Free concerts upcoming at library
The Gilroy Library, 350 West Sixth St., has a pair of free concerts scheduled.
The Holiday Choral Concert presented by South Bay Singers takes place Dec. 10 at 2pm. The South Bay Singers will perform holiday songs and traditional carols. Attendees will be invited to participate in a sing-along.
The South Bay Singers are a community choir composed of singers from Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Hollister. For information, visit southbaysingers.com.
The Bay Chamber Music Society will visit the Gilroy Library for a performance of “Beethoven to Broadway” on Dec. 17 at 1pm.
The French horn/piano duo of Bruce Dorcy and Beverly Reese Dorcy will perform selections from famous composers of the past including Beethoven, Corelli, Mendelssohn, Strauss and Cherubini, plus 20th century American composers such as Burt Bacharach, Mitch Leigh, Jerry Bock and Sammy Cahn.
Beverly Reese Dorcy, piano/percussion, was formerly principal percussionist with the Fresno Philharmonic, Tacoma Opera, Bellevue (Washington) Philharmonic, Women’s Philharmonic, Monterey Opera, Golden Gate Opera and Classical Philharmonic. She has also performed extensively with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera and Sun Valley (Idaho) Summer Symphony.
Bruce Dorcy, French horn, was a member of the National Ballet of Canada and Canadian Opera Orchestras for 24 years, and the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra for 11 years. He also played on Broadway in New York for six years (“Man of la Mancha,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Promises, Promises”) as well as occasional performances with the New York City Opera, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Toronto Symphony, San Francisco Opera and San Diego Chamber Orchestra.
For information, visit sccld.org/events.
Menorah lighting Dec. 10
The public is invited to Chabad Jewish Center of South County’s fifth annual Chanukah celebration and Grand Menorah lighting 4-5:30pm Dec. 10 at the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater, 17000 Monterey Road.
Festivities include a Menorah lighting with live music and greetings from local dignitaries, including Mayor Mark Turner, says a press release from Chabad Jewish Center of South County. The event will also include a fire performance, children’s Chanukah crafts, giant inflatables, balloon twisting, prizes and more. Doughnuts and latkes—traditional Chanukah foods—will be available free of charge.
“We are witnessing a rise in hate and darkness, and the message of Chanukah resonates now more than ever,” said Rabbi Mendel Liberow, who directs the Chabad Jewish Center of South County. “It reminds us of the tremendous power of light to overcome darkness. We can have no better response to the negativity we are seeing than to gather together in even greater numbers and celebrate the light of the menorah in public.”
Registration for the event is required. For information and to register, visit JewishMH.com/chanukah.
County supervisor to open Gilroy office
Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas will celebrate the opening of her new field office in Gilroy on Dec. 16 from 3-6pm at the Neon Exchange, 7365 Monterey St. in Gilroy.
The open house event will feature entertainment and refreshments.
Attendees will learn about Arenas’ priorities, county initiatives and programs throughout District 1, and updates on Arenas’ dedicated budget investments for South County.
To RSVP, visit bit.ly/3UCUT5H.
South Valley Symphony prepares for holiday concert
The South Valley Symphony will present “Holiday Magic” on Dec. 16 at 3pm at Gavilan College’s Gilroy campus.
As part of the symphony’s 50th anniversary season, the concert will feature Sandra Marlowe and Ted Sanchez, Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare by Strauss, and symphonic holiday favorites.
For information and tickets, visit southvalleysymphony.org/home/current-concerts.
Recruitment for Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury begins
Presiding Judge Beth McGowen of the Santa Clara County Superior Court is inviting civic-minded individuals to apply for service on the 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury.
The Civil Grand Jury, an independent body convened annually, acts as the county’s civil watchdog agency, empowered to investigate all facets of county and city government, special districts and school districts. Under the direction of the Court, the Grand Jury is authorized to scrutinize books, records and financial expenditures, ensuring the responsible use of public funds. Additionally, the Civil Grand Jury is tasked with evaluating the conditions of jails and juvenile detention facilities.
“Service as a Civil Grand Juror offers participants a unique platform to harness their civic responsibility, empowering them to delve into the intricacies of local governance,” McGowen said. “By actively engaging in the process, individuals have the extraordinary opportunity to cultivate innovative recommendations that not only scrutinize but also elevate government operations, contributing to the continual improvement and efficiency of our community.”
To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years of age or older, United States citizens, and residents of Santa Clara County. Persons selected for Civil Grand Jury service must make a time commitment of an average of 25 hours per week for a period of one fiscal year.
The term of the 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury begins July 1, 2024 and ends on June 30, 2025.
Prospective applicants can access the 2024-25 application and the Court’s Civil Grand Jury brochure online at scscourt.org/CGJ.
For information, contact Britney Huelbig, Deputy Manager for the Civil Grand Jury, at 408.882.2721 or CG*@sc******.org/”>CG*@sc******.org.
The deadline to submit applications is March 29.
