Las Animas Spring Festival

The Las Animas Spring Festival is here. Enjoy food, fun and more from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at the school, 8450 Wren Ave.

The evening includes student performances, carnival games with prizes, a silent auction and raffle, kids' crafts and bounce houses, themed baskets, face painting and more.

Distinguished school logo T-shirts are available.

An 'Evening of Music and Food'

The Gilroy High School Music Department presents 'An Evening of Music and Food' tonight on the Gilroy High School campus.

The evening begins with a pepper steak sandwich barbecue outside the high school cafeteria starting at 5:30 p.m. and serving until 7 p.m.

The barbecue is a fundraiser that benefits the Chamber Singers 2008 Alumni Choir trip in June to Takko-Machi, Japan. The 2008 Alumni Choir was specially invited to Takko to celebrate the 20-year sister city relationship and 20 years of sharing music. The $10 tickets are limited and will be sold by pre-sale only.

While eating, enjoy a free jazz band concert in the high school quad. The performance is from 6 until 6:45 p.m.

The final event of the evening is the 2008 Choir Pops Concert starting at 7:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. This year's concert theme is 'Prepositions.' Tickets for the Pops Concert are $5 and can be purchased either pre-sale or at the door. Pre-sale barbecue tickets and concert tickets are available at Porcella's Music in downtown Gilroy and at the Gilroy High School Student Activities Office.

Details: Phil Robb at the Gilroy High School Music Office at 847-2424, ext. 2288.

Friday night concerts continue

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

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

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

Live music at Westside Grill

Westside Grill presents live music Fridays from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Tonight: 4 of Hearts

June 6: In The Red

June 13: The Blue Sky Band.

Details: 846-9339.

Poker tourney benefits city programs

The Gilroy Community Services Department is offering the Big Slick Spring Texas Hold 'Em Tournament beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday June 7 at the Gilroy Senior Center.

Teams of four persons at least 18 years of age may play in the one-day

event. The proceeds of the tournament, the 17th in a series over the past three years, are used for senior, teen and youth programs.

The entry fee is $60 per team. Team members will play at different tables.

The tournament is accepting team entries until 4pm Friday May 30, although registration will conclude if the 27 teams enroll.

Details: (408) 846-0460.

Vineyard release party

Sycamore Creek Vineyard will release its award winning 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon at a release party 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. It costs $15 for wine club members, $25 for non-members.

Sycamore Creek recently won several awards for its 2005 Petit Verdot (gold), 2005 Merlot (bronze) and 2006 Chardonnay (bronze) at the Grand Harvest Awards and for its 2006 Malbec (best of class/gold) and 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (silver) at the West Coast Wine Competition. Winemaker Ted Medeiros plans to unveil the Cabernet at the party that will include live music and barbecue.

Summer concerts kick off

The 2008 "Summer Concerts in the Park" kicks off Sunday at Christmas Hill Park. The first concert in the series features the Silicon Valley Houserockers, performing classic Rock 'n' Roll. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy an evening of music in the park from 5 to 7 p.m. Look for two additional concerts coming this summer, July 6 and Aug. 3 (the first Sunday of each summer month). Concerts are free and all ages are welcome.

Flower lovers meet

The Morgan Hill Flower Lover's Club (including Gilroy and San Martin) will meet at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. This will be the last meeting until Sept. 3.

MH symphony hits the stage

Morgan Hill Wind Symphony will play a "Symphonic Scenes" concert at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, at the Morgan Hill Playhouse on Monterey Road at 5th Street in Morgan Hill. Admission is free.

Details: Lindsay Drobilisch at 782-2305 or www.morganhillwindsymphony.org.

Honor Post Senior graduates

Parents, families, friends and supporters are invited to the Santa Clara County Office of Education South County Gilroy Post Senior Program's 6th Annual Graduation Banquet, held June 5, at Fortino Winery. The event will include dinner.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m. The cost is $18 for an evening of food, entertainment and of course honoring the graduates. Guests and former students who found success as a result of the SCCOE education will speak. All reservations must be in and paid by Friday.

Details: Steve Fortino at 842-3247.

St. Mary School promotes 35

St. Mary School's 35 members of the 8th grade class will be sent off to high school during ceremonies set for Friday, June 6. The school liturgy begins at 10:30 a.m. in the church. At the end of Mass, the entire school will form an honor guard for the graduating class as they proceed to the school.

The graduation ceremony with student awards and scholarships will be held in the church beginning at 6 p.m. Father Dan Derry and school Principal Christa Hanson will present the students with their awards and diplomas. Hospitality follows for students and their parents in the gym.

On Monday, June 9, 34 kindergarten students will be promoted to first grade during a ceremony that begins at 6 p.m. in the gym.

Help shape Gilroy housing

The city is in the process of updating the General Plan Housing Element and is looking for input from the public. Join other community members at an interactive Housing Element Workshop and help shape the goals and policies of the new housing element.

The meetings are 6 p.m. June 12 and 19, at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St.

Pizza will be provided and Spanish translation will be available

Details: Marilyn Roaf at 846-0241.

AARP safe driving class

AARP holds free one-day refresher courses for drivers 50 and older. Driver safety and new laws will be covered. There is a minimal fee for a three-year DMV certificate for discounts on auto insurance. AARP membership not required. The next meeting is June 14. Call between 1 and 6 p.m. for time and location.

Details: 776-1413.

Summer fitness program

Children ages 7 to 17 may participate in a summer fitness program to stay fit and healthy out of school with Pulido's Pro-Fitness Summer programs beginning June 16. The programs will teach kids and teens to cultivate a fun and healthy lifestyle while building community through cardio workouts, game activities, and an introduction to healthy eating.

Details: 846-9860.

Library to kick off summer

The Gilroy Library presents 'Twas the Night Before Summer' event Friday, June 20. This event is part of a national event to kick off summer and to promote reading all across the country. More than 2,000 libraries and bookstores nationally are celebrating the beginning of summer with this event.

This event features a reading of the new children's book 'Twas the Night Before Summer,' children coloring pages, free stickers and other fun activities for children.

Details: Linda Glawatz at the Gilroy Library at 842-8207 or Aaron Vince at the Mackinac Island Press at (231) 946-7737.

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

Visit SV backyard railroads

South County Garden Railroaders invite the public to the 14th annual Garden Layout Tour to benefit St. Josephs Center and Community Pantry.

The tour takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. Visit 12 model railroads running through some of the most unusual backyard gardens in Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy and Hollister. Please bring nonperishable food (canned goods, pasta, cereal, etc.) or donate (cash or check to St. Josephs Family Center or the Community Pantry) and pickup a guide book at the All Aboard Junction train store at 8355 Monterey St., Gilroy.

Details: Pat at 846-8841, Dale at 848-1440, or Dave at 842-1843.

'Day' benefits foundation

The 19th Annual "Day in the Country" auction will be held Saturday, Sept. 6. Put on by the Gilroy Foundation, this year's theme is "A Night with the Rat Pack." The event includes wine tasting, dinner, dancing and a silent and live auction.

The event raises funds to support the programs of the Gilroy Foundation. For more than 25 years, the foundation has supported charitable organizations by offering grants to those organizations with the greatest need.

The foundation is looking for support in terms of sponsorships and or donated items.

Details: 842-3727.

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.