Velazquez files as write-in for 28th Assembly District race
Hollister – Local restaurateur and unopposed Republican nominee for the 28th District Assembly seat Ignacio Velazquez filed this week as a write-in Democratic candidate for the June 6 primary in a move designed to garner him additional support in the heavily Democratic district.
Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero and Watsonville Councilwoman Ana Ventura-Phares, who are both vying for the Democratic nomination, said they aren’t worried about Velazquez’s write-in campaign.
“Write-in campaigns are very difficult. The only way you can do it is with high name visibility,” Caballero said Tuesday. “And polls we’ve done show his name isn’t known outside of San Benito County.”
San Benito County contains 17 percent of the registered voters in the 28th assembly district whereas the city of Salinas contains 37 percent, Caballero said.
Velazquez, owner of American Electrical Systems and The Vault restaurant in Hollister, said his “unorthodox” dual-party strategy came after talking with voters on the campaign trail.
“People were saying they weren’t happy with either Anna or Ana and they wish they had another choice,” he said. “So we decided to do this.”
2006 Leadership Gilroy luncheon
Gilroy – A panel luncheon at Chips N Salsa Thursday, May 4, from noon to 1:30pm titled Growth, the Good, the Bad, the Reality.
Our main event fundraiser, will be held Oct. 28. Last year our fashion show extravaganza fundraiser “Just Believe” was a phenomenal, sold out success, and we know this year’s event will be as well.
Details: leadershipgilroy.org.
Mariachi at St. Mary Church Friday
Gilroy – The South Valley Symphony is proud to sponsor the Mariachi Santa Cecilia ensemble in a concert at St. Mary’s Church on Friday, May 5, at 7:30pm. All tickets are $5 and are available at Carole’s Hallmark Shop, 779 First St., Estate Furniture Gallery and Porcella’s Music Store in downtown Gilroy, and at St. Mary’s Parish office, 11 First St.
Details: 846-9247
Auditions for ‘Temple of Boom II’
Gilroy – John Bisceglie is looking for energetic performers, ages 6 to 25, to be a part of his large scale summer musical extravaganza, “Totally Rockin’ Temple of BOOM! II” performing in August. Auditions will be held on Sunday, May 7 at Dutchman’s Pizza, 6940 Chestnut St. Ages 6 to 10 at 1pm and ages 11 to 25 at 2:30pm. Please prepare to sing a short song without music.
Details: 406-7716.
Registration deadline for ACT coming
Gilroy – The next nationwide ACT test date for college-bound high school students is Saturday, June 10. Students must register online or have their paper registrations postmarked by the end of the day May 5. Late registration postmark deadline is May 19 (an additional $18 fee is required for late registration after May 5).
The ACT includes an optional Writing Test. Most colleges do not require a writing score, so students should check the admissions requirements of colleges they’re considering before registering for the ACT. The cost is $29 without and $43 with the Writing Test.
Students can receive registration information from their high school guidance counselors or they can register online at www.actstudent.org.
Give blood and save a life
Gilroy – A community blood drive will be Thursday, May 11, from 1:30 to 6:30pm at First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave.
Details: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or www.BeADonor.com.
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.
