Input sought for east side plan

The city of Gilroy is seeking input for the 2008 renewal of the
federal designation of an area mostly between Las Animas Avenue to
the north, Luchessa Avenue to the south, U.S. 101 to the east and
Monterey Road to the west (including parts of downtown) as a
Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area.
Input sought for east side plan

The city of Gilroy is seeking input for the 2008 renewal of the federal designation of an area mostly between Las Animas Avenue to the north, Luchessa Avenue to the south, U.S. 101 to the east and Monterey Road to the west (including parts of downtown) as a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area.

Has the strategy provided opportunities for existing and new businesses? Has it improved job opportunities and supported better wages? Has it brought together community resources for residents? What are the important initiatives for the next five years?

The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, in the Cannery Welcome Center, 7488 Monterey St.

Details: Marilyn Roaf at 846-0241, or ma**********@**********ca.us

Free table tennis

Enjoy a game of table tennis with seniors 55 and older at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St.

Details: 846-0414.

Free matinees at library

Celebrate President’s Day during President’s Week and watch free movies at the Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St. The movies run today through Saturday, at 2:30 p.m.

Details: 842-8207.

Discuss arts center analysis

AMS, a consulting group hired by the city of Gilroy, will present its findings on the cost and feasibility of the proposed Arts & Cultural Center.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, in the council chambers at City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St.

The city directed AMS to explore the following options:

n What would it take to build the Gilroy Arts Center as originally planned?

n What type of center would the existing funds build?

n What other private/public partnerships are there?)

n What other type of partnerships could be explored?

This session will also be filmed, so the community can watch it “live” on Channel 17 (Cable) or on their computer via the City’s Web site, www.ci.gilroy.ca.us

Celebrate an ‘Evening of Music’

The public is invited to an evening in celebration of music and to help longtime Gilroy Chuck Myer, who was diagnosed with melanoma in 2005. Funds raised will help pay the costs of publishing and marketing his book, “Melanoma Melodrama.” He now lives in Rancho Cordova.

During his time in Gilroy, Myer was an advocate for the arts, active in theater, the Gilroy Historical Society, the Garlic Festival, and other community events. He was a columnist for the Gilroy Dispatch and wrote a book about Old City Hall.

Performers at the event include Suzuki Violins directed by Lori Franke; Sandra Marlowe, singer; “Side by Siders” senior ladies chorus directed by Gwen Altenburg Gillot; Beverly Blount, South Valley Symphony Concertmaster; Andoni Bundros, pianist; Candace Fazzio, pianist; Rosalind Farotte, cast member of the upcoming “Nunsense” production for South Valley Civic Theater; Gilroy United Methodist Church “Praise Band,” and Allen Douglas, pianist and songwriter. Portions of the book will be read between the performances, and there will be a silent auction. One of the contributions to the auction is a set of two tickets on Jim Maya’s whale watch craft off the coast of the state of Washington.

“An Evening of Music” takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Gilroy United Methodist Church, 7600 Church St.

Members of the community can help by attending the concert, contributing a “basket” for the silent auction, and bringing finger food for intermission. If you cannot come and wish to donate money, non tax-deductible checks made out to “Chuck Myer” may be mailed to The United Methodist Church, 7600 Church St.

Details: 847-1210.

Knights of Columbus crab feed

Residents can feast on crab and support a good cause Feb. 23 during the annual crab feed sponsored by the local Knights of Columbus Council 2469.

The event, at St. Mary Parish Hall, First and Church streets, begins with a happy hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the Knights of Columbus scholarships and other charitable activities. Tickets are $35 and are available at the parish office, 55 First St., or by calling Frank Borge at 842-4357 or Sally Villalobos at 848-9865.

No tickets will be sold at the door.

Enter poster for 2008 festival

The deadline for submitting entries in the Gilroy Garlic Festival’s 2008 Art Poster Contest is 5 p.m. Feb. 29. A $750 prize will go to the entry which is judged to best capture the spirit and essence of this premier festival.

In addition, the winner shall receive 10 posters and one of each souvenir item produced with their artwork. The second place winner will receive $400 and third place $200. The winning entry will be reproduced as a high quality, limited edition poster to be sold at the 30th Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, July 25, 26 & 27.

Winners will be notified by March 28. Entry forms and contest rules are available online at www.gilroygarlicfestival.com or from the Gilroy Garlic Festival office, 7473 Monterey Street, Gilroy CA 95020.

Details: 842-1625.

‘Evening’ aids cancer research

A tri-tip barbecue dinner and auction will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at the San Martin Lions Club at 12415 Murphy Ave., to benefit Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services and cancer research at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto. The price for dinner and participation in the auction is $15.

Details: Laura at (831) 724-9100 or e-mail la***@*********rt.org to reserve a place or make a donation.

Register for St. Mary School

Registration of new students for 2008-’09 at St. Mary School will take place at noon Saturday, March 1 in the school gym, 15 First St.

Parents of students applying for grades first through eighth are asked to bring a birth certificate and baptismal certificate (if applicable), complete a short application and pay a $25 processing fee. Students will be screened for readiness March 1.

Parents applying for kindergarten will be asked for the same documentation. However, children will be scheduled for a screening March 8 or March 15.

Details: 842-2827.

Fashion show benefits children

The Elks Lodge is holding it’s annual Charity Fashion Show, “In the Japanese Tea Garden,” Saturday, March 8, featuring fashions and accessories from local boutiques and stores.

This event begins with no-host cocktails at 11 a.m., luncheon at noon and fashion show from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This event is open to all members, their family, their friends and their guests.

All proceeds benefit the Elks philanthropic efforts to help crippled and disabled children.

Tickets are available for $25 per person and may be picked up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the lodge office. See Joyce or Sandy.

The event takes place at the lodge, 2765 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy. Details: 842-9397.

Discover adoption, foster care

Learn how to expand your family by becoming an adoptive or foster parent. The free orientations are held the second Monday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rebekah Children’s Services, 290 IOOF Ave., Gilroy.

The next meeting is March 10.

Details: 846-2119.

Give blood and help save lives

Local American Red Cross blood drives will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at First Baptist Church, 845 Wren Ave.

A second drive will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 at the Church on the Rock, 700 E. Dunne Ave., Morgan Hill.

Details: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.BeADonor.com. Code to schedule an appointment for the March 13 event is Gilroy, and for the March 18 event Morgan Hill.

Send your events to ra******@************ch.com