December 9, 2004

Calendar of local events

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

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
December 10 – 12
Bethel Church of San Jose, 1201 South Winchester Blvd, in San Jose presents “Christmas Spectacular: The Sounds of Christmas.” This holiday event will feature a 100-voice choir and full orchestral accompaniment, with seating for 2000. Both matinee and evening performances are available. For tickets and additional information, visit www.bethel.org or call 246-6790, ext. 114.

December 10 - 12
San Jose Dance Theater presents its 39th Annual production of “The Nutcracker” at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. Ticket prices range from $16 - $42 each. Candy Kingdom tickets are $10 and backstage tours are $5 each. For more information or to order tickets, call 286-9905 or visit www.ticketguys.com

December 11 – Saturday
The Evergreen Valley Community College Pilipino United Resource Organization presents a Christmas Holiday Fiesta Pilipino Style. Join us for a dinner with lots of food, singing, dance performances, a fashion show, and games for children and adults! Entertainment includes Thrillium, Pamela Serrano, Adrenaline and Random Effects. Event hours are 5 – 10 p.m. at Gullo Student Center, Evergreen Valley College 3095 Yerba Buena. Children are free!

December 11 – Saturday
“Night of Lights” returns to Raging Waters! This 19-year holiday tradition features carolers, Christmas lights, pictures with Santa, holiday goodies, a 45-foot Christmas tree atop the water slide and a spectacular fireworks display. Community performers will include local youth groups, school bands and community choirs. Produced by the Evergreen Valley Service Organization, Night of Lights is the perfect seasonal venue for the whole family. Hours are 6 – 7 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, call 238-9900.

December 11 – Saturday
Goodies, holiday activities and Victorian crafts await visitors at the “Christmas Celebration at Grant Ranch” at Joseph D. Grant County Park. From 12 to 4 p.m., Grant Ranch will host entertainment for the whole family and a tour of the historic Ranch House. For more information, call 274-6121 or visit www.parkhere.org. Joseph D. Grant County Park is located at 18405 Mt. Hamilton Road in San Jose

December 12 – Sunday
Discover how tinsel came to be through a German Christmas tale at “Cobweb Christmas” at Almaden Quicksilver County Park’s Mining Museum from 1 – 2 p.m. Make a tinsel spider web. Meet some real spiders and eat Victorian-style Christmas treats. This activity is for ages 4- 10 years with an accompanying adult. Reservations are required by calling 323-1107 or visit www.parkhere.org.

December 12 – Sunday
DeAnza Park (Meridian near Blossom Hill Road) will be the site of the Grand Menorah Lighting celebration hosted by the Almaden Valley Torah Center. The lighting will be at 4 p.m. and the event includes arts and crafts, latkes, donuts, and more. For more information, call 445-2770.

December 13 – Monday
The 25th Annual Messiah Sing Along with a professional orchestra will be held at the California Theater downtown. Sing the solos as well as the choruses. Choir members sit among the singers to lead the music. Scores can be purchased at the event. Admission is $18. For more information, visit www.sanjosesymphonicchoir.org, or call 995-3318.

December 16 – 26
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents “The Nutcracker” at the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown San Jose. A much beloved tradition since 1985, Dennis Nahat’s Nutcracker is a fully professional production with live orchestral accompaniment. Admission is $22 - $68 per person. For more information, call 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org.

December 17 – Friday
Celebrate the holidays Hawaiian-style and benefit local charities. “Hawaiian Holiday Magic” Hula Show will be at the Santa Clara University Mayer Theater. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Ladies of Moani Ke ‘Ala O Ka Mailelauli’i and the Men of Ka Iho Makawalu A Ka Ua Kipu’upu’u, this show will benefit Toys for Tots, Second Harvest Food Bank, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center and Camp Okizu. Donate a toy or canned good and receive a free raffle ticket. For more information, call 227-7600 or 210-6705. Admission is $20 advance purchase, $25 at the door. Children 2 years and under are free.

December 17 – Friday
Foothill Presbyterian Church, 5301 McKee Road in San Jose, will host “Tapestry of Christmas” featuring the church’s “Glory Ringers” Handbell Choir, the Chancel and Children’s Choir, recorder Ensemble, and special guests, Voice of the Valley. Suggested donation of one canned goods item will benefit the “Lord’s Pantry.” For more information, call 258-8133.

December 17 - Friday
Come celebrate the holiday season at the East Valley Family YMCA, 1975 South White Road.  This Holiday Family Fun Night features free holiday arts and crafts, swimming, 40 foot rock climbing wall, photo with Santa, and entertainment for the entire family. Special guest performers will be the Evergreen Valley College Choir and the Cathedral of Faith Dance Group. Hours are 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Performances begin at 6:45 p.m. Contact Jennifer Hurwitz for more information at 715-6519.

MUSIC
December 11 – Saturday
FYCO presents its 2004 Holiday Concert, held at the California Theater from 3 – 5 p.m. and featuring the internationally renowned artist, Fu King Yuan, performing the leiqin, a unique and rarely performed Chinese string instrument. Admission is $15 - $20 per person. For more information, call 253-5998 or visit www.fyco.org.

December 14 – Tuessday
The Leigh High School Instrumental Music Program presents Winter Concert 2004. Featuring the award-winning Wind Ensemble along with the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Ensemble, this concert will be a holiday treat for all ages. The Heritage Theater, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell. Tickets are $8 General and $5 Students and Seniors. For tickets information, call 408-356-2559.

December 16 – Thursday
Marcos Witt and his band will be performing a Christian music concert at the Civic Auditorium from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call 707-422-5231, or visit www.elcentinelafiel.com.

THEATER
November 27 – January 2, 2005
Sandra Tsing Loh’s “Sugar Plum Fairy” brings her wickedly comedic performance detailing the angst of being 12, awkward and vying for the starring role in the ballet school’s ‘Nutcracker’ production to the San Jose Repertory Theatre. This production directed by David Schweizer. For tickets and additional information, call 367-7255 or visit www.sjrep.com.

December 11 – Saturday
“Please…Divorce Me Darling,” based on the Oscar-nominated film, “Cactus Flower,” this play features a bachelor dentist (Rejesh Khattar) with a sure-fire gimmick to stay single – by telling his many girlfriends he’s married with three children. His plan backfires when he falls in love with a moral woman (Vandana Sajnani) who demands to the wife and children. The dentist turns to his nurse (Rati Agnihotri) to play the role of wife and it is she who blossoms like the cactus flower the moment she steps out of her starched uniform. Performance time is 8 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. Admission is $25 per person. For more information, call 938-8668 or visit www.indiapost.com.

December 14 – 18
Almaden County School and Valley Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints produces community production of “Annie.”
The cast attends, Noddin, Holy Spirit, Graystone, St. Lawrence Academy, Los Alamitos, and Almaden Country School. You can see them on stage December 14, 15 and 17 at 7:30pm and on Dec. 18 at a 1:00pm matinee. Tickets are $5.00 each and are available by calling Almaden Country School, 997-0424 or by sending a check made out to Almaden 1st Ward to 6835 Trinidad Drive, San Jose.

MEETINGS
Ongoing:
The Billy De Frank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 938 The Alameda in 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 grou newets 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 Aveue. For more information, call 298-9131.

CLASSES
Ongoing
Fine Art Lesssons: Fine Art Classes in Watercolor, Oil and Soft Pastel with Gillian Lane Altieri, at the New Almaden Community Center, Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beginning and intermediate classes, all skill levels are invited. $20 per lesson or $60 per month (3-4 lessons).Call 268-2990 for information and materials lists.
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
Ongoing:
Aasha Pediatrics, 2060 Aborn Rd., Suite 230, (behind Red Lobster) is offering free consultation on newborn care to expectant parents. Get all your questions answered toward being best prepared for the arrival of your child. For a personal appointment, call Dr. Meena Sathappan at 274-9099.
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
December 11 – Saturday
Older Woman’s League (OWL) will host a Holiday Pot-Luck and Croning Celebration to honor women of age, wisdom and power from 9:30 a.m., to noon. This event will be held at Cypress Gardens, 3555 Judro in San Jose. The potluck is co-sponsored by the National Organization for Women and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. All are welcome. Call 292-1172 or 294-1073 for more information.

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.

VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Ongoing:
Volunteers Needed for Tax Preparation The City of San José’s, Office on Aging in conjunction with AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS and the Metropolitan Adult Education Program provides a free tax-training program that prepares volunteers to assist seniors and lower income clients with their tax returns. Training classes will be held from October 18 – December 15, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All classes will be at the Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave. in San Jose. For more information, call Tracey Giglione at 277-4790.

MISCELLANEOUS
December 18 - Saturday
The South Bay Blood Mobile will be at St. Timothy’s Curch, 5100 Camden, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information on becoming a donor, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www. BeADonor.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.