December 14, 2007

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

Dec. 14 – 16
Nuestra Navidad – A Family Christmas: México’s Christmas fandangos are lively manifestations of el pueblo which sings, dances and preserves in its songs and dances in its history and provincial traditions. J.H. Salazar’s “Nuestra Navidad” is poetry in motion celebrating the roots of the past and tree of the present .Presented at the Montgomery Theater. Admission is $10. For additional information, including show times, call 984-0342 or visit

Dec. 16
Polonsky Music School of Evergreen Village presents “An Honor Christmas Concert” performed by the best piano, violin, and voice students of the school. All performances will be held at the Santa Clara University Recital Hall (corner Lafayette/Franklin) at 6 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public. For enquires call 472-3280

Ongoing
Ladyesong a Womans Vocal Ensemble, are seeking new singers. Must be able to sight read and available on Monday evenings for rehearsals. Founded in the winter of 1995 by director Mary Elizabeth Enmann, Ladyesong has been working toward sharing the gift of music and a commitment to the community in the South Bay Area. Ladyesong enjoys performing a variety of vocal music, both sacred and secular - from Gabrielli to Gershwin, from Dvorak to Doo Wop - and has provided music during local church services as well as concerts in community venues. Ladyesong's membership is diverse; from homemakers to business women to retirees, these women have bonded over their love of music and song.  Call Mary Elizabeth Enmann at 621-9812 for an audition. http://www.ladyesong.com/

DANCE

Dec. 13 - 23
Ballet San Jose presents “The Nutcracker”at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Accompanied by a full orchestra, this stunning holiday production returns to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts for extended dates. This one-of a kind experience leaves no detail overlooked; from the impressive lobby decorations to the mingling pre-show characters, this is an experience not to be missed. Tickets are $30 - $82. For more information and ticket, call 288-2800 or visit www.sjtix.com.

THEATER

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. 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 – 19
Horse-drawn Carriage rides at Santana Row “Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh”… at Santana Row!  Rides are available Wednesdays fro. 5 – 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hop on at either Alyssum Plaza (by Best Buy and The Container Store) or at CinéArts. Suggested donation of $10 will benefit the Humane Society Silicon Valley.

Dec. 22 – 23
Celebrate an Evergreen holiday tradition with family and friends at the San Jose Youth Ballet’s presentation of “The Nutcracker.” Staged at the Evergreen Valley Performing Arts Center, 3300 Quimby Road, this professionally produced performance features guest artists and talented local youth. Performance times are 12/22 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and 12/23 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 - $25 and are available online www.SJYB.org or by calling 800-838-3006. In addition to The Nutcracker ballet, tickets can also be purchased for $7 each for the Sugar Plum Party held after the performance. Light refreshments will be served and photo opportunities with mingling San Jose Youth Ballet cast are plentiful.  San Jose Youth Ballet's Nutcracker is a fun and enjoyable outing for the whole family. Parking is free and easily accessible.

Dec. 24
Christmas Story told for all of Evergreen in the ways of Grace
Winter and Christmas traditions vary throughout the world and shall be reflected in the 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Program at Grace Church of Evergreen, 2650 Aborn Road at Kettmann, San Jose. Observance of Christmas at Grace shall reflect Evergreen’s multiple cultures and ways of celebrating the central story of the season. A traditional reading by candlelight, blended with choir music and songs from many parts of the world, offer simple drama and color for the children, while prayers for peace and understanding, thanksgiving and a vision of hope for the future round out this holiday celebration of joy. For further information contact Pastor John Goldstein of Grace Church of Evergreen at 408-274-1200 or email Gracelc@sbcglobal.net.

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.

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

Ongoing
Come join The Humane Society Silicon Valley for our weekly “Meet and Treat!” every Wednesday at HSSV, 2530 Lafayette Street, in Santa Clara. from 5 – 7 p.m. Not sure about adopting just yet? Come down and visit with animal guests outside their kennels. Play with canine companions throughout the shelter, or experience cuddly cats in your lap. And of course we have our adorable rabbits too. We will have tasty treats for people as well. For more information, call 727-3383 or visit www.hssv.org
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.