January 1, 2009

Calendar of local events

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

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Jan. 10 – 11
Celebration of “El Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos” at Children’s Discovery Museum: Children can join us for a traditional and lively Three Wise Kings fiesta, complete with Rosca de Reyes bread, papel picado crafts, folklorico dancers, mariachi and appearances by the Three Wise Kings. Event hours are 1/10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 1/11 from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.cdm.org.

The Divine Performing Arts ’ Chinese New Year Spectacular brings pageantry and splendor reminiscent of China’s golden age to Cupertino’s Flint Center Jan. 13 – 15. Graceful movements that are literally thousands of years old from the Zhou, Ming, Qing – even the ancient Shang dynasty of 1700 BC, have been painstakingly recreated by choreographer and leading dancer Vina Lee. A graduate of the Beijing Academy of Dance, and former principal artist with the Guangdong Dance Theatre, Lee has been trained since childhood in both classical ballet and ancient Chinese dance forms. From stately dances performed for Emperors, to witty and acrobatic tales of warrior lords, or gracious maidens descending from the heavens to bestow favors on humble mortals, each performance is presented with lavish attention to detail and tradition. Photo: Courtesy of NewTang Dynasty TV

Jan. 10 - 12
Playhouse Disney Live! Celebrate with your Playhouse Disney pals when “Playhouse Disney Live!” comes to the Civic Auditorium. You’re invited to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as Mickey plans a spectacular music party for all his friends. The Little Einsteins set off on a musical mission around the world to find a song for the party – with the help of Rocket, of course! Pooh, Tigger and Darby spring into actions to search for music in the Hundred Acre Wood, and Handy Manny and his team of tools find the perfect party beat. Laugh, sing and play along, ‘cause your favorite Playhouse Disney pals are live on stage, and you’re invited to join the fun! Show times are 12 & 3 p.m. and admission is $22 - $49. For more information, call 408-998-TIXS or http://disney.go.com/disneylive/playhouse

THEATER

Jan 7 – 8
Jesus Christ, Superstar, by legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, at the Flint Center. Directed by Dallett Norris and starring Ted Neeley in the title role, this popular and enduring work will feature such favorites as Superstar, Everything’s Aright and I Don’t Know How to Love Him. Showing for two performances only, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $31 to $61 and are available at the Flint Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com or by call 408-998-8497(TIXS). For more information on subscribing to the Broadway in Cupertino 2008-09 Season, please visit the Flint Center box office, flintcenter.com or call the Subscription Hotline at 408-864-5885.

CLASSES

Jan. 10
Learn How to Prune Fruit Trees at the MAEP World Garden Workshop: Learn how to Prune Fruit Trees at Metropolitan Adult Education Program’s (MAEP) World Garden Workshop, held at the Erikson Adult Center, 4849 Pearl Ave, San Jose. Master Gardener Alan Buchinski will teach gardeners of all skill levels how to prune fruit trees. Buchinski specializes in pruning and works with the High Density Orchard at the Emma Prusch Farm Park. This free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Adult Center Auditorium. To register, call 723-6450 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and ask to have your name added to the January World Garden Workshop list, or email your name and phone number to ritab@metroed.net. Sign-up early, space is limited.

FIFTY PLUS

Jan. 3
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold registration for computer classes at the Almaden Community Center located at 6445 Camden Avenue. Registration for intermediate courses at 11:30 p.m. Registration for Computer Fundamentals at 1:00 p.m. Courses include Digital Photography,Adv. Digital Photo Editing, Digital Video Editing, Greeting Cards, Windows XP and Vista, File Management and Computer Tips and Techniques. All classes will be held at the Almaden Community Center. For more information call Don House at (408)268-1703 or visit www.snlcsj.org.

VOLUNTEERS

Jan. 9
The American Red Cross, Northern California Region will hold a Volunteer Orientation at 10 a.m. at its San Jose Donor Center, 2731 N. First Street, San Jose. Tour the Center and learn about the different ways to help: greet, inform and thank our community’s blood donors or post flyers at key locations. Dates and times are subject to change according to interest. To learn more, contact Tami at 408-577-2006 or wethernt@usa.redcross.org.
Tax Volunteers Needed: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteers who would like to help seniors file their taxes for this upcoming tax season from February 1st till April 15th. If you have experience filing taxes or enjoy doing the taxes for your family and friends this temporary volunteer opportunity would be a rewarding experience! You would be volunteering at Evergreen Library on Thursdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm. There will be a tax training classes in January at the Office on Aging. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call Cory Hunt at (408) 979-7906

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

Dec. 26 – Jan. 30
Curbside Christmas Tree recycling guidelines from the city of San Jose: After Christmas, natural and flocked trees will be collected curbside from December 26, 2008, to January 30, 2009, on the same day as regular yard trimmings collection. To recycle Christmas trees, remove tinsel, decorations and the tree stand. Cut the trees into five-foot lengths and place them in the street about a foot from the curb. Extra Garbage Stickers are not needed for tree recycling. Christmas tree recycling is a way of continuing the holiday spirit by giving back to nature. Yard trimmings collected in San Jose are ground into compost and used by local agriculture and the city to enrich the soil of farms and parks.

Jan. 3 – Feb. 14
Free Pruning Lessons in the Heritage Rose Garden: Rose pruning and care lessons will be offered in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden every Wednesday and Saturday. Lessons will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 12 noon. Participants must arrive by 9:15 a.m. to be included in the day’s training. We will gather in the center of the garden. We provide leather gloves and bypass shears, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. We recommend that you bring a hat and water. The Heritage Rose Garden is located on West Taylor Street, at Spring Street, within Guadalupe Gardens. Free parking is available on Seymour St (cross street is Walnut). Call the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, 298-7657, or email Volunteer Coordinator Lucy Perez at lperez@grpg.org for further information.

Jan. 8 - 11
2009 Silicon Valley International Auto Show at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center & South Hall: The 2008 model year annual exhibition of over 350 vehicles from more than 35 manufacturers. See the latest offerings from the Auto Industry, as well as factory concepts, specialty vehicles, race cars, and auto accessories in the South Hall Aftermarket Alley. Admission is $5 - $9. For more information, call 717-566-6100 or www.sjautoshow.com

Jan. 10
Free E-waste Recycling at Almaden Preparatory School: Bring all of your old computers, electronics, accessories and small appliances to 5670 Camden Avenue between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for this free recycling event. See www.earthcarerecycling for a full list of accepted items. Phone 393-9212 for questions

Jan. 10
1st Annual Crab Feed to benefit the Dream On Foundation: High Five at the Plex, located within Silver Creek Sportsplex at 800 Embedded Way in San Jose, will host this fundraising event to benefit the Dream On Foundation. The all-you-can-eat Crab Feed will also feature a full pasta buffet. Come cheer on the Sharks while they crack the Canucks in Vancouver on one of the many big screen televisions. There will be a silent auction before the Sharks game, with raffle and prize drawings during the intermissions. In addition, there will be special guest appearances by local sports personalities. Event time is 5:30 – 10 p.m. and the cost is $55 per person. For additional information or to purchase tickets go to www.thedreamonfoundation.com The Dream On Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity that strives to afford opportunities to develop athletes’ character and self-assurance, teach fundamental athletic skills and expose young people to the atmosphere and camaraderie of sports, regardless of financial abilities.

Ongoing
Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroup: Las Madres is a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing ways for families with children ages 5 years old and younger to network and receive parenting support and education. Run entirely by volunteers, we warmly welcome mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and nannies to join. Playgroups arranged by children’s birth year and we currently have active playgroups for babies, toddlers and preschoolers born from 2003 through 2008. Most playgroups meet one or more times a week. Any person who supports Las Madres’ non-profit educational mission may join. Members start with a support-group only membership for $30 and may add playgroup(s) for $20. To join, go to www.lasmadres.org or call 1-877-LAS MADRES. There is a 30-day trial membership.

Open Mic at Monsieur Beans of Willow Glen! Stand up performers, musicians, comedians or poets of any kind are welcome. Every 4th Friday of the month, sign ups for performers start at 7 p.m., gigs begin at 8p.m. Local Fun! 1383 Lincoln Ave. 95125. Call 297-9077 for more information. Sound systems are provided by the house.


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.