South Valley Magazine October 25-31

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN

OCTOBER 25, 2019

A supplement to the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times

Bright

Idea

Neon Exchange brings vibrant co-working space to downtown Gilroy P4

GARDENING P9 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS P10 | REAL ESTATE P19

OCTOBER 25, 2019

Located in Historic Downtown Gilroy

2

• Steaks, Seafood & Pasta • Beautiful Ambiance • Patio Dining • Early Bird Dining • Sunday Champagne Brunch 8am • Full Service Bar / Happy Hour 3-6pm • Early Bird Dinner Specials 4-6pm • Ask About Our Banquet & Catering Services Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Line Dancing Baby Showers, Receptions Wed • 7pm FREE Lessons Open daily 8:00am for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Sunday Brunch 8am-1pm 7400 Monterey Street, Gilroy • 408.842.3454 www.oldcityhall.biz

Alexis Winder Financial Advisor

Diana Brenneise Financial Advisor

615 San Benito St. Suite C Hollister 831-634-0694

8060 Santa Teresa Blvd.

Suite 140 Gilroy 408-846-7748

EDITOR’S NOTE

A vibrant space The ongoing revitalization of Gilroy’s downtown is taking a big step forward this week with the grand opening of The Neon Exchange.

Toni Bowles has transformed the historic, but dilapidated, Louis Hotel into a vibrant, open space that she hopes will serve as an incubator for up-and-coming businesses.

The Neon Exchange, as described in this week’s cover story (page 4), provides various workstations and desks

that are available on a membership basis. The sizable first floor includes a conference room, full kitchenette, library and many other amenities open to members.

South Valley magazine will honor local veterans with a special Veterans Day edition on Nov. 8. Turn to page 8 to learn more on how you can be included.

ERIK CHALHOUB

Editor, South Valley

MAGAZINE

64 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy, CA Mailing address: P.O. Box 516, Gilroy, CA 95021 Phone: 408-842-6400

9

Publisher

Dan Pulcrano Associate Publisher

Jeannette Close Editor

Erik Chalhoub Calendar Editor

Tia Sundberg Contributing Writers

12 4

Cover Story

7

Crush

9

Gardening

10 Calendar 14 Community 15 Wine 17 Home of the Week 19 Real Estate

Advertising Account Executives

Carrie Bonato, Scott Harvey, Eileen Katis, Cynthia Runyon Design Director

Kara Brown Production Operations Manager

Sean George Editorial Production Manager

Katherine Manlapaz Cover photograph by:

Robert Eliason Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

advertising@newsvmedia.com Phone:

408.842.9404

OCTOBER 25, 2019

12 Wildfire

Jenny Arbizu, Wallace Baine, Ron Erskine, Kimberly Ewertz, Cheryl Huguenor, Laura Ness, Susan Rife, Kate Russell

3

Inspiring WORK

Neon Exchange, a female focused co-working space, opens in historic hotel

BY ERIK CHALHOUB PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT ELIASON

OCTOBER 25, 2019

T

4

NEON CEO Toni Bowles is the founder of

The Neon Exchange.

oni Bowles spent nearly 20 years with the Santa Clara County Superior Court, working in a division that was tasked with applying for various grants.

Bowles, who describes herself as a “people person” with a passion for social welfare reform, began noticing the job was becoming more about paperwork and less about interacting with others.

The commute from her home in Hollister to downtown San Jose was one thing. But she found it nearly impossible to achieve a work-life balance with the position while raising a family.

An avid reader, Bowles came across an article on a female-focused co-worwking space in New York called The Wing. The concept intrigued her, and she began researching the industry when she came across another similar space in Mill Valley called The Hivery.

A visit was a moving experience, to say the least.

“I could feel inspired just walking through the doors,” she said.

“Something inside of me was telling me, these folks are onto something.”

Fast forward a few years later, Bowles has left her job in the court and is preparing for the grand opening of her own female-focused co-working space in the heart of downtown Gilroy: The Neon Exchange.

Located at 7363-7371 Monterey St. in the historic Louis Hotel, Neon Exchange provides various workstations and desks that are available on a membership basis. The sizable first floor includes a conference room, full kitchenette, library and many other amenities open to ➝6

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN

OCTOBER 25, 2019

A supplement to the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times

Bright

Idea

Neon Exchange brings vibrant co-working space to downtown Gilroy P4

GARDENING P9 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS P10 | REAL ESTATE P19

OCTOBER 25, 2019

Located in Historic Downtown Gilroy

2

• Steaks, Seafood & Pasta • Beautiful Ambiance • Patio Dining • Early Bird Dining • Sunday Champagne Brunch 8am • Full Service Bar / Happy Hour 3-6pm • Early Bird Dinner Specials 4-6pm • Ask About Our Banquet & Catering Services Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Line Dancing Baby Showers, Receptions Wed • 7pm FREE Lessons Open daily 8:00am for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Sunday Brunch 8am-1pm 7400 Monterey Street, Gilroy • 408.842.3454 www.oldcityhall.biz

Alexis Winder Financial Advisor

Diana Brenneise Financial Advisor

615 San Benito St. Suite C Hollister 831-634-0694

8060 Santa Teresa Blvd.

Suite 140 Gilroy 408-846-7748

EDITOR’S NOTE

A vibrant space The ongoing revitalization of Gilroy’s downtown is taking a big step forward this week with the grand opening of The Neon Exchange.

Toni Bowles has transformed the historic, but dilapidated, Louis Hotel into a vibrant, open space that she hopes will serve as an incubator for up-and-coming businesses.

The Neon Exchange, as described in this week’s cover story (page 4), provides various workstations and desks

that are available on a membership basis. The sizable first floor includes a conference room, full kitchenette, library and many other amenities open to members.

South Valley magazine will honor local veterans with a special Veterans Day edition on Nov. 8. Turn to page 8 to learn more on how you can be included.

ERIK CHALHOUB

Editor, South Valley

MAGAZINE

64 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy, CA Mailing address: P.O. Box 516, Gilroy, CA 95021 Phone: 408-842-6400

9

Publisher

Dan Pulcrano Associate Publisher

Jeannette Close Editor

Erik Chalhoub Calendar Editor

Tia Sundberg Contributing Writers

12 4

Cover Story

7

Crush

9

Gardening

10 Calendar 14 Community 15 Wine 17 Home of the Week 19 Real Estate

Advertising Account Executives

Carrie Bonato, Scott Harvey, Eileen Katis, Cynthia Runyon Design Director

Kara Brown Production Operations Manager

Sean George Editorial Production Manager

Katherine Manlapaz Cover photograph by:

Robert Eliason Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

advertising@newsvmedia.com Phone:

408.842.9404

OCTOBER 25, 2019

12 Wildfire

Jenny Arbizu, Wallace Baine, Ron Erskine, Kimberly Ewertz, Cheryl Huguenor, Laura Ness, Susan Rife, Kate Russell

3

Inspiring WORK

Neon Exchange, a female focused co-working space, opens in historic hotel

BY ERIK CHALHOUB PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT ELIASON

OCTOBER 25, 2019

T

4

NEON CEO Toni Bowles is the founder of

The Neon Exchange.

oni Bowles spent nearly 20 years with the Santa Clara County Superior Court, working in a division that was tasked with applying for various grants.

Bowles, who describes herself as a “people person” with a passion for social welfare reform, began noticing the job was becoming more about paperwork and less about interacting with others.

The commute from her home in Hollister to downtown San Jose was one thing. But she found it nearly impossible to achieve a work-life balance with the position while raising a family.

An avid reader, Bowles came across an article on a female-focused co-worwking space in New York called The Wing. The concept intrigued her, and she began researching the industry when she came across another similar space in Mill Valley called The Hivery.

A visit was a moving experience, to say the least.

“I could feel inspired just walking through the doors,” she said.

“Something inside of me was telling me, these folks are onto something.”

Fast forward a few years later, Bowles has left her job in the court and is preparing for the grand opening of her own female-focused co-working space in the heart of downtown Gilroy: The Neon Exchange.

Located at 7363-7371 Monterey St. in the historic Louis Hotel, Neon Exchange provides various workstations and desks that are available on a membership basis. The sizable first floor includes a conference room, full kitchenette, library and many other amenities open to ➝6

OCTOBER 25, 2019

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INSPIRING WORK

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EVENT SPACE A projector screen (background) is one of the

many amenities at Neon Exchange.

members. After work hours, and on weekends, the space will be available for special events.

The second floor, which Bowles expects will be open in March, will feature 20 fully-enclosed office spaces for rent.

Bowles said she has already heard from various working professionals, such as tutors, realtors and mortgage brokers, about using the first-floor space. In addition, Gallery 1202 has moved from its previous Fifth Street location into Neon Exchange.

She is quick to note that while the center is female-focused, it’s not female-exclusive. The focus is more on the aesthetics and programming of the space, which has more of a feminine vibe, she said.

“My intent is to take it down to a community-based level, so it feels inclusive for everyone,” she said.

Bringing life to a landmark The Louis Hotel, according to Gilroy’s Historic Resources Inventory, opened on Sept. 10, 1921. The hotel, which was a popular stopping place for Highway 101 travelers, was designed by the Binder and Curtis architectural firm in the neoclassic commercial style.

It was later converted into a restaurant, offices and retail stores.

But for the greater part of the last decade, the hotel has sat vacant as various businesses and special events have come and gone. As a result of years of neglect, the building was in a sad shape when Bowles purchased it at the end of 2018.

When Bowles was searching for a spot to house her concept, she began negotiating for a space in downtown Morgan Hill.

It was during this time ➝8

O& A

OUT & ABOUT

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS

Celebrate the spooky season at events for all ages Oct. 25-31.

GILROY

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA

MORGAN HILL

SAN JOSE

SPIRITS NIGHT

GHOST WALK

MONSTER BALL

The Gilroy Party in the Park Series presents Spirits Night, a free community event hosted

by South County Youth Task Force and City of Gilroy Recreation. Enjoy games, arts and crafts, face painting, a children’s costume contest, raffles and more. Friday, Oct. 25, Halloween celebration 5-7pm and Spirits Night celebration 7-8pm at San Ysidro Park, 7700 Murray Ave., Gilroy. For information, call Sandra Cruz at 408.500.5034 or Ariana Orozco at 699.287.2739.

The 11th annual San Juan Bautista Ghost Walk features local ghost sightings and paranormal activities. Reservation fees include gift bags and beverages, and proceeds support Rotary San Juan Bautista’s community and internal projects. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 and 26 in Downtown San Juan Bautista, meet at the corner of Third and Mariposa streets. Tours will be offered at five nightly departure times beginning at 6:30pm. For reservations, visit rotarysanjuanbautista.com.

Head to the Granada Theatre for its Halloween Monster Ball Dance Party, and enjoy an evening of dancing the night away with DJ Dare Run G In The Mix. Guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, mini desserts and a no-host full bar. Attendees are advised to wear a Halloween costume for a chance to take home the grand prize.

Age 21 and over only; VIP tickets also available. Saturday, Oct. 26, 8pm-1am at the Granada Theater, 17440 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. For information, visit liveloveleal.com.

HALLOWEEN FAMILY NIGHT Family Night at the Museum is an “all treats and no tricks” bash for the entire family.

Guests are invited to dress up in costumes and experience the spooky magic of the museum after hours, including a healthy treat trail, a treat bag to fill with goodies and books, wonders of science and art activities.

Thursday, Oct. 31, 6-8:30pm at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way. For information, visit cdm.org.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

7

INSPIRING WORK

WE WANT YOU (or a relative or friend)

TO BE FEATURED IN OUR VETERANS DAY EDITION! The section is devoted to all U.S. or allied military veterans who are currently South Valley residents or have a connection to this area.

Please provide service photos and information (see below) and submit to us for publication in November 8, 2019. This is a great way to honor the veterans in your family or to let us know of your service to our country.

If you have access to email, please send information to our editor: echalhoub@newsvmedia.com. Attach photos (jpgs preferred).

No email? Complete the form below and mail: New SV Media, 64 W. Sixth St., Gilroy, CA 95020; or drop off materials at the same address.

Please label all materials with your name and phone number and submit by Nov. 1, 2019.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

Name:

8

Phone number: Branch of service: Rank achieved (optional): Dates served: Where did you serve?

Special information (e.g. POW)

6

MEMBER OPTIONS Separated desks are available for Neon Exchange members looking for a quieter spot. that Bowles would drive daily through downtown Gilroy on the way home from picking up her children from school. On one trip, the facade of the Louis Hotel caught her eye. Even better, she noticed a sign on the window from Renz & Renz Real Estate Brokerage announcing that the building was available.

“It inspired me to pick up the phone, and I called for a tour,” Bowles said.

Before the tour, she said Christian Renz of the brokerage warned her that the building was in rough condition, but she didn’t let that deter her.

“As I walked the layout of the building, I could envision the color, I could envision the workstations,” Bowles said. “I could already see it happening. I was like, this is it.

This is where it needs to be.”

The Morgan Hill deal fell through, but Bowles immediately began negotiating for the Louis Hotel.

After nearly a year of work, the hotel has been transformed. New

stucco lines the walls, while the original wood flooring has been refinished. Gold accents can be found throughout the space, harkening back to the 1920s, and various art and other decorations complete the look.

“We wanted to make a conscious effort to preserve the building, but bring it to the 21st century,” she said.

It wasn’t an easy process.

“I can’t even believe that we are going to open our doors,” she said.

“It was a painstaking responsibility to make this building right again.

“I am lucky to have a tight unit of family around me who carried me through, saying ‘you can do this,’ who believed in me and helped me when I needed help.”

The Neon Exchange, 7365-7371 Monterey St. in Gilroy, is holding a grand opening gala on Oct. 27 from 1-4 p.m. Free tickets are available at facebook.com/neonexchange and Eventbrite. For information, visit theneonexchange.com.

GARDENING

Proba bug problem

ARTICHOKE PEST Proba bugs are attracted to artichoke plants.

Pests becoming major threat to artichokes

brown and only 0.2 inches long; that means you could line up 3½ proba bugs across the top of a dime. Nymphs start out looking like pale yellowish green aphids, except that they move a lot faster than aphids due to their longer legs. During the next two developmental stages (instars) they are first reddish-brown, and then they develop light and dark bands on the abdominal area during the final two instars.

Proba bugs are active year round (just a lot slower in winter). As temperatures begin to rise, usually in March, they begin feeding and breeding in earnest. Eggs are laid on artichoke petioles (leaf stems)

Kate Russell is a UCCE Master Gardener in Santa Clara County. For information, visit mgsantaclara. ucanr.edu or call 408.282.3105 between 9:30am-12:30pm, Monday through Friday.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

By KATE RUSSELL

Y

ou’ve proba-bly never heard of proba bugs.

Proba bugs are relatively new pests in our area. And they love artichokes.

Proba bugs (Proba californica) have been around for some time, but they used to prefer coyote brush. Coyote brush is a common native plant found along highways in agricultural areas of California. At some point (around 1997) a proba bug decided to give artichokes a try. From that moment on, proba bugs have become an increasing threat to artichoke plants.

Adult proba bugs are plain

and hatch within 20 to 30 days.

Nymphs go through five instars before reaching adulthood.

The damage caused by proba bugs is similar to that of lygus bugs, only proba bugs are more aggressive in their feeding habits. Adults and nymphs feed on young artichoke leaves and at the base of developing buds. They feed by piercing the tissue and injecting a toxin that kills plant cells. As the surrounding leaf tissue continues to grow, these punctured areas turn into brown dead spots that dry and fall off, leaving what looks like a gunshot hole. Feeding on the base of flower buds causes the bud (the part we eat) to turn black.

This phytotoxin also causes stunting and deformed flower buds.

Severely affected leaves will be smaller than normal and chlorotic.

Until relatively recently, commercial artichoke fields were treated with organophosphates and chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. Use of these neurotoxins is being phased out, so proba bugs are becoming more of a problem. Infested fields can lose 20 to 30 percent of the harvest to proba bugs. Farmers are now removing the coyote brush near their fields and tilling the crop residue under, in a practice called stumping, to help combat this pest.

Natural predators, such as bigeyed bugs, damsel bugs, minute pirate bugs and spiders all feed on the nymph stage of proba bugs, so avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides.

You can help protect your artichoke plants by cutting the plant off at ground level once flower production is done for the year, and monitoring for signs of infestation in March and April.

9

O& A CALENDAR

OCTOBER 25, 2019

BENEFIT COSTUME PARTY

10

Air For Paws is inviting the community to its Halloween Costume Party with live entertainment, a wandering cocktail party, costume contest and plenty to eat and drink. Air For Paws equips fire, rescue and military personnel with specially designed animal resuscitation kits and specialized training that can save the lives of family pets. This is an adult-only event that will be filmed.

Attendees are advised to not wear high heels, as there will be uneven pavement. Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-10pm at Morgan’s Cove, 1980 Morgan Ave., Morgan Hill. Tickets are limited. For information, visit airforpaws.com.

GILROY OFRENDA EXHIBITS The Gilroy Center for the Arts will remember family members and

friends who have passed on at the eighth annual Dia de los Muertos Community Ofrendas & Art Exhibit. The exhibit, 7341 Monterey St., Gilroy, runs Oct.

15-Nov. 2 with a free event on Oct. 26 from noon-4pm. For information about the event or setting up an Ofrenda, visit gilroycenterforthearts.com.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PARTY DreamPower Horsemanship is hosting a sensory-friendly Trick or Treat Party featuring miniature horses, goats, chickens and ducks.

Children ages 18 and under are invited to enjoy ranch-themed fun, games and tricks and treats. $10 per child or $30 per family.

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4-6pm at DreamPower Horsemanship, 7460 Crews Road, Gilroy. To RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/y5pn3xjq.

MORGAN HILL HALLOWEEN FUN FEST The family is invited to the Morgan Hill Library for spooky activities, creepy crafts, games and more at the Halloween Fun Fest. Costumes are encouraged. Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-4pm at Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave. For information, call 408.779.3196 or visit sccl.org.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT The City of Morgan Hill Recreation presents Parents Night Out, an opportunity for parents to have an enjoyable evening out while their children are safe and having a great time in the hands of Kids’ Club staff. Kids will enjoy a night of swimming, dinner, games and

SPEECHLESS TOUR

TEAL PUMPKINS

crafts. Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-10pm at Centennial Recreation Center Kids Club, 171 W. Edmundson Ave. For information, visit tinyurl. com/yy4h9c9h.

Pocus, will be screened at Morgan Hill Library. Snacks, crafts, Halloween nail art and Sanderson Sister-themed activities round out the event. This is a PG-rated film.

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 3:30-5:30pm at Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave. For information, visit sccl.org.

Blue Man Group is bringing their new tour, Speechless, to San Jose for a limited engagement as a part of the Broadway San Jose 2019-20 season. Speechless will feature new and original compositions, invented instruments and unexpected situations alongside iconic Blue Man Group moments based in joy, art, music, comedy, social commentary and profound absurdity. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-3 at San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose. For information, full schedule and tickets, visit broadwaysanjose.com..

HARVEST FESTIVAL All families are welcome to join Trinity Christian Center as it presents its annual Harvest Festival. Guests will enjoy games, prizes, music, dancing, a cakewalk and candy.

A costume contest will also be featured. This is an admissionfree event. Saturday, Oct. 26, 6pm at Morgan Hill Cultural and Community Center, 17000 Monterey Road. For information, visit tinyurl.com/y479pldm.

HOCUS POCUS PARTY The classic Halloween movie, Hocus

SAN MARTIN COSTUME PARTY Lion Ranch Vineyards and Winery is hosting its Halloween Costume Party.

Guests will enjoy a DJ and costume contest, as well as wine and tacos.

Tickets may be purchased for $36 each; ages 21 and over only.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 6-10pm at Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery,

645 W. San Martin Ave. For information, visit lionranch.com.

WATSONVILLE SHIBORI WORKSHOP The public is invited to learn the ancient technique of Shibori Indigo Dyeing to create a set of four dinner napkins to take home. Students will learn the basics of mixing indigo dye and the Japanese art of folding and binding fabric to create patterns. The workshop includes a complimentary beverage while crafting. Guests may also bring a small piece to dye at the end of the workshop, Saturday, Oct. 26, 1-3pm at Annieglass, 310 ➝ 13

OCTOBER 25, 2019

HALLOWEEN GEOCACHE Open Space Authority will present a family-friendly nature education night—with a Halloween twist.

Attendees will embark on an adventure along the valley floor and visit educational stops to gather clues to solve riddles, find geocaches and search for hidden Halloween treasures. Halloween costumes are encouraged at this free, real world, outdoor treasure hunt. Bring flashlights and water to drink. Saturday, Oct. 26, 5:30-

7:30pm at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, 550 Palm Ave., Morgan Hill. To register, visit openspaceauthority.org.

Decorate pumpkins in support of the allergy community at Morgan Hill Library. Inspired by Food Allergy Research & Education’s (FARE) teal pumpkin project, this event aims to make allergy learning fun. All ages are welcome to dress up a mini pumpkin and enjoy allergy-friendly snacks.

RSVP to ensure a space, paint and mini pumpkins will be provided to all who RSVP. Sunday, Oct. 27, 1-3pm at Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave, Morgan Hill. For tickets, visit nutfreementality.com.

11

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRE

Don’t wait—plan now

APPROACHING DANGER Wind-driven embers can easily ignite

OCTOBER 25, 2019

a home or property around it.

12

Evaluate your home’s protection against embers

By DWIGHT GOOD

Editor’s note: This is the next installment in a series of articles on wildfire preparation.

M

ost homes are destroyed by wildfires because wind-driven burning embers come into contact with something easily ignited on, in or near the home. When evaluating your home and property’s vulnerability

to embers, you should do it in the context of wildfire conditions. You should assume: • Hot temperatures, very low humidity and strong gusting winds; • Poor visibility due to smoke; • No electricity; • Little or no water pressure’ • No telephone, including cell phone service; • Panicking people acting irrationally;

• Firefighters will not be protecting your home and will likely not even be in your neighborhood; • You and your family will not be present; and • Thousands of burning embers coming from burning pieces of bark, pine cones, branches and construction materials are being driven by winds into your house and onto your roof.

Now assume that your home is exactly as you left it this morning when you left for work. Would it survive under these conditions?

Did you leave a window open? Did you forget to close the garage door?

Is the firewood pile stacked next to the house? Are the garbage cans on the back porch full and not covered by lids? Take steps now to reduce the ember threat to your home.

Waiting until the fire starts may cost you your home.

Most people believe that wildfires ignite homes through direct contact with flames, but it is rare to have a home ignite this way. Flaming brands and embers can travel a mile or more ahead of the active front of a wildfire and up to 60 percent of wildland/urban interface home ignitions result from embers.

Make changes now to reduce the ember threat to your home.

The Ember Aware campaign is intended to educate people on the risks of ember cast and the actions they can take to reduce those risks, to encourage residents to harden their homes against embers and/or to maintain those ember-resistant features, and to practice embersafe housekeeping and landscaping. You can learn more at www. emberaware.com.

Fire Marshal Dwight Good, MS, EFO, serves the Morgan Hill Fire Department, South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit. He has 24 years of fire service experience. For questions or comments, email Dwight.good@fire.ca.gov or call (408) 310-4654.

O& A CALENDAR

11 LIGHTS AND FRIGHTS Swank Farms presents its Trail of Lights and Frights, offering a full fall festival experience with a night under the stars. All ages are invited to wander down a starry path filled with Halloween favorites. This family-friendly experience is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Halloween, dusk-10pm at Swank Farms, The Experience, 4751 Pacheco Pass Highway. For information and tickets, visit swankfarms.com/trail-oflights-and-frights.

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

HELLO FROM JAPAN

Attendees can learn how time-honored Japanese traditions co-exist with contemporary culture at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose’s new exhibit, “Hello from Japan!” The exhibit features the Shinto shrine park and Kawaii Central, a streetscape inspired by Tokyo’s bustling Harajuku district. Together, the exhibit gives visitors a family-friendly window into Japanese culture and highlights how old and new traditions coexist. View the exhibit through Feb. 2 at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way. For information, visit cdm.org.

Harvest Drive, Watsonville. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/yy2voc3s.

EVENTS

SPOOKY FUN Gilroy Gardens’ spooky-but-not-too-scary Halloween event is back with even more Boo. Little ones can trick or treat, sing and dance along to a live musical show or take a ride on the Boo Train or other “spookified” rides. A marketplace filled with Halloween treats, wine, craft beers and more fills out the event. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18, 19 and 20, 5-10pm nightly at Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. For information, visit gilroygardens.org.

HOLIDAY COMEDY The Gilroy Center for the Arts will host the performance of The Hallelujah Girls, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. In this comedy, five women realize time is precious after the passing of a dear friend.

In an effort to change their lives and achieve their dreams, they decide to turn a rundown church into a spa, but each has their own issues preventing them from being motivated. This production runs Nov. 1-Dec. 1 at the Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St. For information and performance schedule, visit limelightactorstheater.com.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS El Teatro Campesino presents its 2019 Dia de los Muertos Weekend, celebrating arts and culture, and honoring the lives of departed loved ones through dance, music, teatro and community. Attendees will enjoy a community altar exhibit and live music and dance performances by Esperanza del Valle (tickets required). Guests

HISTORIC TOUR Learn about the historic districts of Gilroy the first Saturday of each month during Historic Walking Tours.

Join members of the Gilroy Historical Society Saturday, Nov. 2, 10am-noon for a free walking tour of Old St. Mary Cemetery.

Reservations are recommended but not required. Meet in front of St. Joseph Family Center, 7950 Church St., Gilroy. For information, call 408.846.0446.

WINE BOTTLING The public can learn how to bottle wine at Guglielmo Winery’s Bottle Your Own event. Attendees may bring their own clean bottles or purchase new from the winery and will receive a commemorative label. Participants will bottle a red blend to take home to enjoy or give as a gift. This event is open to everyone; no reservations required. Saturday, Nov. 2, 10am-3pm at Guglielmo Winery, 1480 E. Main Ave, Morgan Hill. For information, call 408.779.2145.

FAMILY CELEBRATION Gilroy Gardens will celebrate Dia de los Muertos, featuring live entertainment, beer and margaritas as well as traditional Mexican food such as tamales, elotes (street corn), churros, hot chocolate and Pan de Muerto (Mexican pastry). Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Saturday, Nov. 2, 3-9pm at Gilroy Gardens’ South County Picnic Grove, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. For information, visit gilroygardens.org.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

YOUTH PERFORMANCE South Valley Civic Theatre’s youth perform in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s adaptation of the classic fairytale Cinderella. This production brings new life to the story of a young woman forced into servitude who dreams of, and achieves, a better life, and features some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs. Friday-Saturday, Oct.

25-26 at Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Road.

For information, visit svct.org.

PUMPKIN JUNCTION The family-friendly Pumpkin Junction celebrates the harvest season and explores all that Casa de Fruta has to offer. Guests are invited to find a pumpkin, mine for gemstones at Casa de Miner’s Sluice, ride Casa de Choo Choo and take a spin on Casa de Carousel. The Junction will be held through Oct. 31, 8am-8pm at Casa de Fruta Orchard Resort, 10021 Pacheco Pass Highway. For information, visit casadefruta.com.

are also invited to enjoy free family-oriented activities that will be held in the Playhouse parking lot, including a Teatro performance, live music, dancing calaveras, raffles, children’s activities and more. Nov. 1-3 at El Teatro Campesino Playhouse, 705 Fourth St, San Juan Bautista. For information, visit elteatrocampesino.com.

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COMMUNITY

Leading the charge

Robert Eliason

OCTOBER 25, 2019

LEADER OF THE PACK San Benito Stage Company is bringing the Broadway hit to local audiences.

14

San Benito Stage Company’s teen performance opens at Veterans Memorial Building

By JENNY ARBIZU

B

efore Mama Mia! or The Jersey Boys ever saw Broadway stages, a lesser known jukebox musical had already rocked Broadway audiences in 1985—Leader of the Pack.

Chock-full of golden oldies from the 1960s, such as “Be My Baby,” “Chapel of Love,” and “Da Doo Ron Ron,” the musical wowed audiences with songs written by singer/ songwriter Ellie Greenwich, the story based on her life, and roles of Greenwich and Darlene Love played by themselves.

Now, San Benito Stage Company promises to bring that same wow factor to Hollister audiences when it opens at the Hollister Veterans’ Memorial Building on Oct. 25.

“I think audiences are going to be shocked when they hear songs

and go, ‘Oh, this is an Ellie Greenwich song? She’s attached to this song?’” said co-producer Karen Firstbrook. “This show is going to appeal to all ages. This is the kind of show that you’re going to want to bring your mother and your grandmother to. If you have any love of great music and harmonies and dancing, you need to come see the show because it’s that good.”

The show ( co-produced by Mary Chase, directed by Derek Barnes, choreographed by Amy Redmond Waran, and vocally/musically directed by Kayla Chizek) follows Greenwich from her teenage days as a member of a girl group to meeting her husband, Jeff Barry, to having a successful songwriting career and then eventually having a nervous breakdown.

“It’s a story of love, it’s a story

of loss, and it’s a story kind of like a rebirth,” Barnes said. Greenwich “thought being married to another songwriter was going to be enough for her, and the music and the partnership was enough for their marriage, but it ended up not being enough for him.”

The musical is not the typical teen show Hollister audiences are used to seeing, according to Firstbrook.

While it appeals to all ages, it is also timely for the current generation.

“It’s such a good girl-power show,” Firstbrook said. “We’re now in a society that is supporting our young women; Ellie Greenwich didn’t grow up in that society. She had to work hard and had to break glass ceilings like you wouldn’t believe.”

A live band will also be accompanying the performers, and live preshows will take place before each performance.

The cast of 29 teenagers, ages 13-19, includes Abby Chase as Ellie Greenwich, Joey Rasmussen as Jeff Barry and Jenna Hernandez as Darlene Love.

Firstbrook said a lot has been demanded from the teens during rehearsals in terms of dancing, vocal ability and stamina.

Chase, who is in her last teen production with the company and has performed with it since she was 8 years old, said many of the cast members have found support in each other to tackle these challenges.

“Everyone is very supportive and makes the environment feel safe and fun,” she said.

Leader of the Pack runs Oct. 25-Nov. 9 at Hollister Veterans’ Memorial Building at 649 San Benito St. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Adult admission is $17, students and seniors $14, group four-packs $55 (presale only). Tickets are sold at Mars Hill, Postal Graphics or brownpapertickets.com. For information, visit www.sanbenitostage. org or call 831.636.0122.

WINE

Submitted photo

SUMMER TASTE Alara Cellars’ Viognier and Grenache Blanc are

made with grapes from San Benito.

White after Labor Day?

BER NOVEM 20 RIO THEATRE SANTA CRUZ, CA

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Alara Cellars has it handled By LAURA NESS

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She follows this up with a rich version of 2018 Viognier from San Benito, where grapes can reach the kind of ripeness that delivers unctuous wines, with ample texture.

This 2018 viognier is no exception, with aromas of pear, peaches and apricots drying in the summer sun, adding juicy citrus to the creamy palate. If you want to capture summer in a sip, this would be it.

The 2018 Grenache Blanc from San Benito elicits memories of key lime pie and fresh nectarines.

Texturally, it exhibits the pleasing sandiness of cardamom sesame biscotti, with a squeeze of white currant on the finish.

Alara Cellars has a handle on whites, a much-needed addition to the very red landscape of Santa Clara.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

t’s easy to fall in love with the sleek, eye-catching Alara Cellars labels that flaunt high fashion better than most ads in Esquire magazine. Besides which, Janu Goelz’s wines are aromatically refreshing compared to the horrid cologne samples the magazine exudes like the screed of excess. Her labels are courtesy of a partnership with fashion designer friend, Malene Grotrian, who transforms each varietal into a fashionably chic personality sketch.

The 2018 Albarino from Mission Ranch in Arroyo Seco is lighthearted, with delicate aromas of white peach, jasmine, honeydew melon and lime blossom. Flavors of lime, nectarine and a touch of gooseberry liven the palate and keep it flowing along a crisp centerline of acidity.

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Located in Well Established Neighborhood UN-BOO-LIEVABLE ~ 3Br/2Ba at end of culde-sac. Light & bright w/separate living room & kitchen open to dining area. Two sliding glass doors into large fenced backyard. A Must See! Don’t Hesitate to Make this Great Home Yours! $532,000 Hollister (831) 245-0321

Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday Noon-3pm Tammy Davis (831) 801-3179 Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac, this quaint 3Br/1Ba has an upgraded kitchen w/granite & stainless appliances. Original wood flooring & brick fireplace. Spacious 7,878 SqFt lot w/lemon, lime & avocado trees. Attached 2-car garage w/workshop.

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Inspiring WORK

Neon Exchange, a female focused co-working space, opens in historic hotel

BY ERIK CHALHOUB PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT ELIASON

OCTOBER 25, 2019

T

4

NEON CEO Toni Bowles is the founder of

The Neon Exchange.

oni Bowles spent nearly 20 years with the Santa Clara County Superior Court, working in a division that was tasked with applying for various grants.

Bowles, who describes herself as a “people person” with a passion for social welfare reform, began noticing the job was becoming more about paperwork and less about interacting with others.

The commute from her home in Hollister to downtown San Jose was one thing. But she found it nearly impossible to achieve a work-life balance with the position while raising a family.

An avid reader, Bowles came across an article on a female-focused co-worwking space in New York called The Wing. The concept intrigued her, and she began researching the industry when she came across another similar space in Mill Valley called The Hivery.

A visit was a moving experience, to say the least.

“I could feel inspired just walking through the doors,” she said.

“Something inside of me was telling me, these folks are onto something.”

Fast forward a few years later, Bowles has left her job in the court and is preparing for the grand opening of her own female-focused co-working space in the heart of downtown Gilroy: The Neon Exchange.

Located at 7363-7371 Monterey St. in the historic Louis Hotel, Neon Exchange provides various workstations and desks that are available on a membership basis. The sizable first floor includes a conference room, full kitchenette, library and many other amenities open to ➝6

OCTOBER 25, 2019

5

OCTOBER 25, 2019

5

OCTOBER 25, 2019

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Call 408.767.2868 cafe152@charter.net Food for the How many from 10 to 100 Tell Us We’ll work with your budget MADE

Holidays

CATERING EASY! Made Easy!

Enjoy

INSPIRING WORK

5

Drop Off Free in Gilroy On Site at Cafe 152 Bread Co.

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EVENT SPACE A projector screen (background) is one of the

many amenities at Neon Exchange.

members. After work hours, and on weekends, the space will be available for special events.

The second floor, which Bowles expects will be open in March, will feature 20 fully-enclosed office spaces for rent.

Bowles said she has already heard from various working professionals, such as tutors, realtors and mortgage brokers, about using the first-floor space. In addition, Gallery 1202 has moved from its previous Fifth Street location into Neon Exchange.

She is quick to note that while the center is female-focused, it’s not female-exclusive. The focus is more on the aesthetics and programming of the space, which has more of a feminine vibe, she said.

“My intent is to take it down to a community-based level, so it feels inclusive for everyone,” she said.

Bringing life to a landmark The Louis Hotel, according to Gilroy’s Historic Resources Inventory, opened on Sept. 10, 1921. The hotel, which was a popular stopping place for Highway 101 travelers, was designed by the Binder and Curtis architectural firm in the neoclassic commercial style.

It was later converted into a restaurant, offices and retail stores.

But for the greater part of the last decade, the hotel has sat vacant as various businesses and special events have come and gone. As a result of years of neglect, the building was in a sad shape when Bowles purchased it at the end of 2018.

When Bowles was searching for a spot to house her concept, she began negotiating for a space in downtown Morgan Hill.

It was during this time ➝8

O& A

OUT & ABOUT

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS

Celebrate the spooky season at events for all ages Oct. 25-31.

GILROY

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA

MORGAN HILL

SAN JOSE

SPIRITS NIGHT

GHOST WALK

MONSTER BALL

The Gilroy Party in the Park Series presents Spirits Night, a free community event hosted

by South County Youth Task Force and City of Gilroy Recreation. Enjoy games, arts and crafts, face painting, a children’s costume contest, raffles and more. Friday, Oct. 25, Halloween celebration 5-7pm and Spirits Night celebration 7-8pm at San Ysidro Park, 7700 Murray Ave., Gilroy. For information, call Sandra Cruz at 408.500.5034 or Ariana Orozco at 699.287.2739.

The 11th annual San Juan Bautista Ghost Walk features local ghost sightings and paranormal activities. Reservation fees include gift bags and beverages, and proceeds support Rotary San Juan Bautista’s community and internal projects. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 and 26 in Downtown San Juan Bautista, meet at the corner of Third and Mariposa streets. Tours will be offered at five nightly departure times beginning at 6:30pm. For reservations, visit rotarysanjuanbautista.com.

Head to the Granada Theatre for its Halloween Monster Ball Dance Party, and enjoy an evening of dancing the night away with DJ Dare Run G In The Mix. Guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, mini desserts and a no-host full bar. Attendees are advised to wear a Halloween costume for a chance to take home the grand prize.

Age 21 and over only; VIP tickets also available. Saturday, Oct. 26, 8pm-1am at the Granada Theater, 17440 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill. For information, visit liveloveleal.com.

HALLOWEEN FAMILY NIGHT Family Night at the Museum is an “all treats and no tricks” bash for the entire family.

Guests are invited to dress up in costumes and experience the spooky magic of the museum after hours, including a healthy treat trail, a treat bag to fill with goodies and books, wonders of science and art activities.

Thursday, Oct. 31, 6-8:30pm at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way. For information, visit cdm.org.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

7

INSPIRING WORK

WE WANT YOU (or a relative or friend)

TO BE FEATURED IN OUR VETERANS DAY EDITION! The section is devoted to all U.S. or allied military veterans who are currently South Valley residents or have a connection to this area.

Please provide service photos and information (see below) and submit to us for publication in November 8, 2019. This is a great way to honor the veterans in your family or to let us know of your service to our country.

If you have access to email, please send information to our editor: echalhoub@newsvmedia.com. Attach photos (jpgs preferred).

No email? Complete the form below and mail: New SV Media, 64 W. Sixth St., Gilroy, CA 95020; or drop off materials at the same address.

Please label all materials with your name and phone number and submit by Nov. 1, 2019.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

Name:

8

Phone number: Branch of service: Rank achieved (optional): Dates served: Where did you serve?

Special information (e.g. POW)

6

MEMBER OPTIONS Separated desks are available for Neon Exchange members looking for a quieter spot. that Bowles would drive daily through downtown Gilroy on the way home from picking up her children from school. On one trip, the facade of the Louis Hotel caught her eye. Even better, she noticed a sign on the window from Renz & Renz Real Estate Brokerage announcing that the building was available.

“It inspired me to pick up the phone, and I called for a tour,” Bowles said.

Before the tour, she said Christian Renz of the brokerage warned her that the building was in rough condition, but she didn’t let that deter her.

“As I walked the layout of the building, I could envision the color, I could envision the workstations,” Bowles said. “I could already see it happening. I was like, this is it.

This is where it needs to be.”

The Morgan Hill deal fell through, but Bowles immediately began negotiating for the Louis Hotel.

After nearly a year of work, the hotel has been transformed. New

stucco lines the walls, while the original wood flooring has been refinished. Gold accents can be found throughout the space, harkening back to the 1920s, and various art and other decorations complete the look.

“We wanted to make a conscious effort to preserve the building, but bring it to the 21st century,” she said.

It wasn’t an easy process.

“I can’t even believe that we are going to open our doors,” she said.

“It was a painstaking responsibility to make this building right again.

“I am lucky to have a tight unit of family around me who carried me through, saying ‘you can do this,’ who believed in me and helped me when I needed help.”

The Neon Exchange, 7365-7371 Monterey St. in Gilroy, is holding a grand opening gala on Oct. 27 from 1-4 p.m. Free tickets are available at facebook.com/neonexchange and Eventbrite. For information, visit theneonexchange.com.

GARDENING

Proba bug problem

ARTICHOKE PEST Proba bugs are attracted to artichoke plants.

Pests becoming major threat to artichokes

brown and only 0.2 inches long; that means you could line up 3½ proba bugs across the top of a dime. Nymphs start out looking like pale yellowish green aphids, except that they move a lot faster than aphids due to their longer legs. During the next two developmental stages (instars) they are first reddish-brown, and then they develop light and dark bands on the abdominal area during the final two instars.

Proba bugs are active year round (just a lot slower in winter). As temperatures begin to rise, usually in March, they begin feeding and breeding in earnest. Eggs are laid on artichoke petioles (leaf stems)

Kate Russell is a UCCE Master Gardener in Santa Clara County. For information, visit mgsantaclara. ucanr.edu or call 408.282.3105 between 9:30am-12:30pm, Monday through Friday.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

By KATE RUSSELL

Y

ou’ve proba-bly never heard of proba bugs.

Proba bugs are relatively new pests in our area. And they love artichokes.

Proba bugs (Proba californica) have been around for some time, but they used to prefer coyote brush. Coyote brush is a common native plant found along highways in agricultural areas of California. At some point (around 1997) a proba bug decided to give artichokes a try. From that moment on, proba bugs have become an increasing threat to artichoke plants.

Adult proba bugs are plain

and hatch within 20 to 30 days.

Nymphs go through five instars before reaching adulthood.

The damage caused by proba bugs is similar to that of lygus bugs, only proba bugs are more aggressive in their feeding habits. Adults and nymphs feed on young artichoke leaves and at the base of developing buds. They feed by piercing the tissue and injecting a toxin that kills plant cells. As the surrounding leaf tissue continues to grow, these punctured areas turn into brown dead spots that dry and fall off, leaving what looks like a gunshot hole. Feeding on the base of flower buds causes the bud (the part we eat) to turn black.

This phytotoxin also causes stunting and deformed flower buds.

Severely affected leaves will be smaller than normal and chlorotic.

Until relatively recently, commercial artichoke fields were treated with organophosphates and chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. Use of these neurotoxins is being phased out, so proba bugs are becoming more of a problem. Infested fields can lose 20 to 30 percent of the harvest to proba bugs. Farmers are now removing the coyote brush near their fields and tilling the crop residue under, in a practice called stumping, to help combat this pest.

Natural predators, such as bigeyed bugs, damsel bugs, minute pirate bugs and spiders all feed on the nymph stage of proba bugs, so avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides.

You can help protect your artichoke plants by cutting the plant off at ground level once flower production is done for the year, and monitoring for signs of infestation in March and April.

9

O& A CALENDAR

OCTOBER 25, 2019

BENEFIT COSTUME PARTY

10

Air For Paws is inviting the community to its Halloween Costume Party with live entertainment, a wandering cocktail party, costume contest and plenty to eat and drink. Air For Paws equips fire, rescue and military personnel with specially designed animal resuscitation kits and specialized training that can save the lives of family pets. This is an adult-only event that will be filmed.

Attendees are advised to not wear high heels, as there will be uneven pavement. Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-10pm at Morgan’s Cove, 1980 Morgan Ave., Morgan Hill. Tickets are limited. For information, visit airforpaws.com.

GILROY OFRENDA EXHIBITS The Gilroy Center for the Arts will remember family members and

friends who have passed on at the eighth annual Dia de los Muertos Community Ofrendas & Art Exhibit. The exhibit, 7341 Monterey St., Gilroy, runs Oct.

15-Nov. 2 with a free event on Oct. 26 from noon-4pm. For information about the event or setting up an Ofrenda, visit gilroycenterforthearts.com.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PARTY DreamPower Horsemanship is hosting a sensory-friendly Trick or Treat Party featuring miniature horses, goats, chickens and ducks.

Children ages 18 and under are invited to enjoy ranch-themed fun, games and tricks and treats. $10 per child or $30 per family.

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4-6pm at DreamPower Horsemanship, 7460 Crews Road, Gilroy. To RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/y5pn3xjq.

MORGAN HILL HALLOWEEN FUN FEST The family is invited to the Morgan Hill Library for spooky activities, creepy crafts, games and more at the Halloween Fun Fest. Costumes are encouraged. Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-4pm at Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave. For information, call 408.779.3196 or visit sccl.org.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT The City of Morgan Hill Recreation presents Parents Night Out, an opportunity for parents to have an enjoyable evening out while their children are safe and having a great time in the hands of Kids’ Club staff. Kids will enjoy a night of swimming, dinner, games and

SPEECHLESS TOUR

TEAL PUMPKINS

crafts. Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-10pm at Centennial Recreation Center Kids Club, 171 W. Edmundson Ave. For information, visit tinyurl. com/yy4h9c9h.

Pocus, will be screened at Morgan Hill Library. Snacks, crafts, Halloween nail art and Sanderson Sister-themed activities round out the event. This is a PG-rated film.

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 3:30-5:30pm at Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave. For information, visit sccl.org.

Blue Man Group is bringing their new tour, Speechless, to San Jose for a limited engagement as a part of the Broadway San Jose 2019-20 season. Speechless will feature new and original compositions, invented instruments and unexpected situations alongside iconic Blue Man Group moments based in joy, art, music, comedy, social commentary and profound absurdity. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-3 at San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose. For information, full schedule and tickets, visit broadwaysanjose.com..

HARVEST FESTIVAL All families are welcome to join Trinity Christian Center as it presents its annual Harvest Festival. Guests will enjoy games, prizes, music, dancing, a cakewalk and candy.

A costume contest will also be featured. This is an admissionfree event. Saturday, Oct. 26, 6pm at Morgan Hill Cultural and Community Center, 17000 Monterey Road. For information, visit tinyurl.com/y479pldm.

HOCUS POCUS PARTY The classic Halloween movie, Hocus

SAN MARTIN COSTUME PARTY Lion Ranch Vineyards and Winery is hosting its Halloween Costume Party.

Guests will enjoy a DJ and costume contest, as well as wine and tacos.

Tickets may be purchased for $36 each; ages 21 and over only.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 6-10pm at Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery,

645 W. San Martin Ave. For information, visit lionranch.com.

WATSONVILLE SHIBORI WORKSHOP The public is invited to learn the ancient technique of Shibori Indigo Dyeing to create a set of four dinner napkins to take home. Students will learn the basics of mixing indigo dye and the Japanese art of folding and binding fabric to create patterns. The workshop includes a complimentary beverage while crafting. Guests may also bring a small piece to dye at the end of the workshop, Saturday, Oct. 26, 1-3pm at Annieglass, 310 ➝ 13

OCTOBER 25, 2019

HALLOWEEN GEOCACHE Open Space Authority will present a family-friendly nature education night—with a Halloween twist.

Attendees will embark on an adventure along the valley floor and visit educational stops to gather clues to solve riddles, find geocaches and search for hidden Halloween treasures. Halloween costumes are encouraged at this free, real world, outdoor treasure hunt. Bring flashlights and water to drink. Saturday, Oct. 26, 5:30-

7:30pm at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, 550 Palm Ave., Morgan Hill. To register, visit openspaceauthority.org.

Decorate pumpkins in support of the allergy community at Morgan Hill Library. Inspired by Food Allergy Research & Education’s (FARE) teal pumpkin project, this event aims to make allergy learning fun. All ages are welcome to dress up a mini pumpkin and enjoy allergy-friendly snacks.

RSVP to ensure a space, paint and mini pumpkins will be provided to all who RSVP. Sunday, Oct. 27, 1-3pm at Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave, Morgan Hill. For tickets, visit nutfreementality.com.

11

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRE

Don’t wait—plan now

APPROACHING DANGER Wind-driven embers can easily ignite

OCTOBER 25, 2019

a home or property around it.

12

Evaluate your home’s protection against embers

By DWIGHT GOOD

Editor’s note: This is the next installment in a series of articles on wildfire preparation.

M

ost homes are destroyed by wildfires because wind-driven burning embers come into contact with something easily ignited on, in or near the home. When evaluating your home and property’s vulnerability

to embers, you should do it in the context of wildfire conditions. You should assume: • Hot temperatures, very low humidity and strong gusting winds; • Poor visibility due to smoke; • No electricity; • Little or no water pressure’ • No telephone, including cell phone service; • Panicking people acting irrationally;

• Firefighters will not be protecting your home and will likely not even be in your neighborhood; • You and your family will not be present; and • Thousands of burning embers coming from burning pieces of bark, pine cones, branches and construction materials are being driven by winds into your house and onto your roof.

Now assume that your home is exactly as you left it this morning when you left for work. Would it survive under these conditions?

Did you leave a window open? Did you forget to close the garage door?

Is the firewood pile stacked next to the house? Are the garbage cans on the back porch full and not covered by lids? Take steps now to reduce the ember threat to your home.

Waiting until the fire starts may cost you your home.

Most people believe that wildfires ignite homes through direct contact with flames, but it is rare to have a home ignite this way. Flaming brands and embers can travel a mile or more ahead of the active front of a wildfire and up to 60 percent of wildland/urban interface home ignitions result from embers.

Make changes now to reduce the ember threat to your home.

The Ember Aware campaign is intended to educate people on the risks of ember cast and the actions they can take to reduce those risks, to encourage residents to harden their homes against embers and/or to maintain those ember-resistant features, and to practice embersafe housekeeping and landscaping. You can learn more at www. emberaware.com.

Fire Marshal Dwight Good, MS, EFO, serves the Morgan Hill Fire Department, South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit. He has 24 years of fire service experience. For questions or comments, email Dwight.good@fire.ca.gov or call (408) 310-4654.

O& A CALENDAR

11 LIGHTS AND FRIGHTS Swank Farms presents its Trail of Lights and Frights, offering a full fall festival experience with a night under the stars. All ages are invited to wander down a starry path filled with Halloween favorites. This family-friendly experience is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Halloween, dusk-10pm at Swank Farms, The Experience, 4751 Pacheco Pass Highway. For information and tickets, visit swankfarms.com/trail-oflights-and-frights.

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

HELLO FROM JAPAN

Attendees can learn how time-honored Japanese traditions co-exist with contemporary culture at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose’s new exhibit, “Hello from Japan!” The exhibit features the Shinto shrine park and Kawaii Central, a streetscape inspired by Tokyo’s bustling Harajuku district. Together, the exhibit gives visitors a family-friendly window into Japanese culture and highlights how old and new traditions coexist. View the exhibit through Feb. 2 at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way. For information, visit cdm.org.

Harvest Drive, Watsonville. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/yy2voc3s.

EVENTS

SPOOKY FUN Gilroy Gardens’ spooky-but-not-too-scary Halloween event is back with even more Boo. Little ones can trick or treat, sing and dance along to a live musical show or take a ride on the Boo Train or other “spookified” rides. A marketplace filled with Halloween treats, wine, craft beers and more fills out the event. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18, 19 and 20, 5-10pm nightly at Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. For information, visit gilroygardens.org.

HOLIDAY COMEDY The Gilroy Center for the Arts will host the performance of The Hallelujah Girls, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. In this comedy, five women realize time is precious after the passing of a dear friend.

In an effort to change their lives and achieve their dreams, they decide to turn a rundown church into a spa, but each has their own issues preventing them from being motivated. This production runs Nov. 1-Dec. 1 at the Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St. For information and performance schedule, visit limelightactorstheater.com.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS El Teatro Campesino presents its 2019 Dia de los Muertos Weekend, celebrating arts and culture, and honoring the lives of departed loved ones through dance, music, teatro and community. Attendees will enjoy a community altar exhibit and live music and dance performances by Esperanza del Valle (tickets required). Guests

HISTORIC TOUR Learn about the historic districts of Gilroy the first Saturday of each month during Historic Walking Tours.

Join members of the Gilroy Historical Society Saturday, Nov. 2, 10am-noon for a free walking tour of Old St. Mary Cemetery.

Reservations are recommended but not required. Meet in front of St. Joseph Family Center, 7950 Church St., Gilroy. For information, call 408.846.0446.

WINE BOTTLING The public can learn how to bottle wine at Guglielmo Winery’s Bottle Your Own event. Attendees may bring their own clean bottles or purchase new from the winery and will receive a commemorative label. Participants will bottle a red blend to take home to enjoy or give as a gift. This event is open to everyone; no reservations required. Saturday, Nov. 2, 10am-3pm at Guglielmo Winery, 1480 E. Main Ave, Morgan Hill. For information, call 408.779.2145.

FAMILY CELEBRATION Gilroy Gardens will celebrate Dia de los Muertos, featuring live entertainment, beer and margaritas as well as traditional Mexican food such as tamales, elotes (street corn), churros, hot chocolate and Pan de Muerto (Mexican pastry). Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Saturday, Nov. 2, 3-9pm at Gilroy Gardens’ South County Picnic Grove, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. For information, visit gilroygardens.org.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

YOUTH PERFORMANCE South Valley Civic Theatre’s youth perform in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s adaptation of the classic fairytale Cinderella. This production brings new life to the story of a young woman forced into servitude who dreams of, and achieves, a better life, and features some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs. Friday-Saturday, Oct.

25-26 at Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Road.

For information, visit svct.org.

PUMPKIN JUNCTION The family-friendly Pumpkin Junction celebrates the harvest season and explores all that Casa de Fruta has to offer. Guests are invited to find a pumpkin, mine for gemstones at Casa de Miner’s Sluice, ride Casa de Choo Choo and take a spin on Casa de Carousel. The Junction will be held through Oct. 31, 8am-8pm at Casa de Fruta Orchard Resort, 10021 Pacheco Pass Highway. For information, visit casadefruta.com.

are also invited to enjoy free family-oriented activities that will be held in the Playhouse parking lot, including a Teatro performance, live music, dancing calaveras, raffles, children’s activities and more. Nov. 1-3 at El Teatro Campesino Playhouse, 705 Fourth St, San Juan Bautista. For information, visit elteatrocampesino.com.

13

COMMUNITY

Leading the charge

Robert Eliason

OCTOBER 25, 2019

LEADER OF THE PACK San Benito Stage Company is bringing the Broadway hit to local audiences.

14

San Benito Stage Company’s teen performance opens at Veterans Memorial Building

By JENNY ARBIZU

B

efore Mama Mia! or The Jersey Boys ever saw Broadway stages, a lesser known jukebox musical had already rocked Broadway audiences in 1985—Leader of the Pack.

Chock-full of golden oldies from the 1960s, such as “Be My Baby,” “Chapel of Love,” and “Da Doo Ron Ron,” the musical wowed audiences with songs written by singer/ songwriter Ellie Greenwich, the story based on her life, and roles of Greenwich and Darlene Love played by themselves.

Now, San Benito Stage Company promises to bring that same wow factor to Hollister audiences when it opens at the Hollister Veterans’ Memorial Building on Oct. 25.

“I think audiences are going to be shocked when they hear songs

and go, ‘Oh, this is an Ellie Greenwich song? She’s attached to this song?’” said co-producer Karen Firstbrook. “This show is going to appeal to all ages. This is the kind of show that you’re going to want to bring your mother and your grandmother to. If you have any love of great music and harmonies and dancing, you need to come see the show because it’s that good.”

The show ( co-produced by Mary Chase, directed by Derek Barnes, choreographed by Amy Redmond Waran, and vocally/musically directed by Kayla Chizek) follows Greenwich from her teenage days as a member of a girl group to meeting her husband, Jeff Barry, to having a successful songwriting career and then eventually having a nervous breakdown.

“It’s a story of love, it’s a story

of loss, and it’s a story kind of like a rebirth,” Barnes said. Greenwich “thought being married to another songwriter was going to be enough for her, and the music and the partnership was enough for their marriage, but it ended up not being enough for him.”

The musical is not the typical teen show Hollister audiences are used to seeing, according to Firstbrook.

While it appeals to all ages, it is also timely for the current generation.

“It’s such a good girl-power show,” Firstbrook said. “We’re now in a society that is supporting our young women; Ellie Greenwich didn’t grow up in that society. She had to work hard and had to break glass ceilings like you wouldn’t believe.”

A live band will also be accompanying the performers, and live preshows will take place before each performance.

The cast of 29 teenagers, ages 13-19, includes Abby Chase as Ellie Greenwich, Joey Rasmussen as Jeff Barry and Jenna Hernandez as Darlene Love.

Firstbrook said a lot has been demanded from the teens during rehearsals in terms of dancing, vocal ability and stamina.

Chase, who is in her last teen production with the company and has performed with it since she was 8 years old, said many of the cast members have found support in each other to tackle these challenges.

“Everyone is very supportive and makes the environment feel safe and fun,” she said.

Leader of the Pack runs Oct. 25-Nov. 9 at Hollister Veterans’ Memorial Building at 649 San Benito St. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Adult admission is $17, students and seniors $14, group four-packs $55 (presale only). Tickets are sold at Mars Hill, Postal Graphics or brownpapertickets.com. For information, visit www.sanbenitostage. org or call 831.636.0122.

WINE

Submitted photo

SUMMER TASTE Alara Cellars’ Viognier and Grenache Blanc are

made with grapes from San Benito.

White after Labor Day?

BER NOVEM 20 RIO THEATRE SANTA CRUZ, CA

AJAZZ.ORG W B M U U K T A BUY TICKETS

Alara Cellars has it handled By LAURA NESS

I

She follows this up with a rich version of 2018 Viognier from San Benito, where grapes can reach the kind of ripeness that delivers unctuous wines, with ample texture.

This 2018 viognier is no exception, with aromas of pear, peaches and apricots drying in the summer sun, adding juicy citrus to the creamy palate. If you want to capture summer in a sip, this would be it.

The 2018 Grenache Blanc from San Benito elicits memories of key lime pie and fresh nectarines.

Texturally, it exhibits the pleasing sandiness of cardamom sesame biscotti, with a squeeze of white currant on the finish.

Alara Cellars has a handle on whites, a much-needed addition to the very red landscape of Santa Clara.

OCTOBER 25, 2019

t’s easy to fall in love with the sleek, eye-catching Alara Cellars labels that flaunt high fashion better than most ads in Esquire magazine. Besides which, Janu Goelz’s wines are aromatically refreshing compared to the horrid cologne samples the magazine exudes like the screed of excess. Her labels are courtesy of a partnership with fashion designer friend, Malene Grotrian, who transforms each varietal into a fashionably chic personality sketch.

The 2018 Albarino from Mission Ranch in Arroyo Seco is lighthearted, with delicate aromas of white peach, jasmine, honeydew melon and lime blossom. Flavors of lime, nectarine and a touch of gooseberry liven the palate and keep it flowing along a crisp centerline of acidity.

15

OCTOBER 25, 2019

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A+ rated BBB company 35+ years experience • Driveways • Patios • Walkways • Stamped Concrete

408.279.8036

Installed • Finished Repaired • Entry • Patio Closet Pocket And More Call Adam at 408.710.4556

cccraftsman@gmail.com craftmansdooservices.com

CONSTRUCTION

HANDYMAN

Rianda Construction

Hauling, yard work tree & brush trimming, fence repair, vacant home & garage cleaning FREE ESTIMATES Ruben 408.310.0078

- 35 years experience -

Quality • Integrity New construction Additions & remodels

408.847.1490 Lic: #649968 Credit cards accepted

408.394.6824

Lic: #7921 Fully Insured

MAGNOLIA LANDSCAPE AND CONCRETE, INC. Specializing, Pavers, Concrete, Irrigation, Sod, Cleanups, All Landscape Construction Serving the Bay Area since 1992 Call for Free Estimates Licensed, Bonded and Insured 408-309-2973 License # 962540

Soares Lumber P.S.G. Fencing Redwood Fencing Chain Link • Decks

Arbors • Hole Drilling

408.842.0260 831.726.2002 Lic. #606051

Publish

Your Business or Service Ad Here For more information Contact 408.842.5066 or email classifieds@newsvmedia.com

OCTOBER 25, 2019

Lic# 381833 Bonded & Insured

• Hauling • Lawns • Aeration • Landscaping • Yard clean-up • Garden maint.

FENCES

19

u o y h s i W ived here l EVERYTHING’S INCLUDED® NEW HOMES IN GILROY

Come discover your new dream home where Everything’s Included® at Glen Loma Ranch. Tour the models from three new communities, including gated Burgundy, Provence and Margaux to see all the features and upgrades that come at no additional cost. Enjoy, home automation, stainless steel appliances, solar* and more – without paying extra.

10 NEW MODELS NOW OPEN Approx. 2,409 to 3,639 sq. ft.

Up to 5 Bedrooms | Up to 4.5 Bathrooms

Text GARLIC to 31996

for more info

Welcome Home Center 7131 Spumante Ct., Gilroy, CA 95020

Lennar.com/BayArea 888-216-2330

New homes from the mid $700,000s

*Requires either participation in the SunStreet solar program or the separate purchase of the system. Details at SunStreet.com. Lennar’s automated homes are built according to the Wi-Fi Alliance® program guidelines for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Designs. See the Wi-Fi Alliance® website at www.wi-fi.org for additional information regarding the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ Home Design program. Homeowners are responsible for configuring all security features. Lennar does not warrant or represent that any network or network device is secure or can prevent all privacy intrusions, malware, or cyber-attacks, even when correctly configured. Certain products or services are provided by third parties, and not Lennar. Lennar does not guarantee any equipment or services provided by third parties. Features, amenities, floorplans, elevations, square footage and designs vary and are subject to changes or substitution without notice. Plans, elevations, hardscape, landscape, and other items shown may contain options that are not standard on all models or not included in the purchase price. Availability may vary. Models/lifestyle photos do not reflect racial or ethnic preference. Please see your New Home Consultant and home purchase agreement for actual features designated as an Everything’s Included feature, additional information, disclosures, and disclaimers relating to your home and its features. Visit Lennar.com or see a Lennar New Home Consultant for further details and important legal disclaimers. This is not an offer in states where prior registration is required. Void where prohibited by law. Copyright © 2019 Lennar Corporation. All rights reserved. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Everything’s Included, and the Everything’s Included logo are U.S. registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. CalAtlantic Group, Inc., CA BRE Broker #02058246 (Responsible Broker: Joanna Duke). Lennar Sales Corp., CA BRE Broker #01252753 (Responsible Broker: Joanna Duke). BMR Construction, Inc., CA CSLB #830955. CalAtlantic Group, Inc., CA CSLB #1037780. Lennar Homes of California, Inc., CA CSLB #728102. 10/19 Amazon, Alexa, Echo Dot, and Echo Show are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.