December 28, 2006

Calendar of local events

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

THEATER

Through January 6, 2007
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” is playing at the Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose. Actors Theatre Center 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, Dammit 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” show on 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 call 408-998-TIXS or 408-985-5500.

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Through 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.

Through 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.

December 31 – Sunday
New Year’s Eve may belong to the adults, but the day belongs to the kids! Celebrate the arrival of 2007 with your whole family at The Children’s Discovery Museum from 12 – 4 p.m..  Create your own noise makers, decorate a festive party hat, make your New Year’s resolution, and participate in our “count down to two” with family hugs, a noisy celebration, and a colorful balloon drop. The Children’s Discovery Museum’s version of the New Year’s Eve ball drop, hundreds of multi-colored balloons cascade down to ring in the New Year at 2 p.m.

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.

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.

MISCELLANEOUS

December 26 – February 2
San Jose residents can set their Christmas trees out for curbside recycling collection by the City of San Jose. Natural and flocked (frosted) trees will be collected on the same day as garbage and recycling at single-family homes. Tree collection is done at no additional charge, but residents must remove tinsel, decorations, and the tree stand. Trees also must be cut into five-foot lengths and placed in the street about a foot from the curb - this keeps from obstructing the flow of storm water down the gutters. Residents in apartments and other multi-family complexes should check with their building management for proper set-out instructions. Otherwise, the same rules apply such as removing tinsel, decorations and the tree stand.

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 11 – March 22
Holy Spirit Church to host 10-week “Alpha” course. This course provides a practical exploration of the Christian faith, and is tailored for anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Adults of all ages are welcome, no matter where you are on your faith journey or what your spiritual background is.  Alpha proves that it is possible to learn about the Christian faith and to have fun at the same time. Each meeting starts with a meal and an opportunity to get to know each other and to make new friends. The small group gives you a chance to discuss issues raised during the talks. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. There is no charge for the Alpha course. The course meets once a week for 10 weeks in the Holy Spirit Parish Hall every Thursday evening from 6:30 – 9 p,m. For more information, contact Gail DiBenedetto at gdibened@sbcglobal.net or call the Holy Spirit Parish office at 408-997-5101 to sign up.

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.

San Jose Flycasters meet the second Wednesday of the month at Senior Citizens Center at the NE corner of Payne Avenue and Saratoga Avenue intersection in San Jose. On January 10, Jack Dennis, renown fly fisher, will tie flies beginning at 6:15 p.m., and present a program on Streamer Fly Fishing at the meeting, 7:20 p.m. San Jose Flycasters is a non-profit organization promoting the sport of fly fishing, education on fisheries and habitat preservation and restoration. Free and open to the public. Jim at (408) 278-7077; online: www.flycasters.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.