Community

Of the seven Gilroy school board trustees, Patricia Midtgaard has perhaps the finest of lines to walk when it comes to Measure E, the $170 million school bond proposal on the June 7 ballot.

Hundreds of people got their wine on celebrating the fruit of the vine in Gilroy Saturday.

More victims of Gilroy High School’s alleged sex-texting teacher have come forward, says the attorney for a teenage girl whose mother filed suit over school officials’ alleged failure to report and fire him in 2014 when obscene messages were sent to the daughter’s cellphone.

GILROY—Marilyn Gonzalez pushed her walker across finish line on the Gilroy High School track as she completed the 50-yard dash.

Gilroy's first chili cook off between police and fire departments set Gilroy ablaze Saturday as hundreds of people turned up to sample 21 types of chili.

Forget Garlic. Back in the 1950s and 1960s Gilroy was officially called “The Home of the Prune” and Chamber of Commerce publications urged people to “Eat More Fruit.”

Dazed, Not Confused

There’s not much to Gilroy’s premiere nightclub, the District Theater, from the outside—no marquee, no lights, not much to mark it as an entertainment spot in the center of downtown.Then, when you walk in, there’s a long hallway that looks like it might lead to some kind of warehouse.But, at the end—Lights! Camera! Action!—there are lasers, a purple-glowing bar, a big stage, a 20-foot TV screen and a $50,000 sound system that fills the room’s 300 capacity. It looks as cool as any club you’ll find in San Francisco, New York or—gasp—San Jose.Owner Darin Dixon, 44, celebrated the club’s first anniversary in April and he has big plans for bringing more music and entertainment downtown, something locals say is sorely lacking.In his first year Dixon has brought some famous musicians to Gilroy: Pete Escovedo and his daughter, Sheila E., country artist James Wesley Prosser and Santana singer Tony Lindsay.He’s also staged events including a fight between Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi, had karaoke, line dancing, blues, disco and rock. The District, rebuilt on the site of the old Gaslighter Theater, is a bright light in our small city.“I love seeing the reaction of people who come here for the first time,” said Dixon, while hosting a Chamber of Commerce grand opening earlier this month. “We have zero curb appeal out front and a long hallway. The natural expectation is that we are a small place. When they get to the back, they have that shock and awe expression. They see that DMX lighting, the fog machines, the lasers, all the colored lights and the theatrics.”Besides a range of entertainment that includes an open mic night on Wednesdays, country DJs, and the Chicano All Stars, Dixon leases the space for parties and gatherings, including Mount Madonna High School’s Prom. It can even be used for seminars. The ceiling is high enough to fit a kids’ bounce house and host a weather-proof birthday party.Dixon put his money where his heart is, spending $100,000 to remodel the hall and a year to get it all done.The next step in his entrepreneurial evolution is relocating his music store, the Music Tree, which he has operated for the past decade in Morgan Hill, to Gilroy, where he lives. The store rents and sells instruments and gives lessons. Dixon’s goal is to incorporate both businesses by having students study music at the Music Tree, then perform shows across Monterey Street at the District.The District has one of only three dance permits in town, along with Old City Hall, the Longhouse and the Tequila VIP Lounge.“Gilroy kind of rolls up the sidewalks at night, especially during the week,” said Jane Howard, who runs the Gilroy Welcome Center and has been trying to spread the word about entertainment. “Our visitors are looking for something to do at night.”Around town there are regular live cover bands at the Milias Restaurant (7397 Monterey Rd.), karaoke at the Old City Hall (7400 Monterey Rd.), a summer outdoor Fifth Street music series every Friday night and events at area wineries. One of them, Clos LaChance has a Sunday afternoon music series of local acoustic performers. Sarah’s Vineyard has music every Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring local acoustic performers from Memorial Day to Sept. 30. Fortino has a music series that includes a show by local favorite, Isaiah Pickett on May 20.

“Gilroy is a shopping destination,” said Jane Howard, executive director of the Gilroy Welcome Center, a nonprofit that promotes the city as a tourist destination.“It’s regional, it’s international and as for the Outlets, they are pushing now to get more of a local flavor to it,” added Howard.A draw for tourists, visitors from more than 15 countries came to the Gilroy Premium Outlets in 2015.Tour groups coming to the Outlets can include from 15 to 300 guests at one time, with each person receiving a welcome packet.An economic impact study currently underway found that shopping is the number one reason people come to Gilroy.“From a marketing perspective, we oftentimes do lead with shopping,” added Howard.The Outlets continue to lead the way, generating more sales tax revenue for the city than any other group.Heather Roach, director of marketing for the Outlets, said they look forward to continued success.“The Outlets’ big focus now is to promote the center to local shoppers and find out what Gilroyans want,” she said.Roach, who also serves on the Welcome Center’s board of directors, said she regularly goes out to ask shoppers what they would like to see at Outlets.“One of the exciting things about The Outlets,” she said “is the mix of retailers.”High-end retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Michael Kors offer discounts, making them accessible to range of shoppers, she said, while sporting brands like Adidas, Nike, Puma and Under Armor are also very popular.And for that sought-after millennial consumer?“Charlotte Russeand Forever 21 are fun and exciting retailers for the up and coming millennial group,” said Roach.The Outlets now have 145 stores and this year has seen some changes.Popular retailers Michael Kors, Converse and Skechers expanded to nearly twice their original size. Tommy Hilfiger combined with Tommy Kids into one large family store.And Steve Madden, the brand that brought the world chunky platforms in the ’90s, is expected to open a store in Building A before summer.Gilroy Premium Outlets is also the site of the only Lululemon Athleticaoutlet store in Northern California.Now local shoppers can finally afford a pair of those ubiquitous yoga pants without breaking the bank.Other exciting additions to the Gilroy Premium Outlets over the last couple years include Kate Spade and Abercrombie and Fitch.Gilroy Premium Outlets hold special events throughout the year. Its two most popular are the Halloween Spooktacular and month-long Mission Pink program. During the month of October, shoppers can purchase a coupon book for $10 redeemable at participating retailers. The cost of the coupon book is tax deductible and the $10 is donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in support of breast cancer awareness activities.The Outlets’ Halloween Spooktacular invites local children to trick-or-treat at participating retailers. The first 500 costumed children receive a goodie bag at the Outlets’ management office.Coming in May are the Mother’s Day Weekend Sales, which include special giveaways and special retailer offers as well as light bites and refreshments for shoppers.

After 32 years in the auto industry, Leonard Harrington, owner of Gilroy Nissan and Gilroy Hyundai, has seen fortunes rise and fall, but with low gas prices and a fleet of economical cars that are made for the everyday commuter, the future is bright.