There is a Grinch loose in the Willow Glen area, and he or she has stolen Christmas—or at least a tree—from a local business.

On Dec. 9, employees of Beyond Homes, located at 838 Minnesota Ave., returned to work to find the Christmas tree that graced the front yard of their office was gone. The dwarf tree, a long standing Willow Glen tradition that adorns many homes and businesses in the community—and its lights were stolen. The theft occurred sometime between 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 and noon on Dec. 9. The thieves, however, did leave the stake that anchored the tree in the ground.

—Meghan O'Hare

Holiday music ringing through WG library

For Willow Glen residents looking for a break from the holiday bustle, the Willow Glen Library is presenting a 45 minute Willow Glen Holiday Concert with folksinger and autoharp virtuoso Adam Miller.

Miller will perform a concert of traditional American and European folk songs pertaining to the winter holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice and New Years. This is a free sing-along and family concert for all ages.

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Willow Glen Library

The concert is scheduled for Dec. 14 from 7 to 7:45 p.m. For more information call the Willow Glen Library at 408. 998.2022 and ask for Susan Eby.

—Moryt Milo

Girl Scout first year
coat drive is a winner

Willow Glen residents who donated coats at the Willow Glen Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec. 2 helped make the first annual One Warm Coat drive a success. The drive collected more than 2,100 coats.

Girl Scout Troop 383 spearheaded the collection efforts and was one of 20 troops from Willow Glen, Cambrian and Campbell that participated in the drive. The coats, jackets and sweaters went to benefit local residents served by Sacred Heart Community Service.

Some of the most successful drives included Fammatre Elementary School's troop 555, Bagby Elementary School's troop 231 and Reed Elementary School's troop 220.

Santa Clara's Girl Scout chairperson, Michelle Alaimo, said the coats, jackets and sweaters will help keep thousands of Santa Clara residents warm this winter.

One-act version of 'The
Nutcracker' is a treat

For ballet loving parents with squirming children, Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley has a solution.

The dance company will be performing a special one-act version of The Nutcracker on Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at reduced prices.

This shortened version of the classic holiday ballet is a chance to introduce children ages 4 to 9 to the world of dance. The performance is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

After the performance, families are within walking distance of Christmas In The Park and the city's new outdoor ice skating rink at the Circle of Palms in Caesar Chavez Plaza.

Tickets for the special children's performance of The Nutcracker range from $25 to $68. For more information call 408.288.2800. Tickets can be also purchased online at www.balletsanjose.org.