Just in time for the holidays, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) historic trolley makes its debut this Friday, December 2. The festively bedecked historic trolley only comes out once a year, offering free rides to all the downtown San Jose holiday merriment like Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice. The Candyland Express will be draped with boughs of holly, and all the stops between the Civic Center and San Jose Diridon stations will be festively adorned as well.

The historic trolley will run hourly every Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the month of December. The trolley will not operate December 23 - December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.

A holiday kick-off event is happening this Saturday, December 3 at the Paseo de San Antonio and Santa Clara stations in downtown San Jose between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Free giveaways, including tickets to the Retro Dome’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, will be available. Arrive early at the stations as tickets are limited.

Car 2001, this year’s featured historic trolley, was built in Milan, Italy in 1928. It operated in Italy until the mid-1980s when it was donated by the Italian government to the San Jose Trolley Corporation.

For more details on the Candyland Express, visit the VTA website at www.vta.org.

Do good for your community and your waistline by running in the 7th Annual Silicon Valley Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning in downtown San Jose. The Turkey Trot benefits three local charities – Second Harvest Food Bank, Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, and Santa Clara County Children’s Health Initiative. Over $1.5 million has been raised for local charities in the last six years.

There is both a 5K run/walk and a 10K run. There’s also a Kid’s Fun Run for kids as young as 2! The start/finish line is on Santa Clara Street in front of the HP Pavilion. The course winds its way down Santa Clara Street, then heads towards Japantown, returning to downtown San Jose and making its way past City Heights and Axis high-rise residential complexes. The 5K ends at the HP Pavilion, while the 10K race continues on to the Rose Garden and back. If you don’t feel like running, grab some real estate along the course and cheer on the participants. And don’t forget your costume - fabulous prizes will be awarded to the most creative costumes. Registration is still open. Visit svturkeytrot.com for more information.

Silicon Valley and downtown San Jose food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy this Thanksgiving and holiday season. Here is a list of downtown San Jose and Silicon Valley charities that need assistance.

The Unity Care Group is seeking cash contributions, as well as Christmas trees, holiday decorations, blankets, toys and $25 gift cards to brighten the holiday season for hundreds of foster youth and families in need. Suggested retailers for gift cards include, but are not limited to: Target, Walmart, JCPenny, Old Navy, Macy’s, Red Robin, Westfield Shopping Center and movie theaters. (408) 510-3480, www.unitycare.org.

A Cup of Cold Water is collecting gift cards for grocers for the homeless in any amount. Donations can be mailed to A Cup of Cold Water, c/o AACSA, 304 N. Sixth Street, San Jose, CA, 95112. Contact Yvette Scott at acupofcoldwater@sbcglobal.net or call (408) 839-3648.

The Portuguese Community Center is seeking donations of food, clothing, toiletries, toothbrushes and toys for the needy. The center is located at 1115 E. Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose. (408) 293-0877, www.portuguesecenter.org.

The Bill Wilson Center, which serves more than 10,000 children, teens and adults, including homeless and runaway youth, every year, needs jackets, blankets, sleeping bags, new socks and underwear, toiletries, cash and gift cards. The center is at 3490 The Alameda in Santa Clara. Call to schedule a drop-off. (408) 243-0222, www.billwilsoncenter.org.

The Family Giving Tree grants the holiday wishes of more than 60,000 very low-income children in Silicon Valley and throughout the Bay Area. Pick up a child’s wish card in the South Bay at participating Wells Fargo Banks and Peet’s Coffee locations or sponsor a child’s wish online. (408) 946-3111, www.familygivingtree.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara County is seeking nonperishable canned food items in the form of tuna, powdered milk, peanut butter, canned meats and stews (pop-top lids appreciated), low-sodium canned vegetables, canned fruit packed in juice, hot and cold low-sugar cereals, 100% fruit juices, dry beans, rice and pastas. The agency serves nearly 250,000 people each month. Volunteers are also needed. Donations can be dropped off at 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose. Call (408) 266-8866 for a drop-off schedule, or go to www.shfb.org.

Martha’s Kitchen, a private non-profit, community-based agency, needs frozen turkeys and five-pound canned hams. Donations may be dropped off 311 Willow Street in downtown San Jose, from 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 5:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays, through Dec. 22. (408) 293-6111, www.marthas-kitchen.org.

EHC LifeBuilders needs financial support to purchase food to serve more than 1,000 meals a day this winter at San Jose’s largest shelter. The shelter is also asking for ham, turkey, coffee, sugar, vegetable oil, socks, T-shirts, rain ponchos, hats, gloves, hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, gift cards and laundry soap. Please donate items at 2011 Little Orchard Street. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve meals. (408) 539-2133, www.ehclifebuilders.org.

InnVision serves 29,000 people a year at 25 locations, providing emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing, and multi-service centers throughout Silicon Valley. The agency needs monetary donations and retail gift cards to support the homeless and at-risk clients during the wet winter months and to keep programs open year round. Other needs include fleece blankets, sleeping bags, warm winter coats, new socks and toys. Drop off food at the Julian Street Inn, 546 W. Julian Street in downtown San Jose, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Clothing donations, linens and toiletries can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm at the Georgia Travis Center, 297 Commercial Street, San Jose. (408) 292-4286. Checks can be sent to InnVision Administrative Offices, 1900 The Alameda, Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95126, or donations may be made online at www.InnVision.org.

It’s beginning to look a lot like…winter. Downtown Ice is returning to downtown San Jose’s Circle of Palms this Friday, November 18. The ice rink will be open daily. This year the skating season will be extended to January 29, 2012,  to coincide with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships taking place at the HP Pavilion January 22 – 29, 2012. Olympic gold medalist, Kristi Yamaguchi, who again was instrumental in bringing Downtown Ice back to San Jose, will be at the Opening Ceremony at 5:00 pm on Monday, November 21.

Although the prices to skate have stayed the same from last year, there are plenty of ways to save a few dollars. Discounts are available with a valid VTA, Light Rail, or Bus pass. You can also save with the Discover Downtown Card. Look for 2-for-1 deals on the Downtowner Online at www.sjdowntown.com, by following facebook.com/sjdowntown, or by clipping discount coupons from the El Observador and Silicon Valley Community newspapers. Special discounts are also available to arts patrons, Children’s Discovery Museum members and Sharks ticket holders.

There are three Monday night Bring Your Own Skates Nights on November 28, January 9, and January 23. Bring your Own Skates and skate for FREE!

Private and corporate parties are available at Downtown Ice. Check their website at www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice.html for more information.

Join the United Veterans Council as they present the 93rd annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11, in downtown San Jose. The event will begin with an Opening Ceremony at 11:00 am at Plaza de Cesar Chavez followed by Northern California’s largest Veterans Day Parade at noon. The parade to honor all the brave men and women who served or are currently serving our country will begin at Delmas and Santa Clara Streets near the HP Pavilion and travel east to Market Street, ending at San Carlos Street. So come to downtown San Jose, grab some real estate along Santa Clara Street, and show your patriotism and honor our vets.

Wednesday, November 16, is the next social event put on by the San Jose Downtown Residents Association (SJDRA). The Evening Social will take place at La Piñata Restaurant in San Pedro Square from 7:00 pm - 8:30pm. Get to know your fellow high-rise residential complex and downtown San Jose neighbors while enjoying $3.00 beers, $5.00 house margaritas, and food specials. For more information or to RSVP, go to www.sjpeople.org.

What: SJDRA Evening Social

When: Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Where: La Piñata Restaurant in downtown San Jose
17 N. San Pedro Street, a block south of City Heights high rise complex

Even though the much-anticipated grand opening event didn’t happen on October 22, there’s still much to be excited about at the new San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Slowly but surely, space is filling up and there are some exciting vendors and events to talk about.

The San Pedro Square Market Bar is located on a piece of real estate once home to the historic El Dorado Bakery. The bar will serve as a meeting place for people to enjoy a cocktail or take a leisurely stroll throughout the entire 50,000 square foot project. The bar has a wide selection of specialty drinks and eight beers on tap. It opens onto the amazing 18,000 square foot Peralta Adobe Plaza which will offer daily entertainment for people of all ages.

Store Hours
Monday-Thursday 4:00 pm - Midnight
Fridays 11:00 am- Midnight
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Pizza Bocca Lupo is the first Neapolitan pizzeria in the South Bay that bakes in a hand-made brick oven imported from Naples. The oven cooks the pizza in 1-2 minutes at very high temperatures giving them a distinct taste and texture. The pizza will be baked using the same ingredients as the best pizzerias in Naples: very fine Tipo 00 flour, authentic San Marzano Tomatoes grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, fresh mozzarella (buffalo or cow), and more.

Store Hours
Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday – 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Friday - 11:30am - 2:00pm & 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday - 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

Vino Vino Wine Bar knows there are a lot of people out there that are fans of wine but hate the attitude that sometimes comes with it. They emphasize great music, great food and, of course, great wine. Vino Vino offers 13 wines on tap and another 3-dozen in the bottle, featuring local wineries. Click here to check out their food and wine menu.

Store Hours
Monday - Friday open at 11:30AM
Saturday & Sunday open at 2:00 PM

Crewners is a unique, single-chair, full service barbershop providing exceptional customer service in a nostalgic and relaxing atmosphere. Integrating vintage decor with modern furnishings distinguishes Crewners Barbershop above any others. Crewners mission is to provide the utmost level of service and professionalism while maintaining the integrity and distinction their customers deserve.

Store Hours
Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday - Monday Closed

The San Pedro Square Market offers music and entertainment most nights of the week. San Jose Sharks away games are shown throughout the bar area and projected outside onto a 13-foot screen. Many special events will be taking place at the Market like the upcoming Tamale Making Workshops.

Come check it out. The San Pedro Square Market is destined to become one of the coolest places to be in downtown San Jose. Check back here often upcoming news on new tenants.

The San Pedro Square Market is located at 87 N. San Pedro Street on the corner of W. St. John Street in downtown San Jose. For more information visit their website at www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com.

If you’ve never partaken in a Dishcrawl, now is the perfect opportunity. Dishcrawl is a social dining experience through four restaurants in one night with a group of awesome food lovers. Try a taste of everything while meeting your neighbors, the local chefs and owners. And while the following Dishcrawls are in one location instead of the typical four, they offer unique experiences in dining.

Exotic Meat Extravaganza at Morocco’s – Monday, November 7 at 6:30 pm

Broaden your culinary palate and discover 150 year old Moroccan preparations with a twist. Some of the dishes will be kept a secret, but here are some highlights to tease your imagination: exotic wild rabbit tagine, slowly braised with caramelized onions and raisins; custom tapas prepared by Chef Jay with housemade Moroccan bread; sweet mint tea and crisp, golden honey briwatts filled with smooth almond paste.

Morocco’s is located at 86 N. Market Street in downtown San Jose between Santa Clara and W. St. John Streets.

A Wine Affair – Tuesday, November 8 at 6:00 pm

Chic, fun, and captivating! Swing by Wine Affairs as they are hosting a wine pairing with some delicious treats. If you’ve never been, come and check out their amazing HUGE selection of wine and beers, modern and sleek decor, and cool ambiance. So chat it up with new friends, meet the sweet owner, treat your palate with good wine, or bring a date- you’ll find a great experience at A Wine Affair!

Wine Affairs is located at 1435 The Alameda in the Rosegarden neighborhood of downtown San Jose

Tequila Education Oaxacan Style! Mezcal – Thursday, November 10 at 6:30 pm

It’s tequila time! Whether you are a tequila connoisseur or know that you just like it, check out the buzz behind tequila with Mezcal’s owner Adolfo. Have a seat with fellow tequila mates, learn about the art of tequila, and enjoy this special pairing with Oaxacan small plates.

Mezcal is located at 25 W. San Fernando St. between 1st and Market, across from the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Jose

Take A Trip To Thailand! House of Siam – Sunday, November 13 at 7:00 pm

Craving the mouth watering flavors of Southeast Asia? Enjoy a Thai feast at the House of Siam as they guide you through your very own Thai food adventure in downtown San Jose.

House of Siam is located at 151 S. 2nd Street in the shadow of The 88 high rise residential complex

For more information or to make reservations, visit http://www.dishcrawl.com/bayarea/

Tamales are a Christmas tradition in many households. If you’ve always wanted to learn to make these traditional treats, here is your chance. The San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose will be hosting tamale expert Darlene Tenes of CasaQ. Darlene and guest chefs will show you how to create a wonderful Mexican Christmas dinner with traditional tamales. During the hands-on workshop, you will learn to make these traditional wrapped wonders from scratch. They will share the history behind these ancient foods and teach you how to prepare the masa and the fillings. Then, you and your classmates will start an assembly line to learn how to properly wrap, fold, and steam the tamales to perfection. The event will conclude on a sweet note with homemade Mexican hot chocolate and crispy buñuelos.

All classes are from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm and cost $65 per person. The price includes the chef demo, hands-on workshop, recipe book and tamale dinner. To RSVP, or for more information, visit http://casaqtamales2011.eventbrite.com/.

What: CasaQ Tamale Making Workshops

Where: San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose
87 N. San Pedro Street, across from City Heights high-rise residential complex

When: All classes are from 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Saturday, Nov. 5 – Veggie Tamale Workshop
Sunday, Nov. 6 – Tamale Making 101
Saturday, Nov. 12 – Tamale Making 101
Saturday, Nov. 19 – Gourmet Tamale Workshop
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Tamale Making for Families