November 16, 2007

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

Nov. 18
Trillium Harp Trio to perform at Foothill Presbyterian Church, 5301 McKee Road. Trillium is lever harpers Patrice Haan, Diana Rowan and Maureen Brennan. The program will feature “Celtic Spirit: Early and Traditional Music for Winter and the Changing of the Seasons” and also include Celtic dance tunes and music by Dowland (including Lachrymae). The cost is a suggested donation of $10. For more information, visit www.FoothillPC.org

Dec. 7 – 8
Santa Clara Chorale performs “Comfort and Joy” concert featuring works by Benjamin Britten. Mission Santa Clara will host the Santa Clara Chorale’s annual holiday concert performance, “Comfort and Joy,” featuring all of the Christmas favorites to welcome the holiday season. A special performance of composer Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of the Carols” will also be featured, along with solos from members of the Chorale, brass music, the audience harp, and the organ. Tickets for this event are $5 to $25. For further information about this, and other performances of the season, call 369-1289 or visit www.scc.org.

Dec. 7 – 9
Bethel Church of San Jose, 1201 South Winchester Blvd. presents the Christmas spectacular “The Light of Christmas.” This is a full stage musical production and multimedia presentation featuring Voices of Bethel (a 100+ voice choir), the Bethel Orchestra, Kingdom Kids Choir and audience participation. Admission is free. For more information and show times, visit www.bethel.org.

Dec. 8
Symphony Silicon Valley will paint Pictures At An Exhibition, conducted by Guillermo Figueroa, play Fandango and works by Faure and Saint-Saens. The featured solo artist is cellist Gary Hoffman. Performances will be at the California Theater on Dec 8, at 8 p.m., and on Dec. 9, at 2:30 p.m. For more information or tickets, call 286-2600 or visit www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

THEATER

Nov. 14 – Dec. 23
San Jose Stage Company presents the Tony-nominated comedy, “A Tuna Christmas” It’s the night before Christmas in Tuna, the third-smallest town in Texas. In this sequel to “Greater Tuna”, presented by San Jose Stage Company to sold-out houses last season, the beloved citizens of Tuna are trying to cope with seasonal traumas such as a disaster-prone little theatre production of “A Christmas Carol” and a yard-decorating contest that’s being sabotaged by a mysterious Christmas phantom. Directed by Randall King, “A Tuna Christmas” features Kevin Blackton and Tim Hendrixson. Tickets are $20 - $45 and may be ordered by calling 283-7142 or online at www.sanjosestage.com.

Nov. 24 – Dec. 23
For its holiday feature, the San Jose Rep will present “This Wonderful Life”, a visually stunning stage adaptation of the 1946 Frank Capra classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. In this theatrical twist, San Jose Rep’s associate director Kirsten Brandt directs actor Dan Hiatt, who plays all 35 characters in a one-man tour de force. Tickets are $15-$59 and can be purchased by calling 367-7255. Or visit www.SJRep.com. Student tickets are 50 percent off the regular ticket price. Student ID is required. Run time is approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Nov. 15 - 19
Santana Row’s “Light Up The Row” Annual Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival: Santana Row celebrates its fifth anniversary with a favorite holiday tradition – the annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday festival. Kick off the holiday season with live holiday entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides and a special appearance by Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA, not to mention the lighting of more than 500,000 twinkling lights adorning the neighborhood! Festivities take place throughout Santana Row from 6:30-9 p.m., with live music, choirs, carolers, hot chocolate sampling and activities for children and families. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on 11/15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Park Valencia, on Olin Avenue between Santana Row and Winchester Blvd. For more information, call 551-4611 or www.santanarow.com

Nov. 16 – Jan. 13, 2008
Ice skate under the stars – and palm trees – in the heart of downtown San Jose. Beginning its 12th season, Downtown Ice has become a holiday tradition and one of the best skating experiences in the western United States. The stunning rink, produced by the San Jose Downtown Association, will attract 40,000 skaters and countless thousands more spectators. The rink will be open daily (subject to weather conditions) from Nov. 16 – Jan. 13, 2008. For additional information including hours of operation and special holiday hours, visit www.sjdowntown.com or call SJDA’s event line: 279-1775, ext. 44. The rink phone is 291-0525. Admission: 12-younger: $12; 13-older: $14. Price includes skate rentals and unlimited ice time

Nov. 23 – Dec. 23
Visit the Gift Market at Winter Wonderland in downtown San José. New this holiday season is the arts-and-crafts and international dessert Gift Market in downtown San José’s Winter Wonderland on the Paseo de San Antonio, next to the Fairmont Hotel. This venue will offer visitors hand-made and imported gifts as well as demonstrations by the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) and samples from Schurra’s Chocolates. Winter Wonderland also features the giant Ferris wheel, traditional merry-go-round and other amusements, all in the newly-located Park Avenue area, between Market Street and Almaden Boulevard. Check the website for specific hours of rides, gift market and refreshments:  www.winterwonderlandsj.com or call 408-286-1313.

Nov. 23 – Dec. 31
Celebrate the season with a visit to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department’s 9th Annual Fantasy of Lights. Vasona Lake County Park will once again be transformed into a fantasy of thousands of colorful twinkling lights and many animated displays. The event is open nightly, including holidays, from 6 to 10 pm through New Year’s Eve. Visitors can enjoy the holiday spectacle from the comfort of their vehicle as they drive through the holiday lights and spectacular displays. Admission is $12 but holiday revelers on a budget can visit Fantasy of Lights Monday - Thursday only, Nov. 26 - Dec, 13, 2007, and receive the “Early Bird” admission price of only $10 and receive two pairs of free 3-D glasses and a gift bag with valuable coupons from local vendors, while supplies last. While there will be no additional discount for bringing a canned food item benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank this year, visitors are encouraged to do so to help ensure a happy holiday season for all. Visit www.parkhere.org and click on “Fantasy of Lights” for general information.

Dec. 1
Annual Heritage Holiday Event at History Park celebrates past and present: Shopping, entertainment, an animal show, activities for all ages, and a visit from Santa will highlight the annual Heritage Holiday event, hosted by History San José and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. Admission is $3 per person, or $10 for a family of four. This event features handcrafted holiday gifts, international foods, rides and demonstrations. Those with collectibles should bring them along, as Steve Yvaska, local antiques specialist, will discuss their value. Event hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit historysanjose.org or call 408-287-2291.

Dec. 7
Nature’s Gift Workshop: With the giving season just around the corner why not create an artistic masterpiece for someone special using materials supplied by nature? Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for an afternoon of creativity at the Nature’s Gifts workshop, designed for ages 5 – 10 years. Learn how to make a natural card and how to gift wrap your creation using recycled materials. Workshop location is 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. To register, call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to learn more. Pre-registration is required and parents need not be present for the workshop. Fees are $10/members, $15/non-members.

Ongoing
Eastridge Barnes and Noble offers a variety of story time activities for children and families to enjoy each week: On Mondays at 10:30 a.m. is “Toddler Time” for children 3 years and under. Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. is “Jamarama” pajama story time for all ages. Thursdays at 11 a.m. welcomes parents and children aged 3 – 5 years for “Preschool story time,” and every Saturday at 12:30 p.m. is a story time for the entire family. For more information, call our store at 270-9470.

The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles announced the new schedule of topics for its popular free multicultural arts program for elementary school children. “Kids Create,” aimed at children ages 5 to 11, explores different cultural traditions through stories and hands-on art projects. “Kids Create” is free to children; accompanying adults pay museum admission. The program runs from 2:00-3:00pm the first Sunday of each month. Reservations are required. For more information call 408-971-0323 x14 or visit www.sjquiltmuseum.org/events. The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles is located at 520 South First Street in downtown San Jose.

CLASSES

Dec. 8
Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens for our annual holiday wreath adult workshop from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Made with natural materials, our wreaths are a beautiful and aromatic decoration. Join Master Gardener Milli Wright as we use greenery to create a personal gift for your home. No experience necessary and all materials will be provided to assemble your wreath. If you have lights, ornaments, or other specialty objects you would like to incorporate, please bring them along. Workshop location is 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. Fees are $15/members, $20 non-members. Pre-registration required by calling 298-7657.

VOLUNTEERS

Crafters Who Care meets the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at the Evergreen Community Center from 10-12 p.m. We are a group of ladies who use our crocheting, knitting, or sewing talents to make blankets for Project Linus and other charities. For more information, contact Erma Linn at ermadlinn@msn.com or 274-7517.

Ongoing
Kaiser Permanente San Jose is seeking volunteers. For as little as four hours a week you can make a difference in someone's life, as well as your own. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and take pride in knowing you are providing a community service. Gain retail and business experience volunteering in our newly remodeled Keepsake Gift Shop. We also have positions in the hospital or medical offices. We offer day, evening and weekend opportunities for those 18 and over. For more information go to our website at www.kpsanjose.org or call Teri at 972-7409.

MISCELLANEOUS

Nov. 6 – Dec. 24
Start your Christmas shopping early and purchase heirloom quality, handmade lace covered Christmas ornaments. Vintage as well as contemporary handmade lace is used to cover these special, one-of-a-kind ornaments. Ornaments come in many sizes and range from $5 to over $50. All proceeds from this annual sale go towards the maintenance of the Lace Museum. Lace Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is located at 552 South Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale with free parking.

Dec. 8
Art Through Women's Eyes' 2nd Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Americana Ballroom, 707 Continental Circle in Mountain View. This event features works of arts and crafts from 15 South Bay artists including works in Acrylics, Glass, Ceramics, Jewelry, Oil, Photography, and Watercolor. Meet the artists in person, enjoy a truly unique exhibit, and purchase original pieces of art.  There will be raffles for donated art work and professional services all to benefit the Children's Shelter. On sale will also be holiday ornaments made by children, and the money raised from the sales will be donated to the Children's Shelter in San Jose.

Ongoing
12-Step Christian Program - Celebrate Recovery! Program held every Monday night at 7 p.m. at Generations Foursquare Church, 133 Bernal Road in San Jose. For more information, call 504-7687 or visit celebraterecovery@generationsfoursquare.org

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.