Conference aims to help farmers produce more productive crops
Pacific Grove – Farmers interested in learning about agricultural practices that help promote biodiversity can attend Get Wild! Linking Farmscapes & Landscapes, a day-long seminar, Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Asilomar, in Pacific Grove.
Hosted by the Wild Farm Alliance, the conference aims to help farmers produce more productive crops and conserve the open space surrounding farms.
Seminars include Organics and the Biotic Community, and Soil and Root Ecology. The program offers three Farm Water Quality educational credits. Admission ranges from $50, for the conference and lunch, to $170, which includes three meals and lodging.
Details: (831) 761-8408.
New Santa Clara VTA members take posts
San Jose – There are five new members of the of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors for 2005. They are Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, San Jose City Councilwoman Nora Campos, Santa Clara City Council member Jamie Matthews, Sunnyvale Mayor Dean Chu and Milpitas Vice Mayor Robert Livengood. They attended their first official meeting Jan. 6.
The board consists of 17 members, including 12 voting members. All members are elected officials appointed by the jurisdictions they represent. Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage is the only permanent South County member. Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy is an alternate.
Youth Commission dance Friday night
Gilroy – The Gilroy Youth Commission is holding a dance from 7 to 9:30pm, Friday at the Gilroy Senior Center on 6th Street for all junior high students in the area.
All schools are welcomed and encouraged to come.
Tickets will be sold at the door for $4 and a school ID is required. Come dance the night away with your junior high friends from all over the town.
Chevy’s benefits Solorsano parent club
Gilroy – A fundraiser will be held Sunday at Chevys Fresh Mex Restaurant, 8440 Murray Ave., to benefit Ascencion Solorsano Middle School’s Parent Club.
Chevys Gilroy will donate 20 percent of its earnings that day to the parent club. The Mexican restaurant is open 11am to 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am to 11pm Friday and Saturday.
Hypnomania on stage at Gilroy High School
Gilroy – Gilroy High School presents Travis Fox performing Hypnomania at 6pm and 8pm Feb. 4 in the high school’s main gym.
Tickets will go on sale monday during lunch at the Associated Student Body Office or by calling 847-3990.
Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults in advance. Proceeds will help support GHS Safe and Sober Grad Nite 2005.
Details: www.gilroyhsgradnite.org or www.travisfoxentertainment.com.
ICF polenta dinner benefits students
Gilroy – The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 28, Gilroy present their fifth annual Polenta Dinner Jan. 29 at St. Mary Church in Cullen Hall, 11 First St.
All proceeds benefit ICF charities including scholarships for local students.
Take out available after 5:30pm. Bring your own containers. Dinner will be served from 6 to 8pm.
Donation $12 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12.
Details: Pat Cordich 842-6065 or Emma Moretti 842-0145.
Citizen award dinner slated for Feb. 5
Gilroy – The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce 52nd Annual Dinner & Citizen Awards will be held at San Juan Oaks Golf Club, 3825 Union Road, Hollister, on Feb. 5 at 5:30pm. $65 per person.
Details or to RSVP, call 842-6437.
Red Cross blood drive at local church
Gilroy – The American Red Cross will be holding a Blood Drive Feb. 10, 1:30 to 6:30pm at First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave., Gilroy.
To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit BeADonor.com. To donate blood you must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 lbs. and be in general good health. And bring your driver’s license if you have one. American Red Cross volunteer blood donors are required to provide identification before donating blood. The preferred identifiers include a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, or a Red Cross blood donor card. Otherwise, two other forms of ID are needed.
Military families join YMCA for free
Santa Clara County – The YMCA of Santa Valley offers complimentary six-month memberships to families whose head of household or employed spouse is serving in active military duty.
The YMCA has a long history of service to military personnel and their families dating back to at least 1861, when President Abraham Lincoln praised the YMCAs for their service on the battlefields of the American Civil War, caring for soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
For immediate consideration, present a copy of active military orders to any local Santa Clara Valley YMCA or call 351-6415 or 288-YMCA for details
Want to comment on the news or suggest a story to The Dispatch? Call City Editor Robert Airoldi at 847-7037. Fax to 842-2206 or e-mail ed****@****ic.com.
