We are going to be spending at least three, possibly more, days in their home on this trip. I would shorten it, but my husband only gets to see them once a year. A hotel room is not an option as the small town they live in doesn’t have one and the closest are too far away to be practical. I combated the political talk on our last visit with a “no politics” rule, which mostly worked. But they’ve only gotten worse since then. My husband can’t have a 20-minute phone conversation with his mom without it turning to politics. It’s all she has to talk about.

Imagine such an exclusive dinner that most people have never heard of it, and even those who’ve dined there often don’t want to talk about it publicly, Yes, it costs a staggering $15,000 to host this private evening for up to 12 people at Disneyland, in what certainly must be one charm bracelet, adjustable bangle bracelet with ballerina, ballet shoes charm bracelet, dance it out stamped bracelet, friends b of the most prized venues around, And, yes, it costs as much as driving home a brand-spanking-new Ford Fiesta, but — let’s face it — the people attending this type of party probably won’t be driving one, anyway..

The effort was launched last year by the Joyner/Payne Youth Services Agency, the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce and the African-American Community Service Agency with the goal of creating a Black History Museum by 2020. The museum is envisioned as an educational institution with permanent displays on the history and achievements of people of African descent, as well as a theater and conference room. The awards gala at the Hammer Theater Center will begin with networking at 5 p.m. and a red-carpet entrance for the honorees before the 7 p.m. ceremony. Tickets are $150, and you can purchase them online at www.blacklegendawards.com or call 408-320-2111 for details.

Holiday Brunch: Hosted by the Almaden Senior Association and catered by the Almaden Senior Chefs, The menu includes a Denver-style omelet, ham, potatoes, Danish and mimosas, Entertainment by a cappella group With a Twist, Dec, 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m, Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose, $12-$15, 408-268-1133, Santa Run Silicon Valley: The seventh annual This 5K run/walk benefits Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice, Individuals and families are encouraged to dress in holiday costumes and join the run through downtown charm bracelet, adjustable bangle bracelet with ballerina, ballet shoes charm bracelet, dance it out stamped bracelet, friends b San Jose, ending with Santa’s milk and cookies at Christmas in the Park, Dec, 16, 3:30 p.m.; Kids’ Reindeer Dash, 2:30 p.m, 225 W, Santa Clara St., San Jose, $15-$45, http://santarunsv.com..

First on the playlist: Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.”. The only thing missing from Music Director Michael Morgan’s return to the first section of the American composer’s four-part masterpiece will be pioneering choreographer Martha Graham, who died in 1991. Originally titled, “Ballet for Martha,” the iconic work was a 1944 commission intended to accompany Graham’s exuberant, scrupulously unembellished modern dance. The music, layered with folk tunes, hymns and glowing melodies, held broad audience appeal and won Copland a Pulitzer Prize. In 1990, it was the first piece Morgan conducted as the Oakland East Bay Symphony’s (OEBS) then-new music director.