December 21, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

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.

January 4 – Thursday
The Girls’ Middle School, 180 Rengstorff Avenue in Mountain View, will host an Open House from 7 – 9 p.m, This event is designed for families of fifth -grade girls interested in learning more about enrollment at The Girls’ Middle School for the Fall 2007-2008 school year. GMS is committed to educating diverse, self-confident, and inspiring young women at a critical time in their lives. For more information call (650) 968-8338, or visit the website at www.girlsms.org <http://www.girlsms.org/>.

January 6 – 7, 2007
The Children’s Discovery Museum presents a celebration of “El Día De Los Tres Reyes Magos.” Event times are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on 1/6 and from noon – 5 p.m. on 1/7. Join us for a traditional Three Wise Kings party, complete with Rosca de Reyes bread,  papel picado crafts, lots of music and dance with community performers, and appearances by the Three Wise Kings.

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

January 6 – Saturday
SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold registration for computer classes at the "new" Almaden Community Center located at 6445 Camden Avenue. Registration for intermediate courses at 1:30 p.m. Registration for Computer Fundamentals at 3 p.m. All classes will be held at the newly renovated Almaden Community Center. For more information call Don House 268-1703 or visit www.snlcsj.org.

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 30 – Saturday
Branham High School will be holding their 1st annual Men’s Alumni Soccer Game at 12:30 p.m. at the new BHS field-turf playing field. Contact John Hernandez at 608-8153 for more information.

January 3 – Wednesday
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, 1342 Naglee Ave., San Jose, will be hosting a Full Moon Meditation at 5:30 p.m. Drawing on the energies of Light, Life, and Love symbolized by the Full Moon, a brief meditation will be held in the Rosicrucian Peace Garden. Museum hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The museum is closed on major holidays. The entrance is located on Park Avenue.

January 6 – 7
Tails and No Tales Cat Club presents A New Year’s Celebration CFA All Breed Cat Show at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in the Marie Campbell Pavilion. Event hours ate 1/6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on 1/7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual gathering showcases hundreds of cats and features a Junior Showmanship Ring, Feline Agility event and vendors offering the latest in feline supplies, furnishings and toys. Admission is $8 General, $6 Seniors and $4 Children 12 years and under. For more information, call 778-6318.

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 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.