November 14, 2008

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

Nov. 8 - 23
Opera San Jose presents Donizetti’s delightful “The Elixir of Love” at the California Theater. Opera San José continues its 25th-anniversary season with Gaetano Donizetti’s comedy, The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore) presented with a local twist. When an ordinary bottle of wine is touted as a magical love potion, the results are hilarious and heart-warming. Donizetti’s sunny melodies and the lighthearted libretto by Felice Romani (based on Le philtre by Eugène Scribe) have earned The Elixir of Love a reputation as “the happiest of operas.” Opera San José has moved the opera’s hijinks from 19th-century Italy to the Santa Clara Valley—the Valley of Heart’s Delight—in the very early 20th century, back when Lick Observatory was brand-new, blossoms covered the hillsides, and prominent valley families were just starting out in their orchards, ranches, and businesses. The characters’ names also have been expanded to fit the California setting and the valley’s history.In Italian with English Supertitles. Tickets are $69 -$91 purchased from Opera San Jose Box Office, 2149 Paragon Dr., San Jose, or call 437-4450 or visit www.operasj.org.

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. 14 – Jan. 11, 2009
Downtown Ice now open at Downtown San Jose’s Circle of Palms: Ice skate under the stars – and palm trees – in the heart of downtown San Jose’s holiday activities.  Beginning its 13th season, Downtown Ice has become a much-anticipated holiday tradition and , joining Christmas in the Park and San Jose’s Annual Holiday Parade. The stunning rink, produced by the San Jose Downtown Association, attracts more than 40,000 skaters and countless spectators. Weather permitting, general hours are 5 to 10 p.m. weeknights and noon to midnight on weekends and during winter break. Admission is $13 for 12 yrs and younger, $15 for 13 yrs and older. Prices include skate rental and unlimited ice time. Downtown Ice is located at the Circle of Palms on South Market Street at San Fernando Street across from Plaza de Cesar Chavez. For more information and special holiday hours, visit www.sjdowntown. com or call 279-1775, ext. 4. Rink phone: 291-0525.

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. 23
Come and give thanks: Thanksgiving is specially celebrated this year as three Christian congregations co-sponsor a community Thanksgiving Service at 10.30 a.m., followed by a potluck luncheon. All are invited to share in this Thanksgiving event as Grace Lutheran, Evergreen Presbyterian and Great Commission Baptist Churches come together to lead a worship service with special choir music, messages and a surprise for children to fit the day and season. A potluck luncheon follows, and those attending are asked to bring a dish to share as a sign of God’s bountiful care. Persons may call Grace Church at 274 1200 to advise what they are bringing or come to surprise! The Joint Thanksgiving Worship service and Luncheon location is at Grace Church of Evergreen, 2650 Aborn Road (at Kettmann).

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.

Dec. 6
The Almaden Valley Counseling Service Auxiliary invites families to celebrate the beginning of the Holiday Season with a Breakfast with Santa. This much anticipated family friendly annual fundraising event will be held at the Almaden Golf and Country Club and feature a delicious Breakfast Buffet and Pancake Station, individual pictures taken with Santa, and a raffle featuring a fully decorated Christmas Tree with gifts for giving! Funds raised will help to provide counseling services to low-income children, teens, parents and families. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for Children (ages 2-10), and $10 for Children under 2 (if you need a high chair or want to have a picture with Santa and other goodies). This event always sells out so make you reservation as soon as possible by downloading a form at www.avcounseling.org (under Fundraising Events), or call 997-0200. All proceeds will benefit the Almaden Valley Counseling Service.

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. 22
Annual Winter Craft Faire: The seasonal search for unique arts & crafts ends at the Grace of Evergreen Annual Craft Fair. This annual event is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Church, 2650 Aborn Road (at Kettmann). Scores of Artisans and crafters will be on hand to display and sell their unique seasonal wares including jewelry, Christmas decorations, and that spectacular one of a kind item for a special person. Seasonal baked goods are also available for sale. Boy Scout Troop 264 will be selling items to support their troop, and lunch can be purchased for a nominal fee. For further details, call Grace Church of Evergreen at 274 1200.

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.

Nov. 29
San José’s 231st Birthday at the Peralta Adobe: The Peralta Adobe near San Pedro Square is the perfect setting to throw a birthday party.  The 231st anniversary of the 1777 founding of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and the public is invited to this free event by the families of the original descendants to join their family reunion, birthday party and food drive. Sponsors of the event are History San José, Los Californianos, Los Fundadores, Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, San Jose State Library and special thanks goes to Bijan Bakery in downtown San José.  For more information visit: www.solideas.com/SanJoseBirthday/index.html. The Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House will be open for docent-led tours from noon to 5 p.m. on Nov. 29 only.  Otherwise tours are by appointment; admission is free. Please bring a canned good or packaged food for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties.

Nov. 29
St. Francis of Assisi Christmas Boutique: As you make your Christmas list, please remember to save the date for our Annual Christmas Boutique. Located at 5111 San Felipe Road with convenient parking, you are invited to enjoy a visit to the parish gift and book store and the selected Christmas Boutique ornaments, advent wreaths, one of a kind gifts, hand made nativity sets along with the many children books and gifts. Enjoy a cup of coffee and tour the beautiful Memorial Garden. The boutique will be open Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.. For more information , call 223-1562 or visit www.stfrancisofassisi.com

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.