I read recently about Jeff Garcia and his wife here raising
money at CordeValle for charity.
Giving back
Dear Red Phone:
I read recently about Jeff Garcia and his wife here raising money at CordeValle for charity. It seemed to me that all of the money raised was going to national charities. It sure would be nice if some of that money could be spent locally, say at St. Joseph’s, Salvation Army and Community Solutions. Thanks Red Phone.
Red Phone:
Dear Local Vocal:
Red Phone got your question to Gilroy’s Jeff Garcia and his wife Carmella, who handpicked charities to support through the recently created Pass it On Foundation. Jeff has made several personal donations to local venues including $350,000 to Gilroy High School, $350,000 to Gavilan College and $350,000 to San Jose State University. The foundation reaches local residents through the arms of larger organizations. including the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics of Northern California and the Laci and Conner Search and Rescue Fund, which is located in Northern California.
Sketchy details
Dear Red Phone:
I would like to applaud the 12-year old who took the time to meet with a police sketch artist and come up with a composite of the person who attacked her. The fact that she, and her parents, were able to take the time for this should be loudly applauded, especially considering the horrible trauma the girl went through. The woman who was “attacked” near Brownell school apparently has better things to do than to help the community watch out for this kind of monster. Shame on you!
Red Phone:
Dear Drawing Attention:
Sitting down to relive a painful experience with a sketch artist is extremely difficult, and those who undergo it to help benefit the community deserve our support. But it’s also worth remembering that not all sexual assault survivors feel ready to do so. Many don’t even report the assault: Most rapes are unreported, according to Community Solutions. Rosa Revuelta, an advocate with the group. She says that in the aftermath of a rape or even an attempted rape, survivors are asked to describe the assault countless times, to police, to nurses and to a sketch artist. For some, that may not be an experience they feel ready to undergo. So while Red Phone applauds those who decide to relive their pain to help catch a rapist, we should also remember not to condemn those who don’t.
Black bird of fight
Dear Red Phone:
My coworkers and I are getting attacked by black birds when we are walking in front of our office. Is there something we can do to have them stop attacking us?
Red Phone:
Dear Dive Bombed:
Not really. Red Phone ran your question by our resident bird guy, who told us the birds – Brewer’s blackbirds – are aggressive when people, or anything for that matter, walk near their nests at this time of year. Most Brewer’s blackbird chicks have hatched, and the majority have fledged, meaning the chicks have just left the nest. So you should see the protective aggression tapering off in the next week or two. Ditto with tree swallows, which can also show aggression when you venture too close to their nests.
