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SAN JOSE—The San Jose Sharks, in conjunction with Barracuda Networks, announced Thursday that the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, which will play its home games at the SAP Center starting in October, will be known as the San Jose Barracuda.

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Originally scheduled to take place in front of Live Oak High School the morning of May 5, the “WeThePeople MH” group’s Unity, Peace and Respect Rally—a celebration of Mexican culture and a promotion of cultural awareness—shifted to the early evening at Community Park behind the Centennial Recreation Center.Organizer Juan Lopez, an attorney and parent of a current LOHS student, said his group decided on the change in venue after taking the pleas of other LOHS students to heart during a pair of community meeting leading up the Cinco de Mayo holiday.“I didn’t want to be part of the problem,” said Lopez, whose objectives of uniting the Morgan Hill community, protecting the students and celebrating his Mexican heritage were all achieved in a different, more suitable manner. “Every ethnic group is represented here.”The holiday celebration at Community Park in west Morgan Hill featured traditional Mexican art, music and dance performances. A number of local residents—including students, parents and local public officials—spoke to the crowd, promoting peace and tolerance.Lopez, who organized the event through a Facebook page titled “WeThePeople MH,” pointed to the 100 or so attendees who gathered in a large circle surrounding a group of native Aztec dancers—known as Kupalli Izkalli—sporting ornate and colorful dresses to open up the last of three scheduled demonstrations in Morgan Hill on the Cinco de Mayo holiday.The two previous public demonstrations—one organized by the Gilroy-Morgan Hill Patriots in front of LOHS starting about 8 a.m. and another involving the 2 Million Bikers to D.C. motorcycle group starting about 1:30 p.m.—went off without incident. City and school district staff noted those participating in the day’s events were generally well behaved and respectful of the students.“I was so proud of this community,” said Morgan Hill Unified Superintendent Steve Betando at Monday night’s event. “Morgan Hill is so rich in culture and you just enriched it today.”Morgan Hill Police Captain Shane Palsgrove told spectators that people from outside Morgan Hill tried to divide the community, but instead “the opposite effect occurred and made us stronger as a community.”Parent Diane Hernandez-Bettancourt, of Morgan Hill, stood front and center in the crowd with an American flag, a Mexican flag and a Mexican balloon in hand as various other speakers made their statements.“I wanted to come out here today because I saw outside influences portraying Morgan Hill in a negative light,” said Hernandez-Bettancourt. “This rally shows exactly what I knew Morgan Hill was about—which is a deep respect for our culture and, most importantly, that those Patriots were the most unpatriotic group.”Her daughter, McKenna Bettancourt, a student at Jackson Academy of Math & Music, held a sign that said “Proud to be Mexican-American.” She said coming to the rally was a way to “support our culture and others in our culture.”Eric Acedo, 23, a 2008 LOHS alumnus, convinced his friend Alan Reyes to join him at the peace rally to show their support for uniting the community.“I think there’s a rise in a culture that’s very divisive in Morgan Hill as seen by the two protests in front of Live Oak today,” Acedo said. “I wanted to come out and support unity of all cultures and ethnicities.”Among those in attendance at the Monday night event were MHUSD trustees Claudia Rossi and Rick Badillo, Santa Clara Valley Water District Director Dennis Kennedy and Morgan Hill City Manager Steve Rymer. 

As a community, South Valley is particularly fond of its artists. It’s hard to miss various rotating installations as part of Valle del Sur’s Art Guild’s “Art Around Town.” Valle del Sur, founded more than 40 years ago, is a non-profit dedicated to visual arts in southern Santa Clara County, working with local artists to place their original works at more than 14 different locations throughout the South Valley, from cafes and restaurants to framing stores and dental offices.

Live music, arts and crafts, gourmet food, kids' games, street

Beginning Feb. 28, workers in education, childcare, emergency services, and the food and agriculture industries will be eligible to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Santa Clara County. County officials announced the expanded eligibility Feb. 17 after citing strong progress toward vaccinating the current group of...

JANUARY

Frank T. Medina passed away Saturday at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital at the age of 78. Born and raised in Hollister, having lived here all his life. Frank had been in farming most of his life, along with starting a tomato cannery in Gilroy and raised row crops and cattle. He also was a partner in Betabel R.V. Park. He was a member of the Hollister Elk's Lodge, Gourmet Lunch Club and the Boosters club. Frank enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, daily Pedro with friends at Ridgemark, trips to Reno with his family, vegetable gardening and sharing of crops. Frank loved to make friends laugh with his quick wit. He also enjoyed his work and meeting friends for lunch. Frank was a true family man and loved his family immensely.