January 4, 2007

Calendar of local events

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.

January 10 - Wednesday
Stanford Lively Arts presents The Juno Award-winning Gryphon Trio - one of the foremost chamber ensembles in North America. With a reputation for innovative interpretations, the acclaimed trio presents the U.S. premiere of Tears in Your Hand, by Stanford faculty member and esteemed composer Jonathan Berger in a program that also includes works by Haydn and Schubert. Post-performance discussion is free to the public. The performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford University Tickets are $40/$36. Half-price tickets are available for young people age 15 and under and discounts are available for students and groups. For tickets, call 650-725-ARTS (2787) or visit http://livelyarts.stanford.edu

January 13 - Saturday
Martin Luther King, Jr. Stop The Violence Rally and Concert Featuring Ginuwine: This MLK Fashion Event and Benefit Concert will help raise money, awareness and support for violence prevention activities. Activities begin at 4 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. Admission is $35 - $100. For more information, visit www.partiprogram.com

January 14 – Sunday
The San Jose Chanber Orchestra presents “Future Forecast” at Le Petit Trianon, 72 N 5th St San José featuring Anthony Quartuccio, conducting, oboist Jessica Pearlman, and cellist Mitch Wyman.
This performance also includes select members of the San Jose Youth Chamber Orchestra and will feature works by Janacek, Vaughan Williams and Pasculi. Premieres by Anica Galindo, Scott Perry and Dan Wyman. The concert begins at 7 p.m. with a pre-concert chat at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $30 - $5 each. For tickets or additional information, call 295-4416 or visit www.sjco.org.  

CHILDREN/FAMILY

October 21 – January 15
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
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.

January 6 – 7
The Children’s Discovery Museum presents a celebration of “El Día De Los Tres Reyes Magos.” Event times are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on 1/6 and from noon – 5 p.m. on 1/7. Join us for a traditional Three Wise Kings party, complete with Rosca de Reyes bread,  papel picado crafts, lots of music and dance with community performers, and appearances by the Three Wise Kings.

January 15 – Monday
Join Santa Clara Valley Audubon naturalists and expert whale guides in observing the magnificent Gray Whale during the peak of its southern migration!  Participants also be likely to spot other sealife, including otters, sea lions, dolphins, and, of course, birds!  These 2-hour boating adventures are geared toward kids and their families and are the organization’s most popular Young Audubon excursion.  Space is limited, so call (408) 252-3740 for more details or to reserve your family's spot. The cost is $20/person for SCVAS members, $25/person for non-members; Scholarships available for families in need, All excursions depart from Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey Bay

CLASSES

January 13 & 20
Learn the ABC’s of  Trap – Neuter - Return (TNR) for Homeless cats. Do you have stray cats in your neighborhood or at work? You can help improve their lives - learn to TNR. Free TNR Classes at San Jose Animal Care and Services (SJACS), 2750 Monterey Road, San Jose. Class hours are 1/13 from10am-12 p.m. or on 1/20 from 3 -5 p.m. RSVP to 877-729-7475 option 2, as space in the classroom is limited. Leave your name, phone number, and which day you would like to attend; please speak slowly.

Ongoing
Ever wanted to learn ceramics? “Hands On Clay” classes in Almaden is now accepting students for Winter 2007. The fee for these small classes (4 students) includes instructions, all materials, use of tools, and kiln firings. The adult classes are held on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. in Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar's Little Falls Drive art studio and gallery. For more information or to register call (408) 679-0238 or e-mail avidehzworld@ yahoo.com

MISCELLANEOUS

December 26 – February 2
San Jose residents can set their Christmas trees out for curbside recycling collection by the City of San Jose. Natural and flocked (frosted) trees will be collected on the same day as garbage and recycling at single-family homes. Tree collection is done at no additional charge, but residents must remove tinsel, decorations, and the tree stand. Trees also must be cut into five-foot lengths and placed in the street about a foot from the curb - this keeps from obstructing the flow of storm water down the gutters. Residents in apartments and other multi-family complexes should check with their building management for proper set-out instructions. Otherwise, the same rules apply such as removing tinsel and decorations.

January 6 – Saturday
Mac Pro Systems Software, 1160-A Blossom Hill Road, San Jose will host Robert Picardo, “The Doctor” of Star Trek Voyager, for an in-store signing of his new CD, “Revenge.” Copies of the CD will be available at Mac Pro Systems. Picardo will be signing copies of his new CD from 10 – 10:30 a.m. For more information on this event, call 979-9979.

January 6 -7
Tails and No Tales Cat Club presents A New Year’s Celebration CFA All Breed Cat Show at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in the Marie Campbell Pavilion. Event hours are 1/6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 1/6, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 1/7. This annual gathering showcases hundreds of cats and features a Junior Showmanship Ring, Feline Agility event and vendors offering the latest in feline supplies, furnishings and toys. Admission is $8 General, $6 Seniors and $4 Children 12 years and under. For more information, call 778-6318.

January 7 - Sunday
Wine tasting party for single at historic 1927 Gilroy Spanish mansion: Gilroy is more than just a destination for garlic at the first-ever wine-tasting party for singles of all ages, held from 1-3 p.m. at Adagio Winery, 4355 Monterey Hwy, in Gilroy. The winery is at the newly refurbished 1927 Spanish mansion, formerly known as the Old Curley Bldg. This 6600 square foot historical treasure, on 41 acres, features the wines of Rapazzini Winery, directly across the highway from Adagio. $10 at includes the wine tasting, accompanied by light appetizers. This party is sponsored by The Society of Single Professionals, a non-profit organization.   Anyone wishing more information may call 415-507-9962 or visit www.ThePartyHotline.com.

January 11 – March 22
Holy Spirit Church to host 10-week “Alpha” course. This course provides a practical exploration of the Christian faith, and is tailored for anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Adults of all ages are welcome, no matter where you are on your faith journey or what your spiritual background is.  Alpha proves that it is possible to learn about the Christian faith and to have fun at the same time. Each meeting starts with a meal and an opportunity to get to know each other and to make new friends. The small group gives you a chance to discuss issues raised during the talks. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. There is no charge for the Alpha course. The course meets once a week for 10 weeks in the Holy Spirit Parish Hall every Thursday evening from 6:30 – 9 p,m. For more information, contact Gail DiBenedetto at gdibened@sbcglobal.net or call the Holy Spirit Parish office at 408-997-5101 to sign up.

Ongoing
The Princeton Plaza Arts, Crafts, Antiques and Collectibles Shows – Held at Princeton Plaza, 1375 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose the second Saturday of each month. Come on out and join the excitement. Great bargains, free admission and plenty of parking. Coffee and donuts for the early bird shoppers! Live entertainments by Mostly
Celtic.

The Almaden Valley Women’s Club is currently in need of and recruiting volunteers. The AVWC is a nonprofit organization established in 1965. Through our annual Almaden Art & Wine Festival, we donate 100% of proceeds back to the community in the form of grants to local schools, scholarships to high school seniors in the 95120 area, The Assistance League of San Jose, clothes for the homeless, as well as many other local charities. AVWC holds seven regular meetings, the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. There are no meetings in July or August. Members are required to attend 5 general meetings. Membership dues are nominal and assistance is available if needed. For more information, call Mia Burnham at 839-6071 or email Mia at burnhamfamily@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at WWW.ALMADENARTWINEFESTIVAL.COM.

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.