Svm1809

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN

MARCH 2, 2018

A supplement to the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times

UT ABO & T OU OF DA R N E CA L E N TS EV

Leaving a Trail

Gary Walton is Gilroy’s 2018 Man of the Year

WINE PASSPORT P12 | ON SENIORS P16 | SNOWSHOEING P17

MARCH 2, 2018

St. Louise Regional Hospital

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We have been named a Baby-Friendly® Hospital – the FIRST South Bay facility to earn this designation.

Sponsored by the United Nations International Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization, this earned accreditation recognizes the we are exceptional at teaching breastfeeding skills and help new mothers adjust to nursing.

9400 No Name Uno, Gilroy, CA 95020 • stlouise.verity.org

Robert Eliason

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CONTRIBUTIONS Walton attended SJSU where he pursued a

double major, business finance and real estate, his two passions.

MAGAZINE

64 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy, CA Mailing address: P.O. Box 516, Gilroy, CA 95021 Phone: 408-842-6400

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Publisher

Dan Pulcrano Associate Publisher

Jeannette Close Editor

Debra Eskinazi Calendar Editor

Tia Sundberg Contributing Writers

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Cover Story

Jenny Arbizu, Wallace Baine, Janet Enright, Ron Erskine, Kimberly Ewertz, Susan Rife, Colleen Grzan, Cheryl Huguenor, Emanuel Lee, Laura Ness, Kate Russell, Neera Siva Advertising Account Executives

Kelly Been, Carrie Bonato, Vanessa Deleon, Scott Harvey Design Director

Kara Brown Production Operations Manager

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Crush

Sean George Editorial Production Manager

Katherine Manlapaz

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Preview: Theater

Cover photograph by:

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Theater

Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

16 On Seniors

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

advertising@newsvmedia.com Phone:

17 Getting Out

408.842.9404

MARCH 2, 2018

10 Calendar

Robert Eliason

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TOMORROW’S PROMISE

MARCH 2, 2018

Dedicated Gary Walton named 2018 Man of the Year says he hopes today’s youth are the answer to community revitalization.

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THE CARETAKER OF GILROY GARY WALTON Gilroy’s Man of the Year on living his passion

BY KIMBERLY EWERTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT ELIASON

G

late last year at a Downtown Gilroy Business Association meeting, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce CEO, Mark Turner, announced Walton been chosen for 2018 Man of the Year. Walton admits he was a bit uncomfortable at being singled out “He embarrassed me and I turned red,” Walton says.

“I really don’t go looking for accolades, I just do the best that I can do.”

Walton says he thinks most people that win these things don’t set out to win, they just do what they enjoy doing.

“If your heart’s in it I think it shows,” he says. “It’s nice to be recognized, I’m honored,

really. But is it going to make a difference with what I do with it or without it? No. Because I still have the same passion.”

Walton’s dedication to improve the city of Gilroy and preserve its history is evidenced through his years of involvement in the community. He’s currently the President/Design Committee Chair of the Gilroy Downtown Business Association and president of the Miller Red Barn Association Committee. Walton also serves on the Gilroy Unreinforced Masonry Committee, and is a member of the Gilroy Dispatch Editorial Board. ➝ 6

MARCH 2, 2018

ary Walton’s passion to revitalize Gilroy, in particular the downtown, began decades ago. In 1987, he built his first residential development on Santa Teresa, and since that time his contributions to the Gilroy community have never stopped.

Walton is a man who personifies what it means to go above and beyond; his exemplary level of dedication and commitment to the community is pervasive in every action.

While a huge advocate for community growth, Walton was still surprised when

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Volunteer to Help a Child in Your Community

GARY WALTON

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There are 100 children in foster care waiting for a friend, mentor and advocate

Visit www.BeMyAdvocate.org

MARCH 2, 2018

SHOWING HEART Walton says he’s walking the path of community pioneers before him and hopes visionaries will follow.

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“I’m just a caretaker, really,” Walton says. “The only thing that I can do is take care of that history, try to make it better and hopefully someone else will appreciate it and take care of it as well as I did when I’m not here anymore.”

Walton’s caretaking includes numerous award-winning construction projects located throughout the city and beyond. The Victorian home on Martin Street, originally owned by Dr. Thayer and built in 1887 is one he’s particularly proud of, as is his relocation of the Morgan Hill Elementary School which received a Governor’s award for preservation.

“I did the Morgan Hill elementary school that was on the corner of Dunne and Monterey,” he says.

“We moved that to Llagas. I broke that into 16 pieces and drug it 2.5miles and put it all back together.”

Relocating buildings is big, but among Walton’s proudest accomplishments is his introduction to

mixed-use housing to the downtown area in 1999.

“We’ve built like five or six new mixed-use developments and Morgan Hill hasn’t built anything, we’re the leader,” says Walton.

Walton, father and grandfather of two, was born in Oceanside and graduated from Pacific Grove High School in the mid ’70s. He attended San Jose State where he pursued a double major, business finance and real estate, his two passions.

He moved to Morgan Hill in 1979 and embarked on a career in banking as a real estate appraiser.

Soon he moved into construction lending and became vice president in the real estate department at a startup bank.

In 1982, he and an associate went into business together and created Overland Properties. Three years later the business closed and Walton struck out on his own with, Custom One, Inc., a general remodeling and construction business located ➝ 15

OUT & ABOUT MORGAN HILL

HOLI EVENT POSTPONED Join the Indian Association of South County (IASC) for its fifth annual Holi Event and Potluck. Holi, The Festival of Colours, is one of the largest festivals in India, celebrating the end of the winter season. Guests are invited to join the celebration, wear their bright whites and bring a delicious treat to share. Join the fun Sunday, April 15, 11am-3pm at Community Park, Gazebo area, 171 W. Edmundson Ave. For more information, visit iascinfo.com.

GILROY

KICKOFF CELEBRATION Experience a night of wine tasting, enjoying the flavors of local restaurants and live music at the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Spring Passport Month Kickoff Party. Kickoff Celebration ticket purchase includes the Passport Book that grants admission into all the tasting rooms for the entire Passport month of tasting at more than 30 wineries along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail. Join the Kickoff Celebration Friday, March 2, 6-8pm at Coyote Creek Golf Club, 1 Coyote Creek Golf Drive. Visit santaclarawines.com.

GILROY

COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR Join Mayor Roland Velasco for Conversation and Coffee with the Mayor: State of the CIty Address. Discuss issues, share ideas, ask questions and connect in a friendly, casual environment. All are welcome to attend Saturday, March 3, 9:30-11am at Gilroy Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St. For more information, visit cityofgilroy.org.

MORGAN HILL

Appreciate classic blues and rock at its best with South 46 Band’s full, well-balanced sound. Enjoy this seven-member band of great musicians performs the music of The Allman Brothers Band brand of blues rock music Saturday, March 3, 8-11pm at GVA Cafe Bistro, 17400 Monterey St. For more information, visit south46.com.

MARCH 2, 2018

SOUTH 46

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THEATER

Murder at the abbey

Robert Eliason

MYSTERY Actors Jossie Scarcella and Kassandra Zarate ponder the

missing butler’s whereabouts in ‘Murder at Rundown Abbey.’

Dinner theater with Inspire Performing Arts Academy MARCH 2, 2018

By JENNY ARBIZU

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I

t’s a familiar story for many.

And for some, even a binge-worthy one: A tale that follows a well-to-do family in 1920s Britain, where the focal point is the class-division that separates them from their servants.

But unlike the television drama that inspired it (Downton Abbey), the play, “Murder at Rundown Abbey,” includes a mysterious murder.

And the well-to-do family it depicts?

“It’s a family that is a little more along the progression of falling out of wealth than Downton Abbey is,” says producer, Tristan Clayson. “It’s just a little bit more of a rundown setting.”

Inspire Performing Arts Academy’s (IPAA) Teen Dinner Theater

murder mystery opens at Paine’s Restaurant on Friday, March 2.

Directed by IPAA owner, Sally Hail, and produced by Tristan Clayson, the show follows a private eye, Sam Splayed (played by Cole Barker), in London, going undercover as the new butler at the rambling ancestral home of the Crumbledown family.

Sam finds the family has been plagued by a string of bad luck, and when a psychic assistant comes forward who was told by the previous butler that he was murdered, the rundown home and reputation of the Crumbledowns crumble even more.

Alexandra Sims-Werolin, who plays Sybil Snodley-Snippett is excited about finally showing this play to an audience.

“It’s going well; it’s gonna be a great show.” she says. “And just seeing the stage and to see us all come together in costume and full props, I’m so excited.”

The 90-minute show features an ensemble cast, all having studied their characters in-depth—all the way down to their accents.

“I try to go and do things that will allow the kids to go outside of themselves,” says Hail. “So for this particular one, I wanted them to study RP British and Yorkshire dialect.”

And according to Clayson, these accents may even act as a clue to the murder itself.

“This particular murder mystery doesn’t foreshadow as well as many do, because there’s a twist in who the person is,” Clayson says.

Clayson also adds that the tone of this play is lighthearted, but Hail assures that audiences won’t be disappointed.

“Audiences can expect to be entertained and be able to come here with their families,” she says.

Hail lowered the cost for children, making it more attainable to the whole family to enjoy.

While adult guests will receive chicken, with a side and vegetables, (all courtesy of Paine’s Restaurant), a children’s menu and vegetable option will be also be available. A cash bar will be open for adults 21 and over. Doors will open for guests at 6pm, with dinner at 6:30 pm, and the show beginning at 7pm.

“I’m excited for people to come and enjoy comradery, enjoy people at their table, sit with others. Just have a really nice evening,” Hail says.

IPAA’s ‘Murder at Rundown Abbey’ is running Mar. 2 - Mar. 11, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm.

Tickets available at Paine’s Restaurant, or call IPAA at 831.635.0553.

Purchase online at ipaacademy.com.

Tickets are $30; $20 for children 12 and under; $220 for a table of 8.

Tickets purchased at door are additional $5 per person.

THEATER

Millie takes Manhattan

Elizabeth Mandel

EMERALDS Muzzy (Mia Veltri) explaining green glass love to Millie (Brianna Pember) in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie.’

SVCT’s ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ charms audiences

young woman from Kansas who heads off to New York City.

Millie Dillmount shows up in Manhattan in 1922 with a firm plan: Find a job as a secretary to a wealthy businessman and then marry him. It wouldn’t be a musical if things didn’t go wrong from the first, with Millie shortly divested of her handbag, hat, scarf and one shoe in the rough and tumble of city life. She takes a room at a grubby hotel where the landlady has sinister connections to the white slave trade, and her new boss shows no sign of proposing marriage.

Brianna Pember’s Millie is sassy and funny, and although

South Valley Civic Theatre presents ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie.’

Performances through March 17 at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, Fifth and Monterey, Morgan Hill. www.svtc.org.

MARCH 2, 2018

By SUSAN L. RIFE

I

n two years of seeing shows staged by South Valley Community Theatre, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the talent displayed by local actors, with some of the best demonstrated by teenagers.

This opinion was confirmed by the current production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, the company’s annual teen musical.

From the title role, vivaciously played by Brianna Pember, down through the hapless Bun Foo and Ching Ho (Thanachai Kapinkan and Emily Pember), director Janell Cummings has drawn a terrific cast to animate this charming story about a wide-eyed

Millie might be a bit naïve, she’s no country bumpkin. It takes her just half of the title song for her to ditch the country ensemble and long curls for a snazzy red flapper-style dress, cloche hat and bobbed haircut.

Pember is thoroughly comfortable as Millie. On opening night, her lovely singing voice was a bit overmatched by the live 15-piece orchestra, but she makes up for a lack of volume with her full embrace of the role.

Newcomer Roberto Nolasco is a perfect foil to Pember as Jimmy Smith. He’s got a relaxed, easy style as a penniless young man who’s streetwise until he quite literally falls for Millie. His “What Do I Need with Love?” is poignant and sweet.

Millie gets some great support from her new friends in New York, specifically Melodie Knapp as Miss Dorothy Brown. Pember and Knapp’s voices merge nicely on “How the Other Half Lives.”

Stealing virtually every scene she’s in is Lucy Kaelin as the dastardly Mrs. Meers, who pretends to be a friendly Chinese landlady to young women at her hotel, but then conspires to sell them into slavery.

Kaelin gets the deadpan delivery of “Sad to be All Alone in the World” when she learns a new tenant is an orphan just right, and her funny renditions of “They Don’t Know” and “Muqin” are show stoppers.

Alan Chipman leads a solid pit orchestra, and costume designs by Michelle Griffin, Alicia Corso and Adrianne Wilkinson are spot on.

Andrew Cummings’ elaborate set captures the nuances of 1920s New York City but on opening night was slow and cumbersome in the set changes.

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& CALENDAR OA

SPRING PASSPORT

MARCH 2, 2018

Join the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley for an exciting month of wine tasting along the Santa Clara Valley WIne Trail during Spring Passport 2018.

Throughout the month of March meet the talented winemakers and enjoy complimentary wine tasting, other surprises and special perks at the tasting rooms of more than 30 wineries along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail.

Enjoy Spring Passport 2018 March 2-31. Purchase passports at Gilroy Welcome Center, 8155-6 Arroyo Circle, Building A, Gilroy or online at springpassport.eventbrite.com. For individual winery hours, days of operation and a list of partnering restaurants, visit santaclarawines.com.

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GILROY HISTORIC TOUR Learn about the historic districts of Gilroy the first Saturday of each month

during Historic Walking Tours.

Join members of the Gilroy Historical Society Saturday, March 3, 10am-noon for a free walking Women’s History Tour. Reservations

are recommended, but not required.

Meet at the Gilroy Historical Museum, 195 Fifth Street. For more information, call the Gilroy Museum at 408.846.0446.

PLANT NIGHT Enjoy a unique night out and create a succulentfilled terrarium at Plant Night. Plant Night is a new way to go out, have fun and feel good. Participants will be guided through two lively hours of creativity, drinking and laughing ‘til their cheeks hurt, and will be provided everything needed to create a gorgeous terrarium. Experience Plant Night Sunday, March 4, 5-7pm at Bella Viva Wine Bar, 7423 Monterey St. For more information and tickets, visit bvristorante.com.

MORGAN HILL MUSICAL ROMP Join South Valley Civic Theater at its production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Based on the 1967 Academy Award winning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie is set in 1922 and takes audiences back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City as young Millie Dillmount searches for a new life for herself. Enjoy this musical production Friday, Feb. 23 - Saturday, Mar. 17, Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm, Sundays, 2:30pm at Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Road. For tickets and information, visit svct.org.

OPEN HOUSE Experience what

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

Gavilan College

BACH TO BLUES

Enjoy regional talent at Bach to Blues 2018, the annual Gavilan College faculty concert with special guests. This fundraising concert showcases regional talent with performing artists including the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition, Gavilan Performance Ensemble and guest artists. All proceeds benefit the Gavilan College Music Program. Bach to Blues 2018 will be held Saturday, March 17, 7pm at The Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd, Gilroy. For more information, visit gavilan.edu/bachtoblues.

INDIVISIBLE MOVEMENT Join Indivisible South Valley, a grassroots effort aligned with the national

Indivisible Movement, in working to protect the democracy and core values of society, with a focus on local communities. Indivisible South Valley meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Attend the next meeting on Wednesday, March 14, 7-8:30pm at Centennial Recreation Center, 171 W. Edmundson Ave. For more information, visit indivisblesv.org.

TRES PINOS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Be transported with old timey bluegrass tunes at the Brookdale Bluegrass Festival. For the first time, Eric Burman’s Brookdale Bluegrass Festival will take place at the San

Check out the Kids Food Festival with the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. Have a good time learning about healthy eating with delicious recipes, games and hands-on activities. Enjoy a balanced-plate scavenger hunt, whip up a fruit smoothie on the Blender Bike and nourish lives by preparing food kids for distribution. Have a deliciously good time Sunday, March 11, noon-4pm at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. For more information, visit cdm.org.

Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos. Blue Summit with AJ Lee, Jeff Baldwin with Harmony Grits and The Honeysuckle Possums will headline this festival of more than ten bluegrass and old timey acts. Also enjoy camping, food vendors and self contained RV spaces. The Brookdale Bluegrass Festival will be held Friday-Sunday, March 9-11 at San Benito County Historical Park, 8300 Highway 25.

For tickets and more information, visit brookdalebluegrass.com.

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA CRAB FEED Catch the first annual

fundraiser for Crēdo Studio at Crēdo’s Crab Feed Cabaret. Enjoy an all out gala affair in three parts.

Begin the evening with a tour of Crēdo’s new studio at 1 Polk St, San Juan Bautista and pick up a “swag bag” of goodies, drink tickets and party favors for the evening. Next, take a short stroll to the event center and continue the evening by feasting on an all-you-can-eat crab dinner while enjoying entertainment, a silent auction and more. Last, but not least, experience the cabaret featuring local talent all done up to the nines. Be a part of something grand Saturday, March 10, 6-10pm at Timeless Treasures, 507 Third St. For tickets and information, visit tinyurl.com/y9eorxjq. ➝ 13

MARCH 2, 2018

Morgan Hill Parent Child Nursery School has to offer at its open house.

Morgan Hill Parent Child Nursery School is a Co-op that gives parents the chance to be a part of their child’s pre-education. The primary goal of the school is to create an environment that helps each child grow and develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Attendees are encouraged to bring their children to visit the school, play and meet the director and teacher. Attend the open house Saturday, March 3, 10am-noon at 16870 Murphy Ave. For more information, visit mhpcns.com.

KIDS FOOD FEST

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WINE

discover Campus Tour

March 14, 9:30am

MountMadonnaSchool.org 408-847-2717 Pre/K - 12th grade

CAIS & WASC accredited | Nonsectarian | Bus Transportation Available | Founded in 1979

OENOPHILES REJOICE More than 30 wineries of Santa Clara Valley will participate in 2018 Passport, March 2-31, 2018.

Wine month

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Give me a call today to see how I can help you while rates are still low

MARCH 2, 2018

Featured Mortgage Loan Officer for South County

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Santa Clara Valley Passport brings the party By LAURA NESS

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ne thing’s certain about the upcoming Kick-Off Party for Santa Clara Valley Passport on March 2, at Coyote Creek Golf Club—there will be ample food to complement the abundant wine.

Local businesses including Bubbles Wine Bar & Bistro, Forbes Grill, GVA Cafe, Huntington Station, Ladera Grill, La Niña Perdida, Mama Mia’s, Noah’s Bistro, Odeum, Rosy’s at the Beach, Old City Hall, Pineapple Village and The Milias Restaurant will prepare an amazing spread. Music will be performed by local guitarist, Kevan Smedt. People who purchase tickets before March 2 will get a chance to win a stay at Rosewood Cordevalle.

Passports not only open doors to great tasting experiences all month long, but they also unlock some

great Partner Deals, all detailed at santaclarawines.com.

In a nutshell, many restaurants will offer free corkage for the month of March on local wines, a considerable savings and a sweet incentive including Café Thyme, Huntington Station, Ladera Grill, Mamma Mia’s, Morgan Hill Cigar & Wine, Noah’s Bistro, Odeum, Prova, Rosy’s at the Beach, Old City Hall, Pineapple Village and The Milias Restaurant.

Additionally, many Passport Partner businesses are offering deep discounts including Bubbles Wine Bar & Bistro offering 50 percent off local wine (1 bottle limit) and 15 percent off select appetizers and Bella Viva offering 25 percent of a bottle off local wine with the purchase of a pizza to name a few. For information, visit santaclarawines.com/passport.html.

OA & CALENDAR

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Henry W. Coe State Park

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

Visit Coe Park for Raincoats and Rubber Boots. Bring raincoats and rubber boots to play in the creek, float rubber ducks and boats and hike along the creek on a scavenger hunt to discover plants and animals that exist there.

Kids are encouraged to bring bikes and helmets to ride the obstacle course under supervision of experienced mountain bikers. Join the fun Saturday, March 3, 10:30am-2:30pm at Henry W. Coe State Park, Hunting Hollow Entrance, Gilroy. Visit coepark.net.

EVENTS

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS Make a difference and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Morgan Hill by joining Morgan Hill’s Urban Forest Advisory Group. Energetic and forward thinking individuals are needed to establish a group that will be the community voice for tree plantings throughout 2018. This group will assist City staff between March and July with creating fun, informative ways to care for trees in the community as well as taking part in the tree October tree planting

detective, Saturday, March 10, 10-11am at Coyote Lake Park, 10840 Coyote Lake Road, Gilroy. Meet at the RV Campground Amphitheater.

For reservations, call 408.842.7800.

For more information, visit sccgov. org/sites/parks.

BLACK HISTORY Join the Gilroy Center for the Arts at the fourth annual Black History Month Exhibit. Experience the featured art of black folk artists, collage artists, photographers, sculptors and more through March 3 at Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St, Gilroy. Admission to the gallery and receptions are always free. For more information, visit gilroyartsalliance.com.

IRISH DANCE Join the Spirit of Salinas Irish Dancers in their St. Patrick’s Celebration Irish Dance Explosion. Enjoy a special guest appearance by the International Irish Class & Wee Feet Irish Class. This free event also features live singing

by Four on the Floor. Enjoy the show Sunday, March 11, 2-4pm at Salinas Police Activities League, 100 Howard St, Salinas. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ycsf9zhk.

CHILD ADVOCATES Learn how to serve as a positive and supportive person to a child in the Santa Clara County foster care system at Child Advocates of Silicon Valley’s South County Volunteer Information Session.

Gain information on becoming a friend, mentor and advocate for a foster child Tuesday, March 6, 5-6pm at Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey St, Morgan Hill. For tickets and information, visit tinyurl.com/ybzyf3ep.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Registration is open for the Children’s Discovery Museum’s Summer of Service. This awardwinning program connects teens in grades 7-10 with volunteer opportunities with an emphasis on service and responsibility. Teens have the option to select from five focus areas including community outreach, early childhood education, the environment, leadership development and more during six separate one-week sessions. Teens can sign up for one, two or all six weeks. This program runs from June 25-August 3, Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/yc69hmxl.

NATURAL HEALING Join the Healing Strong support group and connect and learn with others healing naturally from cancer and other conditions. Discover a trusted list of natural health resources at this educational and empowering meeting. The March meeting will focus on helpful supplements and what not to eat during healing. Heal strong Thursday, March 8, 6:308:30pm at The Healing Space, 503 Vineyard Town Center, Morgan Hill. Visit doloreskentyoga.com/ the-healing-space.

WILDLIFE DETECTIVE Join park staff at Coyote Lake Park and examine clues that animals leave behind. Participants are invited to use their detective skills and explore the natural wonders of Coyote Lake on a short hike. Be a wildlife

RECIPE SUBMISSIONS Amateur chefs are invited to submit their original recipes for The Gilroy Garlic Festival’s 40th annual Great Garlic Cook-Off amateur cooking competition. Eight finalists will be selected to compete on stage at the Gilroy Garlic Festival on Saturday, July 28, 2018 for the garlic crown and grand prize of $5,000. Each original recipe must include a minimum of six cloves of fresh garlic or three teaspoons of chopped or minced garlic. Submit original recipes for Great Garlic Cook-Off by May 1. For entry rules and more information, visit gilroygarlicfestival.com.

MARCH 2, 2018

JAZZ BASH Experience a full weekend party of early jazz at Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay. This wall-to-wall weekend of vintage jazz and swing is celebrating its 38th anniversary with a festival that is bringing together the many colorful forms of the roots of early jazz. Enjoy Dixieland, traditional jazz, swing, gypsy jazz, ragtime, blues and zydeco as dozens of guest bands, artists and youth bands perform throughout the weekend. Jazz Bash by the Bay will be held Friday-Sunday, March 2-4, 11am-5pm at Monterey Conference

Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey.

For tickets and more information, visit jazzbashmonterey.com.

party at the Outdoor Sports Center.

An expertise in trees is not needed, but an enthusiasm to make a difference in the community is ideal.

For more information or to express interest, call 669.253.4251 or email christina.raby@morganhill.ca.gov.

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FRENCH FRIES

WITH PURCHASE OF BURGER AND DRINK HURRY, OFFER ENDS MARCH 31

Crystal Patino, Sabrina Hernandez, Dr. Kinberly Antrim, Lesslie Bozzo and Sylvia Medina

Kinberly Antrim, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry MARCH 2, 2018

7880 Wren Ave Suite A-113, Gilroy

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Call

408 337-8950 for an appointment

Mondays: 1pm-7pm Tuesdays: 1pm-7pm Wednesdays: 8am-5pm Thursdays: 7am-1pm

FEED HOPE

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8401 Church Street cafe152burgerco.com 408.767.2868

Our mission is to end support hunger and malnutrition by educating and involving the community.

Fridays: 7am-1pm Saturdays: 7am-1pm

Putting the most fearful patients at ease Call

(408) 337-8950

for an appointment

800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville California, 95076 831-722-7110

GARY WALTON

6 downtown revitalization for years, and he’s not about to stop now.

“There’s a symbiotic relationship between the downtown and the neighborhoods that surround it,” Walton says.

“We really need to put more effort into our neighborhoods,” he says. “I’ve always seen the potential, it’s trying to convince other people of that potential.”

As enthusiastic as he is about downtown, Walton’s interests and goals expand far beyond.

“I think there are a lot of improvements we can make as a community in terms of economic development, provide jobs for people, lifting everybody’s boat up in terms of wages, and skills, and education,” Walton says.

For Walton, the key here is community revitalization. Over the years he’s come to realize to achieve the innumerable goals he’s set for himself—it will take help. He believes today’s youth are the answer.

“I think younger people, because of social media, they’re not into all the committees, they just want to go and make something happen,” Walton insists. “I think it’s tapping into that, our youth, because I think they want to get stuff done. I’m seeing some of that here.

Things are beginning to change.”

On Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Spice of Life Awards, Walton received his award. In his acceptance speech he conveyed pride for those pioneers who came before him and hope for those visionaries who will follow.

“I'd like to believe that I am leaving a trail behind, but I also realize that most of the time, I am walking on a well-worn path that so many others before me have tread, sharing their gifts with Gilroy, believing it would make it a better place along the way,” Walton stated in his speech.

“I want to believe that I have much more to contribute,” he says. “I hope I can blaze new trails that didn't exist before, so that others may find their way and build on whatever my contributions may have been.”

Walton encourages everyone to, “follow your passions, to share your gifts, to give back to your community, both in time and resources.

Make your town, your neighborhood, or your street, a better place.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, LEAVE A TRAIL.”

Master of Science in Engineering

specialization in Battery Technologies

cies.sjsu.edu/Battery Influence your career.

MARCH 2, 2018

in Morgan Hill. In 1999 Walton moved his business to Gilroy, where it has remained ever since.

“Back then I just thought it, (Gilroy) had a lot of vitality,” Walton says. “There were always people on the street here—a lot of activity. It’s kind of a unique city in the sense that it really has more of a sense of community than most cities.”

Walton’s love for Gilroy is tied to his love of older neighborhoods, especially those built in the 1920s, which he feels exemplify character of Gilroy.

“Gilroy still has the vestiges of that kind of home town, and really, I think that’s one of the great assets that we really need to continue to develop, is that uniqueness, and that connection that I think a lot of people are looking for,’” Walton says.

In his role as chair of the Downtown Specific Task Force from 2002 to 2005 Walton’s goal was to, “delve deeper into what it takes to make a great downtown and by extension a great community.”

“You can’t have a great downtown without great neighborhoods around it, and you can’t have great neighborhoods without having a great downtown,” he says. “They’re tied together and we really haven’t crossed that threshold.”

The front porch to every community is its downtown, adds Walton.

“For a long time, downtown Gilroy’s been the back door to the community,” he says. “It’s not the first place you take visitors to and it should be. It’s the repository of our history and our culture and those who came before us.”

Local business owners agree that Walton’s continued pursuit of revitalizing downtown is just what the city needs.

“I find him to be such a visionary about what downtowns are about and how they should get back to where they once were,” says David Peoples, owner of Garlic City Mercantile.

“He’s a preservationist and he is a bulldog when it comes to trying to get to where he thinks we need to go.”

Lynne Mosley, owner of Itty Bitty Beauty Boutique agrees with Peoples and believes that Walton is more than worthy of the prestigious award.

“You can tell that Gary has a love of this town and he wants to see the town do better, and better, and better,” says Mosley.

Walton has been pushing for the

15

ON SENIORS

Living after loss

BECOMING A WIDOWER Loneliness, financial pressures, and legal issues are only

a few of the many challenges widows and widowers must face.

Surviving the transition into widowhood MARCH 2, 2018

By CHERYL HUGUENOR

16

M

y mom would visibly cringe whenever she was referred to as a “widow.” I think the term reminded her anew of the loss of my dad, and made her feel older than her years. Yet, after losing a spouse, she was in the company of millions of others. It is probably no surprise that more seniors than any other age group have been widowed, and more of them are female, as women continue to live longer than men. The website, sisterhoodofwidows.com, states that 45 percent of women over the

age of 65 are widows. Loneliness, financial pressures, and legal issues are only a few of the many challenges widows must face.

For perspective on the topic, I turned to one of our volunteers here at Live Oak Adult Day Services. Renette Torres visits monthly to talk about her world travels with her late husband, Danny. She was widowed after 56 years of a happy marriage, and the transition was excruciating. She decided to join with other widows of her acquaintance to write a book titled, “Widow’s Peek,” a peek into the lives of women facing

this challenging time of life. They struggle, but have humor and a lot of heart to pull themselves through it. They hope their experiences can help other women.

Torres says that, for her, the biggest change was feeling so alone.

Supportive friends move on after the funeral, but the widow’s life is forever changed. She has to learn how to do everything herself. Torres’s recommendations: find a good car repairman and handyman that you trust, learn how to manage your finances, and get a good attorney, “because people will try to take advantage of you. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself in any situation.” A new experience for her was learning how to pay bills by computer, which is not always the choice of older women. Torres says, though, “You have to get with the times and learn these things, because it makes life so much easier.”

Support groups can be an enormous help to seniors dealing with the loss of a spouse. Online support groups are available, as well. Simply type in “widow support groups” and you will see many pages of possibilities. The Sisterhood of Widows website mentioned above offers resources and ways to cope and move forward. Others, such as the heartachetohealing.com website offer a variety of resources including organized activities for widows to participate in without feeling like a third wheel. There are groups for widows of military personnel, too, and, and other specialized groups. If none seem to fit your needs, try what Torres did when she was first widowed: make a list of all the widows you know and invite them over. Her meeting led to “Widow’s Peek,” but your own meeting might lead to a weekly get-together than can be a lifesaver in difficult times.

Cheryl Huguenor is the program director at Live Oak Adult Day Services in Gilroy. For more information visit liveoakadultdaycare.org.

GETTING OUT

Summit snowshoeing

Ron Erskine

STEEP SNOWSHOES Morgan Hill native Dave Sellers perched atop the summit of Brokeoff Mountain with Mt. Shasta in the background.

Ron Erskine preps for the 2018 Challenge

By RON ERSKINE

T

one of us is an experienced snowshoer; it is a 2,600-foot climb from the trailhead; Truman was president when I was born. Counterpoint: What an adventure! Let's go!

Dark and early Super Bowl Sunday morning, we left Dave's house, the morning light just beginning to warm Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain through the windshield. Alone at the trailhead, packs stuffed and shouldered, we strapped on our shiny new snowshoes, looked up, swallowed hard, and set out.

Snow buried the footpath up Brokeoff, but Dave and I had been here before and knew the general

MARCH 2, 2018

he Brokeoff Mountain Challenge is well underway. We have completed two of our six prep hikes as we look toward July 14, the day we take on 9,235-foot Brokeoff Mountain in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Dave Sellers, a native of Morgan Hill transplanted to Lake Almanor, recently called me with a suggestion: Come up for a visit, and let's snowshoe up this summer's challenge peak. The spirit of adventure instantly wiped away the meek opposition posed by common sense concerns that might give one pause: snow will conceal the trails; neither

route. Each of us has experience traveling cross country in the wilderness, but as added security we had a GPS app that showed our location relative to the established trail. While it would help for reference, we navigated by looking ahead and using common sense.

The first mile climbed gently through a forest of mature red firs and along a newly born creek. Forest clearings glittered with untouched snow mounds tarnished only by our tracks. The forest thinned. Up ahead, 2,000-feet of rugged rock and an ever steepening slope.

We edged up the side of the ridge that descends from the summit of Brokeoff and separates the two passable faces of the mountain.

When we reached the top that ridge our near-forest world expanded to far horizons. The snow-dusted Yolla Bolly Mountains rose across the Sacramento Valley and Sutter Buttes poked above low-lying valley murk down near Yuba City.

From the ridge, the established trail makes a long traverse across the huge broad back of Brokeoff, but we couldn't resist the more direct route straight above us. Up, up, and more up over rocky terrain dotted with occasional windwhipped mountain hemlocks, until at last, thankfully, no more up.

What a day: stillness, silence, and shirtsleeves at 9,235-feet in February. Up north, every detail of Mount Shasta sparkled. From the base of the sheer north face of Brokeoff, the landscape rose steadily to the top of Lassen Peak, three crow-flying miles away.

I have rarely felt fatigue to match what I felt as I tossed my now much less shiny snowshoes into the car, but such a fine fatigue. Sober judgment and common sense have their place, but I am glad that the spirit of adventure won out on this occasion. If you have accepted the Brokeoff Mountain Challenge, July 14 will be a memorable day.

17

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