Deadline nearing for Gilroy Garlic Festival 2008 art poster
entries
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 food 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
&
amp; 27.
Winners will be notified by March 28. Entry forms and complete
contest rules are now available online at
www.gilroygarlicfestival.com or from the Gilroy Garlic Festival
office, 7473 Monterey Street, Gilroy CA 95020.
Details: 842-1625.
Deadline nearing for Gilroy Garlic Festival 2008 art poster entries

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 food 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 complete contest rules are now available online at www.gilroygarlicfestival.com or from the Gilroy Garlic Festival office, 7473 Monterey Street, Gilroy CA 95020.

Details: 842-1625.

Champagne Sunday at Sue’s

Weaves elements of many popular genres into their uniquely original songs 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29 at Sue’s Coffee Roasting Company, 7501 Monterey St. Their live performances are events. Unstoppably upbeat, the high-energy music keeps audiences on their feet, and they are always invited back. Champagne Sunday loves what they do, and it shows.

Details: 842-4220.

A tribute to Bob Marley

Enjoy the reggae, surf and ska sounds of “Find Your Roots” when Hecker Pass Winery presents a tribute to Bob Marley. The event takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. today at Hecker Pass Winery, 4605 Hecker Pass Highway.

Cover charge is $5. For ages 16 and older.

Details: (408) 930-6777, ww******@he**************.com

League accepting grant requests

The Gilroy Assistance League is now accepting grant requests for the year 2008. Last year the organization handed out more than $10,000 to various local youth services such as Gateway School, Community Solutions, South Valley Suzuki Music Foundation and others. A formal grant request proposal must be completed and returned no later than Feb. 29. Grant funds are to be used for children and youth services. Funds will be distributed in April 2008.

Details: Forms may be picked up from Starritt Realtors at 7477 Eigleberry St. Completed forms may be returned to the same location or mailed to Patty Giacalone, P.O. Box 2062, Gilroy, CA., 95020-2062.

Renowned chorale performs in Morgan Hill

The Valparaiso University Chorale will be performing at Advent Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1 as part of their 2008 Spring Tour. This 48-voice ensemble is the premier choral ensemble at Valparaiso and is considered among the top Lutheran collegiate choirs in the U.S. The concert will be held in the church sanctuary followed by a reception. The concert is free. Advent Lutheran Church is located at 16870 Murphy Ave. in Morgan Hill.

Details: 779-3551.

Comedian returns to perform

Rodger Lizaola, a Gilroy native who currently resides in Seattle, is returning home for a show at the Claddagh Irish Pub 8:30 p.m. Saturday. He will be auditioning for Last Comic Standing the day before the show. Tickets are $12.

Gilroy’s famous women talk and tour

The Gilroy Historical Society will initiate Women’s History Month Saturday, March 1 with a talk by Claudia Salewske on some of Gilroy’s historic women of achievement. You’ll meet Marie Clark, the first school nurse, Mary Briggs Benn, the first librarian, and many others. A walking tour will follow to see where these women lived or worked. Meet at the Gilroy Museum at 10 a.m. Reservations requested by calling the museum at 846-0446.

Piano competition at Gavilan

The Marian Filice piano competition takes place Saturday morning, March 1 at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. Filice was a supporter of music and arts education, and she taught piano locally for many years. The support of the Filice family makes this competition possible. It is their goal to encourage students to strive for musical excellence and to create an opportunity for them to share their talents with the community.

Piano students ranging from 5th to 12th grades will compete. The competition take place at 10 a.m., followed by a festival and concert at 3 p.m. The award ceremony begins at 5 p.m.

At the conclusion of the auditions, finalists will be named to perform in the evening competition.

Contestants are expected to have prepared two contrasting pieces from the classical repertoire performed by memory (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary).

Details: Noemi Naranjo (408) 848-4800, Ext. 5117, or visit www.tobytravis.com.

County accepting applications to sit on civil grand jury

The County of Santa Clara is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 term of the civil grand jury.

The civil grand jury is part of the judicial branch of government and serves as an investigatory body that examines the operations of city and county government, special districts and school districts. It also has the authority to inspect adult and juvenile detention facilities.

Applications must be Santa Clara County residents and at least 18.

Service gives participants a unique opportunity to contribute to the efficiency of local government. The time commitment is significant – 20 to 25 hours a week. The court is seeking volunteers willing to make the commitment for a one-year term, starting June 26.

Application deadline is March 5.

Details: Gloria Alicia Chacon at 882-2722 or visit www.sccsuperiorcourt.org/jury/gj/html to obtain an application.

Annual 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 will go on sale Feb. 8, for $25 per person. The event takes place at the lodge, 2765 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy. Tickets will also be sold after Feb. 8 and may be picked up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the lodge office.

See Joyce or Sandy.

Details: 842-9397.

Learn Spanish in Zacatecas this summer

Anyone who wishes to learn Spanish or improve their Spanish skills can learn more about the Gavilan College Study Abroad summer program in Mexico at an upcoming orientation meeting. Students attending the orientation will be able to register for the program, and ask questions.

The Zacatecas class will run from June 8 through July 6. Students earn 5 transferable units in Spanish.

Classes are offered at different levels, from beginner to advanced.

The course includes classroom instruction plus local immersion in the Spanish language, with opportunities to visit cultural centers.

Students live with host families and enjoy hospitality, family meals, language practice and exposure to the life and culture of Mexico.

Zacatecas, founded in 1557, is a charming colonial city in the state of Zacatecas, home of the Fenix Language Institute. Instituto Fenix is a language school that hosts students, professionals and diplomats from around the world. The staff has extensive experience in teaching Spanish as a second language.

The orientation will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, in the Humanities Building, Room 105, Gavilan College, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard, Gilroy.

Details: David Perez, at 848-4842, or www.gavilan.edu/spanish/zaca.html.

Warming communities one sock at a time

Every holiday season, Coldwell Banker offices throughout Northern California add to their holiday charity efforts by supporting local community organizations that collect new or gently used clothing for those in need. Although the holiday season is over, there are still many families that are homeless or just in need of something warm to wear. Specifically warm socks and warm coats are important for the homeless in our local Gilroy community.

Anna Montes and Albert Lambert, Realtors with Gilroy’s local Coldwell Banker office are trying to lend a helping hand by organizing a “Sock-Drive” to try and collect as many new or slightly used pairs of socks or warm coats that will be delivered to the local Salvation Army where Capt. Roberto Viquez will then distribute to local homeless or families in need. The drive began Monday and runs through Feb. 29. Stop by Coldwell Bankers new office location at 8050 Santa Teresa Blvd. Suite 210 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to drop-off donations or at Nob Hill Foods main entrance. Thank you for your help in warming our community one sock or coat at a time.

Details: 781-3396, or 710-2702.

Who’s Your Hero? American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Seeks Nominations for Local Real Heroes Award Breakfast

American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter is calling on Silicon Valley residents, companies and organizations to nominate individuals, who reside or work in Santa Clara County and whose extraordinary acts of courage or kindness make them a hero to be honored at the 2nd Annual Santa Clara Valley Real Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose. The deadline to submit nominations is March 13, 2008.

“A hero can be someone who bravely acts in a time of immediate need or someone who simply lives his or her life in a way that shows they care for those around them. Real heroes are ordinary people whose actions demonstrate the potential that is in all of us. If someone is a hero in your eyes, I encourage you to nominate them'” says Honorary Event Chair, Peter Hero, a senior advisor to the CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Nominations for the heroics act of local residents that took place between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 are being accepted in the following categories:

Animal Rescue Hero – An animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, or a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation.

Education Hero – An adult or youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others in a school or other educational setting.

Good Samaritan – Adult (21 years old and up) – An adult who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

Good Samaritan – Youth (Under the age of 21) – A youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

Law Enforcement Hero – A professional law enforcement officer (Sheriff, Police, FBI, Highway Patrol, etc…) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

Medical Professional Hero – A medical professional (doctors, nurses, EMT/paramedics, hospital/clinic staff, etc…) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

Military Hero – A member of the armed forces (active, reserve, retired, commissioned or non-commissioned) whose life-saving action during active duty status went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

Professional Rescuer Hero – A professional rescuer (firefighter, lifeguard, etc…) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

Workplace Hero – An individual who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others at his or her place of employment or on a job site.

Real Hero Award recipients will be chosen by a selection committee of leading members of the Silicon Valley community. Heroes are selected based on the degree to which their acts of heroism uphold the values of the American Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of Silicon Valley. All nominees must work or reside in the Santa Clara County; the heroic acts may have occurred elsewhere. Self-nominations are not permitted. All nominations will be subject to further verification and validation. All nominee information will be shared with the Heroes selection committee and the general public with a two-minute biographical video.

Nominations for Real Heroes Awards can now be submitted to the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter online at www.therolemodelprogram.org.

Tickets for ‘Bach to Blues’ on sale now

Anyone looking forward to a high energy evening of music and dance can reserve tickets for “Bach to Blues 2008.” Now in its fifth consecutive year, is an annual showcase of regional talent, featuring Gavilan College faculty and students and performers from the community. This year’s lineup includes pianist Maria Amirkhanian, guitarist John Garcia, blues vocalist Nate Pruitt with his band, Primary Colors, Art Juncker with the Gavilan College Performance Ensemble, and flamenco guitarist Alberto Marques.

For the first time, the evening will include a performance by dancer Kathryn Waggoner with the Gavilan College Dance Ensemble. In a new tradition, the show will begin with a performance by the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition, which takes place the prior week.

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, in the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Terese Blvd.

Tickets are on sale at the Gavilan College Bookstore, Porcella’s Music, The Music Tree, and Gavilan College locations in Morgan Hill and Hollister.

V.I.P. Seating is $30 (includes premiere seating and a welcome gift), general admission is $15, and seniors and students are $10.

Tickets may be purchased online at

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