Discover foster care and adoption

Rebekah Children's Services is holding their monthly orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight. Anyone interested in learning how to become an adoptive or foster parent should attend. There are 80,000 children in foster care throughout California who need families. Come to the orientation and learn about the children, the programs, financial support and training. Orientation will be held at 290 I.O.O.F. Ave.

Please RSVP as seating is limited.

Details: www.rcskids.org.

Last chance to help out for grad nite

The last Grad Night meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, in the Gilroy High School library. They need people ready to decorate the gym the week of graduation and also for parents to supervise and help host that night. They are also looking for donations of gift cards, cash, or prizes for our senior raffle. Parents should receive a mailing with a volunteer sheet. Please return it to the ASB office at Gilroy High School.

Public safety officers honored

The Annual Blue & Gold Awards Luncheon, presented by the Exchange Club of Gilroy, takes place at noon Wednesday, May 14 at the IFDES Lodge, 250 Old Gilroy St.

The luncheon honors those who work and volunteer to make a positive difference in the community. The cost if $15.

Details and RSVP: 842-0200

Celebrate 40 years at El Roble

El Roble Elementary will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a day of festivities starting at 1 p.m. May 16 with a parade led by the three "Queens of El Roble," Roberta Bertero, Patti Littlejohn and Mary Garcia, three women who were some of the first teachers.

A ceremony honoring the anniversary will be held at 2 p.m. to be followed by a carnival from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Admission to the carnival is free and open to the community. The school invites former staff, alumni and the public to celebrate at El Roble Elementary School.

Friday night concerts continue

Sue's Coffee Roasting Company Friday night concerts continue in May with a variety of musicians.

May 16, see folk singers Zen Boy & Karma Girl.

All shows from 7 to 9 p.m., at 7501 Monterey St.

Details: Sue at 842-4220, or sue@suescoffeeroasting.com, www.suescoffeeroasting.com.

Take a tour of beautiful Gilroy homes

The Gilroy Assistance League will be holding its annual Home Tour May 16 and 17 in Gilroy. The cost is $25 to tour four fabulous homes in Eagle Ridge.

The decor of all homes is unique with many fun touches done by the homeowners. The last house on the tour features a fabulous garden, and visitors will be able to enjoy wine, hors d'oeuvres and a retail boutique featuring home and garden decor.

The tours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and start at 1943 St. Andrews Circle, Gilroy.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (408) 848-5106.

Become a successful first-time homebuyer

Learn the essentials of becoming a homeowner, including understanding the overall process, assessing financial qualifications, creating a realistic budget and improving credit record, navigating the loan approval process, working with realtors and mortgage brokers, making an offer and negotiating the final deal, handling the mechanics of escrow and protecting the investment after the purchase.

The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17 in the city council chambers at Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St. Lunch will be provided. Although the workshop is free, advance enrollment is required. Completion of the program results in a "Fannie Mae" certificate.

Details and to enroll: Sandra Nava at 846-0290 or sandra.nava@ci.gilroy.ca.us

Seniors, time to swing in the moonlight

The Senior Ball, "Swingin' in the Moonlight … " event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St. This grand event will include dancing and music by "South Bay Swing Band," bingo from 5 to 6 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., dancing from 7 to 9 p.m., plus crowning of a King & Queen of the dance.! Tickets are $5 at the Gilroy Senior Center and will be on sale through Wednesday, May 14.

This event is being sponsored by the Gilroy Youth Commission to Build Community Through Generations.

Details: Gilroy Senior Center at 846-0414.

See the 30th Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant

Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant is a scholarship pageant. Contestants are judged on personal interview, speech, talent and evening gown. In addition to the selection of Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen, scholarships will be awarded to many pageant contestants.

The Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Pageant is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the Gavilan College Theater.

Details: 842-1625.

Who's Your Hero? American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Seeks Nominations for Local Real Heroes Award Breakfast

American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter is calling on Silicon Valley residents, companies and organizations to nominate individuals, who reside or work in Santa Clara County and whose extraordinary acts of courage or kindness make them a hero to be honored at the 2nd Annual Santa Clara Valley Real Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose.

"A hero can be someone who bravely acts in a time of immediate need or someone who simply lives his or her life in a way that shows they care for those around them. Real heroes are ordinary people whose actions demonstrate the potential that is in all of us. If someone is a hero in your eyes, I encourage you to nominate them'" says Honorary Event Chair, Peter Hero, a senior advisor to the CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Nominations for the heroics act of local residents that took place between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 for the following categories:

• Animal Rescue Hero - An animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, or a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation.

• Education Hero - An adult or youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others in a school or other educational setting.

• Good Samaritan - Adult (21 years old and up) - An adult who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

• Good Samaritan - Youth (Under the age of 21) - A youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

• Law Enforcement Hero - A professional law enforcement officer (Sheriff, Police, FBI, Highway Patrol, etc...) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Medical Professional Hero - A medical professional (doctors, nurses, EMT/paramedics, hospital/clinic staff, etc...) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Military Hero - A member of the armed forces (active, reserve, retired, commissioned or non-commissioned) whose life-saving action during active duty status went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Professional Rescuer Hero - A professional rescuer (firefighter, lifeguard, etc...) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Workplace Hero - An individual who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others at his or her place of employment or on a job site.

Real Hero Award recipients will be chosen by a selection committee of leading members of the Silicon Valley community. Heroes are selected based on the degree to which their acts of heroism uphold the values of the American Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of Silicon Valley. All nominees must work or reside in the Santa Clara County; the heroic acts may have occurred elsewhere. Self-nominations are not permitted. All nominations will be subject to further verification and validation. All nominee information will be shared with the Heroes selection committee and the general public with a two-minute biographical video.

Nominations for Real Heroes Awards can now be submitted to the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter online at www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org. You can also download a PDF of the nomination form from the Web site and mail the completed form to Real Heroes Breakfast Selection Committee, American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter, 2731 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134 or fax the completed form to (408) 577-2050.

Frank Sanchez named marshal

The Gilroy Memorial Day Committee announced Frank Sanchez as the 2008 Grand Marshall. He served as a member of the U.S. Army. The theme, "Your Freedom, Their Lives" for the 11th annual Memorial Day Parade, May 26. All community groups, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in commemorating those who fell in the line of duty.

A ceremony will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at Gavilan Cemetery, followed by a parade along 10th Street from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From 1 to 4 p.m., a Family Fun Day will be held at Christmas Hill Park. It will include music, food, bounce houses for children, a climbing wall, face painting and more.

In addition, a car show will be held at the park following the parade. Car participants may drive their vehicle in the parade and then show them from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Or, just show it at the park. There will be awards given out and there is no entry fee.

Get an application at www.gilroyparade.com

Class of 1958 plans reunion

The Gilroy High School class of 1958 is planning a 50th reunion, June 27 at Eagle Ridge Golf Club.

Details: 842-5357.

Class of '98 plans reunion

Gilroy High School Class of 1998 will celebrate its 10-year reunion Aug. 9 at La Vigna, at Hecker Pass Winery.

Details: gilroyhigh98@yahoo.com

Ongoing Events
Discover joy of a foster family

Learn about becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

Details: Shelda Reynolds at 846-5028, or at Shelda.Reynolds@ssa.sccgov.org,or stop by the Gilroy Family Resource Center, 8833 Monterey Road., Suite. G, Gilroy.

Free table tennis

Enjoy a game of table tennis with seniors 55 and older at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St.

Details: 846-0414.

Scouting in Gilroy

If you're interested in Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts, please visit their new Web site at www.gilroyscouting.org

On it you will find contact information and pictures from recent adventures, as well as on-line forms for our flag retirement service and joining.

Thursdays
Narateen meeting in Gilroy

For the children of families and friends of addicts 13 to 20, narateen meetings take place from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, at First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave., Room 202

Details: 836-7549, or irene_naranon@yahoo.com

Conservative Republicans discuss politics

Conservative Republicans and others are invited to attend the monthly

meeting of the California Republican Assembly the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Please RSVP for location and directions. The objective of the local CRA chapter is to raise political sophistication and keep abreast of politics in the state and the country.

Details: 327-6451.

Brain Injury Support

The Brain Injury Support Group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month at Poblanita Restaurant, 313 Third St. in San Juan Bautista. Anyone who has had a brain injury, stroke or aneurysm is welcome to attend, along with caregivers, family and friends.

Details: Maggie at 623-9271.

Fridays
Rock to reggae at winery

The popular Reggae Nights series continues Friday at Hecker Pass Winery's new event center, La Vigna. Find Your Roots, a Santa Cruz-based band, will highlight an evening of entertainment for the younger set. The show begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. DJ Dread will keep the music driving. Food and drinks will be available. There's an $8 cover charge, and youth 16 and older are welcome. Wrist bands are given to everyone upon entrance. Hecker Pass Winery is located at 4605 Hecker Pass Highway.

Details: Carlo Fortino at 930-6777 or visit heckerpasswinery.com.