November 10, 2008

CALENDAR

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

DANCE

Nov. 20 - 23
Ballet San Jose opens the 2008-2009 season with the lost August Bournonville ballet, “The Toreador,” reconstructed and staged by Flemming Flindt.  This romantic comedy tells the tale of a dashing bullfighter, a young peasant girl and a beautiful French ballerina caught in a lover’s triangle.  This delightful ballet has a humorous touch and is appropriate for the whole family. Four performances only, at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets are from $25-$85. Call 288-2800 or visit www.balletsanjose.org. for more information. Group Discounts are also available by calling 288-2820 x204

CHILDREN/FAMILY

Nov. 15
Fammatre’s 5th Annual Holiday Boutique: Held at the school campus, 2800 New Jersey in San Jose, event hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our boutique will feature many unique gift items including hand-crafted jewelry, candy, ceramics, totebags, candle making for the children and much, much more. If you are interested in joining the fun, applications may be picked in the school office, or email your request to remmuh@sbcglobal.net or call Laura Miles at 559-6254.

Nov. 15
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School Open House: Hours are 2 – 4 p.m. on campus at 13601 Saratoga Avenue in Saratoga. For more information, www.st-andrews.org

Nov. 18
Santana Row’s 7th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony “Light Up the Row:” Santana Row kicks off the holiday season with its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, hosted by NBC 11’s Brent Cannon and Laura Garcia-Cannon. This South Bay tradition takes place from 7-7:30 p.m. on the Celebration Stage on Olin Avenue and will include the lighting of more than 500,000 twinkling lights adorning the entire neighborhood as well as a magnificent 40-foot Christmas tree in Park Valencia. In addition to music and dance performances, San Jose native Katee Shean, a recent finalist on season four of “So You Think You Can Dance,” will make a special appearance. Additional festivities include live music and dance performances and holiday activities for children of all ages as well as food and beverage sampling from 6:30 – 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.santanarow.com

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.

CLASSES

Nov. 15
Learn how to have Healthy Soil for Healthy Plants at Metropolitan Adult Education Program’s World Garden Workshop, at the Erikson Adult Center located at 4849 Pearl Ave in San Jose. Master Gardener Laura Moncynski will teach gardeners of all skill levels how to re-energize their soil for the next growing season. Moncynski specializes in growing organic edibles in her garden and will share tips with gardeners about organic soil amendments, compost, working with local clay soils and more! Healthy gardens start with healthy soil. This free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. 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 November World Garden Workshop list, or email your name and phone number to ritab@metroed.net. Sign-up early, space is limited.

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.

VOLUNTEERS

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

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

Nov. 15
Fall Flea Market at Prospect High School: Attention buyers – The PHS Flea Market is perfect for stretching those holiday shopping dollars, and offers a cornucopia of goodies & gift possibilities for everyone on your list. Sellers can make room for holiday festivities & make some pocket money by selling those extra items around the house. Last call for fall, Sat. Nov. 15, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., 18900 Prospect Rd. @ Lawrence Expwy, Saratoga. Stop by the car wash, too. Admission & Parking are free. Call 554-2999 to reserve a space. Proceeds benefit PHS athletic programs.

Nov. 15
Whisky U Fundraiser for the Highland Games: The Campbell Highland Games Association is pleased to offer this opportunity to support a much-loved community event. Due in part to increased costs, the 2009 Games is in danger of fading away much like Brigadoon. Please help us keep this longtime Campbell mainstay around for another 30 years by attending Whisky University: an evening featuring fine single malts with a seminar on the history of scotch and a tasting “how to”. Held at the Campbell Moose Lodge, 1580 Hamilton Avenue, The evening includes cocktails, dinner, a silent auction and donation drawing as well as live entertainment and dancing. Event hours are 6 – 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each (includes dinner and scotch tasting; cocktails are extra). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website or call 371-4075.

Nov. 18
Campbell Library - Betsy Schwartz presents Italy by Bicycle: Schwartz, a global traveler and cyclist, will present her cycling travels through the picturesque Puglia region in southern Italy. This free public presentation begins at 7:15 p.m. in the Community Room, 77 Harrison Avenue. For information, call 866-1991.

Nov. 20
Single professionals of all ages are invited to meet new friends who appreciate fine wines, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Number One Broadway Nightclub, 102 S Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. Dancing to the Live Music of The Joint Chiefs follows. $30 at the door includes all the wines you can taste, from boutique wineries, accompanied by appetizers to cleanse the palate, plus the Dance Party. Anyone wishing more information about this and more parties for singles may call 415-507-9962 or visit www.ThePartyHotline.com.

Nov. 30
Mindfulness (Vipassana, Insight) Meditation free One-Day Retreat – Instruction and Practices on Mindfulness and Loving-kindness meditations, led by Burmese Meditation Master Venerable Sayadaw U Kavinda, sitting and walking meditations, interviews, Dharma Talks, lunch provided, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Mindful Living Alliance Insight Meditation Center, 419 California Street in Campbell. Pre-registration is required. Please call Tony at 505-5190 or visit www.MLAusa.org for more information and to register.

Dec. 6 – 7
Professional and student artists will exhibit a wide range of hand-crafted ceramic work at the annual San Jose City College Ceramics Show and Sale. Attendees will find decorative and functional pottery, including Ikebana-style vases, teapots, dinnerware, and sculptures. Admission is free and open to the public. Items are reasonably priced, and proceeds from the sale will help the arts program at San Jose City College. Show times are noon to 6 p.m. on 12/7 and noon to 8 p.m. on 12/8. Event location is the SJCCC Laboratory, Rm. 311, 2100 Moorpark Ave in San Jose. For more information, call 298-2181, extension 3816.

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

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.