Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: New mural at Eliot Elementary School will be unveiled to the public Nov. 1

Local artist Shile Cifuentes created several murals for the Gilroy Unified School District

The new mural will be unveiled Nov. 1. Photo courtesy Eliot Elementary School

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

There’s a new mural decorating an exterior wall at Eliot Elementary School thanks in part to the students who helped create it.

The Gilroy American Association of University Women were looking for a way to support the school. After conferring with Principal Maricela Rivera, they decided to donate $500 to fund a mural as a way to inspire the students and help build their confidence, AAUW member Connie Rogers told us.

They found artist Shile Cifuentes, who has created several murals in the school district, including the ones at Glen View and El Roble elementary school. This was a school-year long project where the artist worked with the children to learn more about art and murals. They helped design and paint it as well.

“The artist worked with the students all last year to select the subject matter, people that inspired them,” Rogers said. “The students could hardly believe they had so much decision-making power over the subject and execution.”

There will be an official unveiling from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1.

Great job, kids!

In more AAUW news, the group announced its second annual 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 seven 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 California 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. The registration deadline is Jan. 20, 2024. The program can accommodate 140 students.

“We’re honored to collaborate with California AAUW branches, education, government, and community leaders to remove barriers to women in political leadership and increase access to public service jobs,” said Sandi Gave, AAUW California president.

For more information on AAUW, visit aauw.org.

Santa Clara County is participating in a pilot program funded by the State of California that provides financial incentives for low-income residents to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables, and that includes the city of Gilroy.

The California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project, which officially launched in Santa Clara County this month, refunds CalFresh Food recipients up to $60 a month when they buy fruits and vegetables from participating stores.

The goal of the program is to make it easier for families who use CalFresh Food, the state’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to afford healthy food while also supporting California agriculture.

“Processed food is often cheaper than fruits and vegetables, which can make it hard for people with limited incomes to afford healthful food,” said Daniel Little, director of the county’s Social Services Agency, which has partnered with the County Department of Public Health to champion the pilot. “The California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project aims to support the health and well-being of residents by making nutritious foods more affordable.”

Arteaga’s Food Center, 6909 Chestnut St., in Gilroy is one of five locations participating.

The county and its partners hope that, if the pilot is successful, it can eventually expand throughout California and include a greater variety of stores.

Here’s how the California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project works. When CalFresh Food recipients shop at participating stores, they get up to $60 of the amount they spend on produce refunded to their EBT card per month. The money that’s refunded can be used on any food items that are eligible for purchase with a CalFresh Food EBT card.

The pilot project was established by the state Legislature in 2018. The pilot has received nearly $20 million in state funding so far.

Details: www.spur.org

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