South Valley Youth Orchestra gives free concert
GILROY
– The South Valley Youth Orchestra will perform a free community
concert Monday, Dec. 2 in the Gilroy High School Theater at 7 p.m.
The orchestra features youth from Gilroy, Morgan Hill and
surrounding communities. Some travel from San Jose or Hollister for
the opportunity to learn and perform wit
h the orchestra under the direction of Vincent Gomez. Gomez has
conducted the Santa Cruz Youth Symphony and the Youth Orchestra of
Monterey County. He is currently a music adjudicator and is Artist
in Residence at Lincoln High School (San Jose’s performing arts
magnet). The Dec. 2 performance will i
nclude several short pieces from the classical repertoire.
Auditions will be conducted in January. For information or an
audition appointment, musicians should call Youth Orchestra Board
President Rosalie Bruning
778-6905 or Vice President Jean Lance 842-4196.
South Valley Youth Orchestra gives free concert
GILROY – The South Valley Youth Orchestra will perform a free community concert Monday, Dec. 2 in the Gilroy High School Theater at 7 p.m. The orchestra features youth from Gilroy, Morgan Hill and surrounding communities. Some travel from San Jose or Hollister for the opportunity to learn and perform with the orchestra under the direction of Vincent Gomez. Gomez has conducted the Santa Cruz Youth Symphony and the Youth Orchestra of Monterey County. He is currently a music adjudicator and is Artist in Residence at Lincoln High School (San Jose’s performing arts magnet). The Dec. 2 performance will include several short pieces from the classical repertoire. Auditions will be conducted in January. For information or an audition appointment, musicians should call Youth Orchestra Board President Rosalie Bruning
778-6905 or Vice President Jean Lance 842-4196.
Volunteer needed
GILROY – Live Oak Adult Day Services at 651 W. Sixth Street is in need of a volunteer who can pick up elderly clients’ packaged lunches from the Gilroy Senior Center a block away and deliver them to the Adult Day Service Center at 11 a.m. every Wednesday. The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes. If you can help, call Director Cheryl Hugenor at 847-5491.
VTA public meeting
GILROY – Due to the declining economy, Valley Transit Authority will hold meetings to discuss proposed transit service reductions. If approved, the transit service reductions would go into effect in April 2003. For Gilroy, there will be two meetings on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Gilroy City Hall Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St. Details:
321-2300.
GHS Chamber Carolers
GILROY – It’s that time of year again. The Gilroy High School Chamber Singers are out and about, caroling through-out the greater South County area. The Chamber Singers are available for hire to carol at your special event.
Rent them for home or office parties, family gatherings, seasonal dinners, or any type of holiday celebration. The costs range from $75 and up. This is the 10th year the group has been involved in “Rent-A-Caroler.” Their schedule is filling up fast, but some good dates are still available. For more information, or to book them for your event, call 847-2424 ext. 2288. All proceeds are tax deductible and go to help the Chamber Singers activities throughout the year.
Fund raiser for GFD
GILROY – A group of Gavilan College students called Operation: Fire Prevention is holding a fund-raising dinner and raffle on behalf of the Gilroy Fire Department. The buffet tri-tip dinner and raffle will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gavilan College Student Center with raffles held at 7 and 8 p.m. The menu is tri-tip, pasta, Caesar salad, garlic bread, dessert and a beverage. Dinner tickets are $15 each and include an entry for the door prizes. Raffle tickets are $1 each, and they will be sold at the dinner. Money raised will be donated to the GFD’s Public Education Program. All tickets are sold in advance. Details: 406-3362.
W.E.R.C. Fiesta at Chevy’s
GILROY – Chevy’s in Gilroy will host a fund raiser for W.E.R.C., the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, on Sunday, Dec. 8. Just go to Chevy’s for dinner, then place your meal receipt in the designated box at the host stand. Chevy’s will donate 20 percent of the receipts collected that day to W.E.R.C. It’s fast, easy and provides more funds so W.E.R.C. can care for orphaned, sick and injured native wildlife, and help educate the public about wildlife and the environment. Details: 779-WERC.
Holiday Decorating Contest
GILROY – The South County Realtors Association and the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce present the Holiday Home Decorating Contest 2002. A panel of judges will tour the city on Wednesday, Dec. 11 between 6 and 10 p.m. The prize for first place is $75, with $50 and $25 for second and third place, and a special $25 prize for the best apartment or condominium. All residences within the Gilroy city limits are eligible. Decorations must be visible from the street.
The deadline for entry is Dec. 9. All entrants will be publicized in The Dispatch. Details: 842-6437.
Symphony rehearsal changes
GILROY – Effective immediately all rehearsals for South Valley Symphony musicians have been changed from the Britten School Band Room in Morgan Hill to Room AL 101 on the Gavilan College campus. The orchestra continues to seek string players for their upcoming holiday concert scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Gavilan College Theater. Rehearsals are held every Wednesday evening commencing at 7:30 p.m. and will continue to be held in room AL 101 until further notice. Details: 842-3934.
Toys for Tots
GILROY – This year the Fire Department is assisting the United States Marine Corps with the annual Toys for Tots Program. The purpose for this program is to collect and distribute Christmas gifts for less fortunate children and children in foster care residing in the South County area. The toy drive began Nov. 24. Donations are welcomed at the Chestnut Fire Station and the Las Animas Fire Station. Following the holiday, City Hall will also have a designated area to receive gifts. Details: 846-0370.
Coaches needed
GILROY – Volunteer Coaches are needed for a basketball program with the Special Olympics. The rogram starts in January and runs through April. Practices will be held in Gilroy. If interested, please, call Matt Cohen at 392-0170 or e-mail: ma***@**nc.org.
A Victorian Christmas
GILROY – Gilroy Community Services Recreation Department, Gilroy Historical Society and Calpine present a Victorian Christmas at the Willey Cultural Center, 140 Fifth St. in Gilroy from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. Step into the past to see a Victorian-era Christmas recreated in downtown Gilroy. Attractions include craft demonstrations, make-your-own Christmas ornaments, a visit with Father Christmas, and more. Admission is $10, $12 for non-residents. Children under 10 get in free when accompanied by an adult. Details: 846-0460.
Christmas boutique
GILROY – Mark your calendars for the St. Mary Mother’s Guild Annual Country Christmas Boutique to be held on Friday, Dec. 6 from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Country Christmas Boutique will feature over 40 vendors selling a variety of arts and crafts and other home-made items. There will also be home-baked sweets and treats, music, benefit drawings and of course Santa Claus. They are currently accepting vendor applications. Each vendor table costs $80. Vendor applications can be obtained from the office at St. Mary School or by contacting Dina Ardizzone at 691-8057.
Santa visits Battaglia Ranch
SAN MARTIN – Santa Claus will be visiting the Battaglia Ranch Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm on Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 7 to 8 between 11 a.m. and
3 p.m. Santa will be taking pictures with kids or the whole family. Bring your camera, or let an elf take the picture for you. Battaglia Ranch Christmas Tree Farms is located in South Santa Clara County. A large 35-foot Santa Claus greets travelers alongside Highway 101 between Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Exit west on San Martin Avenue, and it’s just a few 100 feet to the main gate. Details: 683-4730.
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.
