January 12, 2009

CALENDAR

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 – 23
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. 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

Nov. 28 – Dec. 28
San Francisco’s legendary Sir Francis Drake Hotel will host Zanzibar Fairytale Puppet Theater’s Cinderella: Created by Theodore Dawson’s Zanzibar Fairytale Puppet Theater, this enchanting puppet show debuts at the Sir Francis Drake’s Empire Ballroom this holiday season.  Designed to delight the entire family, the story unfolds upon a magical Christmas Eve and sets a new standard for puppet shows with beautifully costumed and wonderfully crafted puppets, exquisite scenery, entrancing lighting, a lush musical score and a dazzling indoor snowfall. Guests will also delight in a Viennese buffet made up of a fantastic array of cakes, cookies, tarts and hot chocolate, along with other delicious holiday confections.  Opening Night follows the Union Square tree lighting. Sir Francis Drake is located at 450 Powell Street, San Francisco. Admission is $65 per person, which includes the show, buffet and hot chocolate. Call (415)433-1235 to reserve tickets, or visit www.zanzibarpuppets.com for reservations and show times.

Nov. 28 – Dec. 31
Santa Clara County Parks Department presents its annual “Fantasy of Lights” event at Vasona Lake Park. Celebrating its 10th year Anniversary, this bay area tradition will feature new displays – including an erupting volcano – prizes, a drawing, and coupons on the website. Go to www.Parkhere.org for more information and directions. Hours are 6 – 10 p.m. nightly; admission is $10 through Dec. 10, $15 from Dec. 11 – Dec. 31. Vasona Lake Park is located at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos.

Dec. 12 – 14
Foxworthy Baptist Church presents 25th Annual “Christmas Gift to San Jose”: Held at the Foxworthy Baptist Church facility, this fully-staged and choreographed musical production features over 50 singers, beautiful sets and special effects that include falling snow. Among the Christmas favorites featured are “Jingle Bells”, “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleighride,” plus a Children’s Christmas Medley with appearances by Rudolph, Frosty and the Grinch. In the traditional second half of the production, the choir celebrates the birth of Jesus and the reason for the season. There is no charge for admission, but tickets are required. Request free tickets at the church website- www.foxworthy.org or call 516-3111. For further information call the church at 269-1212.

Dec. 12 - 14
Bethel Church presents “The Promise of Christmas” Spectacular: Staged in Bethel’s main auditorium at 1201 South Winchester Blvd in San Jose, the 2008 Christmas Spectacular-The Promise of Christmas has many new additions which promise a great show that will start your Christmas season off right. In addition to production favorites such as the 100-plus member choir, The Voices of Bethel, and the Kingdom Kids Choir, 2008 will feature new elements like top-rated choreography by TJ Delgado. The show times are 12/12 at 8 p.m., 12/13 & 14 at 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Doors open one hour prior to show time and admission is free. Interpreters for the hearing impaired will be available 12/14, at the 4 p.m. production.

Dec. 13 & 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. 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. 18 & 21
Holiday Open House Tours at Ainsley House: This month, the historic Ainsley House will be transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. Join us from 5:30 - 8 p.m. for one of two special evening open houses, where the lights and the decorations can be fully enjoyed in all their nighttime splendor. All of the Ainsley House’s 15 rooms will be decorated by local interior designers, house decorators, florists, and volunteers to the theme of “Winter Wonderland.” There will also be a special holiday boutique open on the top floor, full of unique delights for holiday shoppers. Tickets are $10 for Museum members,/$15 for non-members, and may be purchased at the Campbell Historical Museum Stores or at the Museum Office, both located at 51 N. Central Avenue in Campbell. The Ainsley House is located at 300 Grant Street in Campbell. Advance reservations are recommended. For more information, call 866-2119.

CLASSES

Dec. 13
Annual Holiday Wreath Workshop: This annual workshop is so popular; we’ve added an additional time slot. Get ready for the holidays the old-fashioned way by making your own wreath. Master Gardener Milli Wright and friends will show how to look through gardens and parks to find unusual items that can be incorporated into the wreaths. After a basic design lesson, you will be ready to create a personal gift for your home. All basic materials will be provided, but if you have some special greenery, lights or ornaments that you’d like to incorporate into your wreath, please bring them along. Workshop times are 10 a.m. to noon or 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Cost is $15/members or $20 non-members. Program location: Visitor Center, 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. Reserve your spot by contacting education @grpg.org or call 298-7657.

Ongoing
Vipassana (Mindfulness) meditations. Alternate walking and sitting Vipassana meditations. Every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Free. Mindful Living Alliance Insight Meditation Center, 419 California Street in Campbell. For more information on all events, please call Tony at 505-5190, or visit www.MLAusa.org.

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 at the Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Ave.  Guests are welcome from all communities.  For more information, call 316-2130.

MISCELLANEOUS

Dec. 15
Blessings needed for Teen Challenge! Faith-based 12mo. Recovery Program is having Christmas at 7 facilities. We need to provide approx. 600 gifts for the families. Will you help? Your donation of clothing, gift cards, and toys will bring joy this season! Contact Peter Wallace 888-339-3193; Drop-off 740 Camden Ave Campbell. Pick-up available. Tax deductible. www.teenchallenge.net

Jan. 6, 2009
Preparing for the Digital TV Transition: On Feb. 17, 2009, by Act of Congress, over-the-air broadcasting is going all-digital. This means that if you own one of the estimated 44 million non-digital sets, and you’ve been receiving network shows via analog broadcasting (a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears”), you will need to take action to continue receiving those programs. Learn how you can prepare in advance for the transition by attending this free Federal Communication Commission seminar at the Campbell Library. An FCC representative will be on hand to answer all of you questions. Seminar times is 3 p.m.. For more information, call 866-1991.

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.