November 11, 2004

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC
November 13 – Saturday
The highly acclaimed vocal ensemble SoVoSó will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Almaden Adventures in the Arts concert series at Joint Venture Churches of Almaden, 6581 Camden Avenue, in San Jose. SoVoSó is a highly imaginative a cappella ensemble that sings a unique, rhythmic mix of jazz, gospel, world and R&B music, all rendered in their trademark improvisational style. Advance and will call tickets are $15 general and $8 for students. Door tickets will be $20 and $15 respectively. Child care is provided.

November 13 – 14
The San Jose Wind Symphony will celebrate Sousa’s 150th birthday with a concert at the SJSU Concert Hall led by renowned conductor of the New Sousa Band, Keith Brion. Performances will include light classics played in the pops style, virtuoso solos and the great Sousa marches. Special guest artists will be Jim Dooley, trumpet and Erie Mills, soprano. Saturday’s performance begins at 7 p.m, Sunday’s at 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.slws.org.

THEATER
November 6 – December 4
The West Valley Light Opera Association’s 40th Season will open with “Big River” at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale, on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. with a champagne gala. Weekend performances will continue through December 4. This tony-award winning musical is based on Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” This production is directed by Becky W. Brownson. For reservations and additional information, call 268-3777 or visit www.wvlo.org.

MEETINGS
November 17 – Wednesday
The next meeting of the Association of Republican Women will be held Nov. 17 at the Almaden Country Club on Crown Boulevard starting at 9:30 a.m. Three guest speakers will address the group: Karen Holgate, the director of Legislative Policy and an expert on educational issues and their impact on teachers; Peter Henderson, director of Public Policy and Larry Pegram of the Values Advocate Council. Refreshments will be served and available at a cost of $10 per person. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.
Ongoing:
The Billy De Frank Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 938 The Alameda n San Jose, hosts a weekly “Coming Out Group” which offers a safe space to explore different subjects. Topics include how to come out to yourself, and how to comfortably live and work as a gay or lesbian in the larger community. All groups are run by trained facilitators in a closed door meeting room. This group meets every Wednesday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 293-3040 or visit www.defrank.org.
Las Madres Adoption Group is a wonderful support system for those who have gone through the adoption process and are looking to share the joys and challenges of parenting an adopted child. We have regular play dates for newborns-5 years old and monthly “mom’s night out”. For more information, contact Barb Griswold at barbgris@aol.com or call toll free 1-877-LasMadres.
Oakridge Century Theatres in association with Las Madres Neighborhood Playgroups presents CineMamas! A morning out to the movies for moms and their little ones. This group meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m., There are three showings to choose from, baby-safe sound levels, cheerios at the concession stand and a relaxing atmosphere with other moms who understand kids are kids! Check CineMamas.com for a weekly update on what is showing. Kids under 3 are free!
Le Tip International, a business leads networking group meets every Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant, 1140 Hillsdale Avenue. For more information, call 298-9131.

CLASSES
Ongoing
Evergreen Village Square (Ruby at Aborn) offers a wide variety of performing arts classes for all ages. All elementary age classes are on Saturday afternoons and run for approximately 12 weeks per session. Adult and teen 12-week acting workshops are held on Friday evenings. For more information or to enroll, call 230-7873.
The New Almaden Community Center will be hosting a weekly yoga class on Mon/Wed/Fri. at 6 a.m. and on Tues/Thurs. at 7 a.m. Attendees should bring their own yoga mats, however, there are a limited number of pads available. For more information, contact Tara at 997-9383. Class fees are $6 each or $24 per week. Classes are appropriate for both beginner and intermediate levels.
ACE Tennis Academy offers tennis instruction for boys and girls ages 7-17, from beginner to tournament level players. Classes are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information and registration, phone 650-302-4250 or e-mail acetennis@sbcglobal.net.

HEALTH
November 16 - Tuesday
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Nov. 16 at the Santa Clara Valley Water District at 5750 Almaden Expressway in San Jose from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To donate blood, you must be 17 years old or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. Bring your driver’s license if you have one. American Red Cross volunteer blood donors are required to provide identification before donating blood. For more information call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.BeADonor.com .

Ongoing:
Bay Area Alzheimer’s Association now includes meetings at Kaiser Santa Teresa. Meetings are held in the San Jose Kaiser Family Health Center, Conference Room C, 3rd Floor, located at 276 International Circle. For more information call 800-660-1993

FIFTY PLUS
November 13 - Saturday
OWL – Older Women’s League will host Roberta Johnson, J.D. and Thomas Matola, PhD discussing their book, “Don’t Pull the Plug,” which reviews the life adjustments made after a disability, such as stroke. The discussion will be at Cypress Gardens, 3555 Judro from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 294-1073 or 292-1172.

November 13 – Saturday
BridgePoint at Silver Creek assisted living and alzhemier’s care community, 4855 San Felipe Road, will be holding an Open House from 1-4 pm. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine and door prizes in celebration of fall and the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. For more information, contact Susanne Meier at 223-1312.
Ongoing:
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over still has openings in the following classes: Computer Fundamentals, e-mail A-Z, Managing Your Files, Photoshop Elements, CD Burning, Word Processing 1, Windows XP, Computer Security and Finding Things and People on the Web. To enroll in any of the course openings, contact Don House at 268-1703.
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.
The Geriatric Advisory Program is a service providing documented analysis, advice and resources to those caring for aging family members and is available through the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. Sliding scale fees available. 975-2988.

CHILDREN/FAMILY EVENTS
November 12,14, 19 & 20
Now in it’s fourth season, the Tabard Theater has become “artists in residence” at Joint Venture, home of Almaden Adventure in the Arts, 6581 Camden Avenue, Kicking off the new season is C.S. Lewis’ beloved story, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” This exciting tale finds new life through this exhilarating dramatization. A thrilling and magical escapade, our story begins when four young people accidentally wander through a wardrobe to discover the enchanting land of Narnia and its host of mythical creatures. This unforgettable journey spotlights chases, duels, and encounters with an evil wolf, a unicorn, and a centaur. Who will win the battle for possession of Narnia – Aslan, the majestic lion, or the oppressive White Witch? For more information, visit www.tabardtheater.org or call 979-0271.

November 13 & 20
The California Theatre Center (CTC) presents The “Journey of Lewis and Clark” at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 East Remington Drive (just off El Camino Real), at 11 am. Come celebrate the bicentennial of the incredible journey by explorers Lewis and Clark, and their Shoshone Indian guide, Sacagawea. This is the true story of these remarkable men who navigated and named two-thirds of the North American continent, from St. Louis to the Pacific Northwest. Tickets are $11 - $12 per person. Call 245-2978 for reservations. For more information, visit www.ctcinc.org.

November 14 – Sunday
Tickets are going fast to honor District 10’s own Pat Dando at this Sunday’s “An Evening of Celebration Honoring San Jose Vice Mayor Pat Dando,” which will be held starting at 5 p.m. at the downtown San Jose Marriot. The event, sponsored by the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, San Jose Fire Fighters’ Local 230, San Jose Police Officers’ Association and the Association of Retired San Jose Police Officers and Fire Fighters will benefit several local charities. To order tickets, call Jack Salois, chairman of the Pat Dando Dinner Committee at 223-9863 or send a check for $55 payable to “Pat Dando Dinner” to San Jose Fire Fighters, 425 E. Santa Clara St., #300, San Jose, CA 95113.
Los Mestizos Folklorico Dance Group presents “Fiesta Folklorica” for one night only at the Montgomery Theatre, at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.00 prior to the event and $15.00 on the day of the event. Experience a night full of Mexican Culture, Music and Dance as adult and child dancers perform various regional dances of Mexico. All proceeds from this event go back into the group funds to help sponsor activities and instructional lessons. For more information visit, www.losmestizos.org.

November 17 – Wednesday
The Sierra Club’s Guadalupe Regional Group will be treated to a slide presentation on the return of California Condors to Pinnacles National Monument. Photographer and local Audubon chapter director Ralph Schardt was designated official photographer for the project by Monument officials, and has captured all aspects of the project. The Guadalupe Group meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saratoga Library, on Saratoga Ave. at Fruitvale in Saratoga. The public is welcome and refreshments will be served—bring your own cup to reduce waste!

November 17 – December 15
Campbell’s historic Ainsley House, 300 Grant Street in downtown Campbell, presents its popular Holiday Tea and Tour series, featuring a silver-service afternoon tea served with finger sandwiches, savories and sweets, followed by a 45-minute docent-led tour of the 1925 English Tudor revival Ainsley house. This years’ theme, “Glittering Gold and Silver Holiday” will be an inspirational “treasure” of decorating ideas. Teas are at 2 p.m. followed by the tour. The program is a $25 donation per person on weekends, $20 per person during the weekday. For reservations, call 370-0888.

November 20 – 21
Holy Family Educational Center, 4850 Pearl, will be hosting their annual Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. This event will feature over 50 vendors, Gingerbread House Decorating, crafts for children, and raffles. Fro more information, call 978-1355.

MISCELLANEOUS
November 13 – Saturday
The Italian American Heritage Foundation is proud to present 50’s Rock ‘n Roll Night, with live entertainment provided by the popular and exciting “Mack the Knife Dance Band.” Event hours are 6 p.m., social with dinner served at 7 p.m. and dancing at 8 p.m. The cost for this event is $22.50 per person which includes a buffet diner, dance contest and Best 50’s costume contest. For more information and to make reservations please call the IAHF at 293-7122 or visit the website at: www.iahfsj.org

November 20 – Saturday
Soroptimist International of Silicon Valley Announces Holiday Boutique Soroptimist International of Silicon Valley, (SISV), a local chapter of a worldwide service organization whose mission is to make a difference for women and girls, will hold a fundraising “Holiday Boutique” from 9 am to 6 pm. at the Odd Fellows Hall, 276 East Campbell in downtown Campbell. The proceeds from this event will go towards numerous projects supported by SISV., including Next Door Solutions, Womens Opportuity Award and The Violet Richardson Award. The boutique will feature a wide range of products, including jewelry, fabric art, cosmetics and paper made by local artists will be available for purchase.


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.