Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Gilroy resident wins classic Beetle in Rotary Club raffle at Dazzle

Congratulations to Gilroy resident O.J. Macias, who was the winner of the 1964 Volkswagen Beetle raffled off by the Morgan Hill Rotary Club, raising more than $25,000 for the club.

Rotarian Rachel Hill told us O.J. was not at the Dazzle event but he was called about the win. He came right over to Fortino Winery with his wife and two boys, Ethan 10, and Isaiah 8, who jumped into the back seat.

His ticket was one of 265 sold for $100, though the total amount raised from the event has not been calculated, but it is expected to set a record, Hill said. “For 16 years the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill has presented Dazzle, raising funds that go right back into the community with programs like community grants benefiting dozens of local organizations, scholarships for top achieving local students, vocational training, feeding seniors, enhancing local parks, and much more,” she said.

Mike Wasserman

Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman announced that his Summer Photo Contest is back. He is asking residents to send him a photo that captures why Santa Clara County is the best place to be in the summer. The inspiration is endless, with miles of hiking trails, your photogenic pets, festivals, farmers markets, events, summer foods and backyard fun. He will display the winning three photos in his office. Simply email one photo to [email protected] with your name, address and where in the county the photo was taken before July 26. You can find more information about the contest at www.sccgov.org.

Those who know Supervisor Wasserman, know he’s an animal lover and a strong supporter of the county’s no-kill shelter in San Martin.

“I am excited to report that our animal shelter has achieved a 94.3 percent live-release rate, one of the best in California,” he said.

A no-kill shelter is one that achieves a rate of 90 percent or greater, something the county’s shelter has successfully achieved since 2013. Shelters must commit to save healthy or treatable animals even when a shelter is full, and to only euthanize terminally ill animals or those considered dangerous. The San Martin shelter team ensures that dogs, cats, horses, chickens, rabbits, and many other animals are rescued and provided forever homes. While the new, state-of-the-art animal services center is scheduled to open in 2021, the current facility is more than 40-years-old and less than one-twentieth the size of the future home, making the no-kill rate that much more impressive. Love animals? You can donate to the new Animal Service Center or sign up to volunteer at www.sccountypets.org.

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Last issue we reported about the free lunches held at the Gilroy Library this summer and now we have news that the Gilroy Unified School District, in partnership with the Seamless Summer Option program, will provide free meals at three school sites and at the Gilroy Library through July 26 (except July 4 and 5).  El Roble Elementary, Rod Kelley Elementary, Gilroy High School and the Gilroy Library is offering free breakfast and lunch to all children in enrolled in the district and within the community. All children 18 years and younger are eligible for free meals. No proof of age is required to receive meals.

Breakfast will be served to students from 8 to 8:30 a.m., and served to the community from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Lunch will be served to students from noon to 12:30 p.m. and to the community from 12:30 to 1 p.m.  Text “FOOD” to 877-877 for more information or call (669-205-4000, ext. 4044.

It’s back. That’s right, the Free Bike Valet at Downtown Live is returning this summer, according to Zachary Hilton, chairperson of the Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission. The program, in partnership with the Gilroy Downtown Business Association and Shifty’s Cycle and Mobile Service, was a huge success last year.

“We want to continue to build off of it,” Hilton said. “We want to encourage more to ride downtown and avoid the hassle of finding a parking space.”

Each week there will be different incentives on the back of each claim ticket that local businesses will provide to those who ride.

Sounds like a wonderful program. Visit www.cityofgilroy.org/280/Bicycle-Pedestrian-Commission for more information.

Congratulations to Tacos Ameca, which was honored by Recology with a Recycler of the Year award at a Gilroy City Council meeting recently. “Owners Karina Velarde and Juan Diaz showed cooperation, determination and enthusiasm in making this program work in all three of their locations,” said Julie Alter, waste zero specialist with Recology.

“My employees are working hard and doing an amazing job,” Velarde said.

Karina and Juan of Tacos Ameca, thank you for caring for our planet.