The South Valley Islamic Community is inviting local political
and religious leaders as well as the general public to a special
Mosque Open Doors program from 5 to 8pm Saturday, Sept. 29, during
the upcoming Ramadan season.
San Martin – The South Valley Islamic Community is inviting local political and religious leaders as well as the general public to a special Mosque Open Doors program from 5 to 8pm Saturday, Sept. 29, during the upcoming Ramadan season.
The program, which is co-sponsored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, is part of a Bay Area-wide effort since Sept. 11 to acquaint the public with Islamic practices. Last year SVIC, based in San Martin, participated for the first time.
“In Silicon Valley, Muslims have been very visible since 9/11,” said SVIC Board of Directors President Sal Akhter. “But not so much in the South Valley, though some of us have been here 20 or 30 years. This is about transparency, about people seeing us for who and what we are so they understand us better.”
SVIC is in its eighth year, said Board of Directors Vice President Aziz Baameur, and has witnessed considerable growth since 2004. By building a new mosque in San Martin, the congregation intends to increase its participation in community events, and extend its outreach to Muslims and non-Muslims in the area.
The event is free and open to the public. No alcohol is permitted. Modest attire is most appropriate for an event that will include prayer, SVIC leaders say.
The event will be at the San Martin Lions Club, 12415 Murphy Ave.
Details: 535-0112.
Local Legislator Honored
Sacramento – The League of California Cities gave the Legislator of the Year award to Assembly Member Anna M. Caballero (D-Salinas), who represents California’s 28th district, which includes Gilroy, San Martin, Morgan Hill and Gilroy.
The award was handed out Sept. 7 at the league’s annual conference in Sacramento. In a press release, league Executive Director Chris McKenzie said Caballero was deserving of the honor because she “demonstrated her understanding of the importance of preserving local control, and she has worked hard to defend this principle.”
City Talks Money
Gilroy – Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro wants local clubs and community groups to host and/or participate in city-led budget seminars where anyone can ask financial, or other, questions of the Mayor and City Administrator Jay Baksa.
The next presentation will be Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, followed by the Sept. 26 presentation at the Rotary Club. Interested host parties should call Public Information Officer Joe Kline at 408-846-0254.
Motorcyclist dies on Uvas Road
Morgan Hill – A Santa Clara man was killed Saturday afternoon during a fatal motorcycle accident on Uvas Road west of Morgan Hill.
Roberto Miguel Solis, 29, was speeding on his 2002 Yamaha motorcycle at 1:40pm when he lost control of his bike as he approached a curve on Uvas Road north of Oak Glen Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Solis is said to have been ejected from the bike after braking hard and locking the bike’s wheel which made it go down on its side, slide off the road and crash through a wooden fence.Â
Solis was described as an inexperienced rider, but the report also says that speed was a factor in the fatal accident, which is still under investigation.
It was not known at the time of the report if Solis was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Â
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Symphony Hosts Fundraiser
Gilroy – The South Valley Symphony’s annual fundraising campaign will feature its 34 season of classical and contemporary music, and the first concert Romantic Masterworks, showcases at 7:30pm, Sat. Oct. 6 at the Gavilan College Theater.
Ticket prices are $20, $15, and $10.
Details: 847-1441,
in**@so*****************.org
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
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