Show support for U.S. troops
GILROY
– Operation Yellow Ribbon is holding a fund-raising event at
Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant in Gilroy, 8440 Murray Ave., on Tuesday,
April 1 to raise money to send care packages and letters to
soldiers stationed overseas. Join us and show your support of the
troops. Visit http://www.operationyellowrib
bon.org for more ways to show support. Details: Leslie or
Stephanie Smith at 848-1553.
Show support for U.S. troops
GILROY – Operation Yellow Ribbon is holding a fund-raising event at Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant in Gilroy, 8440 Murray Ave., on Tuesday, April 1 to raise money to send care packages and letters to soldiers stationed overseas. Join us and show your support of the troops. Visit http://www.operationyellowribbon.org for more ways to show support. Details: Leslie or Stephanie Smith at 848-1553.
Fill a child’s Easter basket
GILROY – The “Easter Bonnets and Baskets” celebration is a popular event with both needy clients of St. Vincent de Paul and energized volunteers. On the day of the event, volunteers contribute refreshments and help clients select free new clothing for their families. Other volunteers lead game and craft activities with the children, including face-painting, basket-making and egg decorating. St. Vincent de Paul needs volunteers to host the event on Saturday, April 5, at its store located at 7680 Monterey St. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is also invited to make donations, such as new clothing, new shoes, new socks and undergarments, as well as baskets, candies or dental hygiene items. Monetary donations can be mailed to PO Box 5579, San Jose CA 95150-5579 and items may be dropped off at St. Vincent de Paul. Anyone who would like to volunteer should call Grace Ward at 842-5524.
Chamber scholarship program
GILROY – The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program offers $4,000 in college scholarships to qualified high school seniors graduating in 2003 and entering their first year of college in the fall of 2003. One $2,000 scholarship, one $1,000 scholarship and two $500 scholarships will be awarded. To qualify, a student must be a Gilroy resident and/or attending a Gilroy Unified School District school; have an excellent record of experience in community and extracurricular activities; have career goals in business, industry or education; and graduate high school in June, 2003 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years. Application packets are available at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce or by e-mailing a request to ch*****@gi****.org. Completed application packets are due by or before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11 to the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, 7471 Monterey St., Gilroy CA 95020. Details: 842-6437.
Rotarians pitch in to wipe out polio
GILROY – In order to help stamp out polio worldwide, Rotary Club members in Gilroy will charge themselves “a couple of more dollars for lunch” over the next two years, club President Ernie Filice said. Filice made the announcement as Rotary International begins the final phase of its polio eradication fund raising campaign. By June, the service organization wants to raise $80 million, to add to the $240 million already garnered to immunize all the world’s children against polio. Rotary International wants to wipe out polio worldwide by 2005 – the organization’s centennial year.
Other area clubs are putting donation bins in stores, but garlic town’s Rotary chapter agreed to charge themselves more at their weekly lunch meetings in order to guarantee their $18,000 share would be raised. Others can still make donations to the effort by calling club secretary Jack Pate at (408) 842-4158.
Earth Day festivities
GILROY – Join the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and the City of Gilroy for a fun outdoor Earth Day festival on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Christmas Hill Park. There will be tree planting, bird walks, live animal presentations, a compost give-away, nest box building, a nature scavenger hunt, nature arts and crafts and free food. This festival is an opportunity for both children and adults to connect to the natural world and participate in hands-on Earth Day activities. Details: Jennifer Peritz at 252-3740 or pr******@sc***.org.
Garlic Queen pageant
GILROY – The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association is accepting applications for the 25th annual queen pageant, which will take place on Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m. in the Gavilan College Theater. Admission is $5. Contestant applications can be picked up through the Garlic Festival office, 7473 Monterey St. or by calling the office at 842-1625. Applicants must be between ages 18 and 24; a resident of Gilroy, Hollister, Morgan Hill, San Juan Bautista or San Martin; single, never married with no children; and a high school graduate by June 2003. The deadline to enter is March 27 by 5 p.m. Contestants are judged on the results of personal interview, talent, evening gown, garlic speech and overall poise and personality. Last year, prizes included cash, awards and a trophy from the Association. In past years, the queen has been invited to participate in the “Takko Garlic and Beef Festival” held in Gilroy’s sister city, Takko-Machi, Japan. Details: 842-1625.
History of Rucker School
GILROY – Rucker Elementary School students are currently engaged in a long-term historical research project to discover information about the history of their school and locale. According to the historical marker on the main school building, Rucker Elementary was founded in 1894. However, some believe it is even older than that. The school is located at 325 Santa Clara Ave. If you have stories, photos or information about the history of Rucker, contact the school: 842-6471.
Disaster preparedness
MORGAN HILL – The City of Morgan Hill’s Office of Emergency Services is sponsoring disaster training for the next eight weeks; the classes are free and open to any South County resident. Learn how to prepare yourself, your family and home in the event of a disaster. The Citizens Emergency Response Team training begins Tuesday, April 1, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Community Center. Classes will continue once a week through May 13. On Saturday, May 17, the final session will be held, a disaster exercise, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the CDF station on Monterey Road. To sign up or for more information, call Paul at 776-1225 or Deb at 779-1722.
April fools … help a teacher
GILROY – Support Morgan Hill public school teachers by enjoying a meal at Fresh Choice. The restaurant will donate 20 percent of April Fools’ Day’s receipts of those customers who declare they are supporters of the Teachers Aid Coalition at the register. Teachers Aid Coalition gathers classroom supplies in support of local teachers. Call Fresh Choice, located at the Gilroy Outlets near OfficeMax, at 842-6919 for reservations.
Pageant Packets
GILROY – Contestant packets for the Miss Gavilan Hills and Miss Northern California Regional pageant are now available. The deadline to enter is April 4 with the pageant April 12. Women who enter must be between the ages of 17 and 23. They’re judged on an interview, community service, talent, swimsuit and evening wear. The winner will receive a scholarship and go on to compete at the Miss California Pageant. Three of Miss Gavilan Hills’ former contestants have gone on to compete in the Miss America Pageant. Details: tv******@ga****.com.
Miss Gavilan Hills dinner show
GILROY – The Strand Theater in downtown Gilroy is the home for the 2003 Miss Gavilan Hills Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, April 12. The dinner show pageant will feature over 20 contestants from all areas of the state. Dinner will be provided by the staff of the Strand Theater, who will prepare their specialty of Southern cooking with a “salsa” flare. An after pageant reception will feature the salsa sounds of Mambo Tropical. Tickets are advance sale only and will not be available at the door. The winners will go on to compete at the Miss California Pageant in June. Dinner show tickets may be purchased at Gilroy Travel, 670 First St., and are $25 per person. Details: tv******@ga****.com or 842-5671.
Caltrain takes you out to the ball game
SAN JOSE – Caltrain will begin baseball service to Pacific Bell Park for the Giants’ first home exhibition game against the Texas Rangers on Friday, March 28, by running extra service and longer trains. After the game, fans can board any regularly scheduled train, an express baseball train or extra long baseball train. The express will depart 15 minutes after the last out or when full. Passengers who purchase their tickets in advance receive a $3 off-board discount. Details: www.caltrain.com, (800) 660-4287 or (TDD only) (650) 508-6448.
Register for a summer of theater fun
GILROY – Register now for STAR, a fun-filled summer program presented by the Gavilan College Theatre Arts program for young people ages 8 to 15. The musical under consideration is the Broadway hit “Into the Woods.” Session One will be held June 23 to July 19 and Session Two from July 22 to Aug. 9. The program is held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, call Gavilan Community Education at 847-2514.
Students express themselves through art
GILROY – The Gavilan College Art Gallery is holding its annual exhibit of local student work. This year the exhibit is timed to coincide with the regional festival of creativity: IMIX: Infinite Potential. The exhibit runs now through April 18. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. It is closed on weekends. The Gavilan College Art Gallery is located in the library on the Gavilan College main campus, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. in Gilroy. Admission is free. On-campus parking is 75 cents. Details: 847-1400.
Senior potluck lunch and dance
GILROY – The Community Seniors Club is sponsoring a potluck lunch and dance on Saturday, April 5. The lunch will start at noon with dancing from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Senior Center. There will be a raffle as well as music by the California Express Band. Everyone should bring their favorite dish to share and tableware. Details: 848-0465.
Need help with tax preparation
GILROY – Free income tax assistance is available in Santa Clara County through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. VITA, helps the elderly, low-income, the disabled and non-English speaking taxpayers fill out simple, basic Federal tax forms such as Forms 1040-EZ, 1040-A, 1040 and the basic State tax forms 540-EZ and 540-A. Many VITA sites offer free electronic filing (e-file) for a faster refund. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help. For the nearest TCE site, call the IRS toll-free at (800) 829-1040, the Franchise Tax Board at (800) 852-5711 or Tax Aide at (888) 227-7669. Help is available at the Gavilan College Library building, room 101-A, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Wednesdays from 5 to 8:30 p.m. through April 9. Spanish assistance is available. Call 848-4790 for an appointment.
Home-grown artist with symphony
GILROY – The annual “Spring Concert” of the South Valley Symphony will be Saturday, April 5 at the Gilroy High School Theater at 8 p.m. Conductor Henry Mollicone will lead the symphony in a program that includes a festive march called “The Canton Aero Club March” composed by King and especially arranged by Jim O’Briant, principal tuba player of the symphony. The melodic “Symphony No. 8 in G” by Antonin Dvorak. Following an intermission, local native and featured mezzo soprano, Sonia Gariaeff, will sing several selections including two from the opera “Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart. She will also perform the Intermezzo from “Vanessa” by Samuel Barber and “The Maiden’s Aria” from “Coyote Tales” by Mollicone.
Tickets are now on sale at Snappy Photo, 757 First St., and California Music Company and Porcella’s Music in downtown Gilroy. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors age 55 and up and $7 for students ages 12 to 18. Details: 842-3934.
Please send local news items to City Editor Jodi Engle at ed****@ga****.com or by fax to 842-2206.
