Applications accepted for Simon Youth Foundation Scholarship
Program
The application period for the Simon Youth Foundation Community
Scholarship Program, for which area high school seniors are
eligible, are being accepted until Jan. 31.
Check out historic bungalows

Discover the many types of bungalows, Gilroy’s prevalent housing style of the 1920s. Join members of the Gilroy Historical Society Saturday, Feb. 2nd for a walking tour of these interesting, comfortable houses. Meet at the Gilroy Museum, 195 Fifth St. at 10 a.m. Bring umbrellas. Reservations are appreciated by calling the museum at 846-0446. An added attraction is the Museum’s special exhibit of historic valentines which opens Saturday.

Spend Super Bowl Sunday solving puzzles

Test your puzzle solving skills at the 2nd Annual Silicon Valley Puzzle Day with crossword and Sudoku tournaments for adults and youth, non-competitive games and activities and a marketplace. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 at Morgan Hill Library, 660 West Main Ave. Presented by Friends of the Library.

Details at www.rcskids.org.

Open auditions for ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Gavilan College Theater will hold open auditions for the Spring production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare.

All parts are open and available.All actors cast in the production must register for Gavilan course THEA13. You need NOT be a full time student to audition.

Information and sign up from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today and Thursday.

Auditions are from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Call backs will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 5.

A call list will be posted Feb. 6 which includes first cast meeting from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Rehearsals are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Performers must be able to attend all rehearsals and performances from April 24 through May 9.

The production, auditions and rehearsals will be held at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.

Details: jl**********@*****an.edu, or call (408) 848-4860.

Spaghetti feed benefits GHS choral programs

The Gilroy High School Choral Program Spaghetti Feed will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the high school cafeteria. The dinner features pasta with three sauces prepared by Majid Bahriny, of Mama Mia’s Restaurant.

Tickets are available from choir members or at the door, and cost $8 for adults, $6 for children 12 and younger. Takeout is available.

Details: 847-2424, ext. 2288.

GHS open house

An open house for current Gilroy High School familes and for the families of incoming freshmen will be held Thursday, Feb. 7. The open house for current GHS families takes place from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the Gilroy High School Student Center. The session for incoming freshmen takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m., also in the student center.

There will be a special presentation by the GHS choir.

Details: 847-2424.

Help develop countywide art plan

The Santa Clara County Office of Education, in collaboration with the Gilroy Arts Alliance and the city of Gilroy, is convening representatives of educational institutions, government, arts organizations, business, parents, students and other community members to provide input into the development of a county wide Arts Education Master Plan to provide quality arts education for all Santa Clara County students.

The Santa Clara County Arts Education Master Planning Process seeks to develop a vision for quality arts education for all students in the county. The master planning process will offer opportunity to identify strategic actions that will enable us to provide the essential and innovative learning experiences students must have to thrive and lead.

The meeting takes place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Gilroy Police Department community room, 7301 Hanna St., between Sixth and Seventh streets. Registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 1.

Details: 453-6578, to register call 848-1514.

Applications accepted for Simon Youth Foundation Scholarship Program

The application period for the Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarship Program, for which area high school seniors are eligible, are being accepted until Jan. 31.

Students can use the online application found at SYF Web site at for more information on the program.

Scholarships are awarded to one student at every Simon property across the country, and any student graduating in the class of 2008 who lives in or near a community with a Simon property is eligible. The program will award a scholarship of up to $1,500 to students who plan to enroll in any accredited college, university, vocational or technical school. In 2007, a total of $350,000 was distributed to 188 recipients nationwide. Students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post secondary education will also be given close consideration.

The completed application, along with their official school transcripts and parents’ most recently filed tax form, must be sent to Scholarship America by Jan. 31.

Weekend voting available for Presidential Primary Election

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ Office will offer early voting during the final weekend before the Feb. 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election.

Vote Saturuday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the office of the Registrar of Voters, 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose (off Old Oakland Road).

Weekend voting is open to all registered voters. It is ideal for those voters who cannot go to the polls on election day, as well as anyone who simply enjoy the convenience and accessibility of casting their ballots on the weekend.

Early voting is also available at the Registrar’s Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Polling places will be open election day (Tuesday, Feb. 5) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Registrar’s Office will also be open for voting on Election Day.

Details: www.lilyholbrookmusic.com or 842-4220.

Casino night benefits GHS baseball

Prizes, food and fun at Casino night from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 9 at Stubby’s, 707 First St. Proceeds benefit Gilroy High School baseball. Cost is $75 a couple, or $50 for single.

Details: 842-3322

Learn to become a building inspector

Qualification requirements for a career in Building Inspection is at an all-time high. Certification with the International Code Council is looked at by employers as one of the most valuable attributes testifying to the knowledge and effort made by a potential employee. Gavilan College presents a Residential Building Inspection-ICC Certification Exam Prep, Saturdays, Feb. 23 through April 19, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (no class March 22nd). This is a 40 hour course of instruction preparing the participants to pass the International Code Council’s Residential Building Inspector of 1 and 2 Family Dwelling Exam. Passing of this exam will give international certification with a 3 year certification by the ICC.

The class takes place at Gavilan College, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. The cost is $450, plus $89 for materials.

Details: Rosie Armstrong at 847-2514.

Annual fashion show benefits children

The Elks Lodge is holding it’s annual Charity Fashion Show, “In the Japanese Tea Garden,” Saturday, March 8, featuring fashions and accessories from local boutiques and stores. This event begins with no-host cocktails at 11 a.m., luncheon at noon and fashion show from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This event is open to all members, their family, their friends and their guests.

All proceeds benefit the Elks philanthropic efforts to help crippled and disabled children. Tickets will go on sale Feb. 8, for $25 per person. The event takes place at the lodge, 2765 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy. Tickets will also be sold after Feb. 8 and may be picked up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the lodge office.

See Joyce or Sandy.

Details: 842-9397.

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. The deadline to submit nominations is March 13, 2008.

“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 are being accepted in 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.therolemodelprogram.org.

Group meets to discuss water issues

The Perchlorate Community Advisory Group meets from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the San Martin Lion Club Hall. 12415 Murphy Ave., San Martin.

Flower lovers club meets

The Morgan Hill flower Lovers Club (including Gilroy and San Martin) will meet at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6. The meeting will be held at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road.

Mayor’s Downtown Information Forum continues

Come and learn about the city’s plans for downtown Gilroy. What kinds of businesses are coming and which can qualify for fee waivers? What about a becoming paseo and all of those buildings that might not hold up through the next earthquake? The mayor and city staff will try to explain all of these questions and address concerns about downtown’s parking and further beautification.

Details: Jan 29, 6 – 8 p.m. and Jan. 30, 8 – 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 7471 Monterey St.

Register now for spring classes

New and continuing students can now register for spring classes at Gavilan College. Spring semester begins Jan. 30. Classes are offered days, evenings, weekends and online. Continuing students may register in person or on-line at www.gavilan.edu. New students may register in person at Gavilan College locations in Gilroy, Morgan Hill or Hollister.

Gilroy main campus:

Through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Jan. 22 to 25: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday

Jan. 29 to Feb. 7: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday

Details: general information at 848-4800; counseling at 848-4723; financial aid at 848-4727; schedule and registration calendars available at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

Super Showdown III coming

The Super Showdown III Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday Feb. 2, 2008 at the Gilroy Senior Center.

The proceeds of this tournament will benefit senior, teen and youth programs within the City of Gilroy Community Services Department.

Teams of four will play in the tournament, with team members playing at different tables.

This recreational event concludes by 3 p.m.. A team entry fee of $60 and roster of four players may be turned into the Community Services Department, 7351 Rosanna St., through Jan. 25. The tournament is the 16th in a series of volunteer-led events which name team and individual champions.

Details: 846-0460.

Gilroy High FFA Spaghetti dinner cancelled

Due to unforeseen circumstances that the Gilroy High FFA is canceling the Spaghetti dinner planned for Feb. 12, 2008.

GHS Grad Night fundraiser

Come out and support GHS Senior Class of 2008 at Panera Bakery from 4 to 9 p.m., Jan. 31. Panera will give GHS Grad Night 15 percent of total receipts, so take a night off from cooking and come out and support the seniors. All you have to do is take your receipt from dinner and place it in the box that will be set aside for GHS and the class of ’08 gets 15 percent. Please come join us for dinner.

Practice for the SAT

Free practice for SAT at the Gilroy Library. Princeton Review will provide a free practice test and strategy session for high school students at the Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St. Call or come in to sign up; space is limited. Test is Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the results are given at the strategy session on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Details: 842-8207.

Become a Red Cross volunteer

American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer orientation takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Feb. 14. Learn to meet, greet and inform donors at Santa Clara County area blood drives or make deliveries as a volunteer driver. Evening and weekend hours available. Advanced sign-up required.

Details: (510) 594-5165.

Give blood and help save lives

The next American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at First Baptist Church Hall, 845 Wren Ave., Gilroy. A second will be held from a10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at South Valley Community Church hall, 8095 Kelton Drive, Gilroy

Details: Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to

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