At Home In San Jose

Ballet San Jose Presents a Timeless Classic

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow, and it signals the season for sugarplums dancing in many little heads.  If you have young ones, or you are young at heart like I am, be sure to set aside time to attend Ballet San Jose's "The Nutcracker" at the Center for the Performing Arts, opening December 11th.  The music is live, provided by Symphony Silicon Valley.  The Mouse King, the Tin Soldiers, the Nutcracker, and Maria all await to whisk you away into the fabulous world of fantasy and Tchaikovsky, choreographed by the Ballet's Artistic Director, Dennis Nahat.

And an extra attraction...on Dec. 13th and 23rd, following the matinees, the Ballet San Jose operating Board will hold "Nutcracker High Teas...Especially For The Little Ones" at the Sainte Claire Hotel just two blocks from the Center for the Performing Arts.  If you would like to have this wonderful experience, call 408-288-2820, ext. 204 and speak with Marge Hand.  There is nothing more special during the holidays than a high tea, when you are dressed in your best and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the "most wonderful time of the year" !!

The San Jose Chamber Orchestra Youth Programs

What a wonderful night of music-making!  On Monday evening, Nov. 17th at the Petit Trianon, three youth orchestras played their hearts out on strings that touched the heartstrings of every person in the jam-packed audience.  From the littlest musician, whose bow probably measured 12 inches, to the most accomplished and mature young cellist, each played with focus, dedication, and musicality.

I am thrilled to live in a city where an orchestra like the SJCO is actually given funding by the City of San Jose to provide opportunities to our children like no other activity in their lives.  What they learn by participating in an orchestra goes far beyond the immense soul-satisfying musical piece.  They also learn how to collaborate, how to get along with others in an extremely diverse ethnic environment, how to concentrate effectively for long periods of time, how to react well in front of 300 people, how to follow a leader consistently and for the greater good of the group.  Some will go on to stellar musical careers, and some will go on to other endeavors, but all will be better for the experience they are receiving.

All children are funded in part or in whole by scholarship funds, donations, grants, etc.  The Santa Clara Association of Realtors Foundation recently gave the Youth Orchestra Programs a donation of $2,000...just another indication of support even in tough times from a growing group of donors to this terrific orchestra program.

Now, if we could all write a little note to the San Jose Mercury News to re-institute Richard Scheinin's regular critiques for all the various performing organizations in our community, we might have the makings of a grown-up city.

Autumn in the Air

Finally...the sweet scents of rain-washed pavements and wood smoke curling from chimneys (on approved days).  A stronger wind, and a slight chill in the air.  And the hunt is on for the best soup in the city.

For my money, and for the strongest dose of nostalgia going, stop by the San Jose Original Joe's on the corner of First and San Carlos.  Sit at the counter and order a big bowl of minestrone with hot bread (also the best in the city) and butter...inhale the warmth of that old-school Italian comfort food - it's so chock-full of veggies, only-Mom-really-knows spices, and feel-good you may find yourself wanting another serving...except that you're so full you really can't move off the stool and have to spend a little time talking to your fellow soup afficionados to either side.  And all for a price that might keep you OFF the soup lines for a while.

I've been an Original Joe's junkie since I came to San Jose in 1978 - it's a fixture and I guess I am too.  The scene of many spirited discussions by students and politicians, families bringing their children to see a ballet or a musical show, and the celebrities they've just been to see, out-of-towners and locals.  Believe me...it's the soup!