December
Saturday 12/26
MONTEREY
Free admission at MMA
The Monterey Museum of Art, La Mirada, 720 Via Mirada, in
Monterey and Pacific Street, 559 Pacific St., both are offering
free admission through the end of December. Museum hours are
Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Current exhibits include
”
Minatures,
”
with 300 works by California artists, showing through Jan. 3,
and
”
In Process,
”
by Mark Licari, showing through Feb. 14. For more information,
visit www.montereyart.org or call MMA Pacific Street at 372-5477 or
MMA La Mirada at 372-3689.
December
Saturday 12/26
HOLLISTER
Art show at Blak Sage
A new exhibition featuring the work of Edward Dobson, as well as Carol Belleviaux and Chase Wood, is showing at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., in Hollister, through Jan. 9. The show will feature paintings and photography, with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the pieces benefiting Social Vocational Services, Inc.
Mars Hill Art show
Mars Hill will be hosting art pieces by Shell’s photography through Dec. 30. Shell is a local artist who specializes in nature and wildlife photography.
LOS GATOS
Fantasy of Lights
The Fantasy of Lights will be held nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, in Los Gatos. The magical wonderland of thousands of colorful twinkling lights and exciting animated displays, can be enjoyed from the comfort of visitors cars. Cost is $15 through Dec. 31., $25 for small buses holding up to 25 people. For more information, call 408-355-2201 or see www.parkhere.org.
MONTEREY
Free admission at MMA
The Monterey Museum of Art, La Mirada, 720 Via Mirada, in Monterey and Pacific Street, 559 Pacific St., both are offering free admission through the end of December. Museum hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Current exhibits include “Minatures,” with 300 works by California artists, showing through Jan. 3, and “In Process,” by Mark Licari, showing through Feb. 14. For more information, visit www.montereyart.org or call MMA Pacific Street at 372-5477 or MMA La Mirada at 372-3689.
Thursday 12/31
MONTEREY
First Night Monterey
The 17th Annual First Night Monterey New Year’s Eve celebration will feature 25 venues, 70 performances, eight art stations and plenty of activities. Tickets are $12 for adults or $10 for youth 5-15 if purchased before Dec. 12. From Dec. 13-30, tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for youth 5-15. Day-of-event tickets will be $20 for adults and $15 for youth 5-15. Children 4 and under are free. For more information on locations to purchase tickets or the performers, visit www.firstnightmonterey.org or call 373-4778.
Silver Fishes and New Year’s Wishes
The Monterey Bay Aquarium will be hosting an adult-only New Year’s Eve party Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., called “Silver Fishes and New Year’s Eve Wishes. Tickets are $75 for aquarium members and $95 for the general public. The event will include a chance to view the exhibits at night as well as music by two live bands and a DJ. Complimentary champagne toast and party favors included. Food will be available for purchase. VIP tickets are $150 for aquarium members and $175 to the general public and include food in three VIP lounges and half-price signature drinks. For more information, visit www.montereybayaquarium.org.
SAN JOSE
Noon Year’s Eve
The whole family is invited to bring in the New Year with a bang at the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose, 180 Woz Way. Make a party hat, noisemaker and resolution and celebrate across the time zones. The day will include count downs to the New Year with a colorful balloon drop at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.cdm.org.
January
Saturday 1/2
SAN FRANCISCO
‘Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding’
“Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding” is playing Friday and Saturday nights at the Swiss Louis Italian and Seafood Restaurant at Pier 39 in San Francisco, at 7 p.m. The show is an interactive comedy where the audience members play the roles of invited guests at a wedding. The evening begins with the nuptials, a wedding reception and is followed by a full Italian dinner, wedding cake and dancing. Tickets are $88.50 to $115.50, and include the show, dinner, wedding cake and dancing. For details, visit tonyandtinasanfrancisco.com or call 866-811-4111.
Tuesday 1/5
HOLLISTER
YMCA Health Seekers Workshop
The YMCA Health Seekers workshop titled “Keeping Balanced with Chiropractic Care” will be Jan. 5, at 7 p.m., at the YMCA office on Fifth Street in Hollister. Speakers will include Sam Breger, of Breger Chiropractic, and John Red Eagle Valenzuela D.C. and Alfred Valenzuela D.C., of Red Eagle Chiropractic. Upcoming workshops scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. will feature topics such as real food, alternative approaches, and how mind, body and spirit affect one’s health. For more information, call Rochelle Callis at 637-8600 or e-mail rc*****@ym**************.org.
Saturday 1/9
HOLLISTER
E-waste collection
The Accelerated Achievement Academy at Calaveras School is hosting a free e-waste collection Jan 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Calaveras School, 1151 Buena Vista Road. Volunteers will take items from the cars and trucks. Items eligible for collection include computers, televisions, stereos and other electronics. The event is sponsored by Western Recycling and the Accelerated Achievement Academy.
Diamonds and dirt dinner dance and gala
The California Women for agriculture will be hosting a Diamonds and Dirt dinner dance and gala during its 2010 convention. Tickets are $50 a person and advanced ticket purchase is required. The event will be held at the Filice Farm Barn, 190 McCloskey Road. Mixer and appetizers start at 5:30 p.m., program and dinner starts at 6 p.m., and dancing will follow at 9 p.m. with music by the Shan Johnson Band.
SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
The Santa Cruz Fungus Fair will be hosted at the Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center St., in Santa Cruz, Jan. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickest are $7 for general admision, $5 for students and seniors, or $12 for a two-day pass. The event will include mushroom displays, delicacies and mouth-watering cooking demonstrations. Visitors can also bring mushrooms for identification. Highlights will include lectures by herbalist Christopher Hobbs and mycologist Tom Volk, as well as cooking demonstrations by Joseph Schultz.
Tuesday 1/12
MORGAN HILL
Better Breathers Club
Breathe California will host a south county Better Breathers Club Jan. 12, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the DePaul Health Center, 18550 DePaul Drive, Morgan Hill.. The meeting will feature a lecture on fire and fall prevention for seniors by Gina Cali, of the Associate Public Education Office with the Santa Clara County Fire Department. The Better Breathers Club is a resource and support group for people suffering from lung disease, and their family members. At the meetings, guest speakers talk about ways to breathe easier and more effectively manage the disease, with the goal of improving overall quality of life. For more information, call 998-5865 or e-mail www.lungsrus.org.
Thursday 1/14
HOLLISTER
Alzheimer’s caregiver support group
Jovenes de Antano, the Health Projects Center, the Alzheimer’s Association and the San Benito County Behavioral Health department sponsor an Alzheimer’s caregiver support group on the second Thursday of every month. The next meeting will be Jan. 14, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St., in Hollister. The meetings offer support from professional and other caregivers in a similar situation. It allows family or friends who are caring for a loved one with memory impairments to develop good coping skills and an understanding of the disease process. The class is free and available to unpaid caregivers who are caring for an adult loved one suffering from memory impairments. For more information, contact Kim Harman at 636-8838 or 636-4977.
Saturday 1/16
HOLLISTER
A Dinner for Jessica
A Dinner for Jessica fundraiser will be held Jan. 16 at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, in Hollister, at 6 p.m., with a no-host bar and dinner to be served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and are limited to the first 200 people. RSVP by Jan. 10. The dinner will support the family of Jessica Huse, who has been in a coma since Aug. 2 when she was in a car accident on the way to services at Twin Oak Church in San Jose. She has been unconscious at Valley Medical Center, where she is listed in critical, but stable condition. Tickets or details: Martha Wasler at 636-8536, Jennifer Kivlehan at 252-1196, or Diane Guthery at 636-6396.
SANTA CRUZ
Winery Passport weekend
The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association will kick off its 2010 passport weekend series on Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Passports are $40 and can be purchased at the SCMWA office, 7605-A Old Dominion Court, Aptos, or at any of the participating wineries. Other upcoming passport weekends include the third Saturday of April, July and November. For more information on participating wineries, visit www.scmwa.com or call 831-685-8463.
Saturday 1/23
NEWMAN
West Side Theatre presents Lady Bianca
The West Side Theatre Foundation will present Lady Bianca at the West Side Theatre, 1331 Main St., in Newman, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 for general admission or $20 for reserved seating. Bianca was born in Kansas City and now resides in the Oakland Bay Area. Her music is rooted in gospel and Rhythm and Blues.
February
Saturday 2/20
HOLLISTER
Native Daughters Centennial Celebration
The San Juan Bautista Parlor No. 179 Native Daughters of the Golden West will be hosting the open celebration of its Centennial and its official visit of Grand President Alice Forbes Feb. 20, at San Juan Oaks, 3825 Union Road, in Hollister. The social will start at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. RSVPs are requested by Feb. 10. Tickets are $30 each and include a choice of roasted pork loin, salmon, chicken marsala or vegetarian lasagna. A mass will be held Feb. 21, at 10 a.m., at the Mission San Juan Bautista, and will be followed by a dedication and open house at the Native Daughters of the Golden West Adobe Home, 203 Fourth St., in San Juan.
Calendar items for events in and around San Benito County are accepted via e-mail to ca******@pi**********.com, fax to 637-8174 or at the Pinnacle office, 350 Sixth St., Ste. 102, in Hollister. Calendar items are run on a space available basis, and priority is given to events within San Benito County. The deadline for calendar items is Monday at noon for Friday publication.
