Armed man robs Sizzler
Morgan Hill – No one was injured in what appears to have been an armed robbery of the Sizzler restaurant in Tennant Station shopping center Sunday night.
According to Morgan Hill Police Cmdr. Terrie Booten, the manager was alone in the restaurant when a man came in through the back door and put what he believed was a gun against the back of his head.
“He didn’t actually see a weapon, but something that he thought was a gun was stuck to the back of his head and his back during the robbery,” Booten said.
The suspect told the manager to put all the money from the restaurant, approximately $4,200, into a bag. The money was in the safe and in the cash register. He also demanded the manager’s wallet, which contained $300. The suspect ordered the manager to unplug all the phones in the office and in the restaurant, then made him lie down on the floor and threw a chair on him.
The manager stayed on the floor until he heard the suspect leave the restaurant before calling police at 10:01pm. There were no customers in the store, and the rest of the employees had left a short time before the suspect entered, Booten said.
The manager was not able to give police a detailed description of the suspect. He told police the suspect smelled like alcohol and spoke English with an accent.
Route 152 construction continues this week
Gilroy – Construction crews will restrict traffic to one lane along eastbound Route 152 during late-night hours from Nov. 28 through Dec. 2. The reduction from two lanes to one, which will occur between 10pm and 4am, will allow workers to restripe the roadway and install safety barriers. The work is part of a broader road widening project to expand 152 between Llagas Creek and Gilroy Foods to four lanes.
Host families needed for sister city visitors
Gilroy – High school students from Gilroy’s sister city are looking for families willing to host the Japanese students for a seven-night stay in January.
The Takko High School students will arrive here on the evening of Jan. 5. The group, comprised of 12 students and four adults/teachers from Takko, Japan, will check out Gilroy’s schools and do some sight-seeing during their stay. They also plan to visit San Francisco State University.
Students will spend the majority of the time visiting schools and touring the Bay Area. But on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, the students will have time to spend with their host families.
Locals interested in hosting a student should contact Sarah Bryson at
ki****@hi****.jp
Find unique gifts at Gavilan marketplace
Gilroy – Holiday shoppers looking for something special and unique are invited to browse the 4th annual Gavilan College Holiday Marketplace Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, from 10am to 2pm. Money raised from the marketplace will benefit Gavilan College student clubs.
This event is free and open to the public. Campus parking is 75 cents. There will be musical entertainment during the marketplace, and the Gavilan Cafe will be open, offering a variety of food and beverages.
Details: Vendor Applications are still being accepted. Call 489-6445 or go to www.gavilan.edu/pio.
South Valley Music Makers meet Saturday
Gilroy – South Valley Music Makers will hold its next bi-monthly meeting Dec. 3 from 1 to 4pm in the sanctuary of Gilroy’s Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1735 Hecker Pass. All interested performers and listeners are welcome to join the group. Players at all levels of musical advancement may perform in any style and on any instrument. They may also sing.
Details: Candace Fazzio at 848-1064.
Participate in Gilroy’s holiday parade
Gilroy – The Gilroy Downtown Business Association is accepting entries for this year’s Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 and invites interested individuals and groups to participate.
This year’s parade theme is “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and it will start at Eighth and Monterey streets and end at First and Monterey streets.
The parade committee is looking for floats, vintage cars, performers and others interested in participating.
Check-in is 4pm with the parade starting at 5pm.
Details: Dawn Guillen at 848-2573.
Enjoy BBQ at The Great Gilroy Gobbler Gathering
Gilroy – The Great Gilroy Gobbler Gathering will be held Dec. 3 from 11am to 7pm and Dec. 4 at 11am to 4pm on Monterey and Lewis streets. Before attending the Downtown Christmas Tree lighting on Saturday, stop by for barbecued turkey or pork.
Members of the California BBQ Association will be roasting 100 turkeys to help feed the hungry.
The state barbecue champion will demonstrate how to barbecue, smoke and deep fry turkeys.
Details: Linda Ashford at 842-8236 or Dave Peoples at 842-6501.
Festival of Trees benefits Rebekah Children’s Services
Gilroy – Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park is known for its world famous Circus Trees, but on Friday, Dec. 2, the non-profit theme park boasts about a different kind of tree – Christmas trees and the spirit of giving.
Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park will host the 3rd annual Festival of Trees Premier Dinner and Live Auction benefiting Rebekah Children’s Services.
The $75 per person auction dinner runs 6 to 10:30pm and includes a traditional holiday dinner buffet with savory side dishes and desserts served inside the park’s majestic Snowflake Palace.
Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably for an outdoor winter evening that also includes an exclusive stroll through the park’s Holiday Lights display.
There will be no rides in operation during this event.
Details: www.rcskids.org or call 846-2142.
Adopt an animal at FOSMAS Pet Fair
Morgan Hill – Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter (FOSMAS) pet adoption fair, from noon to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday at Petco, Morgan Hill (corner of Tennant and Monterey).
Details: San Martin Animal Shelter at (408) 683-4186; www.fosmas.org.
Aviators Dinner
Hollister – All aviation enthusiasts are invited to attend the Hollister Airmen Association’s Annual Holiday Party on Sunday Dec. 4 at 5:30pm at Paine’s Restaurant in Hollister.
Enjoy dinner ($18 per person), a silent auction, and an aviation related gift exchange.
Details: Association President Ruth Erickson at (831) 637-0987.
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail
ed****@ga****.com
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