November 19, 2004

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC
November 20 – December 5
Opera San Jose presents Puccini’s “Tosca”at the beautifully renovated California Theater in downtown San Jose. This opera details the tragic tale of the beautiful singer Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi and the manipulative and betraying police chief of Rome, Scarpia. Admission is $20 for preview, $60 and $80. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 437-4450, or visit www.operasj.org.

November 27 – Saturday
Clay Aiken and Orchestra will perform for one night only at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. Admission is $55 - $65 per person. For more information and show times, call 998-TIXS or visit www.apeconcerts.com.
December 11 – Saturday
FYCO presents its 2004 Holiday Concert, held at the California Theater from 3 – 5 p.m. and featuring the internationally renowned artist, Fu King Yuan, performing the leiqin, a unique and rarely performed Chinese string instrument. Admission is $15 - $20 per person. For more information, call 253-5998 or visit www.fyco.org.

THEATER
November 6 – December 4
The West Valley Light Opera Association’s 40th Season will open with “Big River” at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale, on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. with a champagne gala. Weekend performances will continue through December 4. This tony-award winning musical is based on Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn.” This production is directed by Becky W. Brownson. For reservations and additional information, call 268-3777 or visit www.wvlo.org.

December 11 – Saturday
“Please…Divorce Me Darling,” based on the Oscar-nominated film, “Cactus Flower,” this play features a bachelor dentist (Rejesh Khattar) with a sure-fire gimmick to stay single – by telling his many girlfriends he’s married with three children. His plan backfires when he falls in love with a moral woman (Vandana Sajnani) who demands to the wife and children. The dentist turns to his nurse (Rati Agnihotri) to play the role of wife and it is she who blossoms like the cactus flower the moment she steps out of her starched uniform. Performance time is 8 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. Admission is $25 per person. For more information, call 938-8668 or visit www.indiapost.com

MEETINGS
Ongoing:
The Billy De Frank Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 938 The Alameda n San Jose, hosts a weekly “Coming Out Group” which offers a safe space to explore different subjects. Topics include how to come out to yourself, and how to comfortably live and work as a gay or lesbian in the larger community. All groups are run by trained facilitators in a closed door meeting room. This group meets every Wednesday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 293-3040 or visit www.defrank.org.
Las Madres Adoption Group is a wonderful support system for those who have gone through the adoption process and are looking to share the joys and challenges of parenting an adopted child. We have regular play dates for newborns-5 years old and monthly “mom’s night out”. For more information, contact Barb Griswold at barbgris@aol.com or call toll free 1-877-LasMadres.
Oakridge Century Theatres in association with Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroups presents CineMamas! A morning out to the movies for moms and their little ones. This group meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m., There are three showings to choose from, baby-safe sound levels, cheerios at the concession stand and a relaxing atmosphere with other moms who understand kids are kids! Check CineMamas.com for a weekly update on what is showing. Kids under 3 are free!
Le Tip International, a business leads networking group meets every Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant, 1140 Hillsdale Aveue. For more information, call 298-9131.

CLASSES
Ongoing
The New Almaden Community Center will be hosting a weekly yoga class on Mon/Wed/Fri. at 6 a.m. and on Tues/Thurs. at 7 a.m. Attendees should bring their own yoga mats, however, there are a limited number of pads available. For more information, contact Tara at 997-9383. Class fees are $6 each or $24 per week. Classes are appropriate for both beginner and intermediate levels.
ACE Tennis Academy offers tennis instruction for boys and girls ages 7-17, from beginner to tournament level players. Classes are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information and registration, phone 650-302-4250 or e-mail acetennis@sbcglobal.net.
South Bay Deutscher Schulverein, a Saturday German Language School, offers German language instructions at their new location at the Willow Glen Educational Park, Middle School Section, 2001 Cottle Avenue. The school offers pre-school/kindergarten through adult courses on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – noon. For more information visit www.sbds.org or call 266-5100. Please note that no information is available during weekdays at the school location.

HEALTH
Ongoing:
Bay Area Alzheimer’s Association now includes meetings at Kaiser Santa Teresa. Meetings are held in the San Jose Kaiser Family Health Center, Conference Room C, 3rd Floor, located at 276 International Circle. For more information call 800-660-1993

FIFTY PLUS
December 11 – Saturday
Older Woman’s League (OWL) will host a Holiday Pot-Luck and Croning Celebration to honor women of age, wisdom and power from 9:30 a.m., to noon. This event will be held at Cypress Gardens, 3555 Judro in San Jose. The pot-luck is co-sponsored by the National Organization for Women and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. All are welcome. Call 292-1172 or 294-1073 for more information.

Ongoing:
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over still has openings in the following classes: Computer Fundamentals, e-mail A-Z, Managing Your Files, Photoshop Elements, CD Burning, Word Processing 1, Windows XP, Computer Security and Finding Things and People on the Web. To enroll in any of the course openings, contact Don House at 268-1703.
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.
The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

CHILDREN/FAMILY EVENTS
November 17 – December 15
Campbell’s historic Ainsley House, 300 Grant Street in downtown Campbell, presents its popular Holiday Tea and Tour series, featuring a silver-service afternoon tea served with finger sandwiches, savories and sweets, followed by a 45-minute docent-led tour of the 1925 English Tudor revival Ainsley house. This years’ theme, “Glittering Gold and Silver Holiday” will be an inspirational “treasure” of decorating ideas. Teas are at 2 p.m. followed by the tour. The program is a $25 donation per person on weekends, $20 per person during the weekday. For reservations, call 370-0888.

November 20 – 21
Holy Family Educational Center, 4850 Pearl, will be hosting their annual Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. This event will feature over 50 vendors, Gingerbread House Decorating, crafts for children, and raffles. Fro more information, call 978-1355.

November 25 – December 31
The 6th Annual Fantasy of Lights extravaganza will once again delight visitors at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. This drive-through tour features over 30 light displays. This evening event will be held from 6 – 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.fantasyoflights.com or call 355-2201.

November 26 – Friday
Company members from American Ice Theatre will perform “Maria’s Dream” in celebration of Ballet San Jose’s “The Nutcracker.” The performance is part of the Downtown Ice Grand Opening at the new location for the outdoor ice rink in the Circle of Palms next to the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Jose. This is a free event. For more information, visit www.americanicetheatre.org

December 3 – 12
Children’s Musical Theater presents the West Coast Premiere of A Christmas Carol, at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $13 for children under 12. A special Family Matinee show will be on Saturday, December 4 at noon. For this show only all seats are only $9.50 per person. For more information, call 288-5437 x310, or visit www.cmtsj.org

December 4 - Saturday
Shop for Jewelry and Benefit Kids in Need: Make this holiday special for your little someone and a child in need with an Anne T. Pott bauble. Come to an exclusive viewing party at 5715 Poppy Hills from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that will showcase handcrafted children’s jewelry by a San Francisco designer. All proceeds from this party will fund the purchase of Christmas gifts for children from homeless and very-low-income families in San Jose via the Sunday Friends Foundation Reserve your place today by visiting SpecialXmas2004@yahoo.com. For more information, contact Motoko Nicol at 650-490-0721

December 4 – 5
San Jose Youth Ballet will be presenting Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker to audiences at the Evergreen Valley Theatre in San Jose. This production features talented pre-professional dancers ages 7-18 in a charming and family- oriented production of the Nutcracker Ballet. This production is choreographed by Maggie Ferla and Xavier Ferla, co-directors of Dance Theatre International. Tickets for the performance range in price from $18.00 to $25.00 with discounts available for children, senior, and groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets call 274-7734. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

December 10 – Saturday
The Evergreen Valley Community College Pilipino United Resource Organization presents a Christmas Holiday Fiesta Pilipino Style. Join us for a dinner with lots of food, singing, dance performances, a fashion show, and games for children and adults! Entertainment includes Thrillium, Pamela Serrano, Adrenaline and Random Effects. Event hours are 5 – 10 p.m. at Gullo Student Center, Evergreen Valley College 3095 Yerba Buena. Children are free!

December 10 – 12
Bethel Church of San Jose, 1201 South Winchester Blvd, in San Jose presents “Christmas Spectacular: The Sounds of Christmas.” This holiday event will feature a 100-voice choir and full orchestral accompaniment, with seating for 2000. Both matinee and evening performances are available. For tickets and additional information, visit www.bethel.org or call 246-6790, ext. 114.

December 10 - 12
San Jose Dance Theater presents its 39th Annual production of “The Nutcracker” at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. Ticket prices range from $16 - $42 each. Candy Kingdom tickets are $10 and backstage tours are $5 each. For more information or to order tickets, call 286-9905 or visit www.ticketguys.com

December 16 – 26
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents “The Nutcracker” at the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. A much beloved tradition since 1985, Dennis Nahat’s Nutcracker is full professional production with live orchestral accompaniment. Admission is $22 - $68 per person. For more information, call 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
Volunteers Needed for Tax Preparation The City of San José’s, Office on Aging in conjunction with AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS and the Metropolitan Adult Education Program provides a free tax-training program that prepares volunteers to assist seniors and lower income clients with their tax returns. Training classes will be held from October 18 – December 15, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All classes will be at the Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose. For more information, call Tracey Giglione at 277-4790.
EMQ Children and Family Services is a non-profit agency serving children struggling with severe emotional issues. EMQ is seeking adult mentors to connect with youth ages 7 – 17 for two hours per week. Training is provided. Applicants must be a licensed driver. Interested volunteers should call 335-1857 or visit www.emq.org.
Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing care to animals, has volunteer opportunities for foster caregivers for kittens and cats and for petfaire workers for our Saturday PetClub events. For more information, visit www.safehavenanimalsanctuary.org, or contact us through volunteer@safehavenforanimals.com or call 420-7233.
Child Abuse Prevention Center is seeking volunteers to join the Volunteer Case Aide program, which assists children and their families by providing services requested by county social workers. Call (650) 595-7640 for more information.

MISCELLANEOUS
November 17 – December 1
Easy Street Theatre Company-Directed by Becky Wilding will hold auditions for the musical “Man of La Mancha”. The production is seeking two male actors, 23 to 60 years old and two female actors, ages 23-65 years old. Supporting roles are also available to actors who can move and sing. This is a Non-Union production and there is pay. Auditions are by appointment until cast. Performances are in Jan 2005. Call for info and an appointment at 236-2149.

November 26 – 28
Get the jump on the holiday shopping season! The San Jose McEnery Convention Center will host a Harvest Festival featuring over 300 artisans with one-of-a-kind handcrafted gift items including jewelry, photographs, paintings, pottery, home décor and much more. Admission is $4.50 - &8.50 call 800-321-1213 or visit www.harvestfestival.com for more information.

December 2 – 3
The Summit League presents its annual Home for the Holidays Tour, featuring three distinct homes in Monte Sereno and Saratoga decorated by leading Bay Area floral and interior designers. This event will also feature a boutique offering holiday greenery and gift items. Proceeds from this event will benefit Washington United Youth Center in downtown San Jose. Tickets are $35 - $45 each. For more information, visit www.ccsj.org.

December 8 -9
The 7th annual Evergreen Valley College Art Department Jewelry Show and Sale will be held in the Community Room of the new Library and Educational Technology Center at Evergreen College from 10am to 7pm on December 8, and from 9am to 3pm on December 9. Event location is 3095 Yerba Buena Rd., enter at Paseo de Arboles (off San Felipe Rd.) Free parking is available by the door. For more information, call 274-7900 ext. 6610

HAVE AN ITEM FOR OUR CALENDAR?
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, Fifty Plus, and our weekly publication, Almaden Times Weekly. Items must be submitted by email 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 Road, Ste. 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.