The holiday spirit isn’t what it used to be at Almaden Plaza Shopping Center in South San Jose. The outdoor mall’s rooftop light display isn’t up this season. And, that’s left shoppers and commuters on Highway 85 — who can see the display from the freeway — feeling a little Scrooged.

The lighted figures of Santa and various toys has been around in some form for as long as I can remember, and the lights’ going on marked the start of the holiday season for many. With KBAY dropping its 24/7 Christmas music and now a mall scaling back its holiday decor, you just might think the spirit of the season in San Jose’s been swiped by the Grinch.

Thank goodness the Satanists still have a tree at Christmas in the Park or all would truly be lost.

The reason behind Almaden’s absent illumination is foggy at best. I’ve heard a couple of reasons, including that the vendor that installs the lights raised its prices at the last minute and that the lack of lights stems from a dispute between the property owners and Santa Clara County over its property tax assessment. Messages left with management have gone unreturned, so who knows which one — if another — is the real reason.

But there’s no denying the lights aren’t there, and in a place that changes as fast as San Jose and the rest of the valley does, we’re always in danger of letting go of community traditions like the Almaden Plaza lights, Christmas in the Park or the “Peace on Earth” sign at the Pruneyard. They’re important to our sense of place and continuity as a community. (And don’t think we haven’t noticed the “Peace on Earth” sign moved to the shorter of the two Pruneyard towers, either.)

Let’s hope the lights return next year. We need them to keep our spirits bright.

SEASON OF HOPE RETURNS: One holiday tradition that is back, however, is the Season of Hope performance series at St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica in downtown San Jose. The series kicks off Wednesday night with young performers from Castillero Middle School and continues through Dec. 23 when Harpers Hall Celtic Harps, directed by Verlene Schermer, closes things out. In between there will be youth choirs, jazz bands, ballet dancers and folklorico.

The hourlong program begins at 7:30 p.m. each night, and it’s always free.

St. Joseph’s Office of Social Ministry, the beneficiary of the concert series donations, does have some coming up in the new year. To better meet the growing needs of the homeless and at-risk community downtown, the parish has partnered with Catholic Charities. Its expanded services and other office functions will be moving from the parish offices next to the Cathedral to Catholic Charities’ John XXIII Multi-Service Center on San Fernando Street.

SPOTLIGHT ON OL’ BLUE EYES: Frank Sinatra ,who would have turned 103 on Wednesday, will get a belated birthday celebration Thursday night in Campbell. The Modesto Briseno Septet featuring Jerry Sauceda will lend their jazzy sound to a Sinatra tribute starting at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Room at the Pruneyard. Given the season, you’ve got to expect a few of his Christmas songs to make the cut.