Community

San Benito High School junior Jesaiah Baer's audition for “American Idol,” which aired Jan. 30, made the list of most memorable auditions. It is a distinction that landed Baer's clip on Fox's official website for the show and gave her more airtime when her episode showed on a Wednesday evening.

Former police chief of San Juan Bautista Lonny “Greywolf” Hurlbut died Jan. 30 in Nebraska. He was 77.

The team champion of Super Showdown VIII in the Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament Saturday at the Gilroy Senior Center was “Three Stoners and a Cop.”

Each month, the principals of Gilroy and Christopher high schools choose a total of four students (two from GHS and two from CHS) to spotlight. GHS junior Jailene Arellano, 16, is this week's Student of the Week.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce has named Gilroy Prep Principal James Dent Educator of the Year for 2013. The honor will be presented at the Chamber's 60th Annual Spice of Life Awards dinner on Feb 9. The Spice of Life Awards are given to recipients for their volunteerism and dedication to the Gilroy community.

The speeches are being memorized, the silverware is being polished and the bar at San Juan Oaks Golf club is being restocked. It’s time to tip our hats to the 2013 “Spice of Life” awards recipients.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association is seeking contestants for the 35th annual Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant. Contestant applications are available at the Garlic Festival office, 7473 Monterey St., or at gilroygarlicfestival.com.

Teenage theater tech phenom Josh Greene-Gomez, 17, not only maintains a 4.0 GPA, he is also the tech director, set designer, lighting designer and set builder for the Christopher High School drama department's upcoming senior production of “Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

Think of the Santa Clara Valley. What comes to mind?

After 37 years running downtown's Nimble Thimble quilt store, longtime Gilroy shop owner Dave Peoples is handing over the keys to a new proprietor.