Digest

Uvas Park undamaged by Croy Fire
MORGAN HILL
– The Croy Fire, which burned over 3,100 acres near Croy Road in
South Santa Clara County in September 2002, posed a threat to 350
homes near Morgan Hill and imposed mandatory evacuations of more
than 150 people.
Uvas Park undamaged by Croy Fire

MORGAN HILL – The Croy Fire, which burned over 3,100 acres near Croy Road in South Santa Clara County in September 2002, posed a threat to 350 homes near Morgan Hill and imposed mandatory evacuations of more than 150 people.

The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department reports that since the Croy Fire, Uvas Canyon Park revenue is down 59 percent from this time last year.

“The only reasonable explanation we can come up with is that people think the park was either destroyed or closed because of all the news reports last year which talked about the Uvas Fire,” said Tamara Clark-Shear, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department public information officer.

“Uvas Canyon Park was not destroyed – or even touched by – last year’s fire,” Clark-Shear said. “Uvas Canyon is open and just as beautiful as ever.”

Uvas Canyon, a lushly wooded park of more than 1,200 acres, is nestled in upper Uvas Canyon on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains just off Croy Road. The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset for picnicking, hiking and camping.

Vigil for peace

GILROY – On Wednesday, March 19, peace lovers are invited to gather for a peace vigil at 7 p.m. in front of Saint Mary’s Church in Gilroy, at First and Monterey streets. Dress in dark clothes, bring a candle or use one to be provided, and come in silence to reflect on the coming war against Iraq. The vigil is being called by Women in Black Gilroy, which has maintained a weekly vigil for peace in Gilroy since March 2002. Details: womeninblackGilroy@hotmail.

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Comic twist on “MacBeth”

GILROY – Is the story of MacBeth a tragedy or a comedy? Shakespeare and Eugene Ionesco had similar goals in telling the story of the ambitious Scotsman, encouraged by his scheming wife and a trio (or in Ionesco’s case a duo) of weird witches. There is a powerful force of evil in both plays that is explored and in the end punished. Shakespeare’s play, however, is a tragedy and Ionesco’s is a comedy. Ionesco’s “MacBett” will be performed at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5 and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.

The play, directed by Jim Cave, is a parody of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and is suitable for adult audiences (not advised for children under 18). This production is performed in a broad, vaudevillian style that brings out the comedy while acknowledging the absurdity of Ionesco’s imagery. General admission is $10, seniors $8 and students with ID $5. Tickets will be available at the door or call 848-4717 to reserve a seat.

Volunteer with Red Cross

GILROY – The American Red Cross is holding a South County volunteer meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. They meets every third Thursday of the month. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for the American Red Cross is invited to join them. The meetings are held at 7365 Monterey Road, Suite E in Gilroy. Details: 842-4414.

Young artists show  

GILROY – Gilroy Community Services is sponsoring the Young Artists Show, featuring the work of local artists age 5 to 18, through Friday, March 21. The exhibit is at the Willey Cultural Center, 140 Fifth St., and is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Details: 846-0460.

Scholarships available

GILROY – The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program offers $4,000 in college scholarships to qualified high school seniors graduating in 2003 and entering their first year of college in the Fall of 2003. One $2,000 scholarship, one $1,000 scholarship and two $500 scholarships will be awarded. To qualify, a student must be a Gilroy resident and/or attending a Gilroy Unified School District school; have an excellent record of experience in community and extracurricular activities; have career goals in business, industry or education; and graduate high school in June, 2003 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years.

Application packets are available at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce or by e-mailing a request to ch*****@gi****.org. Completed application packets are due by or before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11 to the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, 7471 Monterey St., Gilroy CA 95020. Details: 842-6437.

Get in the pool

GILROY – Are you interested in sharing the cost of gas with up to 14 other people and saving money on vehicle maintenance by using your own car less? San Benito County Rideshare is looking for people interested in joining a van-pool to run round-trip from Gilroy to Hollister. The van-pool leaves Gilroy at 7:30 a.m., arrives in Hollister at 8 a.m., departs Hollister at 5 p.m. and arrives in Gilroy at 5:30 p.m. Details: www.SanBenitoRideshare.org or (831) 637-POOL. If you have another route in mind beginning or ending in San Benito County, contact Rideshare.

Wildflower run

MORGAN HILL – The 20th annual American Association of University Women’s Wildflower Run will be held on Sunday, April 13, starting at Live Oak High School, 1505 E. Main Ave., Morgan Hill. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; 2K Kids’ Run (12 and under) at 8:30 a.m.; 10K Run (USATF certified) at 9 a.m.; 5K Run/Walk at 9:10 a.m. The cost is $25, or $22 before April 4. Cost for a family is $50. The run/walk course is flat terrain on paved roads in the country around Morgan Hill. Proceeds fund scholarships for women. T-shirts, medals and prizes will be awarded. Details: Wendy, 778-3924.

News Items: Please fax local news items to City Editor Jodi Engle at 842-2206, e-mail to ed****@ga****.com or mail to 6400 Monterey St. Gilroy.