Operation ‘pack-in’ needs volunteers for tonight
Gilroy – A local chapter of Operation Interdependence, a nonprofit group that sends care packages to troops in Iraq and elsewhere, will hold a “pack-in” tonight at the Strand Theater in Gilroy, by the corner of Lewis and Monterey streets.
Volunteers are asked to help write letters, make cards and fill stockings for the troops. The meeting takes place from 6 to 8pm tonight.
Details: Karen Humber at 848-2630 or Susan Hamilton at 427-1691.
3rd Annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair this weekend
Gilroy – The 3rd Annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair will be held at the Gilroy Senior Center Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. There will be 20 vendors selling handmade items.
Details: 848-0465.
Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch trails will close for the winter
Gilroy – County Parks staff will close all trails at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park to all users (hikers, bikers and equestrians) from Dec. 1 to as late as June 1, 2006, depending on the length and severity of the rainy season.
Park staff will make every effort to keep the closure period to a minimum and re-open the trails as early as possible in the spring. The trail system will be closed for this extended period to allow the newly constructed trails to settle, compact and accumulate vegetation.
Closing new trails for the first winter after construction is a management practice designed to provide a better and more stable trail system in the long-term and to meet our obligations to protect water quality and wildlife habitat.
Details: 355-2215.
‘Seussical’ set to open at Mt. Madonna Middle School
Watsonville – What do the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, the tiny Whos of Whoville and a Sour Kangaroo all have in common? They’re unforgettable characters that come to life in “Seussical”, a successful Broadway musical performed by Mount Madonna’s Middle School.
“Seussical” is an adventure into the wacky and fanciful imagination of Theodor Geisel, better known and much-beloved to generations as “Dr. Seuss”. The play is fun, entertaining, very musical, and contains some of life’s most valuable lessons.
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss, these classic, colorful tales are brought together by Jojo, a young girl and “thinker of strange and wonderful thinks” As each story unfolds, relevant, profound and subtle themes unfold – not only the power of the imagination, and the determination of love, but also the need for compassion, that “a person’s a person no matter how small.”
Performance dates are Dec. 16 and 17 at 7:30pm.
Details: 847-2717.
Turkey donations needed for the holiday season
Gilroy – Turkeys and traditional holiday goodies such as stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, fresh fruits and vegetables are still needed for Thanksgiving.
More than 400 turkeys are needed to feed the 550 local families in need of a bird. Volunteers also are needed to help pack Thanksgiving baskets at St. Joseph’s Family Center, 7950 Church St., Monday and hand them out to families from 9am to 2pm Tuesday.
The Salvation Army also needs turkeys and chickens to stock 300 holiday baskets. Drop off frozen birds at 200 West Fifth St.
Call 842-6662 for details regarding St. Joseph’s and 848-5373 for the Salvation Army.
The ‘Wizard’ is coming to town this weekend
Gilroy – City of Gilroy Community Services Department and Children’s Rainbow Theatre present “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” By Tim Kelly. Play will be held at the South Valley Jr. High Cafeteria on Saturday and Sunday at 5pm.
All tickets $9 each and advanced tickets may be purchased at Gilroy Community Services Department, 7351 Rosanna St. Cash or check only please.
Details: 846-8836.
Help companion animals in need at FOSMAS pet fair
Gilroy – The Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter (FOSMAS) need help to find loving families. Visit the FOSMAS pet fair from noon to 5pm, Saturday, at Petco-Gilroy. Petco-Gilroy is also hosting a barbecue and bake sale to raise funds for FOSMAS, so come have lunch or a midday snack.
Details: 683-4186 or www.fosmas.org.
Unique gifts available at
Gavilan College marketplace
Gilroy – Holiday shoppers looking for something special and unique are invited to browse the 4th annual Gavilan College Holiday Marketplace Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, from 10am to 2pm. Money raised from the marketplace will benefit Gavilan College student clubs. This event is free and open to the public. Campus parking is 75 cents. There will be musical entertainment during the marketplace, and the Gavilan Cafe will be open.
Details: Vendor applications are still being accepted; call 489-6445, or visit www.gavilan.edu/pio.
Rebekah’s Children’s Services hosts dinner
Gilroy – Local nonprofit Rebekah’s Children’s Services will be hosting an auction dinner at Bonfante Gardens’ Snowflake Plaza, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway from 6 to 10:30pm, Dec. 2, to benefit program clients.
The $75 traditional holiday dinner includes a stroll through the park to see holiday lights and live and silent auctions. Guests should dress comfortably. The plaza is a covered pavilion warmed by heat lamps.
Details: 846-2142 or www.rcskids.org.
Search for cannery workers will preserve history
Gilroy – Did you work at the old Gilroy cannery for a summer? A year? A decade? We would like to hear your stories!
As part of a redevelopment project, South County Housing Corporation has launched the Cannery History Project. This project, in conjunction with the Gavilan College History Department, will employ Gavilan students to gather, preserve and share human histories of Gilroy’s cannery community.
SCH plans a mixed-use development of about 210 residential units and 40,000 square feet of office, food service and retail space. Rather than losing the history when the buildings are replaced, SCH wishes to make the stories of people who worked at the cannery known.
Details: Former cannery workers or their family may contact Leah Halper at 848-4846 or
lh*****@ga****.com
.
Riding competition benefits 4H and SMHA
San Martin – The Santa Clara County 4H Horse Project and The San Martin Horsemen’s Association are sponsoring a Playday on Sunday, at Taylor Made Farms in San Martin.
The event begins at 9am and is open to the public. There will be horseback riding competitions in events such as Egg and Spoon Race, Potato Race, Costume Class, Australian Trot and much more.
Events will be divided into age groups 8 years old and younger (stick horse riders), 9-13, 14-19, and older than 20 years.
The $40 entry fee goes to the Santa Clara County 4H Horse Program to fund youth programs.
Details: Marcia Linden at 842-0777.
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****@ga****.com
.
