Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Kelly Ramirez joins Blankley and Hilton in the run for 2024 council seats

Candidate is on Garlic Festival and Rotary boards

Megan Noyes died from leukemia last year. A fundraiser has been started in her name.
Photo courtesy OVYSL

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Kelly Ramirez

In more election news, pledging to provide “Leadership with Integrity” and fight for greater political accountability, transparency and local control, current Planning Commissioner Kelly Ramirez has entered the race for Gilroy City Council in the November 2024 election.

Ramirez joins current councilmember Zach Hilton and Mayor Marie Blankley in announcing their intentions to run.

A resident of Gilroy since her freshman year in high school, Ramirez is a retired teacher, former executive director of the Mount Madonna YMCA and former chief development officer for the YWCA, Silicon Valley. She has also served as the retail chairperson for the Gilroy Garlic Festival and, as chair of the American Cancer Society’s Gilroy Relay for Life, brought this important event to the city in the late 1990s. Additionally, she’s a member of the boards of the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association and Gilroy Rotary. She is married with three children and three grandchildren.

The Orchard Valley Toros have partnered with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society to raise funds to support children with blood cancer. During the month of September, all teams will wear orange jerseys and raising funds to support the fight against blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Megan Noyes was a local Toros player and coach who died last October at the age of 26 from leukemia, said her mother, Sharon Noyes.

The South Valley soccer community has rallied behind this effort and hopes to make this an annual fundraising event to honor the young woman.

To help, visit https://pages.lls.org/ltn/svmb/SanJose23/playlikemeghanovtoros

For their Summer Community Service Project, the Rotary Club of Gilroy provided materials for 1,276 mindful jars to the counseling departments at all three middle schools in the Gilroy Unified School District to be used by the students.

Rosie Ramon, a school counselor at Solorsano Middle School, said these jars are a wonderful visual aid for helping the students relax when they experience stress, anxiety, or are overwhelmed for any reason. It is explained to the students that the jar represents their head, the water their mind and the glitter their thoughts or worries. While their thoughts (glitter) are calm and quiet at the bottom of the jar, their mind (water) is clear, and they are able to focus. Shaking the jar and creating a clouded, swirl of thoughts and emotions (glitter) is representative of their mind during times of stress and anxiety. The simple act of paying attention to their breath and slowing it down while they watch the glitter slowdown in the jar is a very powerful exercise. When their mind is focused on the jar and they are taking slow, deep breaths, it takes the focus off their thoughts and emotions, and the brain chatter reduces.

“We are always looking for ways to make a positive impact in our community” said Gilroy Rotary Club President Nita Eddie-Mitchell. “Given that mental health is an area of focus for Rotary International this year, this project aligned perfectly with that goal.”

There’s good news coming out of the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Officials recently announced the launch of its 2024 Premium Membership campaign, offering an array of exclusive benefits that promise to elevate the park experience for its valued members. Now, visitors can seize the opportunity to become part of a privileged community with unparalleled access to more than a year of unlimited adventures and educational experiences at the park.

The benefits include a year and a half of unlimited park admission (for the remainder of 2023 plus all of 2024); two free tickets or Fast Lane wristbands (up to $140 in value) when members purchase now; access to The Great Big BOO and all-new North Pole Nights; free parking, 20 percent discounts on food and merchandise in-park; Bring-A-Friend Free Fridays; and exclusive VIP Premium Events in 2024.

“Gilroy Gardens has always been driven by a passion for creating a unique and enriching experience,” Hoa Le, president and general manager said. “We are excited to welcome new members to join our family and take advantage of all the premium perks we have to offer.”

Sounds like a fiscally prudent deal.