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After years of writing this column, I sometimes feel a little cocky thinking I know virtually all the nearby parks and preserves. A couple weekends ago, I led a trip into the remote east side of Henry W. Coe State Park. A woman who was on the trip told me about a preserve I had never heard of in Watsonville that she loves and hikes regularly. So much for my comprehensive knowledge.

Bill and Lawana Clem, formerly of Gilroy, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary July 26. The couple married in San Martin in 1945 and raised their four children, Larry, Glenda, Marilyn and Bruce, in South Santa Clara County. Bill Clem, a World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Force 303rd Bomb Group, worked as a carpenter for 16 years and later became building inspector for the City of Gilroy until his retirement. Lawana Clem worked for Gilroy Cannery for 39 years. The Clems retired to Oklahoma in 1989. They have six grandchildren, one step-granddaughter, two step-great-grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

Births, Weddings, Honors and more

Elena Miles says she would rather risk death than pay the exorbitant cost of riding in a Rural Metro Santa Clara County EMS ambulance, which is not considered in-network for any major insurance providers.

Inductees of the 2018 Gilroy High School Hall of Fame were honored last Friday at the boys basketball game. The inductees had their name on a new Hall of Fame board that is on the wall of the gymnasium. Ten inductees made the 2018...

Fifty years ago this month, President John F. Kennedy visited Pacheco Pass and gave a speech I wish every American politician today might take to heart. He gave it to a crowd of Californians who met on Saturday, Aug. 18, 1962 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the San Luis Dam site in the eastern hills of the Diablo Mountain Range. The words Kennedy spoke that hot, dusty, summer day are not well-remembered now, but I believe they offer wise advice on what good governing is all about.

Upper Penitencia Creek slashes a deep gorge in the Diablo Range near the northeast corner of San Jose. The lower portion of the gorge comprises Alum Rock Park with trails and picnic grounds close to the creek. Most of the lands you see rising high above Alum Rock Park are part of Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, a 1,676-acre area that virtually encircles the cavernous Upper Penitencia Creek drainage.

A saint, from the Latin word for “holy,” is a person recognized for a life of great virtue. Although originally a word used in Christianity, scholars say most world religions have terms for comparable historical figures.

Beginning in 2018, the Monterey Bay and Mission Trail leagues will merge to form a super league dubbed the Pacific Coast Athletic League. This will feature a similar configuration as the current MTAL and MBL breakdowns with teams being placed into equity divisions between their...

A group of Gilroy hair stylists and Christopher High School students joined forces last week to help some homeless neighbors. Hair stylists Lovell Adams and Christina Colon, along with members of Gilroy Pride and students from Christopher High School’s “out activism in action” donated some...