Get excited for Porchfest
For the last few years, an event has blossomed out in a few places across the country called Porchfest. Local musicians play on well spaced out porches of private homes in a designated neighborhood where people in the area come to listen to them. Sometimes the porches are decorated. The purpose is to showcase local musical performers and to promote neighborliness. For this reason the events are free and musicians are not paid.
The first ever Porchfest Gilroy will take place this Saturday, Sept. 20 on Hanna Street between Third and Sixth streets, with a slight expansion onto Fourth and Fifth streets. Attendees will be handed a program to follow the times and addresses of performances, or people can just saunter down the street following what their ears hear from one venue to the next.
We have 20 performers including Bodfish, Patti Lemon, Mariachi Estalar and the young musicians called Headstrong.
Hanna Street will not be closed for this first time event, so spectators are expected to remain on the sidewalks.
There will be few or no parking spaces available on Hanna, as homeowners often park their cars on the street. We encourage people who need to drive to park their cars at the city lots surrounding City Hall on Seventh Street or at the Senior Center lot on Hanna Street, just south of Sixth Street, and to walk to the venue, or, to ride their bikes. Bike riding is encouraged.
Light weight folding chairs would be a good thing. We advise hats and sunscreen!
There will be no food or drink sold, so you may bring coolers for food and beverages. However, take away any by-products of your picnic. Pack it in, pack it out. Respect your neighbors.
NO ALCOHOL. City rules apply for this permitted event.
The Committee producing this first time event has high expectations. No doubt there will be some things that could have been done better. So it is important that we receive any and all comments as soon as it can be conveniently done. Email po*************@gm***.com or write to Porchfest Gilroy Committee, c/o CDeS, 1055 Montebello Drive, Gilroy CA 95020.
Eileen Cuevas, Barbar Bottini and Carol DeSantis, Porchfest Gilroy Committee
Vote no on Measure F
I live in Gilroy, but shop in both Gilroy and Morgan Hill. I have activities that take me to Morgan Hill and San Jose and if the sales tax increases from 8.75 percent to 9.25 percent, I will most definitely combine my shopping trips for when I am out of Gilroy.
I have income that does not prevent me from buying high-ticket items and those purchases along with grocery and household supplies shopping could save me $10 to $15 per month. I’m sure there are many that cannot afford to drive to another town, but if I’m already going, it costs me nothing more in gas.
I also wonder what would happen to the outlets. Once the out-of-towners that frequent these stores realize their decrease in purchase power, will they decide to go to the Milpitas mall? What would that do to the revenue Gilroy is now seeing? Could the city council be too aggressive and the result could reverse in a decrease in revenue rather than the $7,000,000 they hope to see annually from the Measure F, 1/2 cent sales tax? I’m voting NO!
Mike Mister, Gilroy
Financial impact of cap-and-trade
The rural community has borne the brunt of California’s economic downturn, including high unemployment rates and a lingering recession. Now is not the time for the California Air Resources Board to increase the cost of gas and diesel by 16 to 76 cents per gallon as a part of cap-and-trade regulations. While the goal of improving California’s environment is important, targeting consumers by increasing fuel prices is the harshest, most vindictive way to do so.
What’s even more troubling about the hidden gas tax is the length at which Sacramento decision-makers have gone to avoid discussing it. Residents of Central California, this tax increase will happen automatically if politicians say or do nothing. Ignoring or hiding the real and immediate impacts to consumers should concern business owners, employees, farmers and every single Californian who will pay more at the pump starting Jan. 1, 2015. If you share the same concerns about the impending rise in fuel taxes, please contact your local Assembly Member, State Senator and Gov. Jerry Brown.
Graham Mackie, Vice President, Dassel’s Petroleum, Inc., Hollister
There are no good rebels
Although I agree with President Obama that something needs to be done about ISIS terrorists cutting peoples heads off, I don’t agree that arming the “good rebels” is the solution. Quite frankly, there are no good rebels. Today’s good rebels are tomorrow’s bad rebels.
Today the Sunni Muslims are chopping off the heads of Shia Muslims. Tomorrow the Shia will be chopping off the heads of the Sunnis. When Reagan was president Osama bin Laden was his best buddy and we supported the Mujahideen freedom fighters who turned into the Taliban and Al Qaeda. All these people seem to want to do when they are free is kill each other, rape each other’s women, put women in black bags, and throw acid in the faces of little girls trying to go to school.
So I’m wondering if we are wrong spreading democracy to those who aren’t ready for it. It seems to me that the brutal dictator form of government is the best solution for them. They actually are far more civilized under a dictator than a democracy. I find myself longing for the days when Saddam Hussein was in charge. Iraq was far better off then than it is now. I think we should support Assad if we are going to take a side.
Marc Perkel, Gilroy
