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Sen. Elaine Alquist is sponsoring bill that could cost state $3

Community Solutions is one of those grassroots organizations that has flourished. It’s become an integral part of the social fabric in South County, improving lives as only a compassionate and capable social service agency can. The fundraiser to celebrate CS’s 40th birthday at Frank Leal’s impressively renovated Willow Heights Mansion, which is north and west of Morgan Hill, not only highlighted the good work done by CS CEO Erin O’Brien and her staff, but it showed off the community support that is so critical to the success of a community service agency. Master of Ceremonies Jayson Stebbins from Guild Mortgage Company really kept the program moving ahead while showing a real penchant for impromptu humor. And, if you haven’t been to the Mansion since Frank, the owner of Leal Vineyards in Hollister, bought it, try to make a point to go. It’s sharply spruced up, ready for weddings, events and soon to be open as a regular wine tasting station for Leal. Hats off to generous Gilroy McDonald’s owners Steve and Jan Peat for the donation of a limo ride and candlelight dinner auction item at MickeyD’s. Supervisor Mike Wasserman, who definitely deserves a break today, paddled up to win the Big Mac bid. Jim and Andrea Habing picked up a stunning wine lot donated by Erin O’Brien left from her late father’s wine collection. And Gilroy Councilman Perry Woodward outlasted a few bidders looking to spend a few days in the Grand Tetons. Great food, good time, beautiful setting and an organization worthy of strong support.

Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors votes 4-3

More than 1,200 Silicon Valley animals need a home for the holidays.  Silicon Valley animal shelters are launching “Shelters First” (www.sheltersfirst.org), an awareness campaign that targets the 67% of Santa Clara county households that love pets – encouraging everyone to find their next pet at a shelter.  (That’s over 400,000 families!)  Currently, only 25% of pet owners adopt from shelters.

World wine consumption dropped slightly in 2013 to 238.7 mhlThe United States became the biggest internal market in the world in terms of volumeEarly estimates of the 2014 harvest: low wine production in the southern hemisphere

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