Around Town . . . by Robert Airoldi: California Welcome Center at Premium Outlets hires new manager

The AAUW California announced its new virtual statewide program, Gov Trek

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By Robert Airoldi

Let’s all welcome Susan Childers as the new California Welcome Center manager. She first joined the team at the Gilroy Premium Outlets as a part-time staff member in July 2021. She moved into the management position Oct. 1. Susan most worked for 12 years with the Gilroy Unified School District as a paraprofessional. She also has worked in the Gilroy Gardens Welcome Center since 2017. Susan has a B.S. in business administration-marketing and work experience in customer service, retail, marketing, and sales.

In her spare time, Susan enjoys traveling, photography, scrapbooking — both digital and paper — and container gardening with florals, herbs, and garlic.

 

In a historic vote Nov. 7, the Gilroy City Council unanimously approved a resolution to honor Cesar Chavez Day as a recognized and observed holiday for the city of Gilroy.

Councilmember Fred Tovar told us he was honored to have championed the resolution to set aside this day “to honor the legacy of this influential leader and recognize the work he did which touched the lives of so many in this community.”

Many members of the community, representatives from nonprofits and other organizations came out in support of the holiday including Andres Chavez who is not only Cesar’s grandson but who also serves as the executive director of the National Chavez Center.

In his remarks during the council discussion, Tovar said, “as a first generation son of immigrant parents, I saw first-hand the struggles they went through to try and provide for our family. I remember times when as children we picked apricots and other fruits in the fields to help make ends meet. So I understood the sacrifices we all had to make in order to have the best life we could here.”

The Gilroy Elks Lodge presented a check for $500 to go toward the kitchen remodel at the John A. Berri Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 6309 and American Legion Post 217 to comply with current health and safety standards.

The donation was made to Christine West, executive director of the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District, home to the Gilroy VFW.

The AAUW California announced its new virtual statewide program, Gov Trek. The goal is to address the shortage of women in political leadership roles by galvanizing a new generation to pursue careers in public service and elected office. During five two-hour sessions, students will engage in interactive and inspiring activities with exposure to women legislators, career options, and the inner workings of a political campaign. The program will culminate in a team competition to create a realistic campaign simulation.

Gov Trek is open to any girl currently enrolled as a high school junior or senior, whether in public, private, home, or continuation high schools. Students can register online on a first-come, first-served basis at aauw-ca.org. Deadline is Jan. 14. The program can accommodate 150 students.

For more information on AAUW, visit aauw.org. To learn about local branch activities and membership opportunities, contact Sandra Makela at [email protected] or visit Gilroy-ca.aauw.net.