Ruffoni also competed in the Best of Breed category with her Biewer Terrier.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

GHS junior Isabella Ruffoni and her pug Diesel competed in the 14th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo courtesy Kelley Ruffoni

Congratulations to Gilroy High School junior Isabella Ruffoni, who competed in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York earlier this month.

Along with her pug Diesel, the two made the cut to the final 10 in the Junior Showmanship category, but not to finals, according to her mom, Kelley.

“This was an amazing experience as this was the first time Westminster was held at the USTA,” Isabella said. “The venue did not disappoint!

In addition to showing in Junior Showmanship, she competed in the Best of Breed category with her Biewer Terrier as well.

“It was surreal, an amazing experience,” she said. “I was over the moon proud of Diesel. He showed his heart and gave it his all!”

“She did amazingly well for her first time,” mom Kelley added. “We are very proud of her.”

Photo courtesy GAL’s
GAL’s grant recipients pose for a photo.

The Gilroy Assistance League announced their 2023 grant recipients at a luncheon and presentation last month. Recipients were recognized for their efforts on behalf of southern Santa Clara County children. During the 2023 grant cycle, GALs awarded $31,939.41 to 12 local organizations

The group annually accepts grant requests that will benefit South Santa Clara County youth organizations, programs, and schools.

“Gilroy Assistance League has a dedicated mission to support the needs of youth in our community,” said GALs President Lori Kent.

Since 1993, Gilroy Assistance League has awarded more than $392,000 to South Santa Clara Valley youth-service organizations and groups. The 2023 Grant Recipients are as follows:

Neutral Zone, $1,000; One Heart to Another, $1,400; Gilroy High School FFA, $6,502.97; South Valley Middle School, $1,800; Rebekah Children’s Services, $4,092.14; One Giving Tree, $2,831.24; DreamPower Horsemanship, $2,096; Jr. Adams Miles Branson Sports, $2,000; Gilroy High School Vet Science, $4517.06; Poppy Jasper Inc, $1,200; Community Solutions, $2,500; Gilroy Sportsmen Chef, $2,000.

 

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce will present the 23rd Annual Garlic City Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17 in downtown Gilroy. The Chamber has hosted the show since 2016.

The car show attracts thousands of spectators to enjoy hundreds of custom and classic cars, awards, vendors, beer and wine, and more. It is free for spectators. Car registration is sold out, but car owners can be added to a waitlist by emailing Victoria Valencia of the chamber at victoria@Gilroy.org.

Designed and produced by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce to promote the community and to help build a strong local economy, the Garlic City Car Show has been held in downtown Gilroy since 2000 and originally started as a kick-off for the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

In 2022, the Garlic City Car Show returned to Downtown Gilroy after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19. The event had more than 30 vendors, 200 classic cars and 5,000 attendees. The show also gave out 40 Merchant Awards, three trophies, and a new award honoring the late Donald Elvis Prieto and his family.

For more information on the 2023 event, visit www.gilroy.org/garliccitycarshow/.

Photo courtesy Elks Lodge
From left to right: Mitch Marinovich PER & Lodge Americanism Chairman, Marisol Jiménez, David Cervantes, Angela Moore ER/PER, Niki Estacio fifth grade teacher, and Maria Cervantes

Gilroy Lodge #1567 hosted the three top Americanism Essay Contest writers, their families and their fifth grade teacher from Rucker Elementary School at the annual Americanism Essay Contest Family Awards Night Recognition Dinner that was held at the Lodge during the Elks National Youth Week in May.

The essay theme was “What is Your American Dream?” The students read their essays to Lodge members and guests.