Preschool open house
GILROY
– Terri’s Learning Tree will be holding an open house today as
well as Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at
890 Dearborn Place. Children are welcome to participate in a fun
preschool activity. Enrollment for summer program (ages 3 and 4
years) and fall preschool will be acce
pted at that time. Summer program is Tuesdays and Thursdays from
9 a.m. to noon. Details: Terri Lindseth at 848-5051.
Preschool open house
GILROY – Terri’s Learning Tree will be holding an open house today as well as Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. at 890 Dearborn Place. Children are welcome to participate in a fun preschool activity. Enrollment for summer program (ages 3 and 4 years) and fall preschool will be accepted at that time. Summer program is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Details: Terri Lindseth at 848-5051.
School fire investigated
MORGAN HILL – A suspicious fire Sunday afternoon at Nordstrom Elementary is under investigation, said Santa Clara County Fire District Battalion Chief Brad Darbro.
“We have had quite a few suspicious fires in the area this spring,” he said. “But any fire is suspicious until we determine the cause.”
The fire was reported at 5:01 p.m. as flames were sighted between two portables on the school campus, located at 1425 E.Dunne Ave.
“The fire was held to the breezeway or wooden deck between the two units,” he said. “There was slight damage to the units.”
No one was injured in the blaze, and students will not be on campus until Aug. 26 when the new school year begins.
Darbro said a check of the contents of the portables showed no damage to the computer equipment inside. The portables were used for a child care program.
Traffic unknotted at 85/87
SAN JOSE – The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and the County of Santa Clara celebrated completion of the Route 85/87 Interchange Project at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday.
The project completes the existing interchange in San Jose by adding two connector ramps from southbound Route 85 to northbound Route 87, and from southbound Route 87 to northbound Route 85 and Branham Lane widened the paved area to accommodate future HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes on Route 87.
The new interchange should alleviate congestion along Santa Teresa Boulevard by diverting an estimated 1,700 cars an hour during both the morning and evening commutes. Commuters are expected to experience a 10-minute time savings with the new interchange.
The improvements were paid for by 1996 Measure B funds.
Save wildlife and circus trees
GILROY – The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center in Morgan Hill is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife that are re-released back into to area after care.
They also do educational classes for South County schools and groups and will be doing 110 classes in the main amphitheater at Bonfante Gardens throughout the summer. In exchange for the classes, Bonfante has given WERC tickets to sell to recover costs of the programs and to use as a fund raiser. There are $15 general admission tickets now available. They can be used at any time, no restrictions and all the proceeds go to WERC.
To purchase, contact James Mohs at jamesm@gilroy
dispatch.com or call 842-6400 ext. 283.
SVS kicks of 30th season
GILROY – The South Valley Symphony elected officers for the new fiscal year commencing July 1. The new officers are: President Lynn Lockhart, Vice President Al Navaroli, Treasurer Paul Kloecker and Secretary Jean Lance.
The symphony will kick off its 30th continuous year on Oct. 11 at the Gavilan College Theater with a program consisting of operatic arias and a symphony performed by the orchestra. Season tickets will go on sale no later than Aug. 15.
Rehearsals are set to begin on Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in room AL 101 on the Gavilan campus. The orchestra is in need of a viola, violin and cello as well as trombone players. Details: 842-3934.
Crop disaster aid available
GILROY – Local producers who suffered a 35 percent loss in yield as a direct result of a verifiable weather condition can call the USDA Service Center at (831) 637-4360 to schedule an appointment for submitting an application. Producers will be reimbursed for qualifying crop production and quality losses to crops for either the 2001 or 2002 crops.
The law also requires the 2001 or 2002 crop disaster payments be reduced if the sum of the disaster payment, the net crop insurance indemnity and the value of the crop that was not lost, exceeds 95 percent of what the value of the crop would have been in the absence of a loss. Any producer who chose not to obtain crop insurance or participate in NAP (Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program) in the year for which benefits will be received must agree to purchase buy-up insurance or NAP coverage, as applicable, for the 2004 and 2005 crop years.
The CDP has no funding limitation but each producer is limited to $80,000 in payments. Payments will be made to producers shortly after sign-up begins. Producers with gross revenues exceeding $2.5 million in the prior tax year are not eligible to participate.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency has developed a Web site that provides producers with one convenient location for details on new and existing disaster assistance. The Web site can be accessed at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
Celebrating education
GILROY – MACSA will hold its first South County Gala Fund-raiser “Cele-brating Culture Through Edu-cation” on Friday, June 27, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the IFDES Lodge, 250 Old Gilroy St. Join them to honor and celebrate community heroes in education. Enjoy a dinner, awards presentation and silent auction. Colleen Wilcox, superintendent of schools, will be the keynote speaker. Honorary guest is Francisco Jiménez, nationally acclaimed author of “The Circuit Board” and “Breaking Through.” Seating is limited Details:
848-4135.
Tour historic ruins
GILROY – Explore the historic Miller Estate ruins with a park ranger from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 28, and learn about the rich cultural history of Mt. Madonna County Park. Meet at the Park Office/Visitor Center at 10 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for an easy walk from the park office to the Miller ruins. Appropriate for all ages and abilities, dogs OK, $4 vehicle fee. Details: 842-2341.
Rummage for animals
SAN MARTIN – FOSMAS (Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter) is holding its second annual rummage sale on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 8 a.m. at the San Martin Animal Shelter, 12370 Murphy Ave. Shop for bargains, meet the volunteers and visit with some of the wonderful animals available for adoption. All proceeds benefit homeless pets. Details: 683-4186.
Las Madres welcome brunch
MORGAN HILL – Las Madres of Morgan Hill invites all new 2003 moms and expectant moms to its 2003 Welcome Brunch on Wednesday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at Guglielmo Winery.
Las Madres is a community organization for mothers with young children. They hold weekly play groups, Mom’s Night Out, family activities and more.
Come and meet new mothers and mothers-to-be while enjoying a light brunch and beverages surrounded by the incredible scenery. Babies are welcome and encouraged. You’ll learn more about Las Madres of Morgan Hill and have a chance to meet new moms in the area. Guglielmo Winery is located at 1480 E. Main Ave. For more information, contact Sandi Fairband at 465-2203.
News Items: Please fax local news items to City Editor Jodi Engle at 842-2206, e-mail to ed****@****ic.com or mail to 6400 Monterey St. Gilroy.