARP Willow Glen - Chapter 5193: Meetings are held every fourth Monday of the month, 1 – 3 p.m. There will be speakers on senior issues and refreshments are served. Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. For more information, call 448-6400.

We are seeking calendar items pertaining to the South Bay communities we cover in our seven monthly community newspapers: Blossom Valley, Cambrian, Campbell, Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Willow Glen, and our weekly publication, Almaden Times Weekly. Items must be submitted by e-mail or fax several weeks before the event. Send an email to candy@timesmediainc.com or fax to Candy Richter at 494-7078. Photos should be sent digitally as jpegs or mailed to Calendar, Times Newspapers, 1310 Tully Rd., Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122. Due to the large volume of items received calendar requests left on voice mail cannot be used. Space is limited.