Two Wednesday events will bring together community members to
learn about sexual assault issues and available services.
Protect Yourself Against Sexual Assault
Gilroy – Two Wednesday events will bring together community members to learn about sexual assault issues and available services. Gilroy police are teaming up with the nonprofit Community Solutions at 6pm Wednesday, June 27 at the Gilroy Police Department, 7301 Hanna St., to present information on sexual assault. For more information, call 776-6203.
A second event, held from 5pm to 8pm the same night at New Hope Community Church, 8886 Muraoka Drive, is a three-hour clinic held by Andy Weissman, a former Riverside police officer, and Gary Cates and Susan Shapiro, two bail enforcement agents from California Surety Investigations. The event is an open forum on how to avoid attacks, and what to do when they can’t be avoided. For more information, call the Rev. Chris Soto: 842-4857.
Both events are free and open to the public.
Driver in Kinkel Death Opts for Public Defender
Gilroy – Anthony McDowell, the driver who was convicted of vehicular manslaughter in 2005 in connection with the death of Gilroy teen Erin Kinkel, appeared Monday in Superior Court after being arrested for violating the terms of his probation. McDowell had done none of his court-ordered community service, and paid less than 1 percent of his court fees and restitution to the Kinkel family. The 21-year-old opted to be represented by the public defender. His next court date is scheduled for 9am Thursday, June 28.
California Highway Patrol Welcomes Three New Officers
Gilroy – Three new officers joined the California Highway Patrol’s Hollister-Gilroy office Monday. Andrew Mendonca, Scott Woodring and Trever Dalton recently graduated from the CHP Academy in west Sacramento, part of a class of 131 new officers. A CHP press release described the graduation as “the second wave of the first major expansion of the CHP in decades.”
New School Named After Former Board Pres. T.J. Owens
Gilroy – The Gilroy Unified School District board of trustees approved a resolution to the name the Gilroy Early College Academy after T.J. Owens, an educator who died in 2005. Owens served as a counselor and vice president of student services at Gavilan College from 1991 to 2001. He was also a trustee on the local school board and died in office as the board president. Because of his work with the public schools and the college, it would be appropriate to name the new, accelerated high school, which combines high school and college classes in four years, after Owens, current trustees said. The school is slated to open this fall with about 70 students.
Water Wise Gardening Program At Gilroy Library
Gilroy – Join the Master Gardeners at the Gilroy Library, Rosanna Street, for a program on Water Wise Gardening featuring local landscaper Dennis Roath at 7pm Wednesday. Roath has been in the landscaping business for many years and teaches classes on the subject. Is it possible to lower your water bill and still have a beautiful and productive garden? Learn how to make every drop count. This program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Details: 842-8207
Learn About Forensics From DNA Criminalist at the Library
Gilroy – Love to watch CSI? Come meet a DNA Criminalist from the Santa Clara County Crime Lab and learn about local cases in forensics at the Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St., at 6:30pm, Thursday.
Details: 842-8208 www.santaclaracountylib.org/teen/criminologist
Texas Hold ’em Tournament to Benefit Habitat for Humanity
Gilroy – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the Bay Area’s leading real estate company, will host a Texas Hold ’em tournament June 28 to raise money for the Silicon Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity, the organization that helps low-income families build their own homes.
The tournament will be held at Troy’s Bocce Room inside the Morgan Hill Bowl, 650 Tennant Station, in Morgan Hill beginning at 6pm. There is a $45 buy-in, which includes a tri-tip dinner. There will be a $20 re-buy and house rules apply. Non-players can also purchase dinner for $10. There will also be a silent auction, and trophies will be awarded following the tournament.
All funds raised during the event will assist Habitat in providing assistance for low-income home buyers in the Gilroy area. The tournament is just the latest in a series of fund-raising events that Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and the Gilroy office will host this summer as part of the company’s annual drive for Habitat for Humanity.
Each year, the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the real estate brokerage, produces a community-wide raffle. Sales associates throughout Northern California participate in selling raffle tickets from July through September and all proceeds are donated directly to Habitat for Humanity home construction in the areas served by Coldwell Banker offices. In 2006, the raffle generated more than $368,000. This year’s raffle launches July 9 and Coldwell Banker has set a goal of raising $500,000.
Details: Lisa Cassara at 710-6085 or e-mail to li**@**********ne.com, or DJ Simpson at 710-2096.
Local Perchlorate Advisory Group Meets Friday
San Martin – The next two Perchlorate Community Advisory Group meets from 2 to 5pm Friday, at the San Martin Lions Club Hall, 12415 Murphy Ave., San Martin.
Details: www.smnneigbor.org or www.valleywater.org.
Calling all Gilroy High School Class of ’97 Graduates
Gilroy – A 10-year reunion will take place Aug. 11 at the Fortino Winery.
Details: Laura Salazar at la********@*****il.com
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail ed****@****ic.com.
