Fine arts showcase at St. Mary School

The arts are alive at St. Mary School. Students, grades K through 8 will showcase their accomplishments beginning at 6:30 p.m. today in St. Mary Catholic Church, 11 First Sdt. The public is invited to join school children and their families to hear this year's band class perform under the direction of Tom Brozene.

Music Director Melissa Broome will lead classes in show tune classics. Families are invited to gather in the school gym and hallways to view works of art created under the direction of Sheryl Program, St. Mary School's art program director.

Classrooms will be open to view student projects from the current school year.

Details: 842-2827.

Fun at the Gilroy Library

Enter a Teen Poetry Contest at the Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St. One winner from middle school and one from high school will receive a $25 cash prize. Deadline is today. A complete rules and entry forms are available at the library and online at www.santaclaracountylib.org/teen/poetry_contest.

Also, there will be a Cosplay contest and free comic book day at the Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St., Saturday, May 3. Dress like an anime or manga character to enter our Cosplay contest at 2 p.m. for a chance to win prizes. Watch a superhero movie at 3 p.m.

Details: 842-8207.

Landlord and property manager workshop

The City of Gilroy will host a free workshop for landlords and property managers, 5:30 to 8 p.m. tonight at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna Street. The workshop aims to educate landlords of their responsibility to provide and maintain safe, crime-free rental units, inform about the consequences of failing to address rental issues, provide information on time management and community resources and enhance the quality of life in Gilroy's neighborhoods. The workshop will address issues like crime, drugs, gang activity, abandoned vehicles, loitering, graffiti, overgrown landscaping and changes in population demographics. Refreshments will be provided. Call Community Service Officer Munoz at 846-0524 for details.

Gilroy High prom and grad night fundraiser

Do you have a student that will be attending GHS Senior Prom this year? If so, we urge you to purchase your boutonnieres and corsages from the GHS Sober Grad Night Committee. All proceeds will be going towards the Grad Night event. Corsages cost $15 and boutonnieres are $10. The sale will be going on until Thursday, May 1.

Details and to order: Adrienne Haygood at (408) 898-0081.

Gavilan presents Shakespeare

The Gavilan College Theater ensemble, directed by John Lawton Haehl and Bill Klipstine, bring to the stage one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It portrays the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with the Duke and Duchess of Athens, and with fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest. It contains a play within a play and a world within a world, inviting audiences to enter the world of magic and fantasy and leave wondering "was it all a dream?"

The show continues at 8 p.m. May 2, 3, 9 and 10. There is a 2 p.m. matinee May 3.

All shows at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.

Tickets are on sale at the Gavilan College Bookstore. (Buy one get one free with Gavilan College ASB card). Adult tickets are $12, children and students are $8. A family pack (two adult and two children) cost $30.

Details: 846-4973.

'Pinocchio' comes to South Valley

South Valley Civic Theatre's Children's Musical "Pinocchio" continues tonight at 8 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse.

The performances will continue Friday and Saturday evenings through May 3. The show features local youths ages 7 through 13.

Tickets are $18 general and $14 students and seniors, and may be purchased online at www.svct.org or at BookSmart in Morgan Hill, the Morgan Hill Community Center, or at the Gilroy Visitors Bureau.

The show was written by Carlo Collodi, with adaptation and lyrics by Jim Eiler, and music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy.

Producers are Terri Miles and Loritta Bonfante Johnson. Artistic and vocal direction by Carol Harris and choreography by Mitzie Imagawa.

Details: (408) 842-SHOW or log onto www.svct.org

Watch birds on Coyote Creek hike

A series of bird walks led by Jane Haley, a National Park Service docent for 20 years and Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center volunteer, will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. May 3 along Coyote Creek, north of Morgan Hill. Participants will have an opportunity to observe migratory birds as well as discover an appreciation of local birds, their habitat and ecological importance. Due to the terrain, these walks are not recommended for young children. The programs are free, space is limited and reservations are required.

Details and to register: contact W.E.R.C. at 779-9372 or visit www.werc-ca.org.

GavFEST goes Green this year

"GavFEST 2008 Goes Green" is the theme of this year's spring festival and open house at Gavilan College, and will include environmental and "green" building exhibits. GavFEST includes bands, food, open house, hairstyles and manicures, soccer tournament, GaviLAND kids area with reptile zoo, bounce attraction, climbing wall and more. GavFEST is an annual open house, to invite the community to have fun while exploring the resources of Gavilan College.

Kids are encouraged to come to campus and learn about college so that they know what opportunities are available to them as they grow. Parents can learn about opportunities for their children, and job training for themselves. High School seniors can fill out applications and select classes for fall, getting a head start on their higher education. GavFEST also provides service opportunities for current Gavilan College students, many of whom will be visible throughout the day, providing information, running attractions, and greeting visitors. More than 300 students and staff are expected to volunteer.

The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, at Gavilan College, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. Parking and admission are free.

Details: www.gavilan.edu/gavfest or Noemi at (408) 848-4800 ext. 5117.

Learn to eat healthy at fruit, veggie fest

Join the Network for a Healthy California-Bay Area Region Retail Program for the second annual Fruit and Veggie Fest as they cook up interest in fruits and veggies and empower local families to make healthy, active living a priority. Drop by Arteaga's Super Save from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, for a Cinco de Mayo-themed celebration.

Enjoy tastings and samplings of fresh fruits and veggies, singing and dancing, a hula hoop contest and a chance to win an El Mexicano food basket and tickets to Great America and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Details: cachampionsforchange.net

Flower lovers meet in May

The Morgan Hill Flower Lover's Club (including Gilroy and San Martin) will meet at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. All members are encouraged to bring a plant to exchange with fellow members.

Give blood and help save lives

The next mobile blood drive will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday May 8, at First Baptist Church, 845 Wren Ave.

Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to www.BeADonor.com. (Code: GILROY) to schedule an appointment.

Gav presents fine art display

Gavilan College Fine Arts Gallery presents Art Is Essential: The Pajaro Valley Arts Council Member Artists Invitational. Come and enjoy the variety of paintings, sculptures and ceramics now on display at the gallery in the Gavilan College Library, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard.

The exhibit is on display from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. The free exhibit is closed Saturday and Sunday. It runs through May 9.

Details: 848-4724.

Crab feed benefits GHS athletics

The 28th annual Crab Cioppino Feed and Dance will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Don Christopher Ranch, 305 Bloomfield Road. Tickets cost $52 and can be purchased online at www.gilroyhighschool.com or at Gilroy High School between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. A list of silent auction items is available online.

Details: 848-7178 or jack.daley@gusd.k12.ca.us.

Celebrate 40 years at El Roble

El Roble Elementary will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a day of festivities starting at 1 p.m. May 16 with a parade led by the three "Queens of El Roble," Roberta Bertero, Patti Littlejohn and Mary Garcia, three women who were some of the first teachers.

A ceremony honoring the anniversary will be held at 2 p.m. to be followed by a carnival from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Admission to the carnival is free and open to the community. The school invites former staff, alumni and the public to celebrate at El Roble Elementary School.

Diva in concert

The Gilroy Arts Alliance presents A Voice for the Arts - Divas! In Concert featuring Sandra Marlowe, Beverly Blount, Patti Lemon, Carol Harris, Rosalind Farotte (Sister Mary Amnesia), Sylvia Gonzales, Audrey Kavanaugh and Ruth E. Mullins Stein - with superb live music by Martan Mann Trio.

The May 10 event begins at 7 p.m. with a silent auction, art exhibit, raffle and cocktails. Dinner begins at 7:30 p.m.

The evening takes place at the IFDES Portuguese Hall, 250 Old Gilroy St. Tickets are $25 ($5 discount to new and existing GAA members.

Send check to Gilroy Arts Alliance, 7691-C Eigleberry St., Gilroy, CA 95020. Include self-addressed, stamped envelope and the number of tickets needed with a confirmation phone number. Tickets will be mailed. (Requests received after May 5 will be confirmed and held at Will Call.) Or get tickets between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday at - Out & About, 60 Fifth St., Gilroy.

Please bring exact amount if paying cash. Evenings and weekends at Cafe 152, 303 First St., Gilroy (the old Pizza Cove) or call 848-6750.

See the 30th Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant

Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant is a scholarship pageant. Contestants are judged on personal interview, speech, talent and evening gown. In addition to the selection of Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen, scholarships will be awarded to many pageant contestants.

The Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Pageant is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the Gavilan College Theater.

Details: 842-1625.

Who's Your Hero? American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Seeks Nominations for Local Real Heroes Award Breakfast

American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter is calling on Silicon Valley residents, companies and organizations to nominate individuals, who reside or work in Santa Clara County and whose extraordinary acts of courage or kindness make them a hero to be honored at the 2nd Annual Santa Clara Valley Real Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose.

"A hero can be someone who bravely acts in a time of immediate need or someone who simply lives his or her life in a way that shows they care for those around them. Real heroes are ordinary people whose actions demonstrate the potential that is in all of us. If someone is a hero in your eyes, I encourage you to nominate them'" says Honorary Event Chair, Peter Hero, a senior advisor to the CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Nominations for the heroics act of local residents that took place between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 for the following categories:

• Animal Rescue Hero - An animal that has protected a human or another animal in a time of need, or a person who has rescued an animal from a traumatic situation.

• Education Hero - An adult or youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others in a school or other educational setting.

• Good Samaritan - Adult (21 years old and up) - An adult who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

• Good Samaritan - Youth (Under the age of 21) - A youth who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others.

• Law Enforcement Hero - A professional law enforcement officer (Sheriff, Police, FBI, Highway Patrol, etc...) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Medical Professional Hero - A medical professional (doctors, nurses, EMT/paramedics, hospital/clinic staff, etc...) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Military Hero - A member of the armed forces (active, reserve, retired, commissioned or non-commissioned) whose life-saving action during active duty status went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Professional Rescuer Hero - A professional rescuer (firefighter, lifeguard, etc...) whose life-saving action went beyond the scope of their job to help another in critical need.

• Workplace Hero - An individual who used life-saving skills to save or attempt to save the life or lives of others at his or her place of employment or on a job site.

Real Hero Award recipients will be chosen by a selection committee of leading members of the Silicon Valley community. Heroes are selected based on the degree to which their acts of heroism uphold the values of the American Red Cross and leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of Silicon Valley. All nominees must work or reside in the Santa Clara County; the heroic acts may have occurred elsewhere. Self-nominations are not permitted. All nominations will be subject to further verification and validation. All nominee information will be shared with the Heroes selection committee and the general public with a two-minute biographical video.

Nominations for Real Heroes Awards can now be submitted to the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter online at www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org. You can also download a PDF of the nomination form from the Web site and mail the completed form to Real Heroes Breakfast Selection Committee, American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter, 2731 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134 or fax the completed form to (408) 577-2050.

Frank Sanchez names marshal

The Gilroy Memorial Day Committee announced Frank Sanchez as the 2008 Grand Marshall. He served as a member of the U.S. Army. The theme, "Your Freedom, Their Lives" for the 11th annual Memorial Day Parade, May 26. All community groups, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in commemorating those who fell in the line of duty.

A ceremony will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at Gavilan Cemetery, followed by a parade along 10th Street from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From 1 to 4 p.m., a Family Fun Day will be held at Christmas Hill Park. It will include music, food, bounce houses for children, a climbing wall, face painting and more.

In addition, a car show will be held at the park following the parade. Car participants may drive their vehicle in the parade and then show them from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Or, just show it at the park. There will be awards given out and there is no entry fee.

Get an application at www.gilroyparade.com

Class of 1958 plans reunion

The Gilroy High School class of 1958 is planning a 50th reunion, June 27 at Eagle Ridge Golf Club.

Details: 842-5357.

Ongoing Events
Discover joy of a foster family

Learn about becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

Details: Shelda Reynolds at 846-5028, or at Shelda.Reynolds@ssa.sccgov.org,or stop by the Gilroy Family Resource Center, 8833 Monterey Road., Suite. G, Gilroy.

Free table tennis

Enjoy a game of table tennis with seniors 55 and older at the Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St.

Details: 846-0414.

Scouting in Gilroy

If you're interested in Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts, please visit their new Web site at www.gilroyscouting.org

On it you will find contact information and pictures from recent adventures, as well as on-line forms for our flag retirement service and joining.

Thursdays
Narateen meeting in Gilroy

For the children of families and friends of addicts 13 to 20, narateen meetings take place from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, at First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave., Room 202

Details: 836-7549, or irene_naranon@yahoo.com

Conservative Republicans discuss politics

Conservative Republicans and others are invited to attend the monthly

meeting of the California Republican Assembly the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Please RSVP for location and directions. The objective of the local CRA chapter is to raise political sophistication and keep abreast of politics in the state and the country.

Details: 327-6451.

Brain Injury Support

The Brain Injury Support Group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month at Poblanita Restaurant, 313 Third St. in San Juan Bautista. Anyone who has had a brain injury, stroke or aneurysm is welcome to attend, along with caregivers, family and friends.

Details: Maggie at 623-9271.

Fridays
Rock to reggae at winery

The popular Reggae Nights series continues Friday at Hecker Pass Winery's new event center, La Vigna. Find Your Roots, a Santa Cruz-based band, will highlight an evening of entertainment for the younger set. The show begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. DJ Dread will keep the music driving. Food and drinks will be available. There's an $8 cover charge, and youth 16 and older are welcome. Wrist bands are given to everyone upon entrance. Hecker Pass Winery is located at 4605 Hecker Pass Highway.

Details: Carlo Fortino at 930-6777 or visit heckerpasswinery.com.