Discover the charm of Gilroy’s East Side today when members of
the Gilroy Historical Society lead a walking tour of Railroad and
Alexander streets. The roots in the heart of
”
old Gilroy
”
are sprouting new leaves.
Meet at the Gilroy Museum at 10 a.m.
Reservations for the free tour are requested by calling the
museum at 846-0446.
To have your event listed in the digest, www.parks.ca.gov/events.
South County participates in annual Citizenship and Immigrant Pride Day
Santa Clara County Citizenship Collaborative invites permanent residents inspired by the electoral fever to take the step to become citizens and vote in future elections.
The collaborative will hold its free 19th annual Citizenship Day at 10 a.m. today in Gilroy at Rebekah Children’s Services, 290 IOOF Ave.
The event will give county residents an orientation on how to become a U.S. citizen in their own language, initial legal assessment, if needed, and an appointment at a later date for additional services.
According to Robert Yabes, director of Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services, the importance of the event for the community cannot be emphasized enough.
“Citizenship Day provides legal permanent residents with invaluable information on the citizenship process, as well as access to a free legal assessment, if needed. This saves potential applicants from paying the high cost of a private consultation,” said Yabes.
The collaborative is composed of Asian Law Alliance Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network, Catholic Charities of San Jose, CET’s Immigration and Citizenship Program, Santa Clara County’s Immigrant Relations and Integration Services Program, Sacred Heart Community Services, and others.
“Voting is one of the most important privileges of being a US citizen,” said Richard Konda, Asian Law Alliance. “Applying for Citizenship is the first step in realizing the dream of full participation.”
Over the years, the Santa Clara County Citizenship Collaborative has assisted more than 100,000 individuals in their citizenship process.
Details: Juan Garcia, (408) 914-8337
Make a reservation for the Path of the Padres hike
The staff at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area will again be leading the popular “Path of the Padres” hikes some Fridays and most Saturdays and Sundays through April 27. These hikes are open to the public, ages 6 years and older, by advance reservation only. School group hikes may be arranged for Fridays. School group reservations and general public reservations are now open.
The hike begins at the Los Banos Creek Reservoir boat launch ramp at 8 a.m. and returns to the ramp about 3:30 p.m. A pontoon boat carries passengers for about 30 to 40 minutes to the west end of the reservoir. Along the way, short stops are made so the hikers can observe wildlife along the shoreline. The group leaves the boat at the west end of the reservoir for a five-mile round-trip hike. Here one can see the area where, in the early 1800s, the Spanish padres from Mission San Juan Bautista camped on their way to the Central Valley. This hike is moderately strenuous and will take about five hours.
Participants must be in fairly good physical condition. Because Los Banos Creek is crossed several times during the hike, footwear may get wet. Layered clothing and sturdy footgear should be a priority. Hikers should carry a lunch and a minimum of two quarts of water. The hike traverses country that can be very hot and dry, depending on weather conditions, so a hat and sunscreen are recommended.
Throughout the hike, the natural and historic features of the area are pointed out and discussed by the hike leader. The lunch stop is near the historic “baths,” deep pools in the creek, carved in bedrock, which gave Los Banos its name. As early as 1805 the mission padres and accompanying soldiers washed and rested here at Los Banos del Padre Arroyo, now simply Los Banos Creek.
Participants have the option of taking a side trip up a steep hill for a spectacular view of the Menjoulet Canyon and the proposed site of the Los Banos Grandes Reservoir. The canyon floor is covered with 576 acres of old-growth Sycamore forest.
Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A reservation fee of $10 per person older than 13 and $7 per child age 6 to 12. A family of five may reserve space for two adults and three children for $25. Space is limited. On the day of the hike, an additional day use parking fee of $6 per car is charged upon entry.
Details: (209) 826-1196 or (209) 826-1197.
Grad night needs volunteers
Time is flying by and Grad Night is almost here. The group of volunteers organizing the annual senior event needs parents to help with this event. They will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 in the Gilroy High School library. They need anyone who is available to arrive at 6:30 to help put together a flyer to be mailed out as soon as possible.
Murray and Las Animas avenues community meeting
Residents of Murray Avenue and Las Animas Avenue are invited to come to a community meeting April 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Best Western (also known as the Forest Park Inn), 375 Leavesley Road. The meeting will be held in the Sequoia Meeting Room.
At the meeting, residents can address and discuss issues of traffic control, building setbacks, industrial development, street design, the review process and truck traffic, in addition to any other concerns they might have.
Details: Bill Faus or Wendie Rooney, 846-0440,
bi*******@ci.us
or
we***********@ci.us
Give blood and help save lives
Local American Red Cross blood drives will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at First Baptist Church, 845 Wren Ave.
Details: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.svct.org or at BookSmart in Morgan Hill, the Morgan Hill Community Center, or at the Gilroy Visitors Bureau.
The show was written by Carlo Collodi, with adaptation and lyrics by Jim Eiler, and music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy.
Producers are Terri MIles and Loritta Bonfante Johnson. Artistic and vocal direction by Carol Harris and choreography by Mitzie Imagawa.
Details: (408) 842-SHOW or log onto www.mountmadonnaschool.org/eco
Check out model railroads
The Garlic City Railroad Company presents its annual spring Model Railroad Show from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., Saturday April 12 at South Valley Middle School, 385 IOOF Ave.
The event, sponsored by All Aboard Junction Train Store, features operating layouts, vendor sales, a raffle, prizes and food.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors older than 60 and free for children younger than 8. Parking is free.
A portion of the admission goes to the South Valley Middle School science camp scholarship.
Details: 846-8841
Spring native plant sale
Scores of species of native plants, seeds and bulbs suitable for California gardens are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday April 12, at Hidden Villa Ranch, CNPS Nursery, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. Parking is free. Speak to experts about lawn alternatives such as native perennials, wildflowers and grasses. Native plant books, posters and note cards. Organized by the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. Come early for the best selection; bring boxes to carry purchases home.
Details: wwwgoldsmithseeds.com.
Breakfast benefits scholarships
The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 28 will have their semi-annual scholarship breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday April 13. The breakfast will be served at St. Mary Parish’s Cullen Hall, 11 First St.
Proceeds go to scholarships and ICF charities. A donation of $6 for adults and $4 for children younger than 12 is requested.
Details: 847-1331.
Food, wine and fun benefit sports
The 10th Annual South Valley Wine Auction and Food Fest, the premiere wine and food event of the South County, will return Friday April 18 to the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 South Monterey Road.
KBAY Radio’s Jona Denz-Hamilton will host the evening from 6 to 10 p.m. Sample delicacies from 10 fine restaurants and at least a dozen award-winning Santa Clara, San Benito and Santa Cruz county wineries. Auction items include artwork, dining certificates, golf outings, salon treatments and wonderful wines. Proceeds benefit all school sports programs at Live Oak and Sobrato High Schools, and Murphy and Britton Middle schools.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door, and are available at BookSmart and Michelina’s Boutique in Morgan Hill, by mail at P.O. Box 1835, Morgan Hill, CA 95038 and online at www.presentationfashionshow.com.
GHS sober grad night fundraisers
Mark your calendars for two events that raise money for Gilroy High School’s Sober Grad Night.
Both events take place Saturday April 19.
The first is Bunco Night, 7 p.m. at Westside Grill. Prizes will be awarded. Appetizers will be served. The cost is $25. Call Monica Villar for tickets at 710-6507.
The second event is a Poker night beginning at 5 p.m. at the Senior Center. Prizes for the winners. The cost is $50, and pizza, salad and soft drinks will be served. Call Dave Villar at 710-6506.
History group meets monthly
A local history group meets the third Sunday of the month at Barnes and Noble, Gilroy. The 90-minute meetings begin at 2 p.m. There will be candy, a quiz and discussion.
April is Civil War month, and on April 20 the group study leader is Joshua Chamberlain.
Gilroy Rotary offers $18K in scholarships
The Gilroy Rotary Club Scholarships and Awards Program will be offering $18,000 in college scholarships to qualified high school seniors graduating in 2008 and entering their first year of college in the fall of 2008. The scholarships will be as follows:
Goldsmith/Gilroy Rotary floriculture scholarship(s): up to $9,000, specifically designed for students planning a career in floriculture, plant science, biology, or a related field. (These awards are also available to Gavilan College students transferring to a four-year college.)
General scholarships: Two $2,500 and four $1,000 for academic achievement and service.
Applicants must live in Gilroy or attending a Gilroy Unified School District school, have an excellent record of service in the community and/or extracurricular activities and graduate high school in June of 2008 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years.
Obtain applications at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce or on line at heckerpasswinery.com.
