December 16, 2005

CALENDAR

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

DANCE
December 15 – 24
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents “The Nutcracker”at the Center for the Performing Arts: A gift for everyone during the Holidays, Ballet SJSV’s “Nutcracker” has become a yearly festive tradition for thousands of children and families throughout the Bay Area. For tickets and more information, call 288-2800 or www.balletsanjose.org.

ART
November 17 – January 7, 2006
The Art Museum of Los Gatos, 4 Tait Avenue, announces the opening exhibits of local artists James Warren Perry, featuring his series of California landscape paintings, and Richard Shaw, showcasing his trompe l’oueil porcelain sculpture. A public reception with both artists will be held on Sunday, November 20, from 2 – 5 p.m. Musuem hours are Wed – Sun, from noon – 4 p.m. admission is free. For more information, call 395-7375.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
September 30 – January 6, 2006
“Game On: The History and Culture of Videogames.” Explore the history, culture and future of video games at this temporary exhibit. “Game On” is a highly interactive exhibit that examines the exploding video game industry from the game design process and beyond. Come experience the past forty years of electronic gaming, and reflect on where the industry will go next. “Game On” was organized by the Barbican Art Gallery London in collaboration with the National Museums of Scotland. “Game On” will be at The Tech through January 6, 2006.

November 18 – January 16, 2006
In its tenth season, Downtown Ice now has a permanent home in the Circle of Palms, nestled off Market Street between the San Jose Museum of Art and Fairmont San Jose.  The ice skating rink is scheduled to open at 5 p.m. and will operate daily through Jan. 16, 2006. The opening ceremony will feature performances by American Ice Theatre and skaters from Logitech Ice at San Jose. Following that, the Community Giving Tree lighting and official opening of Christmas in the Park will occur in Plaza de Cesar Chavez.   

November 25 – December 23
Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy presents the 2005 Holiday Lights. This much-anticipated event returns for an expanded second season and offers guests 14 nights of ice skating, thousands of twinkling lights, a decadent holiday feast, holiday shopping, Santa’s Workshop, themed rides and more! This event runs weekends from November 25 through December 18, and daily from December 19 – 23. For more information visit www.bonfantegardens.org.

November 25 – January 1, 2006
The 26th annual Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez is a San Jose seasonal tradition. Each year, the 2-acre park is transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 60 displays and hundreds of trees decorated by schools, businesses, scout troupes and nonprofits. Christmas in the Park is open until Jan. 1, 2006 from 9 a.m. to midnight. For more information on this free event, call 995-6635 or log on to www.christmasinthepark.com.

December 19 – Monday
See the stars at EVC: EVC Montgomery Hill Observatory Re-opens to the public! Evergreen Valley College announces the fall public schedule for its Montgomery Hill Observatory. Featuring Two Schmidt-Cassegrain Celestron Telescopes — a 14” and an 8” — and one 13” Dobsonian. The Public Viewing Nights include viewings of Mars, the Moon, Globular Clusters, and Deep Sky Nebulae. Attendance is free but limited.  For reservations, call 270-6490, Mon – Fri. between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Parking is available at the student lot next to the Observatory gate. Viewing hours are 7:30 - 9 p.m.

December 25 – Sunday
Congregation Sinai a Conservative Jewish synagogue at 1532 Willowbrae in San Jose, is hosting a Chanukah Dinner Party and Toy Drive for the entire Jewish community at 5 p.m. on the first night of Chanukah. The party will feature the traditional holiday candle lighting, dinner, and dancing. There will also be games, popcorn, and movies for the children. Because an important part of Chanukah is the giving of tzedakah (charity), the party will include a toy drive for EMQ Children & Family Services. Each partygoer should bring a toy for a child ages 4-18, and the gifts will be used to restock EMQ’s toy closet. For more information, visit http://www.sinai-sj.org/.

December 31 – Sunday
Parkside Hall will be the venue for “Da Hoi Ney Year,” a New Year’s celebration hosted by Vien Thao Media. Event hours are 8:00p.m.-1:00a.m. For more information, visit www.vienthao.com

January 6, 2006 –
The California Theatre Center presents “The Brave Little Taylor,” the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. The Brave Little Tailor plays at 7:30pm,  at the Louis B. Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara. Tickets $11-12. For more information, visit www.ctcinc.org or call the Box Office at 245-2978.

January 7 – 8, 2006
The Children¹s Discovery Museum ends the winter holiday season with El Dia de los Reyes Magos, a community celebration popular in many parts of Europe and Latin America. Experience The Three Wise Kings (also known as Epiphany and Twelfth Night) in the style of Mexico with Rosca de Reyes bread, Papel Picado crafts, mariachi music, folklorico dance and photo opportunities with the Three Wise Kings themselves. For a schedule of activities, go online at www.cdm.org.

CLASSES
Ongoing:
Italian courses in Downtown San Jose: Italian Language courses will be offered at Holy Cross Parish, 580 East Jackson St. in San Jose. Beginner’s class meets on Mondays, 9-11a.m. the fee is $144 for 12 classes. Intermediate class meets on Fridays, 9-11 a.m. the fee is also $144 for 12 classes. Advanced class meets on Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. the fee is $172 for 12 classesCall 646-0232 for registration and additional information.

South Bay Deutscher Schulverein, a German Saturday Language School, offers German language instructions at the Willow Glen Educational Park, Middle School Section, 2001 Cottle Avenue. The school offers pre-school/kindergarten through adult courses on Saturdays from 9:00 - 12:00, starting September 17. For more information visit our website www.sbds.org or call 266 5100. Please note that no information is available weekdays at the school location.

FIFTY PLUS
January 7, 2006 – Saturday
SeniorNet will begin registration for computer classes at 9 a.m. at the Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave. (at Curtner). SeniorNet is open to anyone over 50. Each class is two hours long, once a week for 8 weeks. The classes are priced at $20 per course. Some of the classes offered include: Word Processing, Fun with Google, Photoshop Elements, Introduction to Computers and more. To learn more about upcoming classes or to place your name on SeniorNet’s mailing list, phone the Willows SeniorNet liaison at 364-1430, or log on to the website at www.SNLCSJ.ORG.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
If you like to knit or crochet, or would like to learn, you are invited to join Crafters Who Care. Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Evergreen Community Center, 4860 San Felipe Road). For more information, or if you have yarn to donate, please contact Dee Castagnoli at 238-7956 or deedle09@sbcglobal.net.

MISCELLANEOUS
January 4-8, 2006
The San Jose International Auto Show at the San José McEnery Convention Center: This annual exhibition features over 350 vehicles from more than 36 manufacturers. See the latest offerings from the auto industry as well as factory concepts, specialty vehicles, race cars and an accessory arcade. Event hours are January 4-5, Noon-10 p.m. January 6-7, 10 a.m. -10 p.m. January 8, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. For more information call 717-566-6100 or visit www.sjautoshow.com. Admission: $5 - $9.

Ongoing
Saratoga Historic Museum: New history exhibits for young and old visitors. Unique holiday gift options. Museum hours are 1-4 PM, Fridays-Sundays. 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga. Free admission. For more information, visit www.saratogahistory.com.


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.