November 28, 2008

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

Dec. 6
The San Jose Youth Symphony (SJYS) Philharmonic Orchestra announces its first concert of the season: Under the artistic leadership of Maestro Yair Samet, The San Jose Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra’s “A Symphony of Voices”, concert will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street, San Jose. This matinee performance will feature two outstanding young musicians - winners of the San Jose Youth Symphony Young Artist Competition (YAC). Flutist Pavitra Rengarajan performing Devienne Concerto No. 7 for Flute and Orchestra, and violinist Timothy Cho performing Conus Violin Concerto in E Minor.

Dec. 7
The Stewart Tartan Pipes & Drums of San Francisco, will be providing a free holiday concert at 3 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga.  This event will also feature appearances by the Piedmont Highland Dancers; tenor Burr Nissen; the Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers, who have recently returned from a performance tour in Scotland; and the King’s Brass, a local brass ensemble.

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. 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
Heritage Holiday at History San Jose: Santa’s arrival on a vintage fire truck, holiday carolers, gourmet food tasting, and arts and crafts by local artisans are a few of the reasons to spend a day with friends and family strolling through History Park. The annual Heritage Holiday at History Park, which is hosted by History San José and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, will be noon to 6 p.m. at History Park at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road. This year’s event will offer a centerpiece workshop with the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, book signings, as well as an antiques corner with Steve Yvaska, local antiques specialist. Yvaska asks that each person bring no more than one item to evaluate and that they not be firearms, stamps, coins or precious stones. The day offers photo opportunities with Santa Claus from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., after his arrival from the North Pole on a vintage fire truck at 2:30 p.m. Admission to Heritage Holiday is $3 and parking is free. For more information, check out historysanjose.org or hhpz.org, or call 287-2291.

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.

Dec. 6 -7
San Jose Youth Ballet presents Pytor Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”: Sponsored in part by Dance Theatre International, this highly anticipated Evergreen holiday tradition is a must-see event for the whole family. Directed by DTI Director Maggie Furla, all performances will be staged at The Evergreen Valley Performing Arts Center, 3300 Quimby Road, San Jose. Matinees and evening performances are available on both dates. Following certain performances, treat your special guests to the Sugar Plum Party to meet the characters, enjoy light refreshments and take photos with the cast. Party tickets must be purchased separately for $7 per person. Performance tickets are $18 - $25 by visiting www.sjyb.org, or by calling 800-838-3006. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

Dec. 7
The South Bay Brass invites you to an evening of holiday music at 7:30 p.m. at Saratoga Federated Church, 20390 Park Pl., Saratoga. SBB will be joined by the SFC Ringers, Mary Norton, Organ, and the audience in a sing-a-long. Admission is free, but we are asking audience members to bring canned goods (or a check) to be donated to CityTeam, which provides food, quality used clothing and household items to families in need throughout the year.

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. 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

Dec. 6
Holly Day House: The Saratoga Foothill Club’s Second Annual Holly Day House, a boutique and greenery sale, will be heldfrom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event showcases vendors presenting holly, topiaries and evergreens, artisan jewelry, pottery, quilts, chocolates and edibles, and “Grandma’s Corner,” featuring handcrafted children’s gifts.  The daylong event is held at the organization’s Julia Morgan-designed clubhouse at 20399 Park Place, Saratoga, behind the Village Fire Station.  Proceeds benefit the Foothill Club’s Historic Landmark Foundation.  For information call 741-1440.

Dec. 6
Open House and Blood Drive at Silver Creek Sportsplex: The Stanford Blood Center will hold a blood drive at Silver Creek Sportsplex from 10 a.m – 2 p.m. It’s also an Open House for the Sportsplex (!0 a.m. – 3 p.m.) which offers affordable recreation, including soccer, roller hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, flag football, dance, parties, a Club One fitness center, a great restaurant, and more, all under one roof.  To make a blood donation appointment, see bloodcenter.stanford.edu and click on Find a Blood Drive. For information about Silver Creek Sportsplex see www.SilverCreekSportsplex.com.

Ongoing
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.