34 Gilroy Today Spring 2013

SPRING 2013

A PUBLICATION FOR AND ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OF GILROY

Spice of Life AwardsGilroy Chamber Honors Gilroy’s Finest

Award Winning Gilroy WinesLocal Wineries Take Home Top Honors

Mayor Don GageHis First 90 Days

Hiking Around GilroyA Spring Adventure … The Beauty That Surrounds Us

The Lodge On TheHill Gets A Facelift+

O D A YGilroyT

1) GTspring_2013_64v6.indd 1 2/18/13 12:15 PM

gilroytoday.com


Published By: InfoPOWER Communications

7446 Rosanna Street / Gilroy, CA 95020

Telephone: 408.848.6540Email: [email protected]

EDITOR J. Chris Mickartz

COPYWRITING Larry & J. Chris Mickartz

Kelly BarbazetteElizabeth BarrattStephanie Vegh

Sam BozzoMel Rodinsky

PHOTOGRAPHYLarry J. Mickartz

PROOFINGSusan PatereauKelly Barbazette

CONTRIBUTORS

Aging Dorie U. SugayFinance Jeffrey M. Orth, ChFC,CASL

Insurance David VillarThe Kids Corner Go Kids Inc.

The Law James WardReal Estate Marta Dinsmore

Commercial Real Estate George RenzSecondary Education Gavilan College

Social Media Susan PatereauTourism Jane Howard

WEBSITE Susan Patereau

DISTRIBUTION Glenita Gordon

ADVERTISINGemail [email protected] for ad placement,

information, and availability.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATIONSubmit for free inclusion, space permitting.

© Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No part, either editorial or display advertising,

may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher and author.

G I L R O Y T O D A Y S P R I N G 2 0 1 32

Be sure to visit our website gilroytoday.com and/or tell us what you think of our Spring 2013 Issue at facebook.com/gilroytoday. Your comments are important to us.

51-55Decorating For EasterSetting Amazing Tables

Inside This Issue16 2012 Tax Act Gilroy CPA’s Discuss Share Their Expertise

27 Everyone Has A Story Meet Hamdy Abbass

29 Gilroy’s Finest Teacher Gina Chekouras

36 Hiking Fitness Getting Ready To Enjoy Spring Hiking

42 Enjoying Award Winning Wines Local Wineries Take Home The Gold

48 Downtown Happenings Wine Stroll, Restaurants and Shark Tank

56 Easter Brunch Classic Easter Pie Recipe

58 The First 90 Days As Mayor Mayor Don Gage Shares Council Vision

60 Soccer In Gilroy Ricardo Espinoza & Erin Gemar

32-35Featured HomeMary Ann & John Sorci’s Home

30-31Gilroy Lodge on the Hill Elks Lodge Gets A Facelift

8-12Hiking Around Gilroy The Amazing Trails That Surround Us

ABOUT THE COVER: Special Thank You to Teri Freedman for providing this amazing photo of a Ruby Crowned Kinglet that she photographed right here in Gilroy. See other Birds of Gilroy, page 12.

Community HappeningsSpice of Life Award Recipients

22-25


gilroytoday.com


Published By: InfoPOWER Communications

7446 Rosanna Street / Gilroy, CA 95020

Telephone: 408.848.6540Email: [email protected]

EDITOR J. Chris Mickartz

COPYWRITING Larry & J. Chris Mickartz

Kelly BarbazetteElizabeth BarrattStephanie Vegh

Sam BozzoMel Rodinsky

PHOTOGRAPHYLarry J. Mickartz

PROOFINGSusan PatereauKelly Barbazette

CONTRIBUTORS

Aging Dorie U. SugayFinance Jeffrey M. Orth, ChFC,CASL

Insurance David VillarThe Kids Corner Go Kids Inc.

The Law James WardReal Estate Marta Dinsmore

Commercial Real Estate George RenzSecondary Education Gavilan College

Social Media Susan PatereauTourism Jane Howard

WEBSITE Susan Patereau

DISTRIBUTION Glenita Gordon

ADVERTISINGemail [email protected] for ad placement,

information, and availability.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATIONSubmit for free inclusion, space permitting.

© Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No part, either editorial or display advertising,

may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher and author.

O DAGilroyT Y

S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 G I L R O Y T O D A Y 3

From the Editor

I just want to say that this publication is not only “for and about the community of Gilroy,” it is BY the community —

YOU! We could not publish Gilroy Today without all the wonderful contributions that are made by you, the citizens of Gilroy. Gilroy Today is your publication and if you would like to see a person, place, or event covered within its pages, just let us know. Please feel free to email me with story ideas or just something that you find of interest — [email protected].

I grew up in Los Banos. I know, not a very exciting place to grow up, but there were some highlights. I have very fond memories of the Easter celebrations and the wonderful Easter Pie that my parents’ Italian friends cooked. So, I decided to see if I could find a recipe that was close to what I remembered. My in-house chef, Larry, was kind enough to bake one for me. The result, although not quite the same, was really pretty tasty. See the recipe on page 56. Also, I need to thank Debbie Hoey for indulging my desire to set an Easter Table befitting just such a brunch dish. See pages 51-55.

Spring is here and soon the trees will get their leaves back and the flowers will bloom. What a wonderful time to take a hike. We want to thank Ron Erskine, a columnist and hiking enthusiast for helping us put together a bit of a road map for you of all the great hiking opportunities that surround us. His photos along with those provided by Teri Freedman show some of the amazing views, vistas and birds that inhabit the area. See pages 8-12.

No need to go to Napa for a glass of award-winning wine. Just a short drive, like a few minutes, and you can taste some of the best wines in California. Our local wineries took home some 46 medals in the recent San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. How cool is that? See our wine expert’s column on pages 42-43 for a complete list. And see the top wines featured on page 44.

Mayor Don Gage is settling into his new position and he and our city council have been busy developing a vision and mission for our city. I’ve always been a fan of Don’s. And having recently attended a “Coffee With The Mayor” at city hall, I must say he does not disappoint. He listens and answers questions straightforwardly. He’s just a no nonsense kind of a guy — and in my humble opinion, just what Gilroy needs. See the city council’s vision and mission on pages 58-59.

Hope you enjoy this issue. And be sure to let us know if there’s something or someone you would like to see in future issues.

On a closing note: Gilroy Today is printed on environmentally friendly, sustainable paper with environmentally sound soy based ink. We urge you to recycle this magazine should you decide to discard it.

8-12Hiking Around Gilroy The Amazing Trails That Surround Us

J. Chris Mickartz


mailto:[email protected]



http://gilroytoday.com


GILR

OY

TOD

AY b

usin

ess ex

traBysupportingyourlocalbusinessesyouaresupportingyourcommunity.

Garlic City Mercantile& Shirtworks

408.842.65017550 Monterey Street

Come Downtown and be tempted by our many wonderful garlicky condiments, sauces, seasonings, gifts and décor items. Be sure to ask how the Shirtworks can provide you with custom embroidery; personalized shirts, caps, jackets, towels & linens.

DreamPower HorsemanshipEquine Facilitated Therapy

408.686.0535dreampowerhorsemanship.com

A non-profit charity serving our community for nine years, providing equine facilitated therapy for children, teens and adults. Offers a Horses for Heroes program for veterans and their families, free of charge. Donations are appreciated.

FlashBack, The MusicPat DeLeon, Mobile DJ

[email protected]

Enjoy the original rock-n-roll dance experience. For the 40 and over crowd — ‘50s, ‘60s, & ‘70s. Twenty-five years of experience.Available for retirement parties, anniversaries, fundraisers and other special events.

CommunityTidbitsMISS GAVILAN HILLS QUEEN PAGEANT

MARCH 16-17, 2013 — You could get a first glance at this year’s Miss America. The Miss Gavilan Hills and Miss Northern California Regional Competion official primaries are being held at the Gavilan College Theater at 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard at 4 pm on March 17th. A Princess Program focusing on etiquette and manners for girls 5 through 12 will be held on Saturday, March 16 at Brownell School. Princesses will be featured on stage Sunday at the main event as well. For more information: email — [email protected].

PASSPORT WEEKEND

MARCH 23-24, 2013 — Visit area Wineries, Sample Award-Winning Wines and Enjoy VIP Treatment as you travel throughout the Santa Clara Valley. Take part in activities planned exclusively for Passport holders! Barrel Tasting • BBQs • Winery Tours • Special Discounts • New Releases • Antipasti • Music • Great Wines — www.SantaClaraWines.com

IMPRESSIONS HOME & GARDEN TOUR

MAY 10-11, 2013 — The Gilroy Assistance League presents their Ninth Annual “Impressions” Home & Garden Tour starting each day at 10 am and concluding at 4 pm. In addition to viewing beautiful homes, there’s a wonderful boutique complete with complimentary appetizers and a no-host wine bar at the conclusion of the tour.

GARLIC FESTIVAL QUEEN PAGEANT

MAY 18, 2013 — Pageant begins at 5:00 pm at the Gavilan College Theater. Contestants are judged on personal interview, talent, garlic speech and evening gown. The Queen and her Court represent Gilroy at various festivities leading up to the Festival. They have the opportunity to make guest appearances in local print and electronic media, in parades and at fundraising events. Most importantly, they spend all three days at the festival having a garlicky good time with fellow lovers of the pungent bulb.



http://www.SantaClaraWines.com

http://www.nimblethimblegilroy.com/

http://www.dreampowerhorsemanship.com/start.html



http://www.gilroyassistanceleague.org

http://gilroygarlicfestival.com

http://amorettoboutique.com

http://www.downtowngilroy.com/local/

http://www.firststreetcoffee.com/



http://www.southvalleywindows.com

https://www.california-passport.com



http://agent.interorealestate.com/home/?ID=1979


Hiki

ngA

roun

dGilroy

By Larry J. Mickartz

Gilroyisuniqueinthatitis

surroundedbygreenspace,

wondroushillsandforests.And

springtimeisagreattimetoenjoy

theabundanceofopportunitiesto

viewthebeautyofnaturethatour

county,stateandnationalparksafford—allwithinarelatively

shortdistance.

Togetagoodfeelforthebreadthoftheareasofferings,

wecontactedtwoveteranhikers.Ourfirstcontactwaswith

RonErskine,hikerextraordinaireandauthorofmanyarticles

(featuredintheGilroyDispatch,MorganHillTimesand

HollisterFreelance)abouthikinglocallyaswellasthrough-

outCalifornia.Ronalsoofferscorporateteambuildingand

adventurehikes.VisithimonlineatRonErskine.comorhis

blogatWeeklyTramp.com.

Alwaysaloveroftheoutdoors,Ronhashikedand

backpackedallhislife.Hequalifieshis“localfavorites”by

theconvenienceofbeingabletogettothemandifthey

havewhathecalls“spectatorvalue.”Whilethemicro

worldmaybefascinating,Ronprefersthemacroworldof

bigviewsandsweepingpanoramas.

RonhasbeeninvolvedwiththePineRidgeAssociation

forsome22years.Theassociationismadeupof

volunteerswhocontributeabout20,000hoursofsupport

annuallytoHenryW.CoeStatePark.Ronnotesthathe

becamefascinatedwiththeexpanseandbeautyofCoe

ParksoonafterhismovetothisareafromMillValley.

So,CoeParkseemslikeagoodplacethentostartour

journeythroughsomeofhisfavoritetrails.


http://www.ronerskine.com

http://ronerskine.typepad.com/weekly_tramp/


Photos Courtesy of Ron Erskine Mount Madonna Sprig Lake TrailInset: Sunset at Coe Park/Pine Ridge



Henry W. Coe State Park,justto

thenortheastofGilroy,isthelargest

stateparkinNorthernCalifornia,

encompassing87,000acresandoffering

over250milesofhikingtrails.Thereare

threemainentrancestothepark:1)off

DunneAvenueinMorganHill,10miles

eastofAndersonLake,2)HuntingHollow

inGilroyoffRoopRoad(theroadthat

endsatGilroyHotSprings),and3)the

newestentrance,DowdyRanchatBells

StationoffPachecoPassHighway.

TheJim Donnally Trailatthe

HuntingHollowentranceoffersawell

gradedtrailandspectacularviewsof

thesurroundinghills,CoyoteCreekand

Lake.Entrance:FromGilroyHotSprings

RoadpastCoyoteReservoir,about10

milesoutofGilroy.

Coyote Lake/Harvey Bear Ranch County ParkjusteastofGilroycovers

4,595acreswitha635acrelake.Itoffers

avarietyofoutdooractivitiesincluding

boating,tentandRVcamping,picnicking,

hiking,offroadbikingandhorse-

backriding.Therearesome30miles

ofmarkedtrails.TwoofRon’sfavorite

hikingtrails:

Mummy Mountain Trailnear

thesouthendofCoyoteLakeoffers

spectacularviewsclosetoahighSierra

experience.Entrance:MendozaRanch

EntranceoffofRoopRoad.AND,Ed

Photo of Coyote Lake Courtesy of Ron Erskine

Willson Trail nearthenorthendof

CoyoteLakepresentsmoretremendous

viewsandaperchoverlookingCoyote

Dam.Entrance:OffRoopRoad.Paythe

dayusefeeforCoyoteLakeandgotothe

lastparkingareaatthenorthendofthe

lakenearthespillway.

Anewplaceworthcheckingout

isRancho Cañada del Oro inthe

CountyOpenSpaceAuthorityjustsouth-

westofCalero County Park.This

areawasaddedin2003.Calerohastwo

distinctareas,thereservoirforwater

relatedactivitiesandthebackcountryfor

hikingandhorseriding.Includingthe

RanchoCañadadelOroareathereare

over20milesofhikingtrails.Thearea

offerssomespectacularvistasuptheBald Peaks Trailandasanewarea,ismore

pristine.Entrance:WestofHighway101

BaileytoMcKeantoCasaLomaRoad.

Forpeoplelookingforanambitious

hike,checkoutthecombinationofthe

Sprig, Rock Springs and the Merry Go Round TrailsfromSprigLake,a

long,challengingandeverchangingtrail.

BothtrailsareinMount Madonna County Parkwhichcoversover3,200

acresoverlookingGilroyontheeastand

WatsonvilleandMontereyBayonthe

west.Theparkhascamping,horsetrails,

andhiking.Therealsoaremanystunning

coastalredwoodgrovesthroughoutthe

park.Entrance:TheeastsideofSprig

LakeisoffHeckerPassHighway,4.8

mileswestofGilroy.

Ifyou’relookingforanuniquehike,

youmightwanttotryPacheco State Park.Only26milesfromGilroy,Pacheco

StateParkoffers28milesoftrailswith

stunningviewsofthelake,rollinghills

andsolitude.Entrance:152Eastto

DinosaurPointRoadandfollowthesigns

totheSpikes Peak Trailandchoose

anothertrailtoloopback.

Also,downtheroadisPinnacle National Park.Ronespeciallylikes

theHigh Peaks – Bear Gulch Loop

fortheviewsandspringwildflowers.

AnothergreattrailistheChalone Peak TrailtoNorthChalonePeakthattakes

hikerstothehighestpointinthePark.

PinnaclesNationalPark,formerlyknown

asPinnaclesNationalMonument,owes

itsuniquenesstotheancientvolcano

thatcreateditsrockformations.Todayit

encompasses26,000acresandishome

tomanyuniquefloraandfaunaincluding

themajesticCaliforniaCondor.Entrance:

44milesfromGilroytoHollisterand

Highway25attheChaparralRanger

Station.

Formoredescriptionsandinformation

onover40hikes,checkouttheGilroy

Dispatcharchivesunderthetitle“So many

trails, such a beautiful location.”


http://www.gilroydispatch.com/sports/columnists/ron_erskine/where_to_hike/so-many-trails-such-a-beautiful-location/article_c3262ca4-5431-11e1-8b23-001a4bcf6878.html


AnotheravidhikerisKaren

Pogue.Karenhikesthreetimes

aweekandalsomanagestolead

themonthlytoursatGilroyHotSprings.

Karenisretiredbutworkedforthe

CityofGilroyinengineeringand

administrationfortwenty-sevenyears.

Herloveofhikingwasbornaboutthirty

yearsagowhenshejoinedthe“Gilroy

OutingClub.”Todayseveralmemberof

thatclub,aswellasKaren,sillhikein

andaroundGilroy.SomeofKaren’s“faves”notmentionedbyRonare:

Fremont Peek State Park,located

justoutsideofHollister,offerssome

360-degreeviewsandspectacularstar

watchingandisonly15milesfrom

Gilroy.FremontPeakStateParkisonly

159acres.Theroaduptothe3,169-foot

peakcanbetreacherousandvehiclesover

25feetarenotrecommended.Thereis

aparktelescopeontopandmanylocal

astronomerscongregatethereonclear

evenings.

Karensaysthatwhenshejustwants

togetinsomeexerciseandneedstostay

closetohome,the2.5milecross-country

courseatGavilan Collegeisthe

perfectsolutionandaninvigoratinghike.

Entrance:GotoGavilanCollegesouth

entranceandparknearthefootballfield.

Walkthetracktothesouthwestforthe

trailhead.Goleftforasteephillclimb;

gorightforamoregradualclimb.

TheCalaveras TrailinCoyote Lake–Harvey Bear Ranchisagreat

wildfloweradventureinthespring.The

trailrunsparalleltothelakeandthereare

severaloptionstogettothetrailfromthe

lake.Entranceinformationnotedearlier.

AtCalero County Park,Karen

likestheJavelina Loop,justagreat

mildhike.Entrance:WestofHighway

101BaileytoMcKeantotheentranceof

CaleroPark.

UpthehilltoMount Madonna,

anotherofKaren’s“faves”istheBayView

Trailforsomespectacularviewsdown

towardsWatsonvilleandavarietyofdif-

ferentenvironments.Thereareseveral

optionsbacktotheentranceorrang-

ersstationbutKarenpreferstheBlue Springs Trail.Entrance:Highway152

Westwiththetrailheadontheleftsideof

theroadneartheentrance.

NotableistheRancho Cañada del OronearCalero.Karenreallylikesthe

Mayfair Ranch Trailandifyouhave

thetimeandenergysheagreeswithRon

thattheBald Peaks Trailiswellworth

theeffort.Entrance:WestofHighway101

BaileytoMcKeantoCasaLomaRoad.

Ifyouwantaneasystartandsome-

thingunusualandlocal,wonderoverto

Uvas Canyon County Parkforsome

spectacularwaterfallsthistimeofyear.

TheWaterfall Loopisonlyabouta

milebutofferssomewildandwetadven-

tures.Thislushlywoodedparkof1,133

acres,isontheeasternsideoftheSanta

CruzMountains.Thismountainpark

offershiking,campingandpicnicking

opportunities.Entrance:UvasRoadto

CroyRoadwesttotheparkentrance.

Some helpful resources: •SantaClaraCountyParks,Hiking

•PineRidgeAssociation,

HenryW.CoePark

•StateofCaliforniaParks

HenryW.Coe

FremontPeak

Pacheco

•PinnaclesNationalPark

Checkoutourwebsite,gilroytoday.com

formorephotosandwebsitelinks.

Photo of Uvas Canyon Courtesy of Karen Pogue


http://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Hike%20Here/Pages/Stretch-your-legs-in-any-one-of-Santa-Clara-County's-many-microclimates-and-varieties-of-natural-terrains-.aspx

http://coepark.net

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=561



http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm

http://gilroytoday.com/

Juvenile red-tailed hawk with his dinner.

Photos and description courtesy of Teri Freedman

BELOW: A juvenile red-tailed hawk with his dinner

Birds of Gilroy

INSET BIRDS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: White-Breasted Nuthatch (Uvas), Song Sparrow, Northern Mocking Bird (Uvas), Golden Crowned Sparrow (Uvas), Male American Robin (Mantelli Drive), Male House Finch (Uvas). All the photos were taken around Gilroy and most of them were taken in Uvas Creek. The background photo is of Western Scrub Jay was also taken in Uvas Creek. It is the most common blue jay in Gilroy. The rounded, crestless head immediately sets it apart from Blue Jays and Steller’s Jays. See more birds and the complete descriptions at gilroytoday.com.



TheU.S. elections are over andweknowwhowilloccupy theWhiteHouse for thenext fouryears. Unfortunately, we have less clarity onmany of the other major questions worryinginvestors.SinceWashingtonrecently“kickedthecan down the road” regarding the “fiscal cliff,”incompletely addressing tax issues and doingnothing to provide leadership in the areas ofspendingcutsandthedeficitceiling,thisleavesinvestors with little certainty as to what willhappeninthefuture.

Companies love good news and can handlebad news, but what companies don’t like isuncertainty. As a result, corporations are sittingon trillions in cash and are, for the most part,unwilling to use their “war chests” to makeequipment purchases and hire new employees.And past government policies of providingincentives to coax them to spend these fundsaren’tworkingthistime.However,oncesomeoftheuncertaintiesareeliminated, thisalsomeansthey have the resources quickly available forexpansionandgrowthwhenthefogislifted.

Uncertainty of this nature can paralyzeinvestors,butIdon’tthinkthisisagoodreasonto convert ones holdings to cash or to makeabrupt and radical changes to one’s portfolio.Having previously and successfully guided myclientsthroughrecessionsthereareoftentacticaladjustments that can be made to help investorsget through market downturns, and profit fromtheupturnsthatfollow.Makingadjustmentstoasoundly and strategicallydiversifiedportfolio totakeadvantageofsometimelyopportunitiesisabetterapproach.

Overthepast10years,we’vebeenthroughtwolargeeconomicbubbles—oneinthestockmarketin technology, media and telecommunications,and the other in the global credit system meltdown. The bond market has been overheatingforyears,andalotofpeoplewhogothurtbytheburst of the technology and mortgage bubbleshaveputalotoftheirinvestableassetsinbonds.Thiswillturnouttobeabigmistakeiftheyarestillholdingthemwhenthebondbubblebursts.No one can predict with any great certaintywhich event will trigger the next major marketdownturn,butmanyarewatchingtheEuropeanUnion and China. For the time being, it seemstheEuropeanUnionhasdoneamuchbetterjobthanexpectedinhandlingthefinancialproblemsbrought on by Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greeceand Spain’s austerity policies. And while it isanticipatedthatChinawillmostlikelydropintoa recession, the government looks to have theadequateresourcestogetthroughit.Andsowewait….Wheredowegofromhere?

Know yourself — It’s dangerous to makelong-term decisions on short-term emotions. It’simportant to remember that when emotions arerunninghigh,youneedtostopandrecallyourlongtermgoals.AsIseeit,myjobasawealthmangerandfinancialadvisorisasmuchaboutpreventingimpulsivedecisionsas it isofpickinganoptimalportfolio formyclients.Putsomeofyourwealthinaportfoliowithbuilt-insafetymechanismsandthentry-ideally-toforgetaboutit.

Build a portfoliodesigned to weather the storms — Diversification across asset classesis critical to surviving periods of uncertainty.Different asset classes respond differently touncertainty,dependingonthenatureofthecrisis.Some classes are wholly unaffected by volatility,andcanstillproduceapositive return.Althoughcorrelations between investments tend to rise inseveremarketdownturns,diversificationcanstillreducetheimpactofadownmarketandprovideliquiditywhenitisneededthemost.

Take advantage of timely opportuni-ties but don’t try to time the market —Adversity becomes opportunity when you areable to forecast future market challenges. Thistimeisnodifferent.Asweanticipateasignificantmarket correction when the bond bubble pops,there are some investment strategies and toolswe can put in place in advance to help reduce,orperhapseveneliminate,thenegativeimpacttoyour portfolio while still providing opportunitiesforportfoliogrowth.

Jumpinginandoutofthemarketbasedonthenewsofthedayisanalluringstrategy.Unfortunately,fewpeople can execute it successfullyover time.Rather than trying todetermine the severity of apossiblerecessioninChinaandtheimpactitwillhaveonthemarkets,Irecommendbuildingahighquality and well diversified portfolio based onyourrisktolerance.Youshouldplanonstayingthecourse in good times andbad,while looking fortactical opportunities as theypresent themselves.This strategy isnotnearly as excitingbut, at theendoftheday,theresultstendtolookalotbetter.

For educational purposes only and should not be considered as specific investment or planning advice. Depending on individual circumstances, the strategies discussed in this presentation may not be appropriate for your situation. Investing involves risk, including loss of value — not a guarantee of future performance or success. There is no assurance that a diversified portfolio will produce better returns than an undiversified portfolio, nor does diversification assure against market loss. Please consult a qualified advisor regarding your individual circumstances.

by Jeffrey M. Orth, ChFC, CASLInvestment AdvisorRepresentative of HTK

The ViewBeyond the Cliff

Jeffrey M. Orth is a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Certified Advisor in Senior Living, and an Investment Advisor Representative, with over 10 years experience as a business and personal plan-ning, insurance, and wealth management specialist. Jeff is available for group lectures and private consultations. Visit his website at www.ifitfinancial.com or call 408.842.2716.

A3JC-0131-03E2

FINANCIALLYSpeaking

Why 2013 could be a good year if you have a healthy attitude and a good plan


http://www.ifitfinancial.com

http://www.ifitfinancial.com

http://www.ifitfinancial.com/


For the past eight years, the EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

(EBRI) has conducted a survey of consumer confidence as it relates to employer

sponsored health insurance. Last year’s survey results have recently been

published and some interesting conclusions

can be drawn from the results. One of the

questions asked was “ What changes would

you make if any, if Congress decides to tax

health benefits as a means to raise revenue

to pay for Healthcare Reform?” The results

of survey show that nearly half of American

workers would either switch to lower cost

option, or drop coverage all together.

The 2012 EBRI

Heath Confidence

Survey found that if

current tax preferences

were to change and

employment – based

coverage became tax-

able to workers, 26%

would want to switch

to a less costly plan, 21% would shop

directly for themselves, and 9% would drop

coverage all together and pay the penalty

associated with the individual mandate in

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

(PPACA). However, nearly 40% of those

responding said they would retain their

current converge — an increase of 10% from

the previous year’s survey.

While changes resulting from PPACA have

raised concerns as to whether employers

will continue to offer health coverage to

their employees, the EBRI survey shows that

employee benefits and health insurance in

particular are a key factor in an employee’s

decision in choosing a job. Since employers

use employee benefit programs to attract

and retain the best employees, the trend

…the EBRI survey shows that

employee benefits and health

insurance in particular are a key

factor in an employee’s decision

in choosing a job.

Dave Villar is the President of Pacific Coast Benefits LLC. He was a founder and partner of PDI Insurance Services. Dave is an active mem-ber of the National Association of Health Underwriters and a member of the Anthem Blue Cross Agent Advisory Council. He has specialized in Employee Benefit Planning for businesses since 1987. To find out more about Pacific Coast Benefits and upcoming Healthcare Reform Seminars, visit www.pacbenins.com or call (408) 847-1000.

Dave Villar, President Pacific Coast Benefits LLC,

UnderstandingHealthcareReform

of employer sponsored health insurance

is certain to continue notwithstanding the

pending changes inside of healthcare reform.

The survey also found that individuals

were mixed when it comes to their preferred

means of obtaining health insurance. 40% of

those who responded would prefer to con-

tinue to receive employer sponsored health

insurance, 34% would prefer to obtain their

own coverage and receive a reimbursement

from their employer,

and 23% would prefer

that their employer give

them the money for

health insurance and

then let them decided

whether to buy it or not.

Choice of health

plans was also a key

factor in consumer satisfaction. Most workers

responding to the EBRI survey said that more

choices would improve their perception of an

employer sponsored health plan. Employees

given a single health plan choice were

among the least satisfied group in the survey.

Finally, employees expressed that the addition

of Wellness Benefits and incentives for healthy

living would be a welcome addition to an

employee benefit program.

With January 1, 2014 around the corner,

now is the time to begin the review of your

health plan to assure you are in compliance

when PPACA is fully implemented. Pacific

Coast Benefits is committed to assisting our

clients navigate healthcare reform. If you

would like to attend an upcoming Healthcare

Reform Seminar, contact us for an invitation.


http://www.pacbenins.com

http://www.pacbenins.com/




http://www.studiothreedance.com/about.php

http://www.themiliasrestaurant.com/


Gilroy CPA’s discuss2012Tax Act

Information provided here was originally presented to the Gilroy Rotary Club membership at a regular luncheon meeting in January of this year.

We thank them for sharing their expertise and allowing us to share it with you in Gilroy Today.

Marie BlankleyMarie PataneBlankley CPA

Paul VanniSeledon, Vanni, Humphrey

& Kawafuchi, CPAs

John BlaettlerJohn Blaettler

Accountancy CorpSteve Schrepfer

Steven C. Schrepfer CPA

As 2012 came to a close, Americans were bombarded with stories about the impending fiscal cliff and the potential doom that our country and economy would incur if we went over this cliff. The fiscal cliff was simply a combination of automatic spending cuts and tax increases that were scheduled to go into effect immediately in 2013 unless Congress and the President could come into agreement on income taxes and government spending levels.

In the 11th hour, the Congress & President Obama passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that dealt with the income tax portion of this fiscal cliff. They never did deal with the government spending levels. This issue has been pushed to the side for now.

If we went over the fiscal cliff, then all taxpayers would have seen their taxes increase. Instead, the 2012 Act only increases taxes on the top 1% of taxpayers. Though it’s worth noting — only 51% of Americans pay income taxes at all. In addition, the 2012 Act makes most of the tax law changes permanent thereby eliminating a future fiscal cliff caused by changes in the income taxes laws.

Income TaxesPriorto2001,theFederalIncomeTaxbracketsforindividualtaxpayersrangedfrom15%to39.6%.Startingin2001,a10%bracketwascarvedoutofthe15%bracketreducingincometaxesforlow-incometaxpayers.Furthermore,allbracketsabove15%werereduced3-5basispoints.Forexample,the39.6%bracketbecamethe35%bracket.

The2012Actwillkeepthesebracketsintact.However,anew39.6%bracketwillbeaddedforhigherincometaxpayers.Thesearedefinedassingletaxpayerswithtaxableincomeabove$400,000ormarriedfilingjointabove$450,000.

Payroll TaxesThe6.2%SocialSecurityTaxandthe1.45%MedicareTaxarecommonlyreferredtoaspayrolltaxes.Bothofthesepayrolltaxesarewithheldfromanemployee’swages.TheemployerthenmustmatchthissameamountandremittheentireamounttotheIRS.Self-employedtaxpayersmustpayboththeemployee

andtheemployertaxesbasedontheirnetself-employedincome.Thisiscommonlyreferredtoastheself-employmenttax.

For2010&2011,theemployee’sportionoftheSocialSecuritytaxwasreducedfrom6.2%to4.2%,therebygivingallemployeesandself-employedtaxpayersanimmediatepayincreaseequalto2%oftheirwages.

The2012ActdidnotextendthisreductiontotheSocialSecuritytaxes.Therefore,theemployeeportionoftheSocialSecuritytaxrevertsbackto6.2%ofwages.

Capital Gains TaxesThetaxlawhasalwaysprovidedforalowertaxrateforlong-termcapitalgain(LTCG)income.LTCGincomeisdefinedasthegainfromtheappreciationofinvestmentsheldlongerthanoneyear.In1997,thistaxratewasdecreasedfrom28%to20%,and,in2003,itwasfurtherreducedto15%.Inaddition,lowincometaxpayerspaida0%taxrateonmostoralloftheirLTCGincome.



The2012ACTretainsthis15%LTCGrateand0%LTCGrateforlowincometaxpayers.However,singletaxpayerswithtaxableincomeabove$400,000ormarriedfilingjointabove$450,000aresubjecttoa20%taxrateontheirLTCGincome.

Qualified Dividend Tax RatesPriorto2003,dividendsweretaxedthesameasinterestincome.Theyweresubjecttothetaxpayer’smarginaltaxbracket,whichcouldbeashighas35%.Since2003,qualifieddividendincomewasgiventhesamepreferredtaxrateasLTCGincome.The2012ACTretainstheLTCGrateforqualifieddividends.

Itemized Deduction And Personal Exemption PhaseoutsPriorto2010,higherincometaxpayerswouldlosealloraportionoftheiritemizeddeductionsandpersonalexemptionsiftheiradjustedgrossincomeexceededcertainthresholds.From2010–2012,thesephaseoutswereeliminatedtherebygivinghigherincometaxpayersfullbenefitfortheirdeductions.

The2012ACTdidnotcontinuetheeliminationofthesephaseouts.Thephaseoutwillbeapplicablestartingin2013.Theywillaffectsingletaxpayerswithadjustedgrossincomeover$250,000andmarriedfilingjointover$300,000.

Alternative Minimum TaxTheAlternativeMinimumTax,(AMT),wasenactedabout30yearsagowithspecifiedexemptionamounts.Theoriginalintentwastomakesureabout150wealthyindividualspaidtheirfairshare.Thelegislationcontainedexemptionsdesignedtoprotectthemiddleclass.Theexemptionamountswereneverindexedforinflation,creatingasituationrequiringCongresstopassnewlegislationeveryyeartoavoidsubjectingmillionsofmiddleclassAmericanstotheincreasedtax.

AMTiscomputedatdifferenttaxratesthanregularincometaxandwithoutmanyincometaxdeductionssuchasstateandlocaltaxes,medicalexpenses,andmiscellaneousitemizeddeduction.TheAmericanTaxpayerReliefActof2012(ATRA)adjustedtheexemptionamountsandindexed

themforfutureinflation.TheATRAalsoprovidedfortheChildTaxCredittobeclaimedagainstAMT.

Child Tax CreditTheChildTaxCredit(CTC)wasduetoexpire;however,theATRAeliminatedthesunsetprovisions,therebyallowingtheChildTaxCredittocontinue.

Healthcare Act of 2010 TheHealthcareActof2010,otherwiseknownasObamacare,istobefundedprimarilybytwotaxlawchanges,bothofwhichtookeffectJanuary1,2013.Thefirstisanadditional.9%MedicareTaxonearnedincome.Previously,individualspaiduptoa2.9%MedicareTaxontheirearnings,1.45%ifyouareanemployeereceivingFormW-2,whereyouremployerthenpicksuptheremaining1.45%,ortheentire2.9%yourselfifyouareself-employed.BeginningJanuary1,2013,thosewithW-2incomereaching$200,000willseeanadditional.9%oftheirearningsabove$200,000withheld.Self-employedindividualswillpay3.8%(2.9+.9)ontheirearningsabovethethreshold.

ThesecondtaxchangetofundObamacarethatwentintoeffectJanuary1,2013isataxonanetinvestmentincomeof3.8%forindividuals,andestatesandtrustswithincomeover$200,000($250,000ifmarriedfilingjoint;$125,000ifmarriedfilingseparate).ThisnewtaxiscalledaMedicareTax,butitisthefirstmedicaretaxtobeassessedonOTHERTHANearnedincome.Assuch,thoseindividualslivingoffofunearnedincome,suchasretiredindividuals,mayseeataxliabilitythattheywereunabletoplanforbeforetheyretired.

How Does It Affect You?Thenew3.8%MedicareTaxonnetinvestmentincomeapplieswhereincomeisinexcessofthethresholdamountandcanbeexplainedwiththefollowingexample:

In2013,anindividualtaxpayerhasearnedincomeof$160,000andinvestmentincomeof$70,000.Thesumofthetwoequals$230,000,whichexceedsthe$200,000thresholdforthe3.8%taxby$30,000.The3.8%taxappliestothelesseroftheexcessover$200,000ortheamountofinvestmentincome.

Sincetheformeris$30,000andthelatteris$70,000,the3.8%taxiscalculatedonthe$30,000andthetax-payerwilloweanadditionalMedicareTaxof$1,140for2013.Notethattheresultwouldbethesameifthiswerearetiredindividualwith$230,000ofunearned/investmentincome.

Medical Expense DeductionUnrelatedtoObamacarebutstilla“medical”taxlawchangetakingeffectin2013istheAGIthresholdfordeductingmedicalexpenses.Previously,onlythatportionofmedicalexpensesexceeding7.5%ofadjustedgrossincome(AGI)wasdeductible.Beginningwithtaxyear2013,onlythatportionofmedicalexpensesexceeding10%ofAGIwillbedeductible.

Business Tax ProvisionsOfthemanybusinesstaxprovisionsthatwereextendedorchangedaffectingtaxyears2012and2013,thosemostlikelytoaffectthemajorityofbusinessownersarethedepreciationrules.For2012and2013,theInternalRevenueCodeSection179deductionlimitisraisedto$500,000,upfrom$139,000previously.Bonusdepreciation,previouslyallowedat100%fornewassets,dropsto50%for2012and2013.

Estate Tax ProvisionsThe2012Actpermanently(meaninguntilitchanges)providesforamaximumestatetaxrateof40%forestatesofdecedentsdyingafter2012,withanexclusionof$5million,adjustedannuallyforinflationusing2010asthebaseyear.Theexemptionamountfor2012is$5,120,000.Theinflation-adjustedexclusionamountfor2013is$5,250,000.TheActalsoprovidesa40%taxrateandaunifiedestateandgifttaxexemptionof$5million(inflationadjusted)forgiftsmadeinexcessoftheannualexclusionstartingafter2012.Theannualgiftexclusiongoesupto$14,000in2013.

Inaddition,theActcontinuesandmakespermanenttheportabilityelectionbetweenspouses.Thisprovisionallowsforthetransferofanyunusedapplicableexclusionofthedecedent’sestatetothesurvivingspouse.

Californiadoesnothaveanestategifttax.




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Following High FashionColors in your garden follow the trends of high fashion and why not. Shouldn’t your garden be a show stopper? The 2013 colors are fun, light and bright. From bright yellows and greens to soft hues of peach or orange they will look great in your garden. But try to think out of the box. Of course you want to redo your pots of color with the wonderful spring colors of Calibrachoa, Dianthus and Gerbera Daisies, but the pops of color don’t have to come only from your plants and flowers.

Try repurposing your terra cotta pots or an old trellis with one of these bright colors from Rust-Oleum, maybe bright blue or yellow? On their website, rustoleum.com, they have tutorials for all kinds of fun projects that would work perfectly to brighten up your garden. You can also

Spring Something Colorful For Your Garden

Brought to you by Garden Accents11155 Lena Avenue • 408.846.4555 garden-accents.net

put a large glazed pot in purple with a great Black Eyed Susan Vine with its beautiful bright yellow and black flowers. Or a bright red pot with one of my favorites the Blueglow Agave with great blue flesh color and just enough red edging to set off the pot. The pottery manufacturers have come such a long way in creating new wonderful colors that the garden does not have to be just greens and browns any longer.

If you have a little “secret garden” area, you can put out a bright bistro table so you can enjoy the mornings or evenings with a book and some coffee or tea! The bistro set below is from a wonderful new line of Fermob tables that are sure to do the job. And even a smaller space can do with a brightly colored ceramic sphere. It will last forever with no care!

IT’S TIME TOo Apply Pre-Emergent to prevent those annual

weeds from germinating in your lawn and garden

o Pick out your vegetables like lettuce, beets, peas and spinach and get them planted

o If you have a greenhouse you can get your strawberries and tomatoes started

o Fertilize your lawn with Turf Royal 22-7-14

o Fertilizer your garden with an all purpose 15-15-15

o Take advantage of the spring weather and over seed to refresh and renew your lawn

o Refresh your color pots with your favorite annual and or perennial plant colors

o If your ground is holding water and not draining put down some Cal-CM


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In today’s market,

specifically in California,

1031 exchanges are of

considerable and growing

benefit to many.

George L. Renz, CCIM, ALC was born and raised in Gilroy. He is the broker, owner and operator of Renz & Renz Real Estate Brokerage; specializing in commercial and investment property sales and 1031 Exchanges in South County and beyond since 1983. Visit his website at www.renz-renz.com or call 408.846.1031.

Hold on to your Real Estate Capital

By George Renz

Due to current appreciation trends

in the real estate market and

federal and state tax increases, Tax

Deferred Exchanges, also known as 1031

Exchanges, are reviving in popularity.

If you have real estate holdings you wish

to sell and repurchase without paying taxes

on your sale income, an exchange may

be the perfect option. Whether reasons for

an exchange are focused on entering into

a new type of property (from Residential

holdings to Retail, for exam-

ple) or a new location, an

exchange has many benefits.

There are many types of prop-

erty exchanges; simultaneous,

delayed, reversed, built to suit,

1031 and 1033 exchange. In

today’s market, specifically in

California, 1031 exchanges

are of considerable and growing benefit to

many.

With new state legislation, California

property holders face huge tax increases

and therefore a potential reduction in capital

with the sale of real estate. The sale of

property(ies) means the seller will see new

charges of up to 20% Federal Capital

Gains tax, 13% State tax, 25% depreciation

recapture, and 3.8% Healthcare tax. Do not

panic! There are ways to sell and purchase

without these massive losses in capital. If you

are looking to trade-in your property — to

purchase a property of another type or in

a new location—sale and purchase do not

have to be strictly separate things, which

would trigger taxes due. The answer is 1031

Exchange.

In an exchange, the selling party is also

a buying party and both sale and purchase

take place within a dictated period, with the

value of one property covering (contributing

to) the purchase of another. Any exchange

requires strategy, trust, and a team who

understand how to work within the rules of the

chosen exchange type.

There are many reasons for pursuing a

1031 exchange and many benefits. Whether

you are looking to 1) sell a current investment

property to change property type (i.e. selling

two rental houses or an apartment in order

to purchase commercial

or office buildings, or

moving from ownership

of raw land to indus-

trial, etc); 2) renewing

expiring depreciation

value in assets, consoli-

dating investments; or

3) following the market

to achieve greater appreciation. A 1031

exchange can allow sale and purchase of

investment property without the extreme loss of

capital through taxation. A 1031 exchange

has many subtypes and to know which is

right for you is a task for your advisor. In

pursuing a 1031 exchange you should make

clear to your financial advisors, any partners,

your agent and others what your goals are.

Making intent clear will allow your agent and

advisors to help you transition smoothly to the

new investment and eliminate improper or

unsuitable investment properties.

As the period of sale and purchase are

standard, there are some simple but important

ways an investor can ensure a smooth 1031

exchange. Here again, the most important

factor to a successful exchange is to have an

agent who is on point and on board with the

investor’s intent. While often times dictating

how long it will take to find a buyer with

your property on the market, it can often be

challenging to find a replacement property. If

you already know what type of property you

are looking for, it is good to keep current with

what is available that might fit your needs.

Strategies for exchange should be

discussed with your agent prior to listing.

Some investors may find exchange unsuitable

for them. But for those who know they are

not looking to cash out of investing but are

really pursuing a different type of investment

or location, a 1031 exchange can help them

keep hold of that investment capital and work

it into an evolving real estate portfolio.


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“Give Where You Live”�e Gilroy Foundation

expresses its sincere gratitude to the following for joining the family of funds

providing scholarships and grants to organizations supporting health, education, civic services,

recreation and the arts.

Frank Della Maggiora FundGUSD Educational Fund

Christopher Scholarship Program

�ese funds join our 60 other Family and Group Funds and our 9 Non-Profit Partnership Funds.

Please visit our website www.gilroyfoundation.org for a complete

list of individuals, families and organizations that support our community

as members and as fund donors.

Over the past 30 years, the Gilroy Foundation has awarded over

$2 million in grants and scholarships to worthy organizations and students.

As the endowment grows, so does our grantmaking.

Won’t you join us…and “Give Where You Live”?Gilroy Foundation

P. O. Box 774 • 60 Fourth Street #208Gilroy, California 95021 • 408.842.3727

www.gilroyfoundation.org

By George Renz


http://www.gilroyfoundation.org


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LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEARCOSTCO

BuyingatCostcoisanexperienceinbig.Thewarehouseisbig.Theparkinglotisbig.Thepackagingisbig.AndsoistheheartandcommunityinvestmentofthepeopleofGilroy’sCostco.Startingwiththegeneralmanager,GregoryGutierrez,thereisaconnectionwiththecommunity.Ofthefivestoreshehasworkedin,Gilroyseemstohavethestrongestcommunitybond.Gregenjoysseeingandinteractingwiththestores“regulars.”AwalkaroundthestorewithGregisanadventure.Hepicksuppapers,sweepsupasmallspillandgreetsemployeesbyname.Employees,inturn,aregenerouswithbigsmilesandgreetingsbacktoGreg.

TheGilroyCostcoemploysover200peoplewithabouthalfofthemlivinglocallyandsixtypercentworkingfulltime.CostcoemployeesareinvolvedwithaGUSDreadingprogram,acommunitybackpackprogramforelementaryschoolkids,UnitedWay,andChildren’sMiracleNetwork.GregisproudtohaveraisedthelocalcontributionstoChildren’sMiracleNetworkto$36,000,abigincrease!

Gilroy Today congratulates the recipients of the 2013 Gilroy Chamber of Commerce’s “Spice of Life” Awards, which were presented at the Chamber’s 10th Annual Citizen and Business Awards Dinner and Board Installation Ceremony in February. The awards are presented to individuals and businesses within the community that help make Gilroy a wonderful place to live and work.

Gilroy CommunityHappenings…

GregoryGutierrez,GeneralManager


SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEARMAFADA’S BRIDAL SHOP

Mafalda’sisthelittleshopthatcould.In1991,MafaldaFrietasstartedwithasmallplaceonWestwoodDrive;todayshehasalarge,colorfulandexpansivebridalshoponthecornerofFifthandMonterey.Theshophasanamazingselectionofwedding,bridesmaid,prom,quinceañeraandeveninggowns,aswellasalargeinventoryofrentaltuxedos.

RecentlymarriedandspeakingonlyPortuguese,MafaldamovedtotheUSat18yearsofage.HerbridalshoptodayisthefulfillmentofachildhoodmemoryofabeautifuldressshopinPortugal.BymostMBAbusinessmodels,thisplaceshouldnotbeasuccess…butitis…becauseitisadreamcometrue.

MafaldacametoGilroywithstrongrootsinPortugal.Gilroywassmallthenandshesaysitstillhasasmall-townfeel.Overtheyears,manythingshavechanged—butonethingstandsoutforMafalda.AfterexplainingthatGilroyisagoodplacetoliveandisveryfriendlyshesayswithatearinhereye“Itismyhome!”

MAN OF THE YEARSIG SANCHEZ Pushing93,SigSanchezisremarkable.Thebodymightmove

alittleslowerbutthemindisassharpasever.Heremembersthingsmostofusneverknewandoffersanalysisonissuesbeforeweknewtheywereanissue.SittingdownwithSigisadelight.

Sighasspentover55yearsinpublicserviceworkingthoughpositionsasaGilroycitycouncilman,andmayor,SantaClaraCountysupervisorforDistrictOne,andfinallyadirectorontheSantaClaraWaterDistrictBoard.OnetributetohisleadershipontheWaterBoardisthatwaterissuesarenotissueslocallytoday!

SigwasbornandraisedinHollisterandprobablywouldhavelivedthereifhiswifeJanehadnotbeenfromGilroy.Shewantedtolivehere,andafterstartingafamily,Gilroybecamehome.

SigreckonshewasnamedManoftheYearbytheGilroyChamberofCommercebecausehehasbeenaroundlongerthanmost.AtthesametimeheremembersthosewhohadthecourageandforesighttobuildtheinfrastructurethatmakesGilroyandthecountyofSantaClarasuchagreatplacetolive.

SignotesthatGilroyisaplacewherepeopledothingstogether.Thereisaspiritinthetownoffiftythousandthatmakesitstillfeellikeasmalltown…justnotassmallas3,600whenhewasonthecitycouncil!



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WOMAN OF THE YEARBARB GRANTER

Barbara-LeaGranter,theVicePresidentandGeneralManagerofGilroyGardens,describesherselfa“reluctantGilroyan.”Allherlifeshehadlivedandworkedinlargecitiesandbecamecomfortablewiththeanonymitythatgoeswithbigcitylife.Herten-yearstayinGilroyhasbeenajourneyfromanonymitytoWomanoftheYear.

FromNovaScotia,Canada,BarbisnowaUScitizenandcomfortablehere.Comfortandinvolvementisnec-essaryforthemanagerofalargecity-ownedamusementpark.BarbisaregularatChamber,WelcomeCenterandLeadershipGilroyfunctions.SheownsahomehereandfrequentlytellsemployeesatGilroyGardens,“Iwanttostayheresothisbusinessneedstobestrong.”

Energy,organizationandinsightareherhallmarks.ShenotesthatthisawardmightopenafewdoorsforsomenewcreativeventuresatGilroyGardens.Askhersometimeaboutherlifecycleplanfor4-year-oldkidsto24-year-oldyoungadultsatGilroyGardens.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEARDAVID BOLL

DavidBollistheownerofalocalbusiness,HeartwoodCabinets,thatmanufacturescustomcabinetry.Therecessionhitrealestate,constructionandhisbusinesshard.Inspiteofthis,Davidhasmaintainedacommitmenttothecommunityandawillingnesstogetinvolvedasavolunteer.Whilehonoredwiththisaward,hesays“Itisthetownmorethanme.”Henotesthatthereisa“self-sustainingcultureofcommunityspirit”inGilroy.

BeforemovingtoGilroy,Davidandhiswife,Eileenlivedinthemid-Peninsulaarea.Theylivedthereandwereneverrecruitedforanything.Hehadnospecialfeelingforthecity.WhentheymovedtoGilroy,theynoticedsomethingdifferent.PeoplevolunteeredfortheGarlicFestivalandtherewasaculture“tohelpmakethetownbetter.”

Thisyear,Davidwillbeoneoftheco-chairsofthebeersalesattheGarlicFestival.Heextendshiscommunitycommitmenttohisemployees.OnFridayoftheGarlicFestivalhepayshisemployeeswhovolunteertoworkinoneofthebeerbooths!



EDUCATOR OF THE YEARJAMES DENT

JamesDentisthePrincipalandCo-founderoftheGilroyPrepSchool,acharterschoollocatedonIOOFAvenue.ForJames,itisallaboutlearning.Jameshasastrongrecordofadvancinglearningwhereverhehasbeen.AtGilroyPrepSchool,hecontinuesthatrecord.Thisyear,GilroyProphasstudentsingradeskindertosecondgrade.Thereisanannuallotteryfornewincomingstudents.

HeredefineshisEducatoroftheYearAwardastheGilroyPrepSchoolTeamoftheYearAward.Inthebusinesscommunityweoftenfindbusinesspeoplewhohavealaserfocusonmakingmoney.JamesDentseemstohavethatsamelaserfocusongettingkidstolearn.

WhileJameslivesinPrundale,heclaimstobeverymuchaCentralCoastkindofaguyandhasworkedinseveralneighboringcommunities.HenotesthatGilroyhasauniquedegreeofsophisticationandtremendouscommunitysupport.Herelishesthediversityofthestu-dentbodyatGilroyPrepwithstudentsfrom10differentcountries.

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEARGILROY FOUNDATION

DonnaPrayistheExecutiveDirectoroftheGilroyFoundationandoneofonlythreeemployees.TheFoundationhasover$8.5millioninassets.Lastyear,grantsandscholarshipstotaled$432,000.Inthepast30years,theFoundationhasmovedover$2millionbackintothecommunity.TheGilroyFoundationpartnerswiththemorewellknowSiliconValleyCommunityFoundationwithover$2billioninassets.

DonnaacknowledgesthatGilroyisasmalltownof50,000people,withauniquesenseofcommunity.

DonnahopesthatthisawardwillleadtomoreawarenessoftheFoundationandencouragepeopleto“GiveWhereYouLive.”ContributionstotheFoundationcomeinallsizes.Thesmallestoneshecanrememberwasfor$10,thelargest$1million.

Ifyouwanttoknowwho’swhoinGilroyandifyouwanttoattendthebestpartyintown,besuretogetatickettotheannualfundraiser.The24thannualDayintheCountry,willbeheldSaturday,September14,2013attheGilroyElks’LodgeontheHill.



Happy Holidays


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Nearly34yearsafterarrivingtotheBayAreafromEgypt,

HamdyAbbasshasworkedhardtosecureafulfillinglife–

professionallyandpersonally-inthecitythatheloves.

BorninEgypt,intheValleyoftheKings,Abbassrecalls

touringEuropeeverysummerasayoungcollegestudent.

“Itastedthefreedom—thefreedomtoexpressordowhat-

everyouwant.IheardthatinAmericaitwasevenbetter,”

Abbass,59,said.

Aftergraduatingfromcollegewithadegreeinplant

pathology,hetoldhiscollegegirlfriend,Magdathathewas

goingtoAmerica.Truetohisword,Abbassatage25hopped

onaplaneattheendofhisfour-yearstintintheEgyptian

military.Hefoundhimselfinwhatseemedlikeanother

world.Itwas1979inSanFrancisco-thesameyeartheKing

TutexhibithadarrivedattheDeYoungMuseum.

ThefirstweekendAbbassspentinSanFrancisco,he

recallswalkingaroundMarketStreet,wherehecameacrossa

streetfestival.Abbassremembersenjoyingthefestivalwhen

apasserbyaskedhimifheknewwhatwasgoingon.“Isaid

it’safestival.AndhesaidthisisGayFreedomDay.Thisis

whenIrealizedwhatawonderfulcitySanFranciscois.Itis

anaccommodatingcity.IstillloveSanFrancisco.Itwasa

cultureshockforayoungmanfromtheeast.Itopenedmy

eyesthatyourespectpeopleforwhotheyare.Ihavevalued

thateversince.”

AbbassworkedforKayJewelersforsevenyears.During

thattime,hemarriedhiscollegesweetheart,Magda,who

hadarrivedintheU.S.twoyearsafterhim.Theyhavetwo

daughters,Heidi,27,andEmaan,26.

AfterlivinginSanDiegoforafewyears,theyoungfamily

settledinHollisterandAbbassacceptedajobwithPrudential

inGilroy.“Ithoughtitwouldlastmesixmonths,”Abbass

said.“ButIloveditsomuchandIenjoyedhelpingpeople

protecttheirmostvaluableassetsandI’vebeenheresince.”

Thisyearmarks26yearsthatAbbasshasbeenwiththe

company.Hehaswoneveryawardtheindustryhastooffer.

HeandMagdacelebratedtheir31stweddinganniversary

onValentine’sDaythisyear.Magda,57,worksasalab

technicianatGavilanCollege.

Bothdaughtersliveathome.Heidiispreparingtotakethe

barafterreturninghomefromEgypt.Shestartedanon-profit

grouptohelpyoungEgyptiansandAmericanslivinginEgypt

Everyone has a story…meet Hamdy Abbass

By Kelly Barbazette

Continued on page 39

Ifa title hung over Hamdy Abbass’ life it would read,

“Living the true American dream.”



By Jim Ward

The Importance of PlanningEarly

LEGALLYSpeaking

Jim Ward is a long-time Gilroy resident who raised both of his children in Gilroy and was active in the community for years. He left us for several years while he went to law school in New England and then obtained a graduate law degree in Estate Planning at the University of Miami. Jim worked as an estate planning and elder law attorney in Florida, and recently returned to Gilroy to open his own law firm focusing on both estate planning and elder law.

Does your family really know what you want?Youmaybeundecidedaboutwhattreatmentyouwantwhenyou’reillorhowtotransferyourestatewhenyoupassaway,…andyourfamilymayevenwantsomethingdifferentthanwhatyouwant.Somaybeyoushouldputyourwishesinwritinginalegallyvaliddocumenttoleteveryoneknow.

Alltoooften,whenitcomestoestateplanningissues,spousesdisagreewitheachotherandtheadultchildrendisagreewiththeirparents.Puttingoffthedecisiondoesn’tmakeiteasier,anditrarelygetssolvedbywaiting.Issuessuchaswhetheryouwantburialorcremation,orwhetheryouwanttousealivingwill,orwhowillmakeyourhealthcaredecisions,areallissuesthatneedtobeaddressed.Ifyouhaveminorchildren,doyouhaveavalidwillthatappointsguard-iansforthemiftheneedarises?

Whenpeoplearefacedwithmakingtheformaldecisionofhowtosplittheirremain-ingassetsamongtheirfamilymembers,manypeoplefreezeup.Theymaymakeadecision,butthennotbewillingtosignituntilafewweekshavepassedandthey’vereachedthepointwheretheyknowthattheysimplyhavetobitethebulletandgetitdone.

TheCaliforniaLegislaturehaspreparedaplanforeachofusincasewedon’thaveavalidplanofourown.Ifyouwanttomakeyourowndecisions,however,youneedtohaveyourownsetofdocumentspreparedaccordingtoyourownwishes.Ifyoudon’tact,therulesoftheStateofCaliforniawillgovern.

Mostpeopletaketimetoplanforadinnerpartyortheirvacation,buttheyputoffestateplanningorlong-termcareplanning.Mostpeopleprefertonotthinkabouthowtheywillbecaredforastheyadvanceinage,andtheysimplythinkthat“itwillallworkout.”Whenitcomestolong-termcareplanning,includingfindingtheappropriatecareandfiguringouthowtopayforit,thosewho

failtoplanareclearlytheoneswhorisklosingthemost.

Asanestateplanningandelderlawattorney,Ifrequentlyseepeoplewhohavewaitedtoolongtodotheirplanning.It’sfrustratingfortheirfamilies,andfrustratingformeaswellwhenIknowthatsomethingcouldhavebeendonetobetterprotectthepersonandthefamilyifsomeonehadonlytakentheappropriateactionabitsooner.Nobodyeverplanstohaveastrokeordevelopdementia,butithappensunexpectedlytomanyofus.Youneedtoplanforthatpossibility.

Insuranceforlong-termcareisanever-changingarea.Manycompaniesthatofferedgreatpoliciesbeforearenolongerofferinglongtermcareinsurance,andnewcompaniesareofferingmoreconservativeplans.Ifyou’reatanagewherelong-termcareinsuranceisstillaffordableforyou,youshouldlookintoit.Ifitisn’tanoptionforyou,thenyoushouldmeetwithanelderlawattorneytounderstandotheroptionsthatyoumayhave.Waitingisrarelyagoodoption.

TheDeficitReductionActof2005(knownasDRA2005)wentintoeffectatthebegin-ningof2006.Oneofthereasonsfortheactwastomakeitmoredifficultforseniorstoreceivegovernmentassistanceforcareinaskillednursingfacilityorsupplementalcareathome.EverystateexceptCaliforniahasalreadyadoptedthenewrules.Californiastillhasalotofelderlawplanningflexibilitytoday,butthatwillchangesoon.OnceCaliforniaadoptsthoserules,peoplewhohaven’tplannedinadvancewillpayanevengreaterpriceforwaiting.

Properplanning,whetherforestateplan-ning,elderconsiderations,orMedi-Calplan-ning,canfrequentlyprovideforabetterlifeforthesenior,theirspouse,andtheirheirs.Itisn’tsomethingtotakelightlyorputoffwiththeideathat“thingswillworkout”ontheirown.

Evenifyoualreadydidsomeplanningsev-eralyearsago,maybeit’stimetopulloutthoseolddocuments,dustthemoff,andseeiftheystillreflectyourwishes.

“It’s not estate improvising; it’s estate planning.”

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so

that you can do something about it now.” —Alan Lakein, Time Management Expert


http://www.wardesq.com/


GinaChekouras

FIRST GRADE TEACHER / GUSD

It’s a sense of fun and wonder that Gina Chekouras strives to bring to her first grade classroom at Glen View School in Gilroy each day. She points to a sign that hangs in the middle of her classroom, which greets her and her 23 students each day.

“It’s all about attitude,” she reads. “It stems back to why I’m even here. It all goes back to it’s what you make of it.”

Under the sign Chekouras has pinned a gentle reminder that she wrote to herself from the class mascot, Lamby, a stuffed animal the children adore. “Dear Mrs. Chekouras, don’t forget to have fun today.”

Chekouras’ classroom’s walls are lined with words, topics, sentences, shelves of books, and self-portraits of her students – they learn about a different artist each month.“The most important thing for me is the relationship-building, instilling confidence,” Chekouras explains. “You have to have that intrinsic motivation to want to be here.”

Chekouras works to motivate her students to want to be here, building up their self-esteem so that they feel confident enough to stand up and answer questions.

“By the end of the year I want them to question me,” Chekouras said. “I really want them to take their confi-dence to second grade, take ownership of that learning, to really be thinkers. I really want them to love school and love being here. Being independent and solving their own problems.”

In turn, she said from her students, she learns patience and understanding. “They make me a better teacher, that’s for sure.” By Kelly Barbazette



Pictured From Left to Right:

Chef Dave Bozzo; the new

dance floor, carpet and tile

in the Valley View Room; and

the view from the new patio

area.

By Larry J. Mickartz




http://www.gilroylodgeonthehill.com


Comfortable Traditional Scenic



MaryAnn&JohnSorcimovedtoGilroy8½yearsago

fromSanJose,ontheCupertinoboarderwherethey

livedfor26years.Theyraisedfourchildren,three

boysandagirl.Whenthekidsalllefthome,andone

daughterandfamilymovedtoMorganHill,JohnandAnndecidedit

wastimeforamove.Insteadoftheusuallydownsizing,theyupsized

totheircurrentCountryEstateshome.

OriginallytheSorci’slookedforhomesintheBlossomHill,Silver

CreekareasofSanJose,andthenexpandedtheirsearchtoMorgan

Hill.Butwhenanappointmentwasmovedback,allowingforsome

extratime,theyventuredtoGilroytovisitacoupleopenhouses.They

purchasedthesecondhousetheyvisited.JohnnotesthatinJuly2004

theyfoundthehousingvalueinGilroytobemuchbetterthanSouth

SanJoseandMorganHill.

Theyareverypleasedwiththeirdecisiontoday,sayingthatthey

reallylikethelocationoftheirhome.“It’snottotallyisolated.Wehave

neighbors,buttheyarenotontopofus.And,wehaveasecurity

guylivingnextdoor.”Withalargegrowingfamily;currentlyseven

grandchildren,their3,900sq.ft.homeprovidesalltheroomthey

needtoaccommodatefamilydinnersof16andholidaydinnersof26

plus.Ithasawonderfulfamily/kitchenareaperfectforvisitingwhile

preparingfoodandmakingcookieswiththegrandchildren.

Mary Ann & John Sorci

An avid sports fan, John’s office contains all

types of sports memorabilia as well as trophies he

obtained during his years of coaching.



HomeTo Be Featuredat the

Thehomesitson1.4acreswithamassivebackyard,

barbecueareaandbeautifuloaktrees.Ithasfivebedrooms—

oneusedasanofficeandanotherasanexerciseroom—three

fullbathroomsandanoutdoorspa.Someoftheamenitiesof

thehomeincludeimpressivechandeliers,slateflooring—that

MaryAnnsaysisveryeasytocareforbutnotsoforgivingwhen

somethinggetsdroppedonit—andwiredsoundthroughout.

Oneoftheuniquepiecesinthehomeisapaintingofthefarm

whereMaryAnngrewupbackinNebraska.

BothJohnandMaryAnnareverycommunityoriented.They

arepartoftheSt.MaryCatholicChurchcommunity;attending

massdailyandhelpingwheneverneeded.MaryAnnhelpsin

thefoodroomatSt.Joseph’sonFridayafternoons.Shefondly

remembersworkingwithMargeAlbaugh,pastdirectorof

St.Joseph’sandspeakshighlyoftheworkthatisbeingdoneby

theorganizationtoday.

JohngrewupintheEastBayandworkedforSymantec

inCupertino(nowlocatedinMountainView).Uponhis

retirement,heobtainedaprivatepilot’slicenseandenjoys

takingasmallrentalplaneoutoftheSanMartinAirportnow

andagain.Heisanavidsportsfanandwasalittleleaguecoach

for18years.Hishomeofficeisfilledwithmemorabiliaand

trophiesfromthosedaysaswellasthosehissonsacquired

duringtheiryearsofplayingvarioussports.

AlthoughJohntraveledextensivelywhileworkingfor

SymanticastheirVPofGlobalOperations,heislooking

forwardtotravelingwithMaryAnn.Theyhavetwotrips

plannedthisyear–oneacruisethroughthePanamaCanal

andtheothertoAlaska.

See Community Tidbits, page 3 for details




By Stephanie Vegh

Hiking: are youready forthe hills?

Stephanie Vegh has a degree in Exercise Physiology from Chico State and has worked in the fitness industry for over 12 years. She is the Health & Wellness Director & Fitness Instructor at the Centennial Recreation Center (CRC) in Morgan Hill. She lives in Gilroy with her husband Frank, five-year-old twin daughters, Isabella and Addison, and 2 year old baby girl, Alexis.

Hikingisaphysicallyandmentallyrewardingactivitythatcanbeenjoyedbypeopleofallages.Evenforthosewithnoexperi-

enceinhikingorevenregularexercise,theycanfindhikingpleasurable.Ifyou’veneverexperiencedhikingbefore,justalittlefore-thoughtandpreparationcanmakethediffer-encebetweencompletingyourhikeenergizedandinvigoratedinsteadofexhaustedandsore.Ifyourupcominghikeisshortandflatwitheasyfooting,youmayalreadyhavetheamountoffitnessneededtocompletethehikeeasilyandcomfortably.However,ifyourhikeislong,hilly,oronuneventerrain(manytrailsareallthree),thenalittlegroundworkisinorder.

First,youshouldbephysicallyabletocoverthemileagerequired.Regularwalks,buildinguptoaboutthree-fourthsthelengthoftheplannedhike,shouldbeperformedtomakesureyouraerobicfitnessisadequatetocompletethedistancewithoutunduefatigue.Forthemostpart,hikingisanaerobicactivityperformedatanintensitythatcanbesustainedforalongperiodoftime.However,duringveryhillystretchesofahike,yourexerciseintensitymaybeveryhighnomatterhowslowyouwalk.Yourwalkingrouteshouldincorporatesomehillstoconditionyourbodyandyoucantakefrequentreststopsifneeded.Rememberthegoalisexerciseandenjoyment.Ifyou’rewalkingsofastthatyoucan’tcarryonashortconversation,slowdown.

Aregularwalkingregimenisagreatfirststeptogetreadyforyourhike,butit’snotquiteenoughonitsown.Nowthatyou’vebuiltsomeaerobicfitness,youneedtoworkonyourhikingfitness.Thebestwaytobecomefitforhikingistohike.Thisisoneoftheprincipalsofexercisetraining—thelawofspecificity,whichstatesthatinordertoimproveinacertainsportoractivity,youmustperformthatactivity.Hikingtoprepareforahikegetsyourbodyaccustomedtotheexactmovementsandconditionsthatwillberequiredofyouduringtheactualhike—somethingthatnootherexercisecanperfectlysimulate.Evenwalkingonatreadmillwillnotprepareyouforthefrequentupanddownhills,adjustmentsinspeed,andunevenfootingyouwillencounteronatrail.

Evenifyouraerobicfitnessisfine,yourlegandtorsomuscleswillneedsometimetoadjusttohilly,uneventerrain.Walkingon

flat,evengroundtargetsyourbuttocks,ham-strings,calves,andthemusclesonthebackoftheleg.However,whenuphillsarethrownintothemix,moreemphasisisplacedonthequadricepsandshinsonthefrontoftheleg.Thebuttocks,hamstrings,andcalvescontractevenharder-aperfectrecipeformusclesorenessorstrainsifunprepared.

Walkingdownhillcancausemusclesorenessifuntrainedbecausethelegmusclesareundergoingeccentriccontractions.Mostofthetime,amuscleshortenswhenitcontracts.Duringeccentriccontractions,themuscleactuallylengthensasitcontracts,oftenresultinginmicroscopictearsinthemuscle.Finally,theuneventerrainofmosttrailsrequiresyoutoengageyour“stabilizingmuscles.”Theyaretheoneskeepingyourtorsouprightandensuringthatyourlegsandfeetremainstableuponimpactwiththeground.Thesemusclesincludetheabdominalobliquesonthesideofthetorso,iliotibialbandontheoutsideofthethigh,vastusmedialis(justaboveandtotheinsideofthekneecap),andtheperonealsonthesideofthelowerleg.

Inordertoimprovehikingfitness,yourgoalshouldbetotraininconditionsthatwillsimulatethebighikeonasmallerscale.Forexample,ifyouareplanninga6-milehillyhike,youwouldfirstensurethatyoucanhike4milesonflatterrainwithnoproblems.Then,toimproveyourhikingfitness,takeshorterhikesof2to3milesonhilly,uneventerraintoconditionyourbodyandmindforthedemandsoftheupcominghike.

Makesuretosimulateasmanyconditionsoftheupcominghikeaspossible.Thisincludeswearingthesamedaypack,clothes,shoes,andaccessoriesthatyouwillbringonthebigday.Thiswillgiveyouthechancetomakesurethateverythingfeelscomfort-ableandtherearenoproblemswithyourgear.Yourgoalshouldbetowalkataneasypaceandenjoyyourself.It’snormaltobealittlesoreandtiredafteryourfirstcoupleofhikes.Thegoodnewsisthatwithrepeatedshortpracticehikes,themusclesorenesswilleventuallygoawayandbereplacedwithfeelingsofconfidenceandvigor.Onceyoureachthepointwherefeelingsofenergyandrelaxationoutweighthefeelingsoffatigueafterahike,youareprobablyfitenoughtoincreasethedurationofyourexcursionsifyoulike.




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Should you LTC or Not??

Dorie Sugay is the Executive Director of Visiting Angels, a company that provides living-assistance services to seniors and adults-in-need who wish to stay in their own home or receive one-on-one care within a facility.

By Dorie U. Sugay

AGING with an Attitude

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It was written independent of Visiting Angels.

Weareatanagewhen

retailstoresareusing

theirnamesasverbs,

andinthreeletterswecancommunicate,

soIamjumpingin.Ok,ifyouhavenot

guessedwhatLTCis,Iamreferringto

“LongTermCare.”Soshouldyouor

shouldn’tyouLTC?

Therearemanycommon

misconceptionsregardingLTC.For

answers,IwenttolocalexpertsinGilroy

-JeffOrthofIntegratedFinancialBenefits

NetworkandAttorneyJimWard,who

specializesineldercarelawandestate

planning.(Butofcourse,therearemany

otherswhoaregoodlocalresources).

I am too young for LTCTheyoungestclientwehadatVisiting

Angelswhoneededcare24/7was42…

dreamsshatteredbyanunexpected

healthissue.Thereareasmanyaccidents

amongstthoseunder65asthoseover

65.Ifanunexpectedtwistcompromises

you,doyouhavefamilytocareforyou?

Premiumsarebasedonyourageand

healthatthetimeofyourapplicationand

justasyouguessed,theyoungeryouare

whenyouapply,thelowerthepremium.

I don’t qualify for Medi-Cal and I can’t afford to self-pay for home careIt’struethattheDeficitReductionAct

madeitmoredifficultformanypeople

toqualifyforMedi-Cal,butmanypeople

canstilltakeadvantageofittocovercare

costs.AccordingtoElderLawAttorney

JimWard,“Californiahasnotyet

adoptedthe2005Act.Peoplecanstill

takeadvantageoftheolderrules.”He

hashelpedalotofpeopletoprotect

themselvesbeforethelawchanges.

Consultwithanelderlawattorneywho

knowsaboutqualifyingforMedi-Calor

otherlegaltwistsyoucanusetoyour

advantage!Don’tacceptwhatotherssay

untilyouspeakwithsomeonewhois

knowledgeableaboutthecurrentrules.

Long Term Care is for nursing homes; I am staying homeThisisoneofthemostcommon

misconceptions.AgoodLTCpolicycan

helpyouaffordnon-medicalassistance

soyoucanstayinyourownhomewhile

otherswhocannotaffordtheservicesend

upinnursinghomes(example:thosewho

needmorethan8hoursofcareandthe

familycannothelp).

I have Disability Insurance (DI)DIisdesignedtoreplaceaportionofyour

incomeshouldyoubecomedisabled.If

yourequirelong-termcare,wouldaportion

ofyourincomecoverforyourcarecosts?

Medicare will cover long term care expensesMedicareprovidesmajormedicalcoverage

forpeople65andaboveandprovidesvery

littleinlong-termcarebenefits.Itmay

provideassistancewithskillednursingfor

someshort-termcare.Assistanceinbathing,

mealpreparation,transferringfromyour

bedtoyourchair,etc.arenotconsidered

“skillednursing.”

LTC insurance is too expensiveInsurancecostisbasedonrisk.Premiums

mayseemhigherthanothertypesof

insurance.Ifyoucannotaffordthe

premium,thatshouldconcernyou–it

suggestsyoumaynotbeabletoaffordthe

costoflongtermcare(skillednursingand/

orlongtermin-homehealthcare).Sothe

questionis–willthecostofthepremium

bemorereachablethanthecostofhealth

care?Ifyoudon’tgetLTCinsuranceand

somethinghappenstoyou–willyour

spouseorfamilybeabletotakecareofyou

athome?Howimportantisittoyoutostay

homethroughyourgoldenyears?

Over40?Youbetteraskyourself:

whowillhelpmeorhowwillIpayfor

assistanceathomeifIamphysicallyor

mentallycompromised?WhenIneedhelp

with“activitiesofdailyliving,”doIwish

tostayinmyownhome?HowmuchwillI

needifIliveanother10-20yearsandneed

{ }


http://www.visitingangels.com/assisted-senior-care-gilroy-california-95020_356


day-to-dayassistance?Manyseniorsend

uplivingwithadaughterorson–will

thatworkforyou?IfLTCisnotforyou,

whatcanMedicareorMedicaiddoand

notdoforyou?

Ignoranceisnotblissinthiscase,

BTW.SoGOTC(GetOffTheCouch—

myownmodernacronym!)andtalk

tosomeonewhocanguideyoubut

don’tjustsetthisaside.BeITK(inthe

know).Choosehowyouwillliveyour

lateryearsorhowyouwilldealwith

unfortunatetwistsinlifethatmight

compromisesomeofyourabilities–

haveaplan.Attheveryleast,doitso

youdon’tburdenyourfamily.Ourlocal

expertscanhelp.That’sgoingtoallow

youtoagewithattitude!

Sources:JeffOrth,IntegratedFinancialNetwork

JamesA.Ward,ElderLaw&EstatePlanning

If not, blame the one you see in the mirror.

toorganizeandunderstandthefreedoms

ofspeechandexpressions.Emaanwasthe

manageroftheTargetstoresinHollister

andGilroyandisnowanareamanager

forTarget.

Abbassenjoystravelingwithhisfamily

withregulartripstoEgyptandhissecond

favoritecity,WashingtonD.C.When

hisgirlswereteenagers,theytouredthe

WhiteHouse,SupremeCourtandother

nationallandmarks.“It’sreallysomething

thatmytwogirlscherishfortherest

oftheirlives,”Abbasssaid,addingthat

hisoldestdaughterhadinternedforthe

attorneygeneral.

“Iconsidermyselfveryluckytohave

beenborninthegreatestcivilization-not

justtobeborntherebutliving…andnow

Iliveinthebestcountryintheworld,”

hesaid.

AbbasssaidhisperceptionofEgypt

haschangedafterlivingintheUnited

Statesfornearly34years.“Youseeitfor

whatitisafteryoulivehereforawhile

andyouexperiencethegreatAmerican

lifestyleandfreedom,”hesaid.“Yougo

backandyoureallyappreciatewhatyou

have.”

Abbasssaiditwasimportanttoheand

hiswifethattheirdaughtersbeexposed

tobothcultures,earninganappreciation

oftheirbackgroundandtheopportunity

thattheyhavehere.Theybothspeak

Arabicandregisteredtovotewhenthey

cameofage.Abbasssaidheandhiswife

voteineveryelection,addingthathe

alwaysvotes

inperson.

“Ithinkpeopletakeitforgranted,”

Abbasssaidofourcountry’sfreedoms

andprivileges.“Theydon’tknow

howgoodtheyhaveithere.Wehave

thewrongimpressionoftherestof

theworld.Theyseeitthroughthe

perspectiveoftheCNNcamera.People

don’thateAmericans-theyhatethe

Americanpolicy.WhenIcontradictor

makeacommentaboutourpolicies,Ido

itfromtheeyesofthefreedomhereand

itisapositivecriticismbecauseIseehow

peoplelookatusoutsideandIunder-

standwheretheycomefrom.Atthesame

time,I’macitizenofthisgreatcountry.”

Abbassisjustaspassionateabout

servingthecommunitiesinwhichhe

livesandworks.Hehasbeeninthe

RotaryClubofGilroyfor22years,

servingineverycapacitytheclubhasto

offer.InJuly,hebeginshisone-yearterm

asRotaryClubpresident.

“IconsiderRotaryoneofthe

organizationsthatIamsoproudtobea

partofbecauseInotonlyservemylocal

communitybutIservetherestofthe

world,”Abbasssaid.

Hesaidoneofhisproudestmoments

iswhenhehelpedprovidemedi-

calequipmentinEgyptinthe1990s.

Hefirmlybelievesinalloftheclub’s

missions,includingeradicatingpolioand

helpingyoungpeople.Eachyear,Rotary

givesthousandsofdollarsinscholarships

toyoungpeople.

Abbasssaidheisalsoa“sportfanatic”

andagreat49er’sfan.Healsoenjoys

photographyandtravelling.

Abbasssaidcomingtothiscountry

withaschool-levelknowledgeofEnglish

neverstoppedhimfromchasinghis

dreams.

“LivingtheAmericandream,

thereisn’tanythingthatwillstop

meorpreventmefromhelpingmy

community,”Abbasssaid.

Everyone has a story…continued from page 27




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In 2012, GWC staff and volunteers served over 35,000 visitors providingthem with brochures, information and assistance with purchases of GilroysouvenirsattheWelcomeCenter.Locatednearthetourbusparkingareain

theGilroyPremiumOutlets,thelocationfortheWelcomeCenterhasworkedoutwellforourguestsvisitingourcommunity.

Readingtheaboveparagraphonemightask-whyisthisimportanttoknowandhowdovisitorstoadestinationimpactthelocaleconomy?Togiveyousomeperspectiveonthisquestion,followingare“KeyFacts”fromVisitCalifornia–ourstate’snonprofittravelandtourismorganization-detailingtheimpactoftourisminthestateofCaliforniain2011:

• $102.3billion–directtravel-relatedconsumerspending• $30.4billionintravel-relatedearnings• $19.1billion–spentby14.5millioninternationalvisitors• $6.3billion–stateandlocaltaxreceipts• 893,000tourismrelatedjobsThetourismindustryinCaliforniaisoneofthestate’seconomicsuccesssto-

ries.Between Juneof2011and2012, the leisureandhospitality sectoradded48,600 jobs,a3.2percent increase–comparedto theonly2percent increaseinnon-farmemploymentas awhole.The$19.1billion spent inCaliforniabyinternational visitors alone was equal to the combined value of the state’s topfourproductexports(civilianaircraft,computerparts,non-industrialdiamonds,andvoice/image/dataequipment.)Thesefactsandothersdemonstratetheincred-ible importanceof tourism to the state andobviously the impactonour localeconomywithGilroyadestinationfortravelers.“KeyFacts”relatingtotheimpactoftourismontheGilroyeconomyinfiscalyear11/12include:

• Over$10millioninlodgingrevenuecollected• Approximately $1 million in Transit Occupancy Tax generated• Over35,000visitorstotheGilroyWelcomeCenter• 380,000+attendance-GilroyGardens• 100,000+attendance–GilroyGarlicFestival• 2,000+PassportWeekendattendance–WineriesofSantaClaraValleyGilroyhasanumberofmajorattractionsandspecialeventsandishometo

GilroyPremiumOutletswith145stores.Coupletheseofferingswithourparks,outdoorrecreation,historicdowntownandnumerouslocallyownedrestaurantsandyou canunderstandGilroy’s appeal to visitors throughout theworld.Thenext step for theGilroyWelcomeCenter is toexpand themarketingeffortsofthe organization to increase visitation and overnight stays thereby generatingadditionalrevenues,taxreceiptsandemployment.ToaddressthisnextsteptheGilroy Welcome Center board of directors is adopting the 2013/14 MarketingPlan.Thisplanwilldeterminegoals,objectives,strategies,actionstepsandmea-surementsforthedollarsspenttomarketGilroyasadestination.WatchforthedetailsoftheapprovedplaninthenexteditionofGilroyToday.

.

Community Benefits Whenamarket-focusedandmarket-drivenstrategyfortourismisadoptedwithconsistentnecessaryfundingandispairedwithcooperationandvisionthecommunitybenefits.Someofthosebenefitsareidentifiedbelow:

Enhanced quality of lifeRecognitionoftheimportanceofprotectingnaturalresourcesaddstovisitorsatisfactionaswellasthelocalqualityoflife.

Improved infrastructure and local servicesTourismgeneratedtaxdollarscanplayanimportantroleinthecityforlocalservices.

Jobs and business improvementTourismoftenaddstotherevenuesthat,inturn,increasesemploymentandstrengthenslocalbusinesses.Enhancedimageandeco-nomicdevelopmentvaluewillhelptoattractandretainbusinessentities.

Positive Return on Investment (ROI)Thecombinedbenefitsderivedfromacity-widetourismpromotioneffortcanprovideapositiveROIoverthelong-termfortheentirecommunity.

Community PrideCommunityprideleadstoreinvestmentandfurtherbuy-infromthecommunity.

Contributing to the local economy!GILROY CONTINUES to be a very popular destination for domestic and international visi-tors as evidenced by the thousands of guests welcomed at the Gilroy Welcome Center (GWC) this past year. Travelers from as far as Australia, New Zealand and China are a rep-resentation of the international appeal of Gilroy.

Destination Gilroy – contributingtoamorevibrantlocaleconomy!


http://gilroywelcomecenter.org



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http://www.sarahsvineyard.com/visit/index.htm


Reserve YourTicketsToday!

Friday, May 10TH and Saturday, May 11TH 2013


http://yogabellagilroy.com


http://www.samaritanallergy.com


Annuals, hanging baskets and more.The most beautiful flowering plantsyou can buy, and proceeds benefit localcharities. We think that’s just beautiful!

For more information contactWhitney Pintello - Rotarianwhitneypintellodesigns.com

408.391.4409

Gilroy Rotary Annual Flower Sale

Whitney Pintello©2013

Syngenta Flowers, 2280 Hecker Pass Highway, GilroyApprox. 1/2 mile west of Santa Teresa Blvd.

April 20th 8AM-2PM

For detailed information, www.gavilan.edu


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandys-Cafe/195638363803969

http://www.jamesgroupgilroy.com/

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Gavilan Collegenow offeringA Degree With A Guarantee

In addition to the many other programs of study, Gavilan College now offers Associates Degrees for Transfer. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special, new

degree offered at California community colleges. To pursue this special degree rather than a tradi-tional AA or AS degree, you should meet with a counselor to develop an education plan that puts you on the path toward the AA-T or AS-T degree.

Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree and meet the California State University (CSU) minimum eligibility requirements are guaranteed admission to a CSU with upper division standing (although not necessarily to a particular campus or major).

The Transfer Degrees reduce the need to take unnecessary courses, and eliminate confusion when transferring.

Associates Degrees for Transfer at Gavilan College:Administration of Justice (AS-T)Art History (AA-T)Communications Studies (AA-T)Kinesiology (AA-T)Mathematics (AS-T)Music (AA-T)Studio Arts (AA-T)More under development

Programs of study offered at Gavilan College:Administration of Justice (AS-T, AS, AA, Certificate)Allied Health (Nursing – LVN and RN) (AS, Certificate)Art (AA-T, AA)Aviation Maintenance Technology (AS, Certificate)Biological Science (AS, Certificate)Business (AA, AS, Certificate)Carpentry Apprenticeship (AA, Certificate)Child Development (AA, Certificate)Communications Studies (AA-T, AA, Certificate)Community Studies (AA, Certificate)Computer Graphics and Design (AS, Certificate)Computer Science & Information Systems (AS, Certificate)Cosmetology (AS, Certificate)Digital Media (AA, Certificate)Drywall / Lathing Apprenticeship (AA, Certificate)English English as a Second Language (Certificate)EngineeringGeneral Education (Certificate)Global Studies (AA)Health ScienceHumanitiesKinesiology (AA-T, AA)Liberal Arts (AA)Mathematics (AS-T, AS)Media Arts (AA, Certificate)Music (AA-T, AA, Certificate)Philosophy (Certificate)Physical Science and Engineering (AS)Social Sciences (AA, Certificate)Spanish (AA, Certificate)Theater and Television (AA, Certificate)Water Resources Management (AS, Certficate)

For detailed information, www.gavilan.edu


http://www.gavilan.edu

http://www.gavilan.edu/

http://www.gavilan.edu/



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Casual Whimsical



FlowersRuleUsingbrightandvibrantcolorsisoneoftheeasiestwaystocreateacasualandwhimsicalstyleforyourEastertable.Lovelylilies,daisies,androsesofallthecolorsofspringcanenhanceanyEasterdécor.Usingavarietyofflowershelpskeepthedécormorecasual.Notonlyareflowersbeautifultolookat,butourolfactorysense(oursenseofsmell)isdefinitelystimulated.

CasualStonewareUsingthisbeautifulvintageapplepatternstonewarealsohelpstocreateamorecasualfeeltoyourtable.Mixingyourcrystalwithyoureverydaydishesistheperfectblendingopportunity!Casualandelegantblendintoonelovelysetting.

BunniesNothingsaysEasterdecoratingmorethanbunnies!Andit’sagreatwaytodisplayoneofyourcollections.Istartedmybunnycollectionwhenmyson,Marcus,waslittle.Usingyourfavoritecollectiblesatdifferentseasonsisagreatvisualandawonderfulconversationstarter.Sharingmemoriesbringsasenseofwarmthandwhimsytoanydécor!

BringTheOutdoorsInIlovebringingelementsfromtheoutsideinformytabledécor.Anythingfromnaturetouchesourkinestheticsenseandagainstimulatesmemory.ThiscutelittlebirdsnestandeggsareaperfectwaytosignifytheEastertraditionandbringasenseofwhimsytoourtable.

Chick,ChicksAnothertouchofcasualwhimsy,littlewoodenchicks—asymboloftheholiday,andagain,agreatconversationstarter.Perhapsputonebyeachplacesettingasmemorablegiftforyourgueststotakehome.Theywillbetouched,andcanbringhomeawonderfulmemoryfromtheholidaythattheyaresharingwithyou!Peep,peep….

LetThereBeLightUsingcolorfulcandlesisanotherwaytotickleyoursenses.Thewarmthoftheflametouchesourkinestheticsense.Theflickeringlightpleasesoureyes.Andoften,candleshavetheirownuniquescenttomakeournosescheer!Usethemabundantly!



Creatingamoreformaltabledoesn’tmeanyouhavetogooutandbuymorestuff!Infactusingsomeoftheelementsfromyourcasualtablealongwithsomeofyourformalpieceswillworkjustfine!Amoreelegantfeeldiffersfromacasualdécorinoneparticularway—thereisusuallyamorebalanceduseofallthedesignelements.

MygoalforyouistobeabletocreateANYdécor,usewhatyouhave,andswitchoutfromseasontoseason,holidaytoholidaywithoutbreakingthebank.

Yourgoalistomakeyourguestsfeelwelcomedandcomfortable.Createsomebeautifulmemoriesforthemandforyourselfaswell

Formal Elegant



FlowersForaformal,moreelegantlook,youwoulduseonlyoneortwotypesofflowerandsomegreens,comparedtomorevarietiesinyourcasualarrangement.And,theflowercolorswouldbeofthesamecolorfamily.Inacasualsetting,morevibrantcolorstakethestage;softerperhaps,inanelegantdécor.

TimeforChinaTheeleganceofbothchinaandsilvercreatesalittlemorebalancethataformaltablerequires.Linensandlacebringanothertouchoffinery.Butasyoucanseefrombothtables,thebaseclothremained;Ijustaddedsomelacefortheformalsetting.Thenapkinsstaythesame,butyoucertainlycouldusemorecasualonesforyourwhimsicaltable.

TreasuresYourmosttreasuredpieceswillalwaysmakeyourtablespecial.So,don’tbeafraidtoputGreat-GreatGrandmother’sdelicateporcelainfigurineonthetableorasanaccentpieceonthesideboard.Beautifulmementosmakefornotonlyabeautifultablebutbeautifulmemoriesofspecialtimeswithfamilyandfriends.

BunniesPuttingelementsofwhimsystillcanhaveaformalfeel.Keepyourcollectiblebunnies,birds,etc,inplace,butusetheonesthataremadeofporcelainorglass.Thishelpskeeptheelegance,yetstillhasthat“conversationstartereffect!

LetThereBeLightYourcandles,beautifulsilverorcrystalcandlestickskeepthethemegoing.Longtapersaddaveryeleganttouchandstimulateoursensesjustaswellastheirshortcasualcounterparts!

BlendingOld&NewDon’tbeafraidtoplaceyourmodern,newlyacquireditemsthatyoulovewiththosethatwerehandeddowntoyoubyyourancestors.Ifyouloveit,there’snowayitwon’taddtothebeautyofourtable.



Growing up in a community of Italians with rich cultural traditions, especially when it came to food, I looked forward to this tasty treat each Easter holiday. Easter pie is a double-crust “stuffed pizza” filled with ham, eggs, and cheese. It is traditionally eaten in Italian households the day before Easter.

The Easter Pie I enjoyed, I’m afraid, had many more ingredients and took just about the entire day to make. This one is a little less extensive but has a great flavor and for today’s hurried pace, it’s great. J. Chris Mickartz

2)Placethedoughinalightlygreasedbowl,cover,andallowittorisefor1to2hours,untilit’squitepuffy,nearlydoubledinbulk.Whilethedoughisrising,makethefilling.

3)Hard-boilandpeel6oftheeggs.

4)Placethehard-boiledeggs,ham(cutinchunks),andfreshparsley(½cuporso)intheworkbowlofafoodprocessor.Processuntilchoppedandcombined.Don’tover-process;thehamandeggsshouldstillbeabitchunky.Youcanalsosimplydicetheeggsandham,andchoptheparsley,ifyoudon’thaveafoodprocessor.

5)Combinetheham,boiledeggs,andparsleywiththeraweggs,ricotta,andParmesan.Seasontotastewithsaltandabout½teaspooncoarselygroundblackpepper.Ifthehamissalty,youmaynotneedanysaltatall.

6)Deflatethedough,anddivideitintofourpieces.

7)Rolltwoofthedoughpiecesintoroundsabout13”indiameter,andplacethemonlightlygreasedorparchment-lined12”pizzapans.Orrollintoovalsabout10”x14”,andplaceontwolightlygreasedorparchment-linedbakingsheets.Note:Ifyou’reusingparchment,it’seasiesttorollrightontheparchment,thenliftthecrusts,parchmentandall,ontothepans.

Easter PieAn Old-Fashioned Brunch Treat

8)Dividethefillingevenlybetweenthetwocrusts,coveringthemtowithin1”oftheiredges.You’lluseagenerous3cups(about27ounces)foreachcrust.

9)Rollouttheothertwopiecesofdough,andplacethematopthefilledcrusts,gentlystretchingthem,ifnecessary,tocoverthefilling.Sealthecrustedgesbyrollingthebottomcrustupoverthetop,andpinchingtogether.

10)Usingasharpknifeorpairofscissors,cuta1”holeintheverycenterofeachtopcrust;thiswillallowsteamtoescape.

11)Makethetoppingbywhiskingtogethertheeggandsugaruntilthesugarhasdissolved.Painteachcrustwithsomeofthetopping;thiswillyieldagoldenbrown,shinycrustwithmildlysweetflavor,aperfectfoilforthesaltyham.

12)Allowthepiestorestwhileyoupreheatyourovento350°F,about15minutes.Theydon’tneedtobecovered.

13)Bakethepiesforabout25minutes,untilthey’readeep,goldenbrown.(Weallowed15moreminuteswithfoilontoptopreventburning.)Removethemfromtheoven,andcarefullyslidethemoffthepan/parchmentandontoaracktocool.

14)Servewarmoratroomtemperature.Refrigerateanyleftovers.

CRUST INGREDIENTS5cupsItalian-StyleFlouror4¾cupsKingArthurUnbleachedAll-PurposeFlour2teaspoonssalt2teaspoonsinstantyeast2tablespoonssugar6tablespoonsKingArthurEasy-RollDoughImprover(optional,butveryhelpful);ornonfatdrymilk1/4cupoliveoil1cup+2tablespoonslukewarmwater*

*Ifyouuseall-purposeflour,increasethewaterto1½cups(12ounces)

FILLING INGREDIENTS1dozenlargeeggs1poundgood-quality,full-flavoredham2cupsricottacheese,part-skimpreferred1cupfreshlygratedParmesancheese,lightlypackedSalt,coarselygroundblackpepper,andchoppedfreshparsley,totaste

GLAZE INGREDIENTS1largeegg2tablespoonssugar

STEPS

1)Mixandkneadtogetherallofthedoughingredients—byhand,inamixer,orinabreadmachine—untilyou’vemadeasoft,smoothdough.

Thisrecipewillyield2largepies.Weserveditwithhomestylefriedpotatoesandfreshberries,granolaandyogurt.



This information is brought to you by:

Cool books to read with your kidsChildren who enjoy reading will, naturally enough, spend time reading. Because spending time doing anything is the path towards becom-ing more proficient at it, those children who enjoy reading will become accomplished readers. They will do better in school, score higher on the SATs, and have an easier time tackling higher education than others. Children who enjoy reading when they are young will grow up to have greater opportunities in life. As readers, they’ll also be more able to entertain and comfort themselves, and through books they’ll have the chance to learn great things and visit fabulous worlds.

855 Moro Drive, Gilroywww.gokids.org

Wonder Bear by Tao NyeuAges 4 and upA wordless book that is big, bright and imaginative about a boy and a girl who plant a garden. A bean stalk, as thick and lush as any Jack ever climbed, shoots out of the ground to flower the next morning. Emerging from one such blossom is a white bear with a blue top hat. From this hat the bear pulls out a troop of high-spirited monkeys, bubbles that take the shape of wild animals, flying creatures that normally are relegated to the deep blue sea, and more. After a day of adventures the boy and the girl fall deeply asleep, and are tucked into bed by the bear and the monkeys before they themselves take off for parts unknown.

No Flying in the House by Betty BrockAges 8 and upWritten in 1970, this book is a simply woven tale featuring the classic illustrations of the ‘70s by Wallace Tripp. It weaves together a delightful, heartwarming story, and gives great visuals for young children who want to see Annabel, Gloria, and Mrs. Vancourt. Overall, this is an imaginative, exciting children’s story. It’s about Annabel Tippens, a little girl who doesn’t have parents to care for her. Instead, she has a very tiny talking dog, Gloria. Annabel is quite happy with her life until one day she meets a talking cat named Belinda. Belinda tells Annabel that she is half human and half fairy — a revelation that changes Annabel’s life completely.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel SilversteinAges 9-12This is a collection of poems and drawings that are outrageously funny and profound about an imaginative other world. Within its pages, you’ll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist. The author couples the use of rhyme and nonsense verse with constant humor. His simple pen-and-ink drawings add to the imagery presented in each poem. Some poems not only depict an array of humorous characters, but also create touching moments and offer good advice.

Fancy Nancy by Jane O’ConnorAges 4 and up

Nancy believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her family a thing or two about being fancy. How Nancy transforms her parents and little sister for one enchanted evening makes for a story that is funny and warm -- with or without the frills. In the end, she learns that there’s no fancy way to tell someone you love them, except to say, “I love you.” Fancy Nancy was nominated for the Quill Award for Best Picture Book in 2007.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice SendackAges 4 and upThis classic picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children’s books of all time. The book nicely balances a child’s need for imaginative thinking with a sense of limits, and the pleasures of home. The illustrations clearly make this book great, because they provide a launch pad for this imaginary place. Children can really identify with Max and his thoughts. When he is sent to his room for misbehavior, his imagination helps him to run away to where the wild things are and collect his thoughts. Ruling the wild things helps Max understand that he just wants to feel loved, and helps parents to keep in mind that such outbursts from children are generally cries for attention — for someone to love them best of all.

Continued on page 63


http://www.gokids.org

http://www.gokids.org/

Mayor Don Gage …the first 90 days


Donhasbeenherebeforesothereisacertaincalmnessinhismayoraldemeanor.Ontheotherhand,fourofthesevensittingmembersoftheCityCouncilatonetimeoranotherhavebeencandidatesfortheposition

Donwonin2012.Donhasanumberofgoalsforhisfouryears,butDonhasbeen

inpoliticsforawhileandheunderstandstheimportanceoffourvotes.Tothatend,fortheCityCouncilretreatheldonJanuary11-12,2013,theCouncilusedafacilitatortoguidethemthroughaprocessofidentifyingavisionandstrategicplansforthenext15years.

Thefacilitator,LyleSumek,spenttimebeforetheretreatgettingtoknowtheCouncilmembersandgatheringpreferencestowardstheplans.Theultimatevisionisdescribedasthefollowing:

Gilroy 2028 is:•ASafeCommunityandtheChoiceofFamilies—aPreferredPlaceforFamilyLiving• VibrantwithaThrivingDowntownthatisthe HeartoftheCommunity•FilledwithLivableNeighborhoods•AbundantwithRecreationalandLeisureOpportunities•EasilyAccessible,providingamplemobility•ASourceofPride

Making Gilroy a great place to live!”

Toaccomplishthisvision,thestartingplacefortheCityofGilroyisthedevelopmentofamission.

The Mission of the City of Gilroy Is To:•BeFinanciallySound•BeCustomerOriented•Provide1stClassMunicipalServices•HaveEngagedResidents.

Withthisfoundation,theCouncilisintheprocessofidentifyingone-year,five-yearandfifteen-yeargoalsandanactionplantoimplementthisvisionandmission.Inthenextfewmonths,thesegoalsandactionplanswillcometoCouncilforimplementation.Don,asmayor,isverypleasedwiththisprocessandhashighhopesforthefutureofGilroy.

Withtheeconomyontheupswing,Donlooksforwardtothe“restart”thisprocesswillgivetheCouncilandthecityadministration.Someofthe“restart”focuswillincludebetterlinkagewiththeGilroyUnifiedSchoolDistrict,acontinuedemphasisonbudgetaccountability,developmentencouragementasexemplifiedbythe18percentreductionindeveloperfees,workingtowardsavibrantdowntownthatwillbecometheheartofthecommunity,andafocusoncustomerservicefromcitydepartments.

City Council (L-R) Dion Bracco, Kat Tucker, Peter Arellano, City Attorney Andy Faber, Mayor Don Gage, City Administrator Tom Haglund, Peter Leroe-Munoz, Terri Aulman, and Perry Woodward.


Mayor Don Gage …the first 90 days


Togetabetterhandleoncustomerservice,DonplanstotakeafewdaysandbecomeaCityHall“greeter”tocitizenswhohavebusinessatCityHall.DonwillwelcomethemtoCityHallanddirectthemtothecorrectdepartmentand,ifpossible,accompanycitizenswhoaregettingabuildingpermit,abusinesspermitorarecreationsignup.ItwillbequiteasighttoseetheMayoraccompanyanewbusinessownerasheorshemaneuversthebusinesspermitprocess!WaytogoDon!

Donhasalreadyhostedtwo“CoffeewiththeMayor”eventsandwillbeschedulingmore.CityCouncilwatchershavealreadynotedanewspiritofcooperationatCouncilmeetings.Itisrefreshingtoseeastrong“restart”andwelookforwardtotheconstructionofanewvisionandmissionfortheCityofGilroy.

City Council (L-R) Dion Bracco, Kat Tucker, Peter Arellano, City Attorney Andy Faber, Mayor Don Gage, City Administrator Tom Haglund, Peter Leroe-Munoz, Terri Aulman, and Perry Woodward.

City Council Contact Information:Don Gage,Mayor 408-315-1496(cell) [email protected]

Dr. Peter Arellano,CouncilMember 408-621-9415(cell) [email protected]

Terri Aulman,CouncilMember 408-391-6268(cell) [email protected]

Dion Bracco,CouncilMember 408-422-1734 [email protected]

Peter Leroe-Muñoz,CouncilMember 408-427-4697(cell) [email protected]

Cat Tucker,CouncilMember 408-500-2523(cell) [email protected]

Perry Woodward,MayorProTempore 408-891-9204(cell) [email protected]










Solarenergyisn’tjustenvironmen-tallyconscious—it’salsooneofthefastest-growingsegmentsof

California’sconstructionindustry.TheDepartmentofLaborestimatesthatnationally,morethan200,000newjobswillbecreatedinthesolarenergyfieldoverthenextfouryears.ManywillcomerighthereinCalifornia,whichtendstobeontheleadingedgeofeveryconstructiontrend.

The Momentum Starts HereThecostofelectricitycontinuestoincreaseeachyearcausinghardshipanddiscomfortformanyfamiliesandbusinesses.WehomeownersknowaboutPeakDayPricing,“tiers”orperhaps,“tears”(ifwewanttorunourhottub,heatourpoolorevenourownhouse).Whenweuseelectricitybeyondourallowable“baseline”usage(whichisthereasonablerate),wearechargedmoremoneyperwatt.Asweelevatetothenexttierortierswestartpayingdouble,tripleandmore.Ifweconserveelectricityduringpeakhours,wecansavemoneyonourelectricbills.Ifnot,thisiswhereelectricityreallygetsexpensiveandthisiswheresolarcancometotherescue.

Solar Gaining Huge Momentum

The Beauty of SolarThebeautyofsolarisitcaneliminatethosehigh-tiercostbyproducingenergyduringthepeakdayhours.InsteadofusingPG&E’selectricity,solarpanelscapturetheneededelectricitybyconvertingtheDirectCurrent(D.C.)fromthesuntoAlternatingCurrent(A.C.)that’sthepoweryourhomeuses.Thecostofsolarhassignificantlydroppedoverthepastthreeyearsandforthosewhohaveataxburden,youcanstillwriteoffabout30%ofyourinvestmentasataxcredit.Solarcanbeanawesomeinvestmentifyouselecttherightsolarpanelsandtherightinstaller.Allsolarisnotcreatedequal.

The PanelsBewareofcompaniesofferingsupercheappanels!Manyofthese“cheappanels”arefromoff-shoremanufacturersthatareclosingtheirdoorseachyearleavinghomeownerswithoutrecourse.Doyourresearchonthepanelmanufacture.Askhowhavetheirpanelstestedagainstotherpanels,dotheyutilizefullyautomatedproductionlinesforqualityassuranceorcheapmanuallabor,howlonghavetheybeeninbusiness,howfinanciallystrongarethey,anddotheyhavestrongtiesintheUS.Theseareallimportantforconsumerprotection.

InNovember2012,PG&Ehadallsmallandmediumsizebusinesscustomerstransitionfromflatratestotime-of-userates.BeginningNovember2014,smallandmediumbusinesscustomerswillautomaticallytransitiontoPeakDayPricing.Thiswillincreasebusinessenergycostonceagain,duringthehoursthatmostbusinesseshavehigherdemandanditdoesn’tstopthere.Formoreinformation,rateschedulesandenergysavingtips.seePG&E.com.

Information Provided by PamelaGarcia,CEOAffordableSolarRoofsMorganHill,CA

The InstallerKnowaboutyourinstaller;theirreputation,experiencewithsolarandifit’saroof-topinstallation,whatkindofawarrantywilltheyprovideforyourroofunderthepanels.

The SavingsTherearesomanyaffordablesolaroptionsrightnowforhomeown-ersandbusinesses,evennon-profits.Youcanownyoursolarenergy,leaseitorbuyitovertime.Thegreatthingisyourpayments,ifany,arenormallyfarlessthanyourcurrentelectricbillandinsomecasescaneliminatemostofyourbillandcanprotectyoufromelectricratesincreasesforyearstocome—savingyouliterallythousandsuponthousandsofdollars.Justthinkifwecouldhavelockedinthepricesofgasoline20yearsagowhenitwasundera$1pergallon—we’dbesingingeverytimewegotothepump.


http://www.affordableroofing.com/


job no. GG-011303

client Gilroy Gardensproject Gilroy Today Ad

date 1/22/13color 4/clive Visualtrim 3.68"w x 10"h bleed nonescale 100%

material close 1/22/13

continued from page 57

Information Provided by PamelaGarcia,CEOAffordableSolarRoofsMorganHill,CA

Cool books to readwith your kids

Sources: blog.firstbook.org

Parenting.com

Amazon.com

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen Ages 3 and up In this relatively new book, a little boy relates all of the wonderful things about the car he plans to design, including safety features, a pool, a robot driver, and the ability to go underwater and fly through the air. The artwork is beautifully done, colorful, crisp, and bright. The full-bleed pictures are animated and detailed, and the boy’s dog, which appears in each picture, ties the images together nicely. The concept of the book captures the imagination: this amazing car and all that it can do!

The Snowy Day Ezra by Jack Keats

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

When Sheep Cannot Sleep by Satoshi Kitamura

Skippy Jon Jones, Lost in Spice by Judy Schachner

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

Ruby and the Booker Boys by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley Newton

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

Five Little Peppers by Margaret Sidney

Free to Be You and Me by Marlo Thomas

Peppermints in the Parlor by Barbara Brooks Wallace

The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald

B is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and Theodor Seuss Geisel


http://www.gilroygardens.org/

http://blog.firstbook.org

http://www.parenting.com

http://www.amazon.com


Mailto:[email protected]

http://www.interorealestate.com/Agents/Teri_Nelson/?search=true

34 Gilroy Today Spring 2013

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