Monthly Archives: May 2014
Be a philanthropist for a day
When the clock strikes midnight May 6 to kick off the inaugural 24-hour day of giving event—titled Silicon Valley Gives—any individual with $10 to spare can be a philanthropist in that very moment they click the donate button on their computer screen.
Drought, ag at center focus for first-ever Legislative Summit
South County’s first legislative summit, hosted by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce on April 25, was a who’s-who of local elected officials from congressional representatives to both mayors of Gilroy and Morgan Hill.
Gilroy: ‘community of volunteers’
From Muslim to Mormon, Christian to Catholic, members of Gilroy’s Interfaith Council and non-faith based individuals alike converged for a day of community volunteering.
Carrot and stick: city’s URM strategy
For the past year, Gilroy Mayor Don Gage and Council Member Perry Woodward have been individually meeting with owners of downtown’s 18 unreinforced masonry buildings and city staff. The pair claimed a victory this month; two buildings have been officially taken off the list of structures deemed unfit to survive a high magnitude earthquake after sufficient retrofitting.
When it comes to selling, mi casa es su casa
I love the warmth conveyed by the saying from our friends to the south. As you know, the direct translation is “My house is your house”—although what it means is that you are “always welcome.” In reflecting on the actual expression, it reminds me of the relationship between a home seller and a potential homebuyer.
Nearby getaway gems
Need a hideaway with all the luxurious amenities of a first class hotel but with the flavor of a French styled country inn? La Residence Inn rooms fill the bill. Sitting on two acres of glorious heritage oak and redwood trees in Napa is a converted mansion built by a river captain in 1870 and across the spa pool and the mini vineyard is a French style barn. 26 rooms house finely redecorated, luxuriously, comfortable rooms. Each room is individually decorated and has tasteful antiques scattered throughout, it seems each time you turn around there is a surprise, a lovely period antique lamp, an armoire from another era, an inviting fireplace with logs and matches in place and very readable books. French doors that open out to a verandah that overlooks a lovely garden add to the romantic setting. The modern touch is a CD player in each room with a collection of disks for every taste. (A very welcome touch.)
