Nonprofits

Gilroy resident Debbie Vasquez was awarded with the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit Lifesaving Award, one of the highest honors the organization bestows, in recognition of her heroic actions that saved her husband’s life during a sudden cardiac arrest, says a press release...

South Valley Civic Theatre brings the full-length version of Disney’s “High School Musical On Stage!” to the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse this month, featuring 40 local teens in a story about breaking free from social expectations. The production opens Feb. 20 and runs through March...

Since Valley Water evicted dozens of unhoused residents of Gilroy from the water district’s properties along local creeks in November, many have relocated to a growing encampment on Sixth Street near Camino Arroyo Drive.  On Feb. 9, the Gilroy City Council voted 4-2 to give...

Longtime director of the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival Mattie Scariot was recently appointed as Interim Executive Director of Community Media Access Partnership (CMAP TV).  Scariot began her new role Feb. 3, and will lead the organization during a period of transition while focusing on...

The Gilroy Garlic Queen pageant is back for 2026, following a seven-year hiatus.  Online applications are currently being accepted for the pageant, which will take place April 19. The deadline to enter the pageant is 4pm March 16.  To apply for the 2026 Gilroy Garlic Queen...

The Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased 2,284 acres of ranchland in southern Santa Clara County for $23 million, the organization announced Jan. 29. The acquisition brings POST’s total holdings at the former Sargent Ranch property to 6,114 acres and preserves sacred native land that...

After more than three years of dedicated planning, listening and partnership, Santa Clara Family Health Plan has opened the South County Community Resource Center at 150 Leavesley Road in Gilroy.  This marks the second CRC opened by the local health plan, as it also operates...

As a community newspaper publisher, I spend a lot of time writing and editing stories about the organizations that quietly shape the fabric of our town. Saturday night, I had the privilege of stepping out from behind the keyboard and into the celebration itself,...

The Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Management Corporation (SCCFMC) announced this week that starting this year, the Santa Clara County Fair will move to the third week of August as part of a long-term strategy to secure essential vendors and ensure the fair’s continued success,...

Gerald Foisy—largely known to Gilroy community members and garlic aficionados as Mr. Garlic—died on Jan. 7 after a battle with Alzheimer's. He was 83 years old.  For 29 years, Foisy volunteered as Mr. Garlic, the happy, healthy ambassador of the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival who...