Local Digest 08/09

SV Symphony announces grand concert plans for 2006 season

Gilroy – South Valley Symphony will perform a series of five concerts and also host a jazz concert scheduled for March 18, 2006 at the newly finished theater located at the Ann Sobrato High School theater in Morgan Hill in its 32nd season. A mariachi concert is also tentatively scheduled for Cinco de Mayo, May 5 at St. Mary’s church in Gilroy.

Season ticket prices for adults have been set at $90 for the series of seven concerts and will also include a wine and cheese tasting event scheduled for Bonfante Gardens Pops concert on Friday, June 2 at 7:30 pm. Seniors, age 62 and over, will be $75 for the season and for students ages 12-18, the price is $50.

“We are trying to increase the number of season ticket holders by making this an attractive package and offering it at a very competitive price versus those who walk up to the ticket window for individual concerts which are somewhat higher,” said Board President Barbara Bottini.

Advance payments may be made with checks payable to the South Valley Symphony, Inc. and mailed to P. O. Box 1347 in Gilroy, CA 95021-1347. Subscribers will receive their tickets via mail no later than September 25.

Details: Phone Barbara Bottini at 408 846-9247 or Al Navaroli at 408 842-3934.

View spectacular meteor shower show at Coyote Lake Park Friday

Gilroy – Spend a Friday evening at the beautiful new Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park on Aug. 12. Witness the wonder of the Perseid Meteor Shower at one of the best dark sky locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

It is estimated that over 50 meteors will be seen each hour in the night sky. 

Starting at 8pm at the park Campfire Center, rangers will show the space fantasy movie “Armageddon.” A campfire, popcorn, and “s’more fixins” will be on hand for moviegoers to indulge in.  Rangers will also have a telescope trained on the new-quarter moon and other sky objects. Rangers will be on-hand to talk about meteors, asteroids and comets until 1am for late-comers and those who decide to make a whole evening of it. 

There is a $5 park vehicle entrance fee, but the program is FREE. Details: 842-7800. 

Realtors offer free use of truck

Gilroy – Local Realtors with Intero Real Estate Services recently purchased a moving truck as an added service for their clients and to non-profit organizations, churches, schools and others to use for free.

Contact Shelley Furtado-Canario or Amylynn Dale at 391-2869 or 823-6977.

Hospital volunteers for a variety of tasks welcome at Saint Louise

Gilroy – Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy has a constant need for volunteers. Adult volunteers are needed in patient services areas such as skilled nursing and infant-hearing screening. Volunteers are also needed in the gift shop and the information desk. People interested in volunteering must help out on at least two three-and-a-half-hour shifts at the hospital each month. They need to fill out an application, have an interview with Volunteer Coordinator Gail Paccioretti and attend an orientation meeting. Volunteers must also take a free tuberculosis skin test administered by hospital nurses.

Details: 848-4919.

Nation’s ag secretary will hold a public forum in Fresno Friday

Fresno – Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will conduct the sixth in a nationwide farm bill listening tour when he hosts a Farm Bill Forum in Fresno, Calif., on Aug.12 from 1 to 4pm at the Fresno County Fairgrounds. The public is invited to attend the forums to offer comments on farm bill policy.

“I am learning a great deal from the people participating in the Farm Bill Forums,” said Johanns. “These forums present a tremendous opportunity for the citizens we serve to have a voice in the development of a new farm bill.”

When participating in the forums, the public is invited to respond to one or more of the following six questions. The format of the forum will also allow an open comment period.

1. How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?

2. How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness?

3. How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers?

4. How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

5. How can Federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?

6. How should agricultural product development, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

The public is also welcome to submit their comments via the USDA Farm Bill Forums Web site at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill.

Have an item of local interest? Please submit an e-mail to [email protected].