Local Scene

Garlic all the way

With the Gilroy Garlic Festival mere days away, you may be wondering what this year’s event is bringing to the table (other than the strong-smelling bulb). Todd Trekell, the 2018 Gilroy Garlic Festival president, says the festival’s committee surveyed customers last year [...]

Free groceries for Thanksgiving

Kimberly Ewertz is a freelance writer for South Valley magazine and Gilroy Dispatch.
Kimberly Ewertz
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Generosity abounds during the holiday season and there’s no better example than the St. Joseph’s Family Center Thanksgiving Food Basket Day, where hundreds of disadvantaged families receive free groceries, taking the worry out of shopping on a limited budget for the biggest [...]

American history

Tia Sundberg is a crafting diva, knitter, Halloween fanatic and freelance writer for South Valley magazine.
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Motorcycle riders and enthusiasts by the thousands throng to Hollister each Fourth of July weekend to experience the famous Hollister Independence Rally. Originated in 1947, this event is believed to be the catalyst for the rise of the “American Biker” image and the [...]

A Japanese cultural celebration

By Laura Barreras Once used to issue military commands and in religious ceremony, Taiko, or the traditional Japanese-style instrument meaning “fat drum,” will take center stage at the 57th annual Haru Matsuri Festival and Taiko Expo in Morgan Hill—one of the South [...]

Flower power

Debra Eskinazi is the editor of South Valley magazine.
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Since 1983 the Wildflower Run has been fundraising to support the education of women. Former director Elizabeth Mandel is in charge of publicity this year and says she’s been living and breathing this event every winter for the past seven. “We raise close to $50,000 a year [...]

Best of Out & About, Feb. 24, 2017.

Breathe For Caley Be apart of something amazing at the annual Bet On BFC Casino Night presented by Breathe For Caley Foundation. Help raise funds to grant wishes and provide financial support to families with children who are fighting medical battles. Enjoy an evening of music, [...]

Best of Out & About, Feb. 17, 2017

Counting Birds The phrase “strictly for the birds” is not a bad thing when talking about The Great Backyard Bird Count. Counting the birds is done around the world in February and helps give a snapshot of the distribution of birds before the spring migration ramps up. You [...]

Passion for popera

Senior Editor at Gilroy Dispatch
Longtime local journalist and Pulitzer co-winner Jack Foley has worked for San Jose Mercury News and Gilroy Dispatch for more than 20 years and has covered Gilroy for much of his 30-year journalism career. Since 1976, Foley has lived in and around Gilroy.
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When he showed up to study voice at San Jose State University, dragging a thick accent from the streets of Naples, Italy, Pasquale Esposito didn’t make much of an impression on his professors. He’d eked out a living crooning partisan-pleasing Italian standards such as “O [...]

Best of Out & About, Feb. 10, 2017.

Valentine’s Night Make plans to spend an evening out with a special friend and enjoy a great meal, dancing, comedy and live music at many local restaurants. Check out the new Granada Theatre in Morgan Hill for a black tie event on Saturday, Feb. 11, or Gilroy’s newest venue, [...]

Black Heroines

Debra Eskinazi is the editor of South Valley magazine.
Debra Eskinazi
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Black History Month began more than 90 years ago in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson dedicated the second week of February to honoring the contributions of African Americans. Now observed during the entire month of February, South Valley spoke with Lani Yoshimura, head [...]
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