Velasco Leads in Donations
Roland Velasco has raised 20 percent more in campaign funds than Perry Woodward in his bid to be elected Gilroy’s next mayor. According to FPPC filings posted by the city clerk to Gilroy’s website, Velasco has raised $44,194 to Woodward’s $35,899 as of Sept 24.
Gavilan Classroom with no Walls
Gavilan College students will soon be able to learn outside in a specially designed classroom where rocks are chairs and the surrounding gardens are living, breathing, teaching tools, thanks to a federal STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) grant the school received.
Meet the Candidates: Rachel Perez
In the first district election in its nearly 100-year history, two candidates are vying for the one contested seat on the Gavilan Joint Community College District Board of Trustees.
A sweet year—more to come
Like the biblical tale of their wandering, the local Jewish community searched for a permanent place to call home. Eight years ago they found it on Monterey Street in Morgan Hill.
Bold flavors
Just five minutes past the Gilroy Outlets, up a white picket fenced drive, I arrived at the bucolic hillside winery called Sunlit Oaks. With sweeping 180-degree views of the valley below and raptors soaring above, I felt an instant peacefulness.Electrical engineer-turned winemaker John Grogan was there pouring a line-up of five, equally outstanding wines. All the grapes used in Sunlit Oaks’ wines are grown in Santa Clara Valley. The un-oaked 2012 Chardonnay ($22), with its toasted nut profile is one of the most interesting interpretations of this varietal that you’ll find—a refreshing change from more typical, fruity styles.Merlot lovers will enjoy the 2012 Merlot ($19), full of plummy fruit and soft tannins. Their gold medal winner, a 2012 Sangiovese ($28), is a cherries jubilee of a wine with plenty of tart red fruits that would be a heavenly match with a plate of spaghetti marinara. The third and final red tasting was Rita’s Red Reserve ($35) a bold blend with concentrated layers of black fruit and sturdy tannins.Sunlit Oaks’ 2012 Moscato ($22), an ever-so-slightly sweet wine, completed our tasting. The lovely lychee aroma is evident as soon as you bring the glass to your nose.Mini gourmet picnics are available for purchase and wine club members are free to pick and choose their favorite wines in the quarterly shipments.John, an attentive host, said, “I want people to feel relaxed and at home here. I encourage them to bring picnics, linger and enjoy the serenity of the views and the wine.”
Renaissance Faire at Casa de Fruta is a blast from the past
The annual Northern California Renaissance Faire held at Casa De Fruta near Hollister is well under way. The faire brings visitors and actors—some professional and some volunteers—to celebrate the Renaissance era. The event includes crafts, concerts, food, games, artists and other performances. Tickets are $28 and are available online at norcalrenfaire.com or at the gates. A weekend pass is $40 and a pass for the entire Renaissance Faire is $190. The faire runs weekends through Oct. 16. There are also several themed weekends including the Royal Masquerade, including a contest for the best mask on Saturday and Sunday Oct. 1 and 2.
