CHP ID’s crash victim as Gustine man

Gilroy – California Highway Patrol officers identified the man
killed in a Leavesley Road crash in the early morning hours of Feb.
1 as Albert Fuentez, 45, of Gustine.
CHP ID’s crash victim as Gustine man

Gilroy – California Highway Patrol officers identified the man killed in a Leavesley Road crash in the early morning hours of Feb. 1 as Albert Fuentez, 45, of Gustine. Witnesses said Fuentez was driving very fast north on Ferguson Road before he turned onto Leavesley Road and veered off the pavement. His SUV rolled several times before coming to rest on its roof.

Upcoming mobile blood drives

Gilroy – The American Red Cross, Northern California Region will be holding mobile blood drives open to the public Feb. 8, 1:30 to 6:30pm at Church Hall, 8455 Wren. Also Feb. 17, 10am to 3pm at Church Hall, 8095 Kelton Drive.

Details: www.BeADonor.com (Code: SVCC) to schedule an appointment or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

Rucker Presents ‘Jack and the Giant’

Gilroy – This children’s play, directed by Colleen Chipman, will show Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 2 and 7pm. Show is at Rucker Elementary School, 325 Santa Clara Ave. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 3 and older.

Horsemen meet Friday in MH

San Martin – The San Martin Horsemen’s Association invites the public to a general meeting and potluck at 7pm Friday at the Morgan Hill Grange, 40 E. 4th St. The featured speaker will be Dr. Tim Toews who will discuss horse injuries.

Details: 482-7470 or www.smhorse.com

Registration open for Gav choir

Gilroy – The Gavilan College Concert Choir began its Spring semester Tuesday, but there is still time to join the choir. It is under the direction of Phillip Robb and meets every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:45pm at the Gilroy High School choir room. The choir is open to all singers, college-age and above. Reading music is helpful, but not required.

This semester the choir will be working on a variety of music. Singers who are interested may register at the Gavilan College Registrar’s office.

Details: Phillip Robb, 847-2424 #2288

Spring-themed Fashion Show

Gilroy – Elks Lodge #1567 Fashion Show, “Springtime in the Rose Garden,” March 10. Show will feature fashions and accessories from local boutiques and stores. This event begins with no-host cocktails at 11am, luncheon at noon and fashion show from 1 to 2:30pm.

All proceeds benefit the Elks philanthropic efforts to help crippled and disabled children. Tickets will go on sale Saturday from 10am to 1pm for $25 per person at the Elk’s Lodge, 2765 Hecker Pass Highway. Tickets will also be sold after Saturday and may be picked up, Monday through Friday, 9am to 1pm at the lodge office. See Joyce or Sandy.

Details: 842-9397

Desperados present a Sweetheart Social

Gilroy – The Desperados, a club formed in memory of Gary Filice, present their 8th annual Sweetheart Social, Saturday at Coast Range Brewery 7050 Monterey St.

Social begins at 6pm, with dinner and a raffle to begin at 7:30pm, followed by dancing.

Tickets are $35. Proceeds benefit the community and local youth.

Details: Gabe Nino, 891-7897 or gn*****@***oo.com

County has new food stamp program

San Jose – Santa Clara County officials announced Tuesday the arrival of a food stamps pilot project to deliver benefits to chronically homeless applicants within three days. 

Additionally, the program delivers food stamps to the working poor within three weeks and eliminates face-to-face office visits.

Normally, the wait for food stamps takes four-to-six weeks in California, requiring multiple trips to social services providers. In Santa Clara County, only 42 percent of the homeless population receives government assistance, according to a 2004 homeless census and survey that found 7,600 people are living without shelter on any given night.

“In this pilot project we will eliminate multiple office visits and other barriers that prevent eligible people from obtaining benefits they are qualified to receive,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage. “When individuals and families are hungry, four-to-six weeks is much too long for them to wait for assistance.”

The pilot project allows 100 homeless individuals to receive hardship waivers at four designated non-profit organizations, including St. Joseph’s Family Center in Gilroy. The waivers allow the applicants to get food stamps within three days without making additional trips to social services offices. The program also allows low-income families to interview by phone for benefits so applicants don’t miss work. The application process for the working poor will be shortened to three weeks.

Supervisors raise county park fees

San Jose – Residents visiting county parks this summer will pay more to drive cars, go camping and host group picnics after the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors raised user fees Tuesday. 

The adjustments are expected to generate $278,000 in revenue for the County Parks and Recreation Department. However, fees charged for entering parks and using facilities and services only cover about 10 percent of the actual cost of operating and maintaining the parks system. 

The 2007 county parks fees:

– Vehicle entry daily pass – $6

– Vehicle entry annual pass – $70

– Car/tent camping – $20 per night

– Youth group overnight camping – $40

– Youth group day camp – $50 per day

– Group picnic site – $100 for one to 99 people; $150 for 100 to 149 people; $225 for 150 to 199 people.

– Special event and special use permits – $150 for one to 99 people; $300 for 100 to 500 people; $450 for more than 500 people

– Senior use of rifle/pistol range – $7

– Non-league trap/skeet range – $7

– Hourly staffing fee – $50

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****@****ic.com.