Villa Montalvo celebrates its annual Yuletide

By Shari Kaplan

Just like Christmas, Yuletide at Montalvo comes but once a year--and this year, as in the past, it comes early. This Nov. 17-19, the nonprofit Montalvo Service Group holds its 40th annual Yuletide, which the group has subtitled "A Ruby Celebration" in honor of the traditional anniversary gift acknowledging 40 years of togetherness.

Yuletide at Montalvo is a community celebration and fundraiser for and run by the Montalvo Service Group. The group donates funds to the nonprofit Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, former mansion of the late United States Sen. James Phelan and now used as a venue to promote the arts and humanities. Among Montalvo's many programs are outreach to schoolchildren and the disabled, the Performing Arts Series, the Artist Residency Program and The Gallery at Montalvo.

For Yuletide, visitors can tour 10 of the Villa's rooms, decorated in festive and fanciful holiday themes. Other areas of the Villa will be set up for the sale of gifts crafted by service group members who belong to various themed subcommittees.

Gourmet Alley offers homemade edibles, such as jellies, preserves, honey and mustard, while Nature's Workshop uses inspirations from the great outdoors to make wreaths, swags, topiaries, tabletop centerpieces and birdhouses. The Sewing Workshop will again offer its signature stuffed balls, along with clothing for children and adults.

A raffle will be held during the Yuletide weekend that gives visitors an opportunity to win items, such as jewelry, a gourmet dinner for 10 served at the Villa, a child-sized teepee and an American Girl doll, Molly, complete with an all-weather wardrobe and a doll bed with a quilt. Molly's clothing and quilt are hand-sewn by members of the sewing group.

Admission is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children; price includes a tea repast served throughout the day. Yuletide runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17, followed by an optional light supper from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for an additional $25. On Nov. 18, Yuletide runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; on Sunday it runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Nov. 19, the Jim Gamble Puppets will present The Nutcracker at 1 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets to the family-style show are $7.50 for children and $15 for adults.

Free parking and shuttles are available on Friday and Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, 13724 Saratoga Ave. Free parking on Sunday is available at Villa Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Road.

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For tickets or more information about Yuletide, call 408.961.5858, or visit www.villamontalvo.org on the Internet.

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