December 18, 2008

Calendar of local events

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

MUSIC

Dec. 20 – 21
Hallelujah! An Interfaith Christmas Concert: The Third Annual Interfaith Christmas Concert, “Hallelujah!” held at the Montgomery Theater will inspire all with the true message of Christmas. Diverse choirs from various community Christian churches and schools come together for a musical message of Christmas spirit. A community crèche exhibit will be on display and for admission Toys for Tots and Second Harvest Food Bank will accept donations at the door. There will also be an opportunity to support Innvision. For more information and event time, visit www.hallelujahconcert.com

DANCE

Dec. 11 – 28
Ballet San Jose presents Dennis Nahat’s “The Nutcracker”: This San Jose tradition once again graces the stage of the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Maria and her beloved nutcracker will delight audiences, young and old alike; and as a special treat for the little ones, The Nutcracker offers two special one-hour matinee performances. Following the performances, Children and their families can extend their Nutcracker experience by reserving space at the Nutcracker “High Teas” held at the beautifully-restored Sainte Claire Hotel. For Nutcracker Ballet information, or information about High Teas at the Sainte Claire Hotel, call 288-2800 or www.balletsanjose.org Ballet performance tickets are $30 - $85. High Tea tickets are $35 - $50.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Dec. 17 - 28
Winter Movies at the California Theater: Make the most of your winter indoor time with a movie day at the California Theater. Our movie schedule is as follows: Home Alone, Dec. 17-18; Funny Girl, Dec.17-18; White Christmas, Dec. 19-21; A Christmas Story, Dec. 19-21; The Polar Express, Dec. 22-23; The Music Man, Dec. 22-23; It’s A Wonderful Life, Dec. 24; Swiss Family Robinson, Dec. 25-26; and Mary Poppins, Dec.27-28. Visit www.sanjose.org for show times. Admission is $5.

Dec. 23
Nutcracker “High Tea” at downtown San Jose’s Sainte Claire Hotel: As a special treat for Ballet San Jose’s youngest fans, special “High Tea” parties for children will be following select matinee performances of “The Nutcracker.” The teas will follow the Children’s (one-hour) matinee performances on Dec.13 and on Dec.23, both matinees begin at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts at 1:30 p.m.  The parties begin at 3pm.  Teas offer children the unique opportunity to meet characters from the show and enjoy a delightful afternoon of face-painting, balloon artists and “Maria’s Toy Shop,” a unique holiday boutique for those last-minute gifts. The Sainte Claire Hotel is located at 302 South Market Street in San Jose, High Tea reservation rates are $50/Adults, $30/Children. Call 288-2820 for reservations.

Dec. 31
Noon Year’s Eve at the Children’s Discovery Museum: This night may belong to the adults, but the day belongs to the kids! Celebrate the arrival of 2009 with your whole family.  Create your own noisemaker, decorate a party hat, make your New Year’s resolution, and participate in our “count down to noon” with a festive noon balloon drop, family hugs, and noisy celebration! Event hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

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.

FIFTY PLUS

Jan. 3
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold registration for computer classes on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Almaden Community Center located at 6445 Camden Avenue. Registration for intermediate courses at 1:30 p.m. Registration for Computer Fundamentals at 3:00 p.m. Courses include Digital Photography, Digital Photo Editing, Digital Video Editing, Greeting Cards, Windows XP and Vista, File Management and Computer Tips and Techniques. All classes will be held at the Almaden Community Center. For more information call Don House at (408)268-1703 or visit www.snlcsj.org.

VOLUNTEERS

Tax Volunteers Needed: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteers who would like to help seniors file their taxes for this upcoming tax season from February 1st till April 15th. If you have experience filing taxes or enjoy doing the taxes for your family and friends this temporary volunteer opportunity would be a rewarding experience! You would be volunteering at Evergreen Library on Thursdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm. There will be a tax training classes in January at the Office on Aging. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call Cory Hunt at (408) 979-7906

Hospice Volunteers Needed: Rewarding volunteer opportunities are available in patient and family services, grief support, fundraising, community outreach, office and administrative support with Hospice of the Valley. Hospice of the Valley provides quality end-of-life care services and programs for adults and children facing life-limiting illness. Volunteer training begins October/November 2008. The next one-day orientation is on Nov. 12. For volunteer information, and for a pre-interview, contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 408.559.5600, email request@hospicevalley.org or visit hospicevalley.org

MISCELLANEOUS

Dec. 27
Carlos Mencia at the Civic Auditorium: Carlos Mencia, host of Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia, will perform stand up comedy live on stage. Show time is 8 p.m. For ticket and additional information, call 998-8497 or visit www.livenation.com

Jan. 3 – Feb. 14
Free Pruning Lessons in the Heritage Rose Garden: Rose pruning and care lessons will be offered in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden every Wednesday and Saturday. Lessons will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 12 noon. Participants must arrive by 9:15 a.m. to be included in the day’s training. We will gather in the center of the garden. We provide leather gloves and bypass shears, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. We recommend that you bring a hat and water. The Heritage Rose Garden is located on West Taylor Street, at Spring Street, within Guadalupe Gardens. Free parking is available on Seymour St (cross street is Walnut). Call the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, 298-7657, or email Volunteer Coordinator Lucy Perez at lperez@grpg.org for further information.

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

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.