December 29, 2005

Calendar of local events

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

ART
November 17 – January 7, 2006
The Art Museum of Los Gatos, 4 Tait Avenue, announces the opening exhibits of local artists James Warren Perry, featuring his series of California landscape paintings, and Richard Shaw, showcasing his trompe l’oueil porcelain sculpture. A public reception with both artists will be held on Sunday, November 20, from 2 – 5 p.m. Musuem hours are Wed – Sun, from noon – 4 p.m. admission is free. For more information, call 395-7375.

CHILDREN/FAMILY
September 30 – January 6, 2006
“Game On: The History and Culture of Videogames.” Explore the history, culture and future of video games at this temporary exhibit. “Game On” is a highly interactive exhibit that examines the exploding video game industry from the game design process and beyond. Come experience the past forty years of electronic gaming, and reflect on where the industry will go next. “Game On” was organized by the Barbican Art Gallery London in collaboration with the National Museums of Scotland. “Game On” will be at The Tech through January 6, 2006.

November 25 – January 1, 2006
The 26th annual Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez is a San Jose seasonal tradition. Each year, the 2-acre park is transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 60 displays and hundreds of trees decorated by schools, businesses, scout troupes and nonprofits. Christmas in the Park is open until Jan. 1, 2006 from 9 a.m. to midnight. For more information on this free event, call 995-6635 or log on to www.christmasinthepark.com.

December 31 – Sunday
Parkside Hall will be the venue for “Da Hoi Ney Year,” a New Year’s celebration hosted by Vien Thao Media. Event hours are 8:00p.m.-1:00a.m. For more information, visit www.vienthao.com

January 6 - Friday
The California Theatre Center presents “The Brave Little Taylor,” the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. The Brave Little Tailor plays at 7:30pm,  at the Louis B. Mayer Theatre at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara. Tickets $11-12. For more information, visit www.ctcinc.org or call the Box Office at 245-2978.

January 7 – 8
The Children¹s Discovery Museum ends the winter holiday season with El Dia de los Reyes Magos, a community celebration popular in many parts of Europe and Latin America. Experience The Three Wise Kings (also known as Epiphany and Twelfth Night) in the style of Mexico with Rosca de Reyes bread, Papel Picado crafts, mariachi music, folklorico dance and photo opportunities with the Three Wise Kings themselves. For a schedule of activities, go online at www.cdm.org.

January 13 – Friday
Stars on Ice celebrates its 20th Anniversary at the HP Pavilion: Headlining the 2006 season is an extraordinary cast of figure skating’s most revered stars including reigning Olympic Gold medalist and skating phenom Alexei Yagudin, world-renowned 2002 Olympic Pair Champions Jamie Sale & David Pelletier of Canada and Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikhaluridze of Russia, plus many more. This performance begins at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices start at $25 and are available at the HP Pavilion at San Jose ticket office, Ticketmaster* outlets, starsonice.com and ticketmaster.com*  For Phone charges, call 998-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, and 510-625-TIXS.  For group Information (15 or more): 999-5844.  Presented locally by Safeway.

CLASSES
January 4 – February 15, 2006
Rose pruning and care lessons will be offered in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden every Wednesday, and Saturday. Lessons will begin at 9:00 am and last until 12:00 Noon. Participants must arrive by 9:15 to be included in the day’s training. We will gather in the center of the garden. Bring leather gloves and bypass shears, if you have them, although loaners are available. We also recommend 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 Taylor Street. Call the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, 298-7657, or email Volunteer Coordinator Lucy Perez at lperez@grpg.org for further information.

FIFTY PLUS
January 7 - Saturday
Almaden SeniorNet, computer classes for adults 50 and over will hold at the Almaden Winery Community Center, 5730 Chambertin Drive off Blossom Hill Road. Registration for intermediate courses will be at 1:30 p.m.

Registration for Computer Fundamentals will be at 3:00 p.m. All classes will be held at the Vineland Branch of the San Jose Public Library, 1540 Blossom Hill Road. For more information, call Don House 268-1703 or visit http://www.snlcsj.org/.

Ongoing
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.

MISCELLANEOUS
January 4-8
The San Jose International Auto Show at the San José McEnery Convention Center: This annual exhibition features over 350 vehicles from more than 36 manufacturers. See the latest offerings from the auto industry as well as factory concepts, specialty vehicles, race cars and an accessory arcade. Event hours are January 4-5, Noon-10 p.m. January 6-7, 10 a.m. -10 p.m. January 8, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. For more information call 717-566-6100 or visit www.sjautoshow.com. Admission: $5 - $9.

January 7 – Saturday
The Great American Bake Sale will be held in front of the Almaden Safeway store on Almaden Expressway and Camden Avenue. This annual event is sponsored by Parade Magazine. Proceeds go to Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to eliminating childhood hunger in the U.S. Stop by to pick up delicious baked goods prepared by community volunteers. Bake sale hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 997-8844.

January 9 – Monday
The Almaden Valley Community Association has invited Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky, to speak to our concerns regarding Family Law and Juvenile issues in Almaden Valley at 7 p.m., at Vineland Branch Library,1450 Blossom Hill Rd.  Check our website www.avca-sj.org for more information.

January 13 – 15
San Jose Coin, Stamp & Collectable Show at Parkside Hall. This is the Premier Club sponsored show in the greater bay area. There will be over 100 dealers available to buy, sell or trade coins, stamps and collectables Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Free appraisals and identification will be available. There will be a Treasure Hunt on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will also be an education forum and competitive exhibits. For more information visit www.sanjosecoinclub.org. Admission is $3, Free for children under 17.

January 14 - Saturday
South Bay Scottish Society presents its 12th Annual Robert Burns Supper & Ceilidh Dance at the Mountain View Masonic Lodge (Church & Franklin). Featured entertainment: music Celtic Blacklyst, Parade of and address to the Haggis, Juliet Davoren’s recitation of Tam O’Shanter, other Burns poetry and songs, Scottish Country and ceilidh dancing for all... oh yes, there’s dinner too, including haggis. The evening will end with the traditional Auld Lang Syne. Order forms are available at www.southbayscots.org . For information, contact Sandy Welsh at 629-9325. SBSS Members & guests $27. Non-members $32, children 12 and under $15. Deadline for paid reservations is January 7. After January 7 and at door, cost is $40/person. Reservations strongly recommended.

Ongoing
Saratoga Historic Museum: New history exhibits for young and old visitors. Unique holiday gift options. Museum hours are 1-4 PM, Fridays-Sundays. 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga. Free admission. For more information, visit www.saratogahistory.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.