Kidnapped firefighter returns
MORGAN HILL
– The 22-year-old woman who was kidnapped in Panama with two
others, is back in California. Megan Smaker, a seasonal employee
with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention,
working for the Santa Clara County South branch in Morgan Hill, was
on vacation near the Columbian/Panamania
n border a week ago when she was taken hostage by a paramilitary
group.
Kidnapped firefighter returns
MORGAN HILL – The 22-year-old woman who was kidnapped in Panama with two others, is back in California. Megan Smaker, a seasonal employee with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, working for the Santa Clara County South branch in Morgan Hill, was on vacation near the Columbian/Panamanian border a week ago when she was taken hostage by a paramilitary group.
She was later released to a representative from the Catholic Church.
“She is back, in pretty good spirits and preparing to come back to work,” said Chris Morgan, a fire prevention specialist with CDF. He said Smaker returned to her East Bay home earlier this week.
Morgan said Smaker reported having a fair number of scratches but suffered “no major harm” during her ordeal.
“She was force marched quite a distance in the jungle,” Morgan said, “and she is tired but mostly back to normal.”
Smaker, Robert Y. Pelton, a CNN journalist, and Mark Wedeven, a Canadian journalist, ran across 50-60 members of the United Self Defense Forces operating in the area while hiking with a guide. Both right wing and left wing military groups – separate from the official Panamanian military – operate in the area. The two men were released at the same time as Smaker.
Teachers as first-time buyers
CUPERTINO – Teachers looking to purchase a home are encouraged to attend an informational breakfast meeting Feb. 12 in Cupertino.
Facts about the Housing Trust’s first-time homebuyer program will be discussed by representatives from the county Office of Education, the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group and county schools. The Housing Trust provides financial assistance to teachers wanting to buy their first home.
A lack of affordable homes plagues Silicon Valley school districts trying to recruit and retain quality teachers.
The breakfast will be held Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. It takes place in The Oak Room at the Hewlett-Packard Corporation, 19447 Pruneridge Ave. Building 48.
For more information, call 501-7853.
Black history talk
GILROY – In honor of Black History Month, Congressional Gold Medalist Terrence Roberts, Ph.D. one of the “Little Rock Nine,” will speak at Gavilan College. Roberts was one of the nine African-American students who gained national attention during the tumultuous integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in the summer of 1957. The nine students became national symbols of the struggle for racial integration.
Roberts is currently chair of the master’s in psychology program at Antioch University in Los Angeles and has a private psychology practice. In addition, he is CEO of his own management consulting firm. He will speak on the topic “Lessons From Little Rock,” discussing his personal experiences and the continuing problem of racism in America. The public is invited to join Gavilan College students for the presentation. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m. and noon, Gavilan College Gilroy campus, SS214, 5 p.m. – Gilroy United Methodist Church, reception, 7:30 p.m. – Gilroy Public Library, “Building Team Universe.” All events are open to the public.
Called to serve?
GILROY – Is one of your loved ones being deployed to the Persian Gulf in preparation for a possible war as tensions continue to rise between the United States and Iraq? The Dispatch would like to know. Call Jodi Engle at 842-6400 ext. 272.
Auditions for ‘Macbett’
GILROY – Gavilan College Theatre is holding auditions for “Macbett,” a theater-of-the-absurd parallel to Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” by Eugene Ionesco, on Monday, Feb. 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. No experience is needed, there are roles for both men and women and all of the characters are adults. Like Shakespeare’s original, it is a piece about treachery and the overthrow of a government. The script deals with war and politics in modern, accessible language. “Macbett” replaces “Auntie Mame” which had originally been scheduled for spring production. Actors may prepare two contrasting monologues or come prepared to do improvisational material. Auditions will be held at the Gavilan College Theatre: 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. Director Jim Cave, can be reached by e-mail at ig********@ao*.com.
Tour Gilroy’s bungalows
GILROY – Join members of the Gilroy Historical Society at the Gilroy Museum, 195 Fifth St. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 to learn how bungalows contributed to Gilroy’s social and economic life between 1905 and 1930. The walking tour will cover parts of Rosanna, Church and Eigleberry streets, returning to the museum by noon. There is no charge but reservation are appreciated by calling the Museum at 848-0470.
Catch this ‘miracle’
GILROY – Odyssey Theatre Company’s winter Main Stage Production of “The Miracle Worker” will run for two more weekends. “The Miracle Worker,” by William Gibson, is based on the true story of Annie Sullivan’s heroic efforts to teach her new pupil, young Helen Keller. “Miracle Worker” will be performed Friday and Saturdays, now through Feb. 8 at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors. Closing night and the Sunday matinee will be “signed” by an American Sign Language interpreter. Gilroy High School is located at the corner of 10th and Princevalle streets. Details: www.odysseytheatre.org or 808-1444.
Local stars are born in
‘American Ideal’
GILROY – John Bisceglie’s newest musical, “American Ideal,” runs Fridays and Sat-urdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Feb. 16 with two bonus Sunday shows at 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 and 16. Performances are at Old City Hall. All seats are $10. There is limited seating, and reservations are strongly recommended. Details:
846-8836.
Donate used cell phones
GILROY – Community Solutions is holding a cell phone drive throughout Gilroy and Morgan Hill. The Shelter Alliance will give Community Solutions between 50 cents and $20 for each phone collected, which will be used to pay for clothing, shelter, food, children’s toys, diapers and other needed supplies. In Gilroy, cell phones are being collected at Safeway at 905 First St., Cellular Universe at 1205 C First St., and Community Solutions at 6980 Chestnut Ave. Donate phones that are less than five years old. Details: 846-4741.
Pasta dinner benefits choirs
GILROY – A spaghetti dinner benefiting the Gilroy High School Choir Program featuring Pasta Tre’ Colore (pasta with three sauces) by Sam Bozzo will be held in the Brownell Gym on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinner for adults is $5, 12 and under is $3.50. Take-out is available; containers are provided. Get your tickets from GHS Choir members. Details: 847-5534.
Towncat pet adoptions
MORGAN HILL – Drop by Petco Saturday, Feb. 8 for the cat and kitten adoption fair, from noon to 5 p.m. at Petco (corner of Monterey and Tennant). They also have several special-needs kitties who need expensive surgeries, mostly to correct severe eye problems. Details: 779-5761.
Calling all young artists
GILROY – The City of Gilroy Community Services Department is putting on an Exhibition of Local Talent, featuring the work of young artists 5 to 18 years of age. The show will take place at the Willey Cultural Center, 140 Fifth St. Entries are due the first week of March. Details: 846-0460 or 848-0470.
How to be a happy couple
GILROY – A seminar on the happy, goal-focused couple will be held Feb. 8 from 12:45 to 4 p.m. at the Gilroy Health and Fitness Center, 8450 Church St. The cost of the seminar is $40 per couple, and the deadline to register is Feb. 6. Details: 779-8874 ext. 4.
Buy a piece of Gilroy history
GILROY – The Gilroy Assistance League is now selling throw blankets to raise funds for local youth charities. The Gilroy Assistance League is a nonprofit organization which gives out yearly grants to help support many children’s and youth groups in Gilroy. These throws sell for $60. Details: Rose Farotte at
842-2432.
‘Lend me a Tenor’ opens
MORGAN HILL – South Valley Civic Theatre presents ‘Lend me a Tenor,’ an adult comedy about the mishaps of a world famous tenor during opening night 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Performances are held at Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, on the corner of Monterey Road and Dunne Avenue. 8 p.m. performances are held on Feb. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and March 1 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 23. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Details: 842-SHOW.
Stop smoking
MORGAN HILL – Community Solutions is holding free classes and assistance to stop smoking at El Toro Youth Center, 17620 Crest Ave. from 7 to 9 p.m. Session one which focuses on motivation to quit, identifying triggers and situations, withdrawal symptoms and setting a quit date will be held on Feb. 3, March 6, April 3, May 1 and June 5. Session two which focuses on the do’s and don’t’s of quitting will be held Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 8 and June 12. Details: 779-6002.
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.
