December 14, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

December 15 – Friday
The Downtown Campbell Business Association is sponsoring a free community songfest open to everyone from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Oddfellows parking lot in the middle of downtown at the corner of First Street and East Campbell Avenue. Dan Naylor, Music Director for Westmont High School, will be the conductor and has chosen songs appropriate to the season. All are invited to come and raise your voice in song with friends and neighbors in the inviting holiday atmosphere of cozy downtown Campbell.

December 15 -16
Fun Times Singers present "Reflections of Peace", a holiday concert of hope and beauty at 8 p.m., at the First Congregational Church of San Jose, 1980 Hamilton Ave., in San Jose. Adults $14, Seniors & Students $10 - $2 discount with advanced purchase. Join us for cookies, coffee, and punch after the performance. For more information, call Nancy at 408-313-4205, or visit us on-line at http://www.FunTimesSingers.org.

December 16 – Saturday
Sunnyvale Theatre, 550 East Remmington Drive in Sunnyvale, presents perennial audience favorite, Celtic harper and storyteller Patrick Ball performing his magical holiday show, The Christmas Rose at 8 p.m.. The evening's tales include Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales and passages from the work of William Shakespeare, William Butler Yates and Thomas Hardy. Patrick strings these together with a bright garland of traditional carols from merry old England and other places, giving them all a Celtic twinkle with his rare wire-strung harp. Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased by phone (408)733-6611, or fax (408) 730-7726. To download a ticket order form and see other acts in the 2005 Evening of Cultural Arts Series, please visit our website at: http://arts.inSunnyvale.com

THEATER

December 15 - 17
The Aztlán Academy-San José will present J.H. Salazar’s “Nuestra Navidad” – A Family Christmas” at the Montgomery Theater, 271 South Market Street. Performances times are 12/15 & 16 at 8 p.m. and on 12/17 at 3 p.m. This performance will mark the 34th Anniversary of the Academy’s traditional family oriented Christmas program at the Montgomery Theater featuring Aztlán Dance Troupe, Conjunto Xitlali, Conjunto Atardecer, Mandinga and Kaisahan of San José Dance Company. Admission charges: $40- Sponsor, $20- General, $10- Children. Discount is available for groups of 10 or more. For general and ticket purchasing information, please call the Academy at 408/984-0342 or visit us at www.aztlanacademy.org.

December 16 – January 6, 2007
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” at the Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose. ATC presents this revival of Richard O’Brien’s award-winning production starring Tad M. Morgan (Ciao Bella Restaurant) as Frank-n-Furter and Chris Tann as Riff-Raff. Featuring all of your favorite hits - Sweet Transvestite, Damnit Janet, Hot Patootie and of course...The Time Warp, all backed by a hot live band! Join us in the VIP Table seating and receive a prop box with goodies to interact with the show...you might even appear onstage! Show times are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 p.m. with 12 a.m. “Midnight Madness” shows on 12/16 & 1/6. New Year's Eve Gala Dinner and Show 12/31 at 8 p.m. $70 includes Dinner, Champagne, party favors, interactive props and Show. VIP Table Seats (not sold thru Ticketmaster) $30 Reserved Seating $20. Most tickets available through www.ticketmaster.com or www.theatrecenter.biz or call 408-998-TIXS or 408-985-5500.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

October 21 – January 15, 2007
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 1, 2007
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.

November 24 – December 24
American Musical Theatre San Jose presents the world premiere of “Christmas Dreamland”, a show-stopping extravaganza for the entire family. This new holiday spectacular will be staged at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell at the Campbell Community Center.

December 14 – 24
Ballet San Jose presents “The Nutcracker” at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose. Dennis Nahat’s “The Nutcracker” has become a festive yearly tradition for thousands of children and families throughout the Bay Area. With its whimsical costumes and scenery, huge case of professional dancers and a battalion of mice, this spectacularly colorful production is fresh and new with each and every viewing. Don’t miss this treasured holiday classic. “The Nutcracker” will warm your heart like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s night. Tickets: $25 - $78 Call 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org for tickets and more information.

December 16 - 17
San Jose Dance Theatre’s Production of The Nutcracker will be presented at The EVHS Performing Arts Center, 3300 Quimby Road in San Jose. San Jose Dance Theatre is proud to call itself one of San Jose’s oldest traditions. This year we are celebrating our 41st production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. San Jose Dance Theatre’s production annually welcomes children and dancers ranging from seven to twenty five years of age to perform. Admission is $18 - $45. For tickets or more information, call 408-286-9905 or visit www.sjdt.org

CLASSES

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

FIFTY PLUS

Ongoing
AARP Campbell Area Chapter 5151 meets the third Tuesday of every month (except December) at 9:30 a.m. in room Q-80, Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Ave for informative and fun programs.  Visitors from all communities are welcome. Call 378-6996

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.

VOLUNTEERS

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is actively recruiting volunteers who are interested in fostering dogs or puppies. Canine foster parents provide short and long-term care for dogs or puppies who are either fearful of being in a shelter environment, too young to be adopted or need time to heal from an injury or illness. For more information visit www.hssv.org and click on adoption and then foster care or call 408-727-3383 ext. 834.

MISCELLANEOUS

December 15 – Friday
The Santa Clara County Division, of the California Retired Teachers Association, will meet for luncheon at the Three Flames restaurant, 1547 Meridian Avenue, at 11:30 a.m. Join us for good food, fellowship, and Christmas music provided by the West Valley College Choir. Call Roger Evans (294-8346) for reservations.

December 18 – Monday
Willow Glen Books, 1330 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose presents a reading by Nils Peterson at 7 p.m. for the Christmas Season. An open reading will follow – bring a poem to share.

Ongoing
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.

The Hearing Loss Association of Silicon Valley meets on the third Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at the Moose Lodge, 1580 Hamilton Avenue in San Jose. Meetings begin at 12:30 p.m. Our mission is to improve the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, support and advocacy. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 229-1041 or visit www.hearingloss.org.

Humane Society Silicon Valley Companion Animal Loss Support Group Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Humane Society Silicon Valley, 2530 Lafayette St., Santa Clara. Facilitator: Adam Dorsay, M.A. For more information, call 450-1800 or visit: www.hssv.org and click on Services and then Pet Loss. Meetings are free and open to the public.

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.