November 17, 2006

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

November 18 – December 3
Opera San José continues its 2006–07 season with the best loved Italian comic opera of all time, Gioachino Rossini’s madcap The Barber of Seville (Il barbiere di Siviglia). Eight performances are scheduled at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street in downtown San José. This comic masterpiece, brimming with effervescent music and never-ending wit, Set in seventeenth-century Spain, the opera displays the antics of a love-struck count, the resourcefulness of a very clever young woman, the exasperation of her insufferable guardian, and the machinations of Figaro, the very charming and clever barber of Seville. In Italian with English Supertitles, Tickets are $65 – 85. For tickets and additional information, call the Box Office at 437-4450 or visit www.operasj.org

DANCE

November 16 - 19
Ballet San Jose presents the quintessential romantic ballet, “Giselle,” at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. With music by Adolphe Adam and choreography by Dennis Nahat (after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot), Giselle was first performed over 150 years ago in Paris. Giselle is the tale of betrayal, bravery, and the power of young love. Tickets: $25 - $78. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.balletsanjose.org

CHILDREN/FAMILY

October 21 – January 15, 2007
The new exhibit, “Dragons and Fairies: Exploring Viet Nam through Folktales,” opens at the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose. “Dragons and Fairies” is designed to educate children ages 5-12 about the rich cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people. It provides an opportunity to explore the lives and traditions of people living in modern and ancient Viet Nam. The Children’s Discover Museum is located at 180 Woz Way, in downtown San Jose, at the intersection of Woz Way and Auzerais Street. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday: 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sunday: noon-5 p.m. Member’s only hour is Sunday 11 a.m. – noon.

November 16 – 19
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose is proud to present Disney’s “The Jungle Book” performing at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose. Directed by first-time CMT director Karen Altree Piemme and choreographed by CMT Alum Lauren Ivie, this Disney classic brings all your favorite characters and songs to life in Disney’s stage adaptation of its familiar animated hit. Audiences of all ages will be swinging through the jungle as they follow Baloo, Mowgli, King Louie and the gang through their many harrowing adventures. This musical adaptation promises grand production numbers danced to favorite Disney tunes including “The Bare Necessities,” and “I Wan’na Be Like You”! Tickets are now on sale to the public for $16 adults, $13 children 12 and under. Special Target® Family Matinee performance Saturday, November 18 at 12 noon, all tickets $7.25. To purchase tickets, visit the CMTSJ web site at www.cmtsj.org or call 408-288-5437.

November 17 – January 15, 2007
Ice skate under the stars – and palm trees – in the heart of downtown San Jose’s holiday activities.  Beginning its 11th season, Downtown Ice has become a holiday tradition and one of the best skating experiences in the West.  The stunning rink, produced by the San Jose Downtown Association, is recognized as a San Jose holiday icon. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (subject to weather conditions) weeknights and noon to midnight on weekends and Dec. 17-31. Admission is 12 years and younger: $12, General $14. Prices include skate rentals and unlimited ice time. For more information, visit www.sjdowntown. com. Rink direct phone line is 291-0525.

November 24 – 26
Harvest Festival at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center: Come shop for handmade items crafted by American artists, enjoy great entertainment, and sample specialty foods-A fun filled, exciting three day event for the entire family. For more information, call 415-447-3205 or www.harvestfestival.com

November 24 – December 23
Bonfante Gardens Holiday Lights™ opens for a third season at California’s only horticultural theme park with two new additions – a festive “Home for the Holidays” parade and special appearances by Snoopy from Knott’s Merry Farm! For an extended 18 select evenings through December 23, Bonfante Gardens will sparkle with millions of dazzling lights, an all-you-can-eat holiday feast, ice skating under the stars at Gilroy’s only ice skating venue, holiday themed rides and visits with Santa. New in 2006, guests will be treated to a spectacular, all-new “Home for the Holidays” parade at 8:30 p.m. nightly.

December 3 – Sunday
The Mrs. Claus' Breakfast Nook: Guests will join Mrs. Claus at an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and visit with Snoopy(tm), Curious George®, the Storm Troopers and other parade characters and special guests that will be in attendance. After the breakfast, guests will enjoy the 25th Anniversary of the San Jose Holiday Parade live from exclusive bleacher seats. The Mrs. Claus' Breakfast Nook is presented by California Waste Solutions. The cost is $10 for children (12 and under) $15 for adults (13 and over) Admission includes the special breakfast, premiere parade bleacher seating, and special event memorabilia. All proceeds will benefit the San Jose Holiday Parade.  In addition, guests are invited to bring a new unwrapped toy to drop off to the United States Marine Corp's Toys for Tots Program as you enter the nook. For more information or to purchase your exclusive tickets, please call (408) 793-4170 or visit www.sanjoseholidayparade.com.

FIFTY PLUS

Ongoing
The Evergreen Community Center, 4860 San Felipe Road in San Jose offers a variety of classes and special monthly events, as well as a Senior Nutrition Program. The Nutrition Program serves a delicious and well-balanced meal to seniors 60 and over every Monday – Friday at noon. The suggested donation is $2 per person. To make reservations at least one day in advance, but not more than two weeks in advance, call 270-1244. For more information of the Evergreen Community Center programs, call 270-2220.

AARP Information Center needs volunteers to staff their office. Duties include helping seniors find various services and programs, and providing information on senior needs. The office is located at 840 Willow Street, Suite 300, at the corner of Bird and Willow Streets on bus route #25. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 278-1855.

VOLUNTEERS

November 17 – December 11
“Gifts for Teens” needs gifts to fill holiday baskets and sport bags for 1000 needy San Jose teenagers.  Items needed include:  cosmetics, jewelry, games, sport bags, gift cards, apparel, candy, or money to purchase these items.  Gifts will be distributed through Sacred Heart Community Service (a non-denominational non-profit agency) and through the Bill Wilson Center.  Donations should be brought to the AAUW office at 1165 Minnesota Avenue in San Jose between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. “Gifts for Teens” is a volunteer program sponsored by the American Association of University Women, AAUW - San Jose and community volunteers. “Gifts for Teens” also needs help assembling the gifts Monday through Saturday, December 11 to December 16. If you have items to donate or can help assemble the gifts, contact Elaine Benoit at (408) 268-9654 or (408) 294-2430 or e-mail at ebenoit@pacbell.net

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is actively recruiting volunteers who are interested in fostering dogs or puppies. Canine foster parents provide short and long-term care for dogs or puppies who are either fearful of being in a shelter environment, too young to be adopted or need time to heal from an injury or illness. For more information visit www.hssv.org and click on adoption and then foster care or call 408-727-3383 ext. 834.

MISCELLANEOUS

November 19 – Sunday
How to Handle Grief in the Holiday Season. This is a free seminar for those who have lost a loved one, whether recently or in the past, and will be held at the Almaden Community Center, 6455 Camden Avenue from 2 - 5 p.m. The speakers will be Carol Johnson MFT, Director of Bereavement Services at Hospice of the Valley and Dr. Justin Dennison. There will be talks on 'The Journey of Grief' and 'Grief in the Holiday Season', plus a remembrance ceremony. Refreshments will be served. For reservations or further information, call (408) 997-7884 or contact nmaccrae@aol.com

November 23 – Thursday
Registration is open for the Second Annual “Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot – Run or Walk for Health, Hope and a Home,” scheduled for 9 a.m. The race includes a 5K run or walk and a 10K run, with awards three-deep in all age group categories. In addition, there are several “races within the race,” including the “SAP CEO/Celebrity Charity Challenge,” the “KB Home Quickest Cop/ Fastest Firefighter Competition,” the EMC2 “Fittest Firm Competition” for the companies turning out the most employees. To register in any division, simply go to the Silicon Valley Leadership Group web site at www.svlg.net and click on the Turkey Trot icon on the home page, or visit active.com. Registration prior to November 22 is $30, with race day registration at $35.

December 2 – Saturday
The Villages Swing Band will be entertaining with a holiday dance at the Villages Auditorium from 7:30-10 p.m.. "Silver and Gold" is the evenings theme and semi-formal dress is requested. The cost is $8 per person. Visitors will be given admittance at the security gate for the dance.

December 2 – Saturday
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center will be holding a same-sex Winter Ballroom Dance and Social at 7 p.m. Several social dances such as waltzes, swings, tangos and salsas will be featured at this semi-formal California-classy event. Before the event, two dance classes will teach the Nightclub Two-Step and the Salsa to all attendees. Additionally, quick and easy line dances will be taught throughout the evening. Admission is priced on a sliding scale from $5 to $15 for DeFrank Center members, and $15 for non-members. Please contact (408) 293-3040 x117 for more information or visit http://www.defrank.org/events/2006_12_02_ballroom-dance.html

December 2- 3 & 9 – 10
The Guglielmo family announces their 18th annual Holiday Gift Faire — taking place at the family winery in Morgan Hill, 1480 East Main Avenue, Morgan Hill. Choose from dozens of professionally designed Holiday gift baskets - or be creative and put together your own unique basket from the large selection of tempting delights available. Our talented buying team promises many new and exciting gift ideas debuting this year. Many of the gifts can be shipped directly from the winery – saving you valuable Holiday shopping time! Event hours for all four days are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 779-2145 or visit www.guglielmowinery.com.

Ongoing
Eastside Neighborhood Center of Catholic Charities, 2150 Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose offers a variety of activities and services on an ongoing basis. These include Bingo, Free legal assistance for seniors, Dancing, and Immigration Consultation. Call 251-0215 fro more information and schedules.

Humane Society Silicon Valley Companion Animal Loss Support Group Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Humane Society Silicon Valley, 2530 Lafayette St., Santa Clara. Facilitator: Adam Dorsay, M.A. For more information, call 450-1800 or visit: www.hssv.org and click on Services and then Pet Loss. Meetings are free and open to the public.

The Hearing Loss Association of Silicon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at the Moose Lodge, 1580 Hamilton Avenue in San Jose. Meetings begin at 12:30 p.m. Our mission is to improve the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, support and advocacy. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 229-1041 or visit www.hearingloss.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.