I know many of you are probably getting into the holiday season. San Jose (and I’m sure other cities) have had holiday decorations up around town for a couple of weeks now. In downtown San Jose, you can already go ice skating, and the tree lighting ceremony will be Nov. 28 at Christmas in the Park. (More info on that here). And I’m sure holiday festivities are starting around the South Bay each day.

But I have to admit, I’m becoming somewhat of a humbug. It started two years ago, actually. All the stress of buying gifts for people seemed futile. The people I was buying for didn’t need anything. I didn’t want anything from them, except maybe some time to spend together over dinner or drinks. So last year I decided - no gifts. Instead, I would be giving my precious (and few) hard-earned dollars to those who needed it. Did my friends and family miss the presents? Not one bit. Especially when I told my mom, who works for the Girl Scouts, that I was donating money to her organization. And I told my pet-loving friend I’d be donating to the local SPCA. They didn’t mind one bit.

Call me Charlie Brown, but the holidays have become so focused on presents, that I’m afraid people are forgetting about those who will be the coldest, the hungriest this season.

Now more than ever we need to keep those less fortunate in mind. We’re facing an economic “recession” (a euphemism, I’m convinced), and the local foodbanks will be seeing more hungry, hopeful faces this holiday season than they’ve seen in a few decades.

As a board member of a local nonprofit, I can tell you firsthand that charities are hurting. They’ve been hurting for the last couple of winters, but this year is bad. People are scared, and are grabbing that wallet tight - for good reason. But we can’t forget that our neighbors need our help. Even if it’s $20, or 10 cans of food.

To raise awareness that charities need your help, the Silicon Valley Open Arms Coalition was created by local funders and nonprofits. The website gives several ways for people to contribute this holiday season, depending on which organization they’d like to support. Some of the nonprofits involved are First 5, Second Harvest Food Bank, Sobrato Family Foundation, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, and The Health Trust.

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This Tuesday is Santana Row’s 7th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony beginning at 6:30 pm.

Festivities include live music, choirs, carolers, stilt walkers, hot chocolate sampling and activities for children.

The annual (40-foot) Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at approximately 6:30 pm in Park Valencia; also, the lighting of more than 500,000 twinkling lights throughout Santana Row.

Scheduled on the Celebration Stage on Olin Avenue: San Jose native Katee Shean (So You Think You Can Dance), The Nutcracker performed by The Joy of Dancing, also a sneak peek of San Jose Repertory Theatre’s holiday production Around the World in 80 Days.

Santana Row
368 Santana Row, San Jose

Tuesday, November 18, 2008
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Free event

Found this in my inbox, from the San Jose Downtowner newsletter:

Downtown Ice is set to open at 5 p.m. Friday.  Come early and have a chance to show your skating prowess to the Bay Area.  Weather permitting, NBC’ Bay Area’s John Farley will be at the rink doing live weather reports during the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts.

On Sunday and again Nov. 23, you can skate with the hardest working fish in the NHL - Sharkie!  He will skate with the kids, help inexperienced skaters, and play around with the others. He will also have photo cards to sign. He’ll be there both Sundays about 3:30 p.m. for an hour.

Next Monday-Thursday, and again Nov. 24-27, families can take advantage of the early bird promotion.  That is, one free child admission (12-under, a $13 value) with one paid adult admission ($15).  Download the coupon here. Limit: two free kids with two paid adults per coupon.

Downtown Ice is open 5 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon-midnight Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday and 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Admission, $15 for adults and $13 for 12-under, includes skate rental.
Rink information is available here.

This time of year always comes up quick and equally goes by just as quick.  Halloween is tomorrow, whoa, where did that come from?  I could have sworn there was at least another week. So today I scrambled around finishing up costumes and getting appetizers for a kiddie party we are attending tonight. Yikes.  But I will admit it’s fun, and I love it!

When I was working in the Corporate atmosphere, if Halloween fell on a weekday, I would head down to the local Cemetery on my lunch hour.  There I would walk around in hopes something would pop up and scare me.  Nothing or no one ever did.  I always asked my co-workers to join me, and they said I was looney, “Eh, it’s all in the Spirit of the season” I said.  I don’t do that anymore, that would mean having to bring my own little goblins with me, and chasing them around tombstones would probably make the Dead laugh at me, not try and scare me. But as soon as I deem my kids old enough, I plan to hand this tradition down. 

I just discovered today that a lot of newbie parents are still unaware of places you can take your kids besides the proverbial street Trick or Treating. Which is cool, unless the weather gets grisly.  So here are a few local haunts that are hopping with family fun.

Westgate Mall: Halloween Trick-or-Treat event  –5:pm to 7:pm Westgate Mall’s annual Trick or Treat event located in Center Court, in front of Ross. Join us for trick-or-treating, live entertainment, balloon characters, arts & crafts and more! Plus, all children receive a FREE Westgate Mall trick-or-treat bag.

Westfield Valley Fair: Dress up in your favorite costume and join Westfield Valley Fair for a safe evening of Halloween fun. Trick-or-treating will be from 5:00pm to 6:00pm at participating retailers and the Westfield Concierge. 

Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California:  Games and prizes, tricks and treats, arts and crafts and goodies to eat! On October 31 there is only one place to be: the Halloween Carnival at JCCCNC!  6:00 - 8:30pm

Children’s Discovery Museum:  Come in your favorite costume and be a Fanciful Wonderland Visitor. Don’t forget your camera . . . there are many wonderful photo opportunities in Alice’s Wonderland.  10am to 5:pm

I want to mention also that many Community Churches are holding events though out San Jose, but I don’t have those actual website to list. I apologize!  I’ll be happy to add them if you let me know!  Otherwise, just give your local Church a call and ask if they have anything brewing for the kiddies! 

So go out there and have some fun! And be safe, for All Hallows sake! 

That is no new news, Mervyns LLC,  headquartered in Hayward, CA declared Bankruptcy in August this year. Shoppers like myself saw it coming months ago, we were always piling in for the giant sales and empty aisles. 

This is sad indeed, Mervyns has been a huge staple in my shopping history.  I grew up in San Mateo, and going to the Mervyns inside Hillsdale Mall was the place to go.  Mervyns and Sears were the biggies to Middle Class shoppers, and rightly so, they have everything. With good quality clothes,  tools and home appliances, all at reasonable prices, it was hard to shop anywhere else.  All my holiday, birthday and occasional gifts for women came from Mervyns, then going to Sears for the men in my life, it made sense. It still does,  but thats my style.  Imagine, when I moved here to San Jose, how excited I was to see a Mervyns only 1 mile from my home. Waking distance! 

We all know that some of the Mervyns stores in the East Bay are having liquidation sales, but I also heard a rumor that my beloved store at 950 W Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA 95008 will be shutting it doors sooner than anticipated. At one time I heard it was due to shut down in January 2009.  Personally I don’t know which is true, now, or 2009, I can’t find anything confirming the date, and I was unable to talk with a  manager this weekend.  Shoot.  I’ll keep you up to date, I’ll be shopping there until they bolt the door for good.   Currently, they are having a Store Wide sale, 40%, 50% and 60% off most merchandise in every department.  With the American Economy in trouble and people having to tighten their Holiday budgets,  now is the time for a bargain. Go on over, and have a look, I’m very sure you will find something for everyone.

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There’s plenty going on this weekend, and some of this is going on as we speak. But it’s not too late to join in. Check ‘em out:

Grease Sing-Along

9 pm Sat; 4 pm Sun. 201 S. Second St., San Jose

Fans are invited to sing along to the movie musical “Grease” at a special presentation at Cinema 12. Admission: $10 general, $7.50 students with current ID, $7 matinees, and $6.75 seniors 63+ and children 12 and under (10 movies for $60 discount card also available).

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

Sat & Sun, Oct. 18-19, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Half Moon Bay.

The World Pumpkin Capital celebrates fall harvest with a display of gigantic champion pumpkins, three stages of smashing entertainment, live music, the Great Pumpkin Parade with San Francisco Giants great Will Clark as honorary Grand Marshal, a haunted house, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, expert pumpkin carvers, photos with the grand champion gourd, pie-eating and costume contests, The Golden Gourds Youth Talent Show, The Take 5 Lounge with giant screen LED TV, the “ONE” Organic and Natural food tasting extravaganza, festival-label wine and Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale. Admission is free.

Campbell Oktoberfest

10:00 am - 6 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 am - 5 pm Sunday, downtown Campbell.

German beer, music, beer, food, more beer, arts & crafts, and of course, beer. This festival draws over 40,000 people, so come early and expect to stay all day as you visit over 100 arts and crafts booths. Contact the Campbell Chamber for more information at (408) 378-6252, or email ccoc@pacbell.net.

Opera in the Park

Sunday, 4:30 pm at History Park, 1650 Senter Road

Take in a preview of Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, a “happy and charming operatic tale of idyllic life in a sort of 1900s valley of heart’s delight setting,” according to the website. There will also be a pre-preview of History San Jose’s exhibition, “She Made It! – The Tradition of Women’s Arts and Crafts Through the Years,” opening to the public on Friday, October 24th.

The season of giving is upon us, and as a board member of a local charity, I have to spread the news!

Local nonprofit Second Harvest Food Bank has kicked off its annual food and fund drive. Spokesperson Lynn Crocker says they hope to surpass last year’s cash intake of $6.7 million. Between now and the middle of January, the organization hopes to raise $8 million in cash and 1.7 million pounds of food.

Crocker says the economic downturn, layoffs, and high food prices have resulted in an unprecedented number of people seeking food assistance, many for the very first time. For more information about the food drive and giveaway, please visit their website.

Second Harvest is one of the largest food banks in the county, but it’s not the only place people rely on for food during their holidays, so let’s spread the love! Here are a few other charities looking for some support this season, so they can keep on giving.

• Milpitas Food Pantry

• Sacred Heart Community Services
  

• Salvation Army
  

• Cupertino Community Services
  

And of course, my post wouldn’t be complete without a plug for my own charity - TurningWheels for Kids! Our San Jose-based charity raises money throughout the year to buy new bikes for local underprivileged children in Santa Clara County. Each December, our bikes are assembled by hundreds of volunteers and distributed to the kids in the community who need them most. Last year we assembled and distributed more than 2,000 bikes, and we hope to do the same this year. Bikes are important to kids for many reasons - the main two being health and responsibility. We love promoting healthy lifestyles among our youth, and we need your help! Just as other charities in the county, we’re experiencing higher costs and need more donations than normal. For more information about our charity, please visit the TurningWheels for Kids website . Our organization was built on $10 donations, and we still love them!

More than 2,000 bikes were assembled and distributed to children's charities just before the December holidays. TurningWheels is a local nonprofit organization that is run 100 percent by volunteers.

I didn’t. I didn’t know there was an ordinance passed that you can’t feed the animals at City and County Parks here in Santa Clara County.

When my sister in law was visiting from  Northern Ireland in September, we were out and about with the kids, just chilling and having a good time.  I had gathered a wee bit of old bread, and made a plan to take us over to Central Park to feed the ducks and geese.  It seemed like a nice place for photo ops and just some bonding time between my SIL and her nieces. 

So we get there just after lunch, it was a fabulously sunny and warm, and walk around the path towards the duck ponds.  My children were all excited about the ducks, and eagerly reached into my backpack to get the bread.  Not thinking hard about it,  I broke up the bread and tossed some crumbs into the water for the few ducks that had gathered at waters edge.  Well, one duck leads to another, then the geese and pigeons get involved, and  soon we had hundreds of webbed toed friends squawking at us for the morsels. My children squealed and jumped around with delight.  Well, so did my SIL and I, its amazing watching two little kids have that kind of fun.

I guess our commotion attracted a City worker, which brought him over in a huff. “Please don’t feed the animals”  he said.   I replied, half joking, half smart-ass “Technically they aren’t animals, they are waterfowl” He raced back to his truck and continued his work.

We turned back to the birds, and by this point the bread was nearly gone, maybe a few handfuls, and we were taking family type pictures.  While the girls were still laughing wildly, the City worker came back with an awful stance, and basically told us, we were disturbing the peace.  Now, mind you, there were only maybe 5 or 6 other people in the area of the park we were in.  He was probably  pretty mad at my remark, I thought. 

Just as we were finishing up, and talking about going to the playground, a Police Patrolman strode up behind us to demand stopping our activity.  He stood a few inches from my face, reprimanding me for our behavior, ignoring the posted signs and ignoring the City worker.  He wasn’t civil about it, nor did he back down when I took my sunglasses off (out of respect), and agreed I understood what he was saying.  He offered up a couple of reasons as to why we should stop. He said something about recent animal poisoning, the mess the birds make, and something about the ordinance.  But he got so intimidating that his words became fuzzy, and I just wanted to get my family out of there.

I suppose I shouldn’t have been a smart-ass to the City worker, my bad I know.  But why should they reject ten minutes of pure pleasure for two little kids?  Why did that City worker have to call the police?  Why did that Policeman have to be so bad-ass to WOMEN AND CHILDREN feeding the ducks?  Now when my oldest sees any policeman she asks

You can take a photo, but don't feed!

if he’s going to yell at us too.  So, in the end we were banned from that part of the park.  We could go to the playground as long as all food had been tossed away.  No, we left the park, I don’t think we’ll go back. If I see that City worker face to face, I might throw some bread at him.

Uesugi Farms, Morgan Hill, CA

So, Sunday morning, my husband and I are going over what to do with our day. On any given Sunday our plan is to take the children and dog to a local walking trail and get some sunshine and exercise. But on the 5th of October, he wanted to do something new and different. While looking up stuff on the web, I looked over my shoulder at my husband, who had both children climbing on him like a mountain, and it reminded me and the huge pyramid of pumpkins at Uesugi Farms.

Poor Claire had to stay home, the farm doesn’t allow pets. She looked so forlorn. We filled her bowl with fresh water, gave her a hug and a Greenie, and told her to be good. She normally is, Good girl dog.

So, I quickly assembled a lunch for us (note: they ask that people not bring in their own food, but won’t kick you out if you open up a lunch box. The food is pretty expensive there, liken to a baseball stadium).. packed up the kids, and headed out to Morgan Hill around 10:am. I had taken my kids there last year in October, and was surprised my oldest remembered. She kept saying “chugga, chugga chugga! Choo-Choo!!” definitely her favorite part is the train, and then talked incessantly about the “great huge” Pumpkin pyramid. I was thrilled that she was excited. My husband was happy too, he rarely gets to be a part of this kind of outing. I stay at home, so, I’m the one out and about with the girls. It a was great start to this plan.

When we arrived I was pleased to see the parking lot fairly empty, knowing that the place can get very busy with families and different groups. I don’t know if it was because it was early in the season, or just early in the day, but we got close to the entrance which minimized walking distance and a chance of excited bolting from the kids. I haven’t decided if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, that the first thing you are greeted with is public toilet stalls. My daughter and I did have to use one almost immediately after the drive, but it’s not really a pretty site. But that’s just a small thing, I suppose they had to put those stalls somewhere, once you are inside, you basically forget about them, well, until you need it again..

Inside you are met with friendly faces of workers, everyone is so happy you are there. Pumpkin movers in bright orange shirts, and guides who are willing to tell you anything you could need to know. And then there’s the Mariachi Band touring around the farm. I loved that band, they actually played, “A few of my Favorite Things” Mariachi style, that was very cool indeed! There is a Pumpkin Lady walking around greeting the people. She’s OK, a tad bit scary, my kids were taken back a little, and I was too at first. But she is G rated, and won’t walk up to children if they seem afraid (one little chap cried and ran the opposite direction, I didn’t know who to feel more sorry for). There is a great amount of things to see and do, the Giant Pumpkin stands out completely, and then there are the corn rows and mazes, a genuine haunted barn, and two trains to enjoy. There is a field of pumpkins and flowers to walk around, and take some fabulous pictures among. The scenery is gorgeous, and it’s great to see all the smiles and happy children running and looking at the different pumpkins.

Of course you can choose your own pumpkin to buy, there are numerous sizes to choose from, from the hand held variety, to the kind you need a wheelbarrow (which are readily available and free for your use). We ended up with 4 total, two the kids were able to hoist into the wheelbarrow themselves and two handpicked by my husband and I.

So, we were out of there by 1:pm, and ready to go. The kids were cheery by exhausted, my husband and I were glad we made a day out of this farm. It’s a really nice place for families, I totally recommend it!

Just collecting a few random flyers around downtown and SJSU and passing the info on to you. This stuff ranges from comedy to theater to nightclub events to ballroom dance lessons to talent shows to… well, you’ll see. There’s got to be something here you’re interested in. I’m also splicing in some events I found here on the San Jose Downtowner e-mail newsletter, and a couple of gems I saw on Artsopolis.com. I wish I could do this more often. Alas, school.

Wednesday, Oct. 1

Comedy at the Improv: Komedy Kegger – San Jose Bar and Grill teams up with The Improv to supply top notch laughs and affordable drinks and appetizers.  Tickets are good for buy one get one drink at San Jose Bar and Grill after the show.  8 pm.  62 S. Second St.  $10, 280-7475 or www.symfonee.com/Improv/sanjose/home/index.aspx

Thursday, Oct. 2

Groove Suite — An Open Turnatble Gathering: Every first Thursday of the month. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at SFB Lounge, 420 South First St. All styles and genres welcome. Featuring a heavy monthly line-up of local and international guest DJs, live art, vendors, billiards, arcade/gaming area, food and drink specials all night. All sets are recorded live and will be available free to download at http://www.groovesuite.podomatic.com/. Resident: ThatGirl. Guest list free all night: thatgirlmelanie@yahoo.com. Email for priority open turntable sign-up.

Ma’BOO’Hay Talent Showcase: In celebration of Pilpino History Month, Akbayan presents their 8th annual talent showcase. Pilipino artists from around the Bay Area perform for a night of great music and fun, with proceeeds going to Bantay Bata 163, a charity that serves sick and abused children. Sponsored by the Akbayan Filipino-American Organization of SJSU. Tickets are $8 presale and $12 at the door. Doors open 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Email maboohay2008@gmail.com for tickets or more information, or visit http://akbayansjsu.wordpress.com/.

Comedy at the Improv presents Henry Cho: (Thursday-Sunday) Cho is going to star in his own sitcom based on his life as a Korean-American born and raised in Tennessee.  He has also been featured on Comedy Central and several films like “Material Girls,” “Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation” and “Say It Isn’t So.”  8 pm Thurs; 8 pm and 10 pm Fri; 7 pm and 9 pm Sat; 7 pm Sun.  62 S. Second St. $16-$18, 280-7475 or www.symfonee.com/Improv/sanjose/home/index.aspx

City Lights Theatre presents “Noises Off”: A funny story of an English acting ensemble that is touring a production of a farce called “Nothing On.”  Thursday-Saturday through October 19. 8 pm Wed-Sat; 7 pm Oct 5; 2 pm Oct 12 and Oct 19.  529 S.  Second St.  $15-$40, 295.4200 or www.cltc.org

Friday, Oct. 3

South First Fridays: Downtown art venues are free and open to the public late into the evening, every first Friday of the month. You can also ride the new rickshaw service between galleries. See highlights, read about the venues and download a map at http://www.southfirstfridays.com/

Ballroom Dance: Take lessons every Friday from now to Oct. 24. This Friday and Friday Oct. 10 both focus on the Bolero. Oct. 17 and 24 teaches Salsa, Nov. 7 is the Foxtrot and Nov. 14 and 21 are East Coast Swing. No dance experience necessary! Cost is $25 for a semester or $3 for drop-in. Beginning classes are at 7:30 p.m. and intermediate is at 8:30 p.m. Visit the Ballroon Dance Club’s website at http://studentorgs.sjsu.edu/sjsubdc.

SiliCon 2008: Through Oct. 5. The SiliCon 2008 Convention for Fans of Science, Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror features seminars covering hard science, science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. Some of the topics covered include astronomy, robotics, and other scientific areas, as well as writing, painting, costuming, singing, model making, computer graphics, and film studies, along with diabetes education and outreach. SiliCon is a non-profit organization devoted to science education and raising funds and awareness for diabetes education and research. Info: http://www.siliconventions.com/2008/

Death of a Salesman: October 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 at 7 p.m., University Theatre, SJSU. Tickets are $10 students/seniors, $20 general admission. For more info or to order tickets online, go to http://www.tvradiofilmtheatre.com/.

San Pedro Farmers’ Market: Fresh produce, food vendors and live music, takes place each Friday to Dec. 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. along San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John streets. http://www.sjdowntown.com/eve_eve_far.html.

WAIT! There’s 7 more events behind the jump!

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