October 31, 2008

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

Nov. 2
The Silicon Valley Brass Band, under the direction of Tony Clements, will present its inaugural concert at 3 p.m. at Mission College, 3000 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, in the Hospitality-Management Building, near Parking Lot C. Suggested donation is $10. SVBB is a 30-piece brass and percussion ensemble formed in the tradition of a brass band, which has a very unique, rich sound. The group is made up of talented volunteer musicians from all over the Bay Area and is associated with Mission College in Santa Clara. We hope to see you at our first concert. For more information go to www.siliconvalleybrass.com or call 439-6143.

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. 8
Join Dance Theater International and San Jose Youth Ballet for a special Nutcracker Party from 1 – 3 p.m. at Evergreen Village Square at Aborn Road in San Jose. Attractions include the Sugar Plum Fairy and other Nutcracker characters, Tiara and Wand crafts, Special appearances by guest dancers, Balloons, Gingerbread Cookies and Community Holiday Booths. Admission is free and the public is invited.

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

Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens: Volunteers Welcomed! The Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens provides several volunteer opportunities to get you involved in the beauty of the Park & Gardens. Meet new people and contribute to a great local project. Looking for a great team building experience? We can accommodate large groups! Individual and group volunteer opportunities are also available at the Historic Orchard, Guadalupe River Trails, Native Plant Landscapes, and the Drought Tolerant Garden. For more information, visit our website www.grpg.org or contact Volunteer Coordinator Lucy Perez at lperez@grpg.org or 298-7657.
Hospice Volunteers Needed: Rewarding volunteer opportunities are available in patient and family services, grief support, fundraising, community outreach, office and administrative support with Hospice of the Valley. Hospice of the Valley provides quality end-of-life care services and programs for adults and children facing life-limiting illness. Volunteer training begins October/November 2008. The next one-day orientation is on Nov. 12. For volunteer information, and for a pre-interview, contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 408.559.5600, email request@hospicevalley.org or visit hospicevalley.org

MISCELLANEOUS

Nov. 5
The Silicon Valley Model A Restorers Club is a newly formed non-profit organization with their first meeting taking place at the Sonoma Chicken Coop, 5925 Almaden Expressway at 7 p.m. Visit our website to find out more about our new club. www.SVMARC.COM

Nov. 6
AAUW San Jose Branch Open House: Held from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at AAUW House, 1165 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose; Buffet Supper (free) - 6 p.m.; Program - 6:30 p.m. Hear about the social action projects of the San Jose Branch of AAUW, including Public Policy, Sports Equity, Court Watch and Neighbors Helping Neighbors. AAUW San Jose has more than 25 interest groups and community action projects, as well as informative monthly meetings. Additional open houses will be held Jan. 24 and April 3. For more information contact Linda Goldberg at 353-1916 or at rich-linda@verizon.net.

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. 8
The Junior League of San Jose is sponsoring the First Annual Silicon Valley Trivia Challenge from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at The Tech Museum of Innovation, 201 S. Market Street, San Jose. Funds raised will directly benefit projects and programs that support the League’s Community Program: helping children enter elementary school ready to learn and thrive. For more information on how to participate or attend, visit www.jlsj.org/trivia.

Nov. 8
Community Blood Drive at St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis of Assisi will be hosting a blood drive with the Stanford Blood Center from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the gathering space. Please contact Linda Yap at 270-5057 or LindaYap@msn.com to make an appointment. General requirements to be a donor are that you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, not have traveled in a malaria country within the last 12 months, and be in general good health.

Nov. 8 – 9
The 15th Annual Santa Teresa High School Holiday Boutique, sponsored by Santa Teresa Organization of Parents and Staff (STOPS) is scheduled from 10am – 5pm both days in the STHS gym. This free event will feature handcrafted items, seasonal decorations, jewelry, holiday gifts and much more! Santa will be there for pictures with the children and there will be a Kids Craft Area for the little ones. Proceeds from this event benefit campus student groups and the Program Grants that benefit classroom activities. For more information, contact Helen Blain, Boutique Chair at blainfam@pacbell.net.  

Nov. 14 – 15
2nd Annual ZNA NorCal Nishikigoi Fish Show: Clarion Hotel, 1355 North 4th Street, San Jose, beginning at 9 a.m. This show features many high quality koi and is open to the public. Admission is free. For more information about this event, including show packets, schedules, judges, vendors, sponsors, and hotel information, Show chair, Donald Dang at cartoonzz@yahoo.com or 390-1938, President, Larry Gill at gelldu@sbcglobal.net or (510) 352-7168, or visit http://www.ZnaNorCal.org

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
Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroup: Las Madres is a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing ways for families with children ages 5 years old and younger to network and receive parenting support and education. Run entirely by volunteers, we warmly welcome mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and nannies to join. Playgroups arranged by children’s birth year and we currently have active playgroups for babies, toddlers and preschoolers born from 2003 through 2008. Most playgroups meet one or more times a week. Any person who supports Las Madres’ non-profit educational mission may join. Members start with a support-group only membership for $30 and may add playgroup(s) for $20. To join, go to www.lasmadres.org or call 1-877-LAS MADRES. There is a 30-day trial membership.

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.
Southside Boutique - Beautiful handmade items for sale, lovingly crafted by talented local artists.  Open 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday thru Friday, located at the Southside Community Center, 5585 Cottle Road between Poughkeepsie Road and Blossom Hill Road.  For more information, call 629-3336 or visit www.southsideseniorcenter.com .
The Evergreen Chapter of Society Dog announces weekly walks: These free walks happen every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. We will do a different walk each week, so check the Society Dog website for weekly details. The walk is followed by “Yappy Hour” at a dog friendly restaurant. Everyone is invited, but you must sign up as a member (Basic Membership is free) & agree to the terms of participation. One dog per person unless otherwise permitted by the Alphadog, alphadog@societydog.com.

Get listed!

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.