Wedding bumps homeless tonight
Gilroy – South County homeless people will not have the option of staying at the National Guard Armory tonight. The shelter, which will operate through the beginning of May, will get bumped by a previously booked wedding for April 29, according to Hilary Barroga, spokeswoman for nonprofit shelter provider EHC Lifebuilders.
The agency is trying to locate an alternate shelter location for the night, but had not found a space as of Friday afternoon.
To learn if accommodations will be provided, call the agency’s main shelter in San Jose at 408-294-2100 ext. 200.
The homeless shelter at the armory, located at 8490 Wren Ave., houses up to 125 people each night.
The shelter typically closes after the winter season at the end of March, but EHC re-opened the facility for an extra month due to an exceptionally long rain season.
The shelter will resume operation Sunday night and will close for the season the morning of May 3.
SV Symphony performs Friday
Gilroy – The South Valley Symphony once again is proud to sponsor the Mariachi Santa Cecilia ensemble in a special concert to be held at St. Mary’s Church in Gilroy on Cinco de Mayo, Friday, May 5, at 7:30 pm.
The group will perform traditional folk songs and ballads of Mexico and is appearing thanks to a generous grant from the Raymond Family Foundation.
All tickets will be priced at $5 for this concert and are currently available at Carole’s Hallmark Shop at 779 First St., in Gilroy, Estate Furniture Gallery and Porcella’s Music Store in downtown Gilroy, Mission Gallery in San Juan Bautista and at St. Mary’s Parish office located at 11 First St, in Gilroy. In Morgan Hill, tickets are available at Booksmart at 17415 S. Monterey Road.
Mariachi Santa Cecilia has been a featured attraction appearing on weekends at the world famous Berryessa Flea Market located in San Jose.
“We are indeed very fortunate to present this talented group of musicians at this most reasonable price and particularly on this national holiday of the country of Mexico,” according to symphony Board president, Barbara Bottini.
Details: 846-9247.
Earth Day Festival at Christmas Hill
Gilroy – An Earth Day festival featuring tree planting, food and a number of activities for families will take place Saturday, April 29 from 10am to 2pm at Christmas Hill Park.
The event will include birdhouse building demonstrations and live animals. Anyone interested in carting off free compost or wood chips should bring a shovel and container.
Details: 846-0460.
Eight vie for Garlic Queen title
Gilroy – Eight young ladies will compete for the Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen title during the 28th annual Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant scheduled for Saturday, April 29, at 7pm at the Gavilan College Theater.
Tickets for the pageant will be available at the festival office, 7473 Monterey St. or at the theater that night. The ticket price is $10.
Details: 842-1625.
Alliance supports Measure A
San Jose – The Greenbelt Alliance has endorsed Measure A, the half-cent sales tax measure on the June ballot.
“Measure A will help create more affordable homes and give residents more transportation options,” said Michele Beasley, South Bay spokesperson for Greenbelt Alliance. “That will help reduce pressure to develop the county’s open space, and will make the county a better place to live.”
If passed, Measure A will raise the Santa Clara county sakes tax to 8.75 percent, equaling the highest in the state.
The funds will be used for health and social services, housing and transportation.
“The funds raised by Measure A aren’t going anywhere besides Santa Clara County,” said Measure A spokesman Bob Brownstein. “What’s raised here will stay right here.”
Measure A guarantees annual audits and a citizens’ oversight committee.
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail ed****@****ic.com.
