57 F
Gilroy
July 22, 2025

Guglielmo’s dreams continue

It was a warm and unusually windy Sunday afternoon in Morgan Hill when I spoke with third-generation winemaker George E. Guglielmo. We sat at a picnic table outside the winery, catching napkins that kept taking flight and clutching our wine glasses for fear the wind would soon claim them.

Gavilan in line to offer four-year degree program

Gavilan College hopes to be one of 15 community colleges allowed to offer bachelor’s degrees as early as January 2015, after the California Legislature’s Aug. 20 approval of Senate Bill 850.The bill, which is awaiting the signature of Governor Jerry Brown, would establish a baccalaureate degree pilot program with 15 community colleges offering bachelor’s degrees in select workforce majors, according to a press release from the San Diego Community College District.“At this point we do not know which colleges will be participating or what the (selection) process will look like,” Gavilan spokesperson Jan Bernstein-Chargin said.California Community Colleges is the largest higher education system in the nation with 72 districts and 112 colleges, serving more than 2.6 million students, according to the CCC Registry.Chargin added that changes to the state’s master plan for higher education must be approved first, and then an implementation plan can be established for the community college system.“It’s definitely something we’re very interested in,” said Gavilan President Steve Kinsella back in February when the bill was introduced by State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego). “I think it will happen. It needs to happen.”If approved California would join 21 other states already allowing community colleges to grant bachelor’s programs. Brown has until Sept. 30 to act on the bill. “Unlike previous bills, however, SB 850 enjoys bipartisan support and is widely touted as a way for the state to address its need to be competitive in areas of high workforce demand,” the release states.There have been four failed attempts since 2004 to pass a similar bill granting community colleges permission to offer bachelor’s degrees, according to an EdSource report. That same report says the proposal faces likely opposition from CSU, UC and even some corners of the community college system.Stipulations to SB 850 include community colleges can only offer bachelor’s degrees in areas where public universities do not offer such a program, cannot accommodate student demand, or do not have the interest. Such workforce programs include dental hygiene, radiologic technology, health information science/informatics and automotive technology.“The California pilot will allow the legislature to explore this possibility and study the results in a thorough report before making a full commitment that the other states have made,” the release reads.

Ren Faire on the way! Huzzah!

Travel back to a time where the arts flourished, people thirsted for knowledge and the awakening of the mind reigned supreme.

Subway’s grand opening

Owner Jasvir Nahal celebrated the opening of his second Subway Restaurant, 875 First St., Unit 1, with a ribbon-cutting Aug. 15.  

Bill Faus elected to board

Rebekah Children’s Services, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the social, emotional and physical well-being of children and families, announced Bill Faus has been elected to the Board of Directors as Member at Large.

City moves forward with high-speed rail station planning

A representative with the California High-Speed Rail Authority announced at the Aug. 26 Rotary Club meeting that the organization partnered with the City of Gilroy to plan for the Garlic Capital's very own station—preferably located downtown.

Community PorchFest coming to Gilroy

Are you ready for a family-friendly event to celebrate the Gilroy community? If so, PorchFest is for you.

Sales tax revenues on the rise

The City of Gilroy recently released its first quarter sales tax update for this fiscal year, demonstrating an 8 percent increase in cash receipts for the City and surpassing the average statewide gain of 3.7 percent. Growth was most pronounced in the new auto and miscellaneous vehicle sales sector with a 43.9 percent increase.

School board roundup: Aug. 21

GILROY—The start of the school year marked the end of several major projects within the Gilroy Unified School District.

Gilroy man premieres short film Wednesday

Peter Guenther was born and raised in the garlic city of Gilroy into a large family of seven brothers and sisters. He is the second youngest, was home-schooled until high school and attended South Valley Community Church.

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