January 8, 2009

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

Jan. 15, 17 - 18
A Nakamutsu Premiere at the California Theater: Jon Nakamatsu will perform a piano concerto commissioned expressly for him and written by David Amram. The concert also includes Haydn’s Symphony No. 95 and Respighi’s Feste romane. Performance times are Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 17 at 8 p.m.; and Jan. 18 at 2:30 p.m. For more information and tickets, call the box office 286-2600 or go to www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

DANCE

Jan. 13 - 15
The Divine Performing Arts ’ Chinese New Year Spectacular brings pageantry and splendor reminiscent of China’s golden age to Cupertino’s Flint Center . 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. Lee, A graduate of the Beijing Academy of Dance, and former principal artist with the Guangdong Dance Theatre, she 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.

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.

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

Jan. 13
Veritas Christian Academy, 400 Llewellyn Avenue, Campbell, Ca will be holding their Open House from 7 – 8:30 p.m. VCA is training young men and women to think like Christians, to live like Christians, to excel in life. We are Silicon Valley’s classical Christian school.  There’s nothing else like it.  We teach Latin, Logic, and Rhetoric using modern and ancient sources. Meet our teachers and discover how VCA can partner with you to “Bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” teaching them to excel as followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information, call 984-1255.

Jan. 16
Insect-igations! Don’t have to look hard to find masters of camouflage, secret weapons and devious tricks of survival! Join Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens as we explore the world of Insects; these mostly tiny, short-lived, arthropods who outnumber all other fellow creatures on earth! We’ll do experiments, play games and take a walk down to the river to find insects we can see under the microscope. Become a budding entomologist and check out some wild and wacky bugs from far and wide. Workshop location - 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose, CA 95110. Pre-registration is required, parents need not be present during the workshop. Appropriate for ages 5 – 10 years. Hours are 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. and fees are $10/members, $15/non-members. To register call 298-7657 or visit www.grpg.org to learn more.

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.

Ongoing
Ceramics Classes in Almaden...Ever wished you could make a ceramics piece of your own from start to finish to show off to family and friends? Hands On Clay classes for adults is now accepting new students. These small classes are held on Wednesday mornings 9-10:30 a.m., and Thursday evenings 7-8:30 p.m. in the artist’s studio in Almaden. The materials, kiln firings, use of tools and glazes are included, so just come on down! All levels are welcome. For more information call 679-0238.

VOLUNTEERS

Jan. 20
American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer orientation at 6 p.m. Tour the San Jose Donor Center at 2731 N. First Street and learn about the different ways to help: greet, inform and thank our community’s blood donors or post flyers at key locations. To learn more, contact Tami at 408-577-2006 or wethernt@usa.redcross.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. 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.

Jan. 17
The South Bay Scottish Society will hold their 15th annual Burns Supper and Ceilidh Dance at 6 p.m. at the Mountain View Masonic Temple, 890 Church (corner of Franklin) in Mountain View.  The evening includes a Scottish dinner, poetry, entertainment, dancing, and toasts to Robert Burns.  The cost is $32 for members and $38 for non-members.  Reservations required.  For information call 408-554-9711 or 650-941-0214, or visit us online at www.southbayscots.org.

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.