City to hold meeting on utility rate increases
The City of Gilroy is in the process of adjusting its water and sewer utility rates for residential and non-residential customers.
These rate revenues allow the city to invest in utilities infrastructure, keep pace with rising operational and capital costs, and ensure both systems continually meet or exceed all public health and environmental standards, according to city officials.
City staff will host a community meeting to present the report, the proposed rate adjustments, and answer any questions. It will take place Sept. 6 at 6pm in the City Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St.
To request Spanish language interpretation services, contact co************@ci**********.org at least 72 hours before the meeting.
The rates will be considered for adoption at a public hearing scheduled during the City Council’s Oct. 16 meeting.
For information, visit cityofgilroy.org/994/Water-and-Wastewater-Rate-Adjustment.
Stroke support group meets monthly
The Getting Up and Moving Forward Stroke Support Group meets the second Wednesday of every month at the Gilroy Library, 350 West Sixth St., at 1pm.
Stroke survivors Steve Salazar and Rich Yamashita created this support group to provide a safe space for those who have experienced a stroke or brain-related injury.
The group, serving the South County and San Benito County communities, is led by local licensed physical therapist Lilly Weissinger, who moderates, offers advice and answers questions.
For information, contact Yamashita at ri******@gm***.com.
Valle del Sur Art Guild showing works
The Gilroy Center for the Arts is presenting work from the Valle del Sur Art Guild from Sept. 1-30.
Valle del Sur consists of visual artists active in southern Santa Clara County.
The exhibit, which will have an opening reception on Sept. 2 from 4-6pm at 7341 Monterey St., features works by Patricia Lewis, Lorna Saiki, Denise Ballou, Mary Hughes Hiller, Scott Downs and Karen Garnett.
For information, visit gilroycenterforthearts.com.
Housing Element to be discussed during Conversation and Coffee
Mayor Marie Blankley and Community Development Director Sharon Goei will discuss the state’s certification process of Gilroy’s Housing Element and the commonly known “Builder’s Remedy.”
All are welcome to attend Conversation and Coffee on Sept. 9 at 9:30am in the Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St.
To request Spanish language interpretation services, contact co************@ci**********.org at least 72 hours before the meeting.
For information about Gilroy’s Housing Element, visit tinyurl.com/3p6p427c.
Book sale returns Sept. 9
The Friends of Gilroy Library holds a book sale every second Saturday of the month from 10am-1pm at the library, 350 West Sixth St.
The next sale is Sept. 9.
Books will be $5 per bag for members and $8 a bag for non-members. The bookstore regularly charges $1 for hardcover books and 50 cents for paperbacks.
The bookstore is in need of donations of teen fiction and children’s books.
The Isabel Jewell Bookstore is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 1-3pm, Wednesday from 1-4pm, Thursday from 10am to 3pm and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 10am to 1pm.
Give your stuff a Second Chance
In support of the many ways that everyone can reuse and recycle unwanted items, South County communities will host the annual Second Chance Week in September. Second Chance Week is a full week of events, from Sept. 9-17, designed to give your stuff a second chance.
Opportunities to recycle, reuse, give away or otherwise safely get rid of unwanted possessions include two citywide garage sales in Morgan Hill/South County (Sept. 9-10) and Gilroy (Sept. 16-17). The deadline to apply to have your garage sale listed in these events is Sept. 1 for the Morgan Hill weekend and Sept. 8 for Gilroy, according to the City of Morgan Hill’s website for Second Chance Week.
Other events during Second Chance Week include Universal Waste Awareness Day on Sept. 11; Donate Coats for Kids and Adults Too Day on Sept. 13; Second Sight Day (to donate old eyeglasses) on Sept. 14; and Recycle Your Cycle Day on Sept. 15.
For information and to register for the garage sale weekends, visit tinyurl.com/28zpkf6h.
Conference to provide resources for caregivers
The Caregivers Count! 13th Annual Conference will be held virtually as a four-part series throughout September.
The conference aims to provide support, resources and insights to family caregivers.
“Family caregivers provide invaluable care to older adults and those with health concerns. But they often provide that care at the expense of their own physical and emotional health,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who proposed the County’s Older Adult Caregiver study to assess caregiving needs and capacity. “Resources like the Caregivers Count conference offer caregivers vital support in taking care of themselves and learning how to navigate through long-term care.”
Throughout the conference, speakers will share their knowledge and expertise, providing insights and strategies for family caregivers to navigate the challenges they face. The sessions will cover topics that include building connections, managing anticipatory grief, caring for challenging relationships, and communicating effectively with medical professionals.
“I can affirm there is an elevated mental health crisis happening amongst family caregivers, and the urgency to support them is critical,” said Christina Irving, Client Services Director at Family Caregiver Alliance. “That’s why, for 13 years, our collaborative has come together to organize the Caregivers Count Conference to address these needs, and it speaks to the ongoing challenges that families face in navigating the health and long-term care systems, and the emotional experience of caring for someone with a chronic, progressive condition.”
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and ask questions.
The Caregivers Count! 13th Annual Conference will be a virtual event held on Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 10am to noon.
For information and to register, visit caregiverscount.net.
