December 15, 2006

CALENDAR

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

MUSIC

January 9 - Tuesday
The Nova Vista Symphony announces auditions for the following instruments: Principal flute, Utility/fourth horn, All strings.The orchestra rehearses on Tuesday nights in Campbell (with occasional Wednesday string rehearsals) and performs its concerts on Saturday nights, usually at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Typically the orchestra plays four major concerts each year, plus a children's concert and occasional other performances. Auditions for the positions listed above will be held starting on January 9, 2007. Contact the orchestra at personnel@novavista.org or call 530-0700 if interested in auditioning. Candidates will be asked to play an orchestral excerpt, which will be supplied in advance, and a short piece of their own choosing.

THEATER

December 15 - 17
The Aztlán Academy-San José will present J.H. Salazar’s “Nuestra Navidad” – A Family Christmas” at the Montgomery Theater, 271 South Market Street. Performances times are 12/15 & 16 at 8 p.m. and on 12/17 at 3 p.m. This performance will mark the 34th Anniversary of the Academy’s traditional family oriented Christmas program at the Montgomery Theater featuring Aztlán Dance Troupe, Conjunto Xitlali, Conjunto Atardecer, Mandinga and Kaisahan of San José Dance Company. Admission charges: $40- Sponsor, $20- General, $10- Children. Discount is available for groups of 10 or more. For general and ticket purchasing information, please call the Academy at 408/984-0342 or visit us at www.aztlanacademy.org.

December 16 – January 6, 2007
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” at the Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose. ATC presents this revival of Richard O’Brien’s award-winning production starring Tad M. Morgan (Ciao Bella Restaurant) as Frank-n-Furter and Chris Tann as Riff-Raff. Featuring all of your favorite hits - Sweet Transvestite, Damnit Janet, Hot Patootie and of course...The Time Warp, all backed by a hot live band! Join us in the VIP Table seating and receive a prop box with goodies to interact with the show...you might even appear onstage! Show times are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 p.m. with 12 a.m. “Midnight Madness” shows on 12/16 & 1/6. New Year's Eve Gala Dinner and Show 12/31 at 8 p.m. $70 includes Dinner, Champagne, party favors, interactive props and Show. VIP Table Seats (not sold thru Ticketmaster) $30 Reserved Seating $20. Most tickets available through www.ticketmaster.com or www.theatrecenter.biz or call 408-998-TIXS or 408-985-5500.

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 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 – December 24
American Musical Theatre San Jose presents the world premiere of “Christmas Dreamland”, a show-stopping extravaganza for the entire family. This new holiday spectacular will be staged at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell at the Campbell Community Center.

December 16 - 17
San Jose Dance Theatre’s Production of The Nutcracker will be presented at The EVHS Performing Arts Center, 3300 Quimby Road in San Jose. San Jose Dance Theatre is proud to call itself one of San Jose’s oldest traditions. This year we are celebrating our 41st production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. San Jose Dance Theatre’s production annually welcomes children and dancers ranging from seven to twenty five years of age to perform. Admission is $18 - $45. For tickets or more information, call 408-286-9905 or visit www.sjdt.org

December 16 – 17
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4977 San Felipe Road will be presenting “Feed My Sheep, ” a musical event featuring performances by mezzo-soprano Alexandra Mena of Mission City Opera (12/16 only) and tenor soloist Isaac Hurtado of Opera San Jose. Other performers include the Caritas Choir directed by Bruce Wiley, Lighthouse Band, directed by Julius Bercasio, and Zion, directed by Christy Williams (12/17 only). Performance time is 7 – 9 p.m. both evenings. Although admission is free, all attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped donation for Toys for Tots, for a child aged 10 – 16 years, or non-glass container food items for Second Harvest Food Bank .

December 16 – 17
Students of South Bay Dance Center and members of South Bay Ballet Arts present the classic tradition of “The Nutcracker”. The professionalism and talent of our young cast have continually impressed audiences.  Come live the dream with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they travel through the snow to meet the characters in the Kingdom of Sweets.  Visions of the Sugar Plum Fairy will dance in your head long after the performance ends! Performances are at 1:30 and 6 p.m. both days at the Anthony R. Soto Theatre, San Jose.  General Admission Tickets are $15.00 each. Please call (408) 972-5679 for additional performance and ticket information.

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.

Eastside Neighborhood Center of Catholic Charities, 2150 Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose offers a variety of activities and services for seniors on an ongoing basis. These include Bingo, Free legal assistance, Senior club dancing, Senior Care Advocacy, Nutrition Programs, Nurse Screenings, Free Insurance Screenings, and more. Call for times and appointments. 251-0215.

The San Jose Widow/Widowers Club meets at 12:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month for lunch at the Cup & Saucer Restaurant, 1375 Blossom Hill Road in Princeton Plaza. They also meet for breakfast every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at Goodies Coffee Shop on the corner of Bascom and Apricot in Campbell. Call 408-275-6178 or 408-292-3406 for information.

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

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

December 16 - Saturday
Oak Ridge Little League is holding baseball and softball sign ups at Round Table Pizza – Cottle & Santa Teresa. Hours are from noon to 3 p.m.

December 18 – Monday
Willow Glen Books, 1330 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose presents a reading by Nils Peterson at 7 p.m. for the Christmas Season. An open reading will follow – bring a poem to share.

December 30 – Saturday
Branham High School will be holding their 1st annual Men’s Alumni Soccer Game at 12:30 p.m. at the new BHS field-turf playing field. Contact John Hernandez at 608-8153 for more information.

Ongoing
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.