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Hollister Freelance
Editorial: San Benito no squeaky wheel, and gets little grease
Data showing San Benito County has received significantly less funding than similar areas from the stimulus signals the chaotic nature of the federal give-away, which should have allocated the dollars based on need and economic indicators such as unemployment and foreclosure rates.
As an analysis of the data examined by special assignment contributor Marty Richman showed, San Benito received far less per head than other counties in the region and other areas with similar demographics. It points, once again, to a serious lack of wealth with aggressive representation for this county when it comes to getting our fair share of much-needed state and federal funds. It also sends a red flag that the already clouded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been funneling the funds under the usual umbrella of political favors and favoritism for larger, savvier areas where federal and state leaders might score more points at the polls.
The analysis of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act contract and grant funding for 11 California counties indicates that San Benito County's $12.6 million in awards was the lowest funding per capita - only $218 per person - compared with a weighted average of $386 for the other 10 counties with similar populations or geography. If there had been an even distribution of the funds - just based on the populations among the 11 counties examined, and not economics - it would have netted San Benito County an addition of more than $10 million without increasing borrowing costs to the federal government. Pinnacles National Monument officials, meanwhile, have noted that some local projects within the park are not included on the stimulus website, but they have not clarified details. As detailed on the recovery act's own website, the result of the $12.6 million injection into the San Benito County economy has been five permanent jobs, or $2.52 million per job, which speaks for itself.
San Benito County has gotten much too comfortable in accepting scraps. Its leaders, when faced with such realities, fall back on their traditional routine - to simply complain how this area always gets the shaft, and not seeking rigorously for solutions to the discrepancies. Voters, frankly, are tired of the complaining. They want answers. And if elected officials can't provide answers or bolder-than-standard agendas, then they don't belong in office.
One glaring problem with the stimulus allocations, as shown in San Benito's case, has been the structure in which they have been funneled to local communities. Some of the money went directly from the federal government to local municipalities. Some of it went from the federal government to the state, which then, in turn, divvied out the funds.
As a result, San Benito County, having one of the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the state, received far less than areas with clout and immense wealth.
When handing out billions upon billions of taxpayers' dollars, in an attempt to systematically strengthen the nation's economy, it might make sense to base the allocations on economic indicators and not politics as usual. In that sense, the federal government flopped. Also on the federal level, much of the blame for San Benito County's unfair share falls with Congressman Sam Farr, the Democrat from Carmel who is up for reelection in November, and who often gives priority to other areas in District 17 along the coast.
Above all, though, local officials should have been keener on the process, aware of the possibility that San Benito County might not get its fair share. Instead of waiting for Richman's analysis to show the fact of the matter, they should have been more proactive in ensuring the area did get its fair share, that immediate steps were taken to get proposals "shovel ready" as required in the stimulus, that federally and state-elected leaders were watching out for a county that needs help more than most.
As an analysis of the data examined by special assignment contributor Marty Richman showed, San Benito received far less per head than other counties in the region and other areas with similar demographics. It points, once again, to a serious lack of wealth with aggressive representation for this county when it comes to getting our fair share of much-needed state and federal funds. It also sends a red flag that the already clouded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been funneling the funds under the usual umbrella of political favors and favoritism for larger, savvier areas where federal and state leaders might score more points at the polls.
The analysis of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act contract and grant funding for 11 California counties indicates that San Benito County's $12.6 million in awards was the lowest funding per capita - only $218 per person - compared with a weighted average of $386 for the other 10 counties with similar populations or geography. If there had been an even distribution of the funds - just based on the populations among the 11 counties examined, and not economics - it would have netted San Benito County an addition of more than $10 million without increasing borrowing costs to the federal government. Pinnacles National Monument officials, meanwhile, have noted that some local projects within the park are not included on the stimulus website, but they have not clarified details. As detailed on the recovery act's own website, the result of the $12.6 million injection into the San Benito County economy has been five permanent jobs, or $2.52 million per job, which speaks for itself.
San Benito County has gotten much too comfortable in accepting scraps. Its leaders, when faced with such realities, fall back on their traditional routine - to simply complain how this area always gets the shaft, and not seeking rigorously for solutions to the discrepancies. Voters, frankly, are tired of the complaining. They want answers. And if elected officials can't provide answers or bolder-than-standard agendas, then they don't belong in office.
One glaring problem with the stimulus allocations, as shown in San Benito's case, has been the structure in which they have been funneled to local communities. Some of the money went directly from the federal government to local municipalities. Some of it went from the federal government to the state, which then, in turn, divvied out the funds.
As a result, San Benito County, having one of the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the state, received far less than areas with clout and immense wealth.
When handing out billions upon billions of taxpayers' dollars, in an attempt to systematically strengthen the nation's economy, it might make sense to base the allocations on economic indicators and not politics as usual. In that sense, the federal government flopped. Also on the federal level, much of the blame for San Benito County's unfair share falls with Congressman Sam Farr, the Democrat from Carmel who is up for reelection in November, and who often gives priority to other areas in District 17 along the coast.
Above all, though, local officials should have been keener on the process, aware of the possibility that San Benito County might not get its fair share. Instead of waiting for Richman's analysis to show the fact of the matter, they should have been more proactive in ensuring the area did get its fair share, that immediate steps were taken to get proposals "shovel ready" as required in the stimulus, that federally and state-elected leaders were watching out for a county that needs help more than most.
Categories: Local News
Relay 2010: Raising the stakes
Residents walk at the 2009 event. Photo by: Free Lance file photo The Hollister Relay For Life has a new day and start time this year, one that will allow for a full 24-hour walk.
It happened after the American Cancer Society made the recommendation, said Kim Vera, a co-chair of the event.
"It is supposed to be a true 24 hours," said Vera.
In past years, the event started Friday afternoon, with an open ceremony at 5 p.m. and ended Saturday at noon. In this the 12th year, the event will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and end 10 a.m. Sunday, at the San Benito High School football stadium. Participating teams agree to have at least one team member walking on the track for the 24-hour event.
This year, 62 teams are registered and they raised $60,000 by July 22. The teams can raise more money at the event with games and other fundraisers. They also have until Aug. 15 to continue their efforts.
"It gives more time to have more entertainment and more fundraising, so we are actually really excited about it," Vera said. "I think it's beneficial for everyone. Friday when it started at 5, many people were just getting off work and just getting started with opening ceremonies."
There will be a main stage and a kids' stage. The entertainment starts after the opening ceremony and continues until midnight on Saturday. It includes bands, karaoke, a dance party and more.
"There will be tons of great entertainment to come out and bring the family even if you don't have a team involved - to come out and support the community," Vera said. "Absolutely, anybody can come by."
She added that the teams already have exceeded fundraising efforts from 2009.
"So many people have been affected and touched by cancer," she said. "It's not really one of those things people say 'no' to."
She said committee members are hoping to have more attendance at the event since it is on the weekend.
The theme for the 2010 Relay For Life is "Happy Birthday," which Vera says comes from an American Cancer Society promotion to find a cure so people can celebrate more birthdays.
"All the teams will be decorated in birthday themes and the opening ceremony will be a birthday theme as well," Vera said.
She also said the survivor lap, in which cancer survivors are invited to take one lap around the track, will have a special touch this year. Diana Magana, a high school student who was the beneficiary of San Benito High School's benefit ball this year and had cancer, will do the lap with her friends. The students will lead the crowd in the "Dancing for Diana," routine they created while fundraising during the school year.
In past years, Vera said 150 survivors have joined in the lap and people are welcome to register to participate at the event.
"We would love to have as many survivors as possible out there," she said.
Survivors get a free T-shirt, a lunch reception at noon on Saturday and raffle prizes.
Look for more in the Pinnacle on Friday.
It happened after the American Cancer Society made the recommendation, said Kim Vera, a co-chair of the event.
"It is supposed to be a true 24 hours," said Vera.
In past years, the event started Friday afternoon, with an open ceremony at 5 p.m. and ended Saturday at noon. In this the 12th year, the event will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and end 10 a.m. Sunday, at the San Benito High School football stadium. Participating teams agree to have at least one team member walking on the track for the 24-hour event.
This year, 62 teams are registered and they raised $60,000 by July 22. The teams can raise more money at the event with games and other fundraisers. They also have until Aug. 15 to continue their efforts.
"It gives more time to have more entertainment and more fundraising, so we are actually really excited about it," Vera said. "I think it's beneficial for everyone. Friday when it started at 5, many people were just getting off work and just getting started with opening ceremonies."
There will be a main stage and a kids' stage. The entertainment starts after the opening ceremony and continues until midnight on Saturday. It includes bands, karaoke, a dance party and more.
"There will be tons of great entertainment to come out and bring the family even if you don't have a team involved - to come out and support the community," Vera said. "Absolutely, anybody can come by."
She added that the teams already have exceeded fundraising efforts from 2009.
"So many people have been affected and touched by cancer," she said. "It's not really one of those things people say 'no' to."
She said committee members are hoping to have more attendance at the event since it is on the weekend.
The theme for the 2010 Relay For Life is "Happy Birthday," which Vera says comes from an American Cancer Society promotion to find a cure so people can celebrate more birthdays.
"All the teams will be decorated in birthday themes and the opening ceremony will be a birthday theme as well," Vera said.
She also said the survivor lap, in which cancer survivors are invited to take one lap around the track, will have a special touch this year. Diana Magana, a high school student who was the beneficiary of San Benito High School's benefit ball this year and had cancer, will do the lap with her friends. The students will lead the crowd in the "Dancing for Diana," routine they created while fundraising during the school year.
In past years, Vera said 150 survivors have joined in the lap and people are welcome to register to participate at the event.
"We would love to have as many survivors as possible out there," she said.
Survivors get a free T-shirt, a lunch reception at noon on Saturday and raffle prizes.
Look for more in the Pinnacle on Friday.
Categories: Local News
Three groups focus on environment in Solargen opposition
Three opposing environmental groups have released comments on the Solargen Energy proposal for Panoche Valley.
The three statements were released together by the groups.
Audubon California has expressed concern about Solargen Energy's proposal for a 420-megawatt facility in Panoche Valley due to the environmentally sensitive birds and habitat in that area, according to a statement from the group.
Audubon California has listed Panoche Valley as an "Important Bird Area of Global Significance" because it hosts more than 12 sensitive bird species, including the mountain plover, which is under review by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
In addition to the mountain plover, Panoche Valley is also celebrated for its high concentrations of wintering raptors and enormous sparrow flocks, according to Audubon. California bird species of special concern here include the burrowing owl, grasshopper sparrow, northern harrier, and loggerhead shrike. Audubon watchlist birds include the sage sparrow and the long-billed curlew. Birds of prey commonly observed include prairie falcon, white-tailed kite and golden eagle, a California fully protected species, according to the group.
Audubon noted that chapters from all over the region visit this valley regularly for field trips and bird surveys, and are perhaps most knowledgeable about the importance of this habitat for birds.
The Sacramento-based Defenders of Wildlife's statement focused on the effect the solar panels would have on the wildlife. The statement said the project would lead to a destruction of the habitats of the endangered kit fox, blunt-nosed lizards and other species. The activist group did say they support renewable energy developments but they must be on lands that are "better suited for this kind of industry."
It referred to an alternative site listed in the draft EIR at the Westlands Water District between Fresno and King counties.
The effects on the endangered wildlife would be mitigated because the Westlands are considered a wasteland, the group contends.
The longest statement belonged to "Save Panoche Valley" - made up largely of Panoche Valley area residents. The three-page letter labeled the Solargen as an "oil and ethanol veterans, with a spotty success rate and no experience in the solar field."
The statement accused Solargen of "betting on support from" Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Obama being enough "to override concerns about the project's unmitigatible impacts to the local community farms." It goes on to say the country's dependence on foreign food is greater than its dependence on oil.
The group warned that the installation of the solar panels would create a "dust bowl" and eventually causing it to turn into a desert in the region.
The statement also recommended that the county should look at placing solar panels on already established rooftops instead of building a solar farm on rural land.
Solargen CEO Michael Peterson could not be reached for comment on this story. He has stated how Solargen already is working to mitigate environmental concerns.
The three statements were released together by the groups.
Audubon California has expressed concern about Solargen Energy's proposal for a 420-megawatt facility in Panoche Valley due to the environmentally sensitive birds and habitat in that area, according to a statement from the group.
Audubon California has listed Panoche Valley as an "Important Bird Area of Global Significance" because it hosts more than 12 sensitive bird species, including the mountain plover, which is under review by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
In addition to the mountain plover, Panoche Valley is also celebrated for its high concentrations of wintering raptors and enormous sparrow flocks, according to Audubon. California bird species of special concern here include the burrowing owl, grasshopper sparrow, northern harrier, and loggerhead shrike. Audubon watchlist birds include the sage sparrow and the long-billed curlew. Birds of prey commonly observed include prairie falcon, white-tailed kite and golden eagle, a California fully protected species, according to the group.
Audubon noted that chapters from all over the region visit this valley regularly for field trips and bird surveys, and are perhaps most knowledgeable about the importance of this habitat for birds.
The Sacramento-based Defenders of Wildlife's statement focused on the effect the solar panels would have on the wildlife. The statement said the project would lead to a destruction of the habitats of the endangered kit fox, blunt-nosed lizards and other species. The activist group did say they support renewable energy developments but they must be on lands that are "better suited for this kind of industry."
It referred to an alternative site listed in the draft EIR at the Westlands Water District between Fresno and King counties.
The effects on the endangered wildlife would be mitigated because the Westlands are considered a wasteland, the group contends.
The longest statement belonged to "Save Panoche Valley" - made up largely of Panoche Valley area residents. The three-page letter labeled the Solargen as an "oil and ethanol veterans, with a spotty success rate and no experience in the solar field."
The statement accused Solargen of "betting on support from" Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Obama being enough "to override concerns about the project's unmitigatible impacts to the local community farms." It goes on to say the country's dependence on foreign food is greater than its dependence on oil.
The group warned that the installation of the solar panels would create a "dust bowl" and eventually causing it to turn into a desert in the region.
The statement also recommended that the county should look at placing solar panels on already established rooftops instead of building a solar farm on rural land.
Solargen CEO Michael Peterson could not be reached for comment on this story. He has stated how Solargen already is working to mitigate environmental concerns.
Categories: Local News
Guest View: Overwhelming consensus is for Gavilan downtown
By Paul Levy
OK, three members of the Board of Trustees of Gavilan College (who, just coincidently, happen to be up for re-election in November) and Steve Kinsella, the highly paid president of Gavilan College have held public forums for us last week to discuss the status of Gavilan in Hollister. It is very clear to anyone attending AND listening at these meetings, that the overwhelming public consensus is for Gavilan to stay downtown and not move five miles east. For some San Benito students, especially from the San Juan Bautista area, the Gilroy campus would remain the closer alternative than the proposed new San Benito campus at Fairview. We have also heard from other public commentators that the bond measure we passed in 2004 with an expectation of seeing a San Benito campus sometime in our lifetime will not happen despite being monitored by a "Public Oversight" committee. It seems we have had the wool pulled over our eyes. Since the bond language is so vague no one can be held accountable for a San Benito campus anytime in the life of the bonds.
We need an expanded Gavilan College campus now, to bring lots of students (minimum 500 full-time equivalent) running around downtown Hollister to spur a little bit of economic revitalization to our ghost town. (Our current Board of Trustees and president assert this will have no economic impact). And what about potential partnerships for a downtown performing arts center or a library? Or a collaboration with our YMCA? Where are our elected city and county representatives on all this? Don't accept "it's not in our nexus". It's easy to pass nice resolutions to support Gavilan expansion but where is our true leadership? How engaged are they in solving this vital community issue? If they (or someone) do not act soon, then once again we will get exactly what we deserve. Another decision made by the Gavilan Board of Trustees in a vacuum.
Paul Levy is a San Benito County resident.
OK, three members of the Board of Trustees of Gavilan College (who, just coincidently, happen to be up for re-election in November) and Steve Kinsella, the highly paid president of Gavilan College have held public forums for us last week to discuss the status of Gavilan in Hollister. It is very clear to anyone attending AND listening at these meetings, that the overwhelming public consensus is for Gavilan to stay downtown and not move five miles east. For some San Benito students, especially from the San Juan Bautista area, the Gilroy campus would remain the closer alternative than the proposed new San Benito campus at Fairview. We have also heard from other public commentators that the bond measure we passed in 2004 with an expectation of seeing a San Benito campus sometime in our lifetime will not happen despite being monitored by a "Public Oversight" committee. It seems we have had the wool pulled over our eyes. Since the bond language is so vague no one can be held accountable for a San Benito campus anytime in the life of the bonds.
We need an expanded Gavilan College campus now, to bring lots of students (minimum 500 full-time equivalent) running around downtown Hollister to spur a little bit of economic revitalization to our ghost town. (Our current Board of Trustees and president assert this will have no economic impact). And what about potential partnerships for a downtown performing arts center or a library? Or a collaboration with our YMCA? Where are our elected city and county representatives on all this? Don't accept "it's not in our nexus". It's easy to pass nice resolutions to support Gavilan expansion but where is our true leadership? How engaged are they in solving this vital community issue? If they (or someone) do not act soon, then once again we will get exactly what we deserve. Another decision made by the Gavilan Board of Trustees in a vacuum.
Paul Levy is a San Benito County resident.
Categories: Local News
BOXING: Ghost eyes 'biggest fight of career'
Robert Guerrero tapes up his hands as he prepares to spar at Net Fitness Wednesday to get ready for his upcoming fight in Las Vegas on Saturday. Photo by: Lora Schraft, Staff Photographer
GILROY
A three-mile run at 5 a.m. followed by a nap cut short by an 11 a.m., eight-round sparring session with two skilled professional boxers is a training regimen that Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero is used to by now.
It isn't anything new to the three-time world champion. His work ethic, heart and determination are recognized by his peers in the business. But what he is building toward does carry a significance that is slightly foreign territory for Gilroy's prized fighter.
On Saturday, Guerrero will find himself staring into the eyes of four-time world title holder and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Joel Casamayor in an undercard bout accompanying the rematch between Juan Manual Marquez and Juan Diaz, perfectly suited for pay-per-view.
Consensus is, this is a huge fight. There aren't two ways about it.
His manager, Bob Santos knows it. His father, and trainer, Ruben knows it. And most important, Guerrero can taste it.
"This is the biggest fight of my career. This is the most experienced guy I have fought. This is it," Guerrero said as he meticulously taped his knuckles before sparring Wednesday.
"It throws me into that next level with getting to fight championship fights and the group of elite boxers. It pretty much solidifies that, hey, Guerrero is one of the guys that's going to dominate the sport. It's important. This is one of those fights that is a must-win."
Yes, "The Ghost" has three world titles, and along the way has compiled a 26-1-1 record with 18 knockouts. That resume has put Guerrero in position for the bout. However, for this fight, all that hardware is put aside and Casamayor becomes priority No. 1.
"Every fight is huge, but this one is the fight that is going to get him to be that HBO, pay-per-view fighter. It's a whole different level," Ruben Guerrero said. "He is fighting not only a good fighter, but one of the best fighters in Cuba ... in the world."
Guerrero, 27, and Casamayor, 38, have crossed paths before, although under much different circumstances. Shortly after Guerrero turned pro he trained with Casamayor (37-4-1) in Los Angeles for two years, getting a glimpse into what it took to become a top-tier boxer.
"Being with him in camp and training with him, I learned a lot from Joel Casamayor," Guerrero said. "He basically took me under his wing early in my career."
An interesting twist, but all that will assuredly be tossed on the back burner Saturday inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Casamayor, a southpaw who is known for lulling his opponents to sleep with footwork that will cover the canvas before attacking with an aggressive overhand left hook.
"You have to be ready for him," Guerrero said. "He gets in people's heads. It can be one of his tactics.
"He is so smooth and so slick with his feet. It's like he's floating through the ring."
The scouting report is clear and its shaped Guererro's training itinerary.
"The last couple weeks we have been working on changing angles," he said. "It's a little bit tricky now that the punches are coming from the other side. We are sharpening up on that. We have been working on keeping it tight, keeping my hands up, because we all know that he is a dirty fighter."
The Guerrero camp has said that Casamayor has a reputation for leading with his head before delivering his left a wily veteran move.
"He's a real crafty fighter, smart and a lot of experience," Ruben said. "He's one of the guys that is dirty. He will like to head-butt you and find ways to get under your skin.
"We looked at some film and we have been working on some stuff. We have a gameplan for (Casamayor). We are going to be ready."
With his wife, Casey, who underwent a bone marrow transplant in January to combat leukemia, making steady positive progress to better health, Guerrero's mind is clear and focused on what he needs to do in the ring.
There is no doubt this fight can catapult the local star to unseen heights, but Guerrero is adamant at staying locked in and concentrated on the task at hand. He isn't concerned with what happens afterward.
"I don't like to think about it too much," he said. "When you think too hard about things, your mind starts to wander.
"I'm going into this fight just preparing the right way and being ready to go, so when I do get in that fight, none of that pressure is on me. I'm going in clear minded, and I want to do what I like to do and get my job done."
Guerrero preparing for important undercard bout
Guerrero wrapped up his prefight training last week and will leave for Las Vegas next. The official weigh-in is scheduled for Friday.
Guerrero-Casamayor is the second of three undercard bouts slated for Saturday, leading up to the Marquez-Diaz rematch.
In the first matchup of the evening, Jorge Linares (28-1) is pitted against Rocky Juarez (28-6-1), while two undefeated fighters in Daniel Jacobs (20-0) and Dmitry Pirog (16-0) will close out the undercard festivities.
"With Marquez and Diaz, we knew we had the Fight of the Year again," Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said in a statement.
"In addition to the main event, we have a world title fight between Jacobs and Pirog and two bouts with significant title implications.
"If you're a boxing fan, this is one night you can't miss."
GILROY
A three-mile run at 5 a.m. followed by a nap cut short by an 11 a.m., eight-round sparring session with two skilled professional boxers is a training regimen that Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero is used to by now.
It isn't anything new to the three-time world champion. His work ethic, heart and determination are recognized by his peers in the business. But what he is building toward does carry a significance that is slightly foreign territory for Gilroy's prized fighter.
On Saturday, Guerrero will find himself staring into the eyes of four-time world title holder and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Joel Casamayor in an undercard bout accompanying the rematch between Juan Manual Marquez and Juan Diaz, perfectly suited for pay-per-view.
Consensus is, this is a huge fight. There aren't two ways about it.
His manager, Bob Santos knows it. His father, and trainer, Ruben knows it. And most important, Guerrero can taste it.
"This is the biggest fight of my career. This is the most experienced guy I have fought. This is it," Guerrero said as he meticulously taped his knuckles before sparring Wednesday.
"It throws me into that next level with getting to fight championship fights and the group of elite boxers. It pretty much solidifies that, hey, Guerrero is one of the guys that's going to dominate the sport. It's important. This is one of those fights that is a must-win."
Yes, "The Ghost" has three world titles, and along the way has compiled a 26-1-1 record with 18 knockouts. That resume has put Guerrero in position for the bout. However, for this fight, all that hardware is put aside and Casamayor becomes priority No. 1.
"Every fight is huge, but this one is the fight that is going to get him to be that HBO, pay-per-view fighter. It's a whole different level," Ruben Guerrero said. "He is fighting not only a good fighter, but one of the best fighters in Cuba ... in the world."
Guerrero, 27, and Casamayor, 38, have crossed paths before, although under much different circumstances. Shortly after Guerrero turned pro he trained with Casamayor (37-4-1) in Los Angeles for two years, getting a glimpse into what it took to become a top-tier boxer.
"Being with him in camp and training with him, I learned a lot from Joel Casamayor," Guerrero said. "He basically took me under his wing early in my career."
An interesting twist, but all that will assuredly be tossed on the back burner Saturday inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Casamayor, a southpaw who is known for lulling his opponents to sleep with footwork that will cover the canvas before attacking with an aggressive overhand left hook.
"You have to be ready for him," Guerrero said. "He gets in people's heads. It can be one of his tactics.
"He is so smooth and so slick with his feet. It's like he's floating through the ring."
The scouting report is clear and its shaped Guererro's training itinerary.
"The last couple weeks we have been working on changing angles," he said. "It's a little bit tricky now that the punches are coming from the other side. We are sharpening up on that. We have been working on keeping it tight, keeping my hands up, because we all know that he is a dirty fighter."
The Guerrero camp has said that Casamayor has a reputation for leading with his head before delivering his left a wily veteran move.
"He's a real crafty fighter, smart and a lot of experience," Ruben said. "He's one of the guys that is dirty. He will like to head-butt you and find ways to get under your skin.
"We looked at some film and we have been working on some stuff. We have a gameplan for (Casamayor). We are going to be ready."
With his wife, Casey, who underwent a bone marrow transplant in January to combat leukemia, making steady positive progress to better health, Guerrero's mind is clear and focused on what he needs to do in the ring.
There is no doubt this fight can catapult the local star to unseen heights, but Guerrero is adamant at staying locked in and concentrated on the task at hand. He isn't concerned with what happens afterward.
"I don't like to think about it too much," he said. "When you think too hard about things, your mind starts to wander.
"I'm going into this fight just preparing the right way and being ready to go, so when I do get in that fight, none of that pressure is on me. I'm going in clear minded, and I want to do what I like to do and get my job done."
Guerrero preparing for important undercard bout
Guerrero wrapped up his prefight training last week and will leave for Las Vegas next. The official weigh-in is scheduled for Friday.
Guerrero-Casamayor is the second of three undercard bouts slated for Saturday, leading up to the Marquez-Diaz rematch.
In the first matchup of the evening, Jorge Linares (28-1) is pitted against Rocky Juarez (28-6-1), while two undefeated fighters in Daniel Jacobs (20-0) and Dmitry Pirog (16-0) will close out the undercard festivities.
"With Marquez and Diaz, we knew we had the Fight of the Year again," Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said in a statement.
"In addition to the main event, we have a world title fight between Jacobs and Pirog and two bouts with significant title implications.
"If you're a boxing fan, this is one night you can't miss."
Categories: Local News
BASEBALL: National 9-10s remain in contention with win on Monday
HOLLISTER
The Hollister National 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars remained in contention on Monday night when they defeated Section 4 representative Lincoln by a sizable 15-3 margin at the NorCal Division II Tournament in Chico.
The comfortable win advances the one-loss Hollister team to Tuesday night's contest against Petaluma National, which is representing Section 1.
Petaluma National defeated River Park (Section 6) on Monday night by a 14-6 margin.
Hollister and Petaluma will square off at Chico Eastside Little League at 8 p.m., with the winner advancing one step further in the elimination bracket.
Hollister National, representing both District 9 and Section 5, won its tournament opener last Saturday when it edged River Park by a 9-8 score. In the quarterfinal round, however, the local 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars narrowly lost to Sutter Buttes (Section 2) by a 4-2 deficit.
More to come
Categories: Local News
BRIEFS: Baler Backers fund-raiser set for Aug. 28
HOLLISTER
The Baler Backers Athletic Organization will host the the Third Annual "Baler Summer Nights" on Aug. 28 at San Juan Oaks.
The dinner-and-dancing event will include a meal, no-host bar, a silent and live auction and raffles. Tickets are $65 each and $500 for a table of eight, $625 for a table of 10.
The Baler Backers will also be presenting a donation check to the athletic department to offset the proposed cuts for the 2010-11 school year. The Athletic Department has taken a $100,000 cut to its athletic budget for the 2010-11 school year.
Go to www.haybalerathletics.com for details on how to purchase your tickets. For more information or questions, contact San Benito High Athletic Director Tod Thatcher at (831) 637-5831, ext. 350.
Cardinals holding sign-ups this week at Maze
The San Benito Cardinals are conducting sign-ups for the upcoming fall season this week at Maze Middle School in Hollister.
Sign-ups will be held everyday through Friday, July 30, at the track at Maze Middle School, located at 900 Meridian Avenue in Hollister.
Sign-ups will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Practices will be held Monday through Friday as well, with teams meeting up three times a week following Labor Day weekend. Regular season games will be held from Sept. 4 through Oct. 23.
The regular season will consist of four home games and four away games, with teams traveling to San Jose and Oakland. The Cardinals' home field is located at Anzar High School in San Juan Bautista, with practices scheduled to be held at Maze Middle School.
Registration cost is $225, and a current 2010 physical is needed. The Cardinals, a member of American Youth Football & Cheer, play within specific age and weight divisions, with ages ranging from 5 to 15 years old.
This year, the Cardinals will take 50 players off their roster to view a private practice and autograph signing at the San Francisco 49ers facility in Santa Clara.
For more information, call Frank Casillas at (831) 801-7430, or go online to: www.sbcards.org
USYVL holding registrations for fall volleyball
The USYVL is holding registrations for the fall volleyball season, which will run for eight weeks beginning in September at Paradise Park in Morgan Hill.
The USYVL is an instructional volleyball league that operates in a coed format for boys and girls ages 7-15. The organization's mission is to provide every child with a chance to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised and low-pressure environment. Every child plays and learns the game, with emphasis on sportsmanship, cooperation and teamwork.
Child discounts are available. For information on registration, volunteer positions or a location near you, go online to: www.USYVL.org or call at 1-888-988-7985.
Bayonet Black Horse named as Q-School site
Bayonet Black Horse, the 36-hole, full-bentgrass facility on the Monterey Peninsula, recentley announced the Bayonet Course has been selected by the Champions Tour to host a Q-School regional, November 2-5.
The announcement caps a banner year for Bayonet for hosting both United States Golf Association (USGA) and PGA Tour events. Widely regarded as one of the most challenging layouts in the state, the course hosted a U.S. Open qualifier on May 10 in advance of the national championship at Pebble Beach won by Graeme McDowell.
In addition, Bayonet will host the Tuesday qualifier for the Champions Tour's Home Care and Hospice First Tee Open at Pebble Beach on Aug. 31, the Monday qualifier for the Frys.com Open at CordeValle on Oct. 11, and Stage Two PGA Tour Q-School Nov. 15-20.
"Bayonet has reached critical mass as a venue for hosting high-level, professional golf tournaments," said Dick Fitzgerald, project director for owner/operator Seaside Resort Development. "The Champions Tour is becoming more and more competitive each year, with the addition of players like Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia, and Bayonet should provide a stern and strategic test."
Tri County Running Club now under way
The Tri County Running Club has kicked off its 2010 summer season at Manzanita Park in Prunedale, and will meet three times a week through July 30.
The distance running club, which is coached by Jess Morales of San Benito cross country and Gustavo Ibarra of North Monterey County track and field, will meet every Monday at Manzanita Park in Prunedale, every Wednesday at Toro Park in Salinas and every Friday at Nisene Marks Park in Aptos. Each meet will be held at 9 a.m.
There will also be an afternoon session at San Benito High in Hollister at 4 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The club is open to all runners, from elementary school to college to even open runners. Cost is $75 ($25 for kids 12 and under) and includes a club T-shirt and uniform use. This is the 10th season of the club, which had approximately 70 runners last season.
For more information, contact coach Jess Morales at 831-801-7138, or at moralesj@sbcglobal.net; coach Gustavo Ibarra at 831-524-1283, or at gusibarra@netscape.net; or coach Francisco Cornejo at 831-794-2516, or at fjcornejo@ucdavis.edu.
Catalyst Soccer coming to Hollister
Catalyst Soccer: Player and Coach Development Programs, will hold a summer session at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister in August.
A two-session World Cup Soccer Camp will be held Aug. 2-6 at Vets Park for boys and girls ages 4-14, with a Super FUNdamentals (boys and girls, ages 6-14) session scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, and a Little Skillsbuilders (boys and girls, ages 4-6) session slated from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Cost is $125 for Super FUNdamentals and $75 for the Little Skillsbuilders.
For more information, visit www.catalystsoccer.com, or call (408) 846-5437.
CSUMB announces summer baseball camps
The CSUMB Baseball Summer Camp schedule was recently announced, and includes several different camps for several different age levels.
There are seven different camps, which will run through July for ages 7-18.
A complete list of camps is available online at: www.otterbaseballcamps.com
Each camp in Seaside is conducted by the coaching staff at CSUMB.
For more information, contact Assistant Coach Jimmy Walker at: jwalker@csumb.edu
Ridgemark to host junior tournaments in August
The Ridgemark Golf and Country Club recently announced its Junior Golf Club tournament schedule for 2010.
The next scheduled tournament set for Aug. 14 at 3 p.m.
No sign-up is necessary for the tournaments. Interested golfers can sign up on the day of the event, at least 15 minutes prior to tee time, and choose between four-, six- or nine-hole tournaments.
For more information, call (831) 637-1010.
San Juan Oaks announces junior program, Club 'Boom Boom'
The San Juan Oaks Golf Club is proud to present our junior program, Club "Boom Boom." Inspired by San Juan Oaks Course Designer, Fred Couples, our junior program is offered for youth ages 6-17 years old.
Juniors pay $5 for green fees Monday through Friday after 2:30 p.m. with an accompanying adult who pays $35 (cart fees not included), and pay $10 for greens fees Saturday, Sunday and on holidays after 2:30 p.m. when playing with an accompanying adult who pays $45 (cart fees not included).
Members receive $5 off our normal junior rate good anytime Monday through Friday, and receive a small bucket of range balls for only $2 every day (up to two small buckets per day).
Junior members also receive a 10 percent discount on private golf lessons with our San Juan Oaks teaching staff, while an end-of-the-year golf clinic will cover aspects like full swing, short-game shots, putting and a rules seminar followed by a no-host barbecue luncheon.
A Club "Boom Boom" Junior cap with the San Juan Oaks logo, a Club "Boom Boom" sleeve of golf balls and beginner rules book will be supplied at time of sign up.
To become a club member, there is a one-time initiation fee of $65 (membership ends on 18th birthday). To sign up for Club "Boom Boom," please visit the San Juan Oaks Pro Shop and fill out an application to receive your junior membership card.
Categories: Local News
Chief denies 911 release in murder case; expert says policy flawed
This is the apartment complex on Diablo Drive where the shooting occurred July 11. Photo by: Free Lance file photo The Hollister Police Department has denied a formal request for the audio or transcript from the 911 call reporting the July 11 murder-suicide on Diablo Drive, but the chief did release a short summary of that conversation, according to the response letter from the city official.
In his response to the Free Lance's request under the California Public Records Act, Police Chief Jeff Miller responded in a letter that the department - as he had noted in prior communications - will not release the detailed version of the audio or a written transcript with private information redacted, as requested. State law requires release of the audio, a transcript or a detailed summary of it.
Miller noted the denial of the full audio or transcript - "to protect the privacy and confidentiality of callers," according to the document. He also noted how the department as a policy does not release audio or transcripts of 911 conversations. Miller gave examples such as "medical information or attitudes or emotions about an event or person" and "people without documentation of immigration status" fearing the release of such tapes resulting in contact from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He did provide a four-sentence summary of the phone conversation. That summary reads as follows:
"On July 11, 2010 at 9:12 p.m. county communications dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a woman reporting that her mother had been shot, adding later that her mother was dead. The woman reported that the man who had shot her mother had shot himself. She also reported that she, too, had been shot, was in pain, and that she could not move. She reported that her daughter, who was at the residence, had not been injured."
Miller in his response did cite a case, Haynie v. Superior Court (2001), noting how the public is not necessarily entitled to receive actual copies of the tapes or transcripts. As he acknowledged, though, the public is entitled to specific information from the report. And the law merely requires the public agency to leave out certain information, such as that relating to juveniles.
But according to an expert on open records in California, the department does not have the legal right as a general policy to deny the release of 911 communications. Jim Ewert, an open records attorney for the California Newspaper Publishers Association, also noted how the city would have to cite specific case law or a statute exempting the release of the 911 information in a particular case, such as the murder-suicide July 11.
Ewert pointed out how the public already knows the name of the suspected shooter and victim.
"So why would the 911 tape tend to disclose anything in addition, as far as protecting her privacy or anything else, that hasn't already become public knowledge?" Ewert said.
Ewert noted that if you enter "911 tapes" into a Google search engine, there are a "whole plethora of disclosures where police and fire departments disclosed the tapes."
"And quite frankly," said Ewert, of the chief, "he's got to interpret the law narrowly."
Investigators allege that shortly after 9 p.m. that Sunday night, Enrique Rosales Alvarez, 51, shot and killed Dora Gutierrez, 42, at the apartment complex in the 1400 block of Diablo Drive where they had lived as a couple for about two years. Authorities believe the two recently had become separated. They allege Alvarez also shot Gutierrez's daughter, in the abdomen area, but she survived after treatment at a Bay Area hospital. That woman's 5-year-old daughter also was at the home during the shootings, but did not get injured.
As a comparison with the county sheriff's office, that agency did release a transcript of 911 audio after Cheryl Busch was suspected of shooting and killing her 19-month-old daughter at a residence on Shore Road.
In his response to the Free Lance's request under the California Public Records Act, Police Chief Jeff Miller responded in a letter that the department - as he had noted in prior communications - will not release the detailed version of the audio or a written transcript with private information redacted, as requested. State law requires release of the audio, a transcript or a detailed summary of it.
Miller noted the denial of the full audio or transcript - "to protect the privacy and confidentiality of callers," according to the document. He also noted how the department as a policy does not release audio or transcripts of 911 conversations. Miller gave examples such as "medical information or attitudes or emotions about an event or person" and "people without documentation of immigration status" fearing the release of such tapes resulting in contact from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He did provide a four-sentence summary of the phone conversation. That summary reads as follows:
"On July 11, 2010 at 9:12 p.m. county communications dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a woman reporting that her mother had been shot, adding later that her mother was dead. The woman reported that the man who had shot her mother had shot himself. She also reported that she, too, had been shot, was in pain, and that she could not move. She reported that her daughter, who was at the residence, had not been injured."
Miller in his response did cite a case, Haynie v. Superior Court (2001), noting how the public is not necessarily entitled to receive actual copies of the tapes or transcripts. As he acknowledged, though, the public is entitled to specific information from the report. And the law merely requires the public agency to leave out certain information, such as that relating to juveniles.
But according to an expert on open records in California, the department does not have the legal right as a general policy to deny the release of 911 communications. Jim Ewert, an open records attorney for the California Newspaper Publishers Association, also noted how the city would have to cite specific case law or a statute exempting the release of the 911 information in a particular case, such as the murder-suicide July 11.
Ewert pointed out how the public already knows the name of the suspected shooter and victim.
"So why would the 911 tape tend to disclose anything in addition, as far as protecting her privacy or anything else, that hasn't already become public knowledge?" Ewert said.
Ewert noted that if you enter "911 tapes" into a Google search engine, there are a "whole plethora of disclosures where police and fire departments disclosed the tapes."
"And quite frankly," said Ewert, of the chief, "he's got to interpret the law narrowly."
Investigators allege that shortly after 9 p.m. that Sunday night, Enrique Rosales Alvarez, 51, shot and killed Dora Gutierrez, 42, at the apartment complex in the 1400 block of Diablo Drive where they had lived as a couple for about two years. Authorities believe the two recently had become separated. They allege Alvarez also shot Gutierrez's daughter, in the abdomen area, but she survived after treatment at a Bay Area hospital. That woman's 5-year-old daughter also was at the home during the shootings, but did not get injured.
As a comparison with the county sheriff's office, that agency did release a transcript of 911 audio after Cheryl Busch was suspected of shooting and killing her 19-month-old daughter at a residence on Shore Road.
Categories: Local News
Crews put out small fire near homes on Fairview Road
Firefighters hose down the fire near Fairview Road in this photo submitted by a local resident. Photo by: Special to the Free Lance Local Calfire crews extinguished a small vegetation fire Saturday afternoon in a field near a mobile home park and other houses on Fairview Road.
The fire, with an undetermined cause at this point, started at about 2 p.m. Saturday in the 2900 block of Fairview Road, said Sammy Breazile with the Calfire unit stationed nearby on Fairview Road. It also was near a group of homes at Lemmon Acres.
Breazile estimated the fire consumed about a half-acre and that crews had it extinguished by about 2:15 p.m.
The fire, with an undetermined cause at this point, started at about 2 p.m. Saturday in the 2900 block of Fairview Road, said Sammy Breazile with the Calfire unit stationed nearby on Fairview Road. It also was near a group of homes at Lemmon Acres.
Breazile estimated the fire consumed about a half-acre and that crews had it extinguished by about 2:15 p.m.
Categories: Local News
Attendance down at Garlic Festival
Dave and Maryellen Curry, from Los Angeles, enjoy a kebob from the Hawaiian BBQ booth Sunday on the park side during their 23rd year at the festival. Photo by: Lora Schraft, Staff Photographer If there was a recipe for one of the best Gilroy Garlic Festivals yet, the ingredients that went into this year's may take the cake.
Volunteers and visitors alike credited temperatures in the 80s, a well-behaved crowd and a beefed up entertainment roster as elements that made for a great last day of the 32nd Garlic Festival and the crowds were waiting at the gates when the festival opened for the third, and final, day.
Some of the first in line were Gerd and Richter Ute from Bremen, Germany. Although the couple is miles away from home, this is the Utes family's seventh Garlic Festival.
The couple has never tried the garlic ice cream. They don't plan to.
"I think it's a joke," said Richter Ute.
The Utes weren't the only out-of-town-visitors with an opinion on the garlic ice cream. Festival goers Mike Ngo and Tina Huang came from San Francisco to see the festival.
"It was worth the drive," said Huang who held garlic ice cream in one hand and garlic fries in the other.
"We heard about the garlic ice cream," said Ngo, who held a beer and an ice cream. "It's actually pretty good."
Though many volunteers predicted a record-breaking year in terms of attendance, Festival President Greg Bozzo said a preliminary count showed that overall attendance numbers were down from last year, with about 100,000 attendees compared to last year's 108,000.
"But I'm not interested in the fact that we might be down," he said after the last visitor had left the park. "I'm interested in the fact that we might be down but people are spending money. People were spending money like crazy."
The combination of tacking an extra $5 onto the ticket price and the lackluster economy could be reasons for the dip in attendance, Bozzo said. But what the festival's attendance may have lacked in quantity - relatively speaking - it made up for in quality and those that did come stayed and spent money, he said.
"I was extremely pleased," Bozzo said. "I don't mind if we're trending toward a smaller crowd. As long as their spending the bucks, that's the crowd we want."
While visitors enjoyed food, live entertainment and the countless arts and crafts booths, volunteers such as Carlos Alferez cooked. Alferez directed the production of garlic sausage sandwiches on Gourmet Alley this weekend. In three days, his 30-person crew will make an estimated 8,000 sandwiches, he said.
Alferez is the senior pastor of Jubilee South Valley in Morgan Hill and his church is one of many nonprofits that benefit from the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
"We take the sausages and prep them on skewers," he said pointing to volunteers cooking sausages over a charcoal fire. Next to the grill, a volunteer sauteed peppers in olive oil and seasoning.
After visitors grabbed garlicky food, many tried their hand at garlic braiding inside a ring of hay bales next to the Garlic Cook-Off stage. Visitors also watch garlic topping races where workers try to remove the leaves from as many garlic bulbs as possible in a certain amount of time.
The queen and her court took time to pose for pictures and meet festival goers before the contest began.
"I've done everything there is to do at the Garlic Festival - except rock climbing. That's still on my list," said first runner up Tiffani Petersen.
While Princess Petersen has not yet climbed the rock wall, eight-year-old Christopher Disibio scaled the festival rock wall and enjoyed the challenge.
"It was a little hard. I couldn't get my arms and legs over to the other rocks," he said.
His parents were pleased with the festival.
"Its great," said Nancy Disibio."Ice cream, fries, escargot, shrimp, sausage," she said listing her favorite festival foods.
Although most festival goers remarked it was not as hot as they expected, children still enjoyed the Rain Room, a giant tent with water misters.
"I really like it," said 10-year-old Brian Giacomaro. "I'm not hot now."
Brian's parents, Chris and Veronika Giacomaro happened to be near in the area and decided to take their family to the festival. The family visited the rides in the children section and created a water bottle terrarium for sunflower seeds.
Like the Giocomaros, volunteers commented on the weekend's beautiful weather.
"We are the perfect temperature this year," said Leighan Perales, program director for the Gilroy Foundation, which runs a booth that sells wine coolers and mimosas. "Too hot and people are only drinking water. Too cold and they're not drinking much of anything."
Perales estimated sales at her booth were up 20 percent as compared to last year thanks to the Garlic Festival Association's efforts to attract visitors to the park side of the festival, which is hosted every year at Christmas Hill Park. Amid new colorful yellow, orange and red flags, a large shade tent with picnic tables and the Cook-Off stage, the Gilroy Foundation's booth had prime real estate, Perales said.
"The Festival tried to get more people to come to this side and it seems to be working," she said, indicating the line that remained a constant six or so customers deep at their window. "The line never stops."
Perales was pleasantly surprised earlier that day when the Garlic Festival Association awarded the Gilroy Foundation the 2010 Gilroy Garlic Festival Vendor Award to best nonprofit. As part of the festival's push to "go green," the Gilroy Foundation poured their refreshing iced libations into compostable cups.
Throughout the park, volunteers' faces mirrored the same easygoing smile that lit up Perales'.
"There are always a few little hitches but the majority of the time, we're doing just fine," said Julian Aguilar, 72, who has volunteered at the festival since its earliest days. "It's been so long I've forgotten half the things I've done. I've done it all."
His nose wrinkled, Aguilar remembered back to the days when he picked up garbage at the festival. These days he's moved up and enjoyed a patch of shade behind the Cook-Off stage during the Garlic Showdown, where he checked corporate sponsors and other VIPs into the hospitality area.
"We try to give them a nice atmosphere, have them take a load off," Aguilar said. "We're just one happy family."
About the same time Aguilar was welcoming vendors behind stage, critically acclaimed Bay Area chef Ryan Scott was accepting an oversized $5,000 check on-stage as the winner of this year's Garlic Showdown. With sous chef Evan Rich, Scott, last year's Showdown winner and a former contestant on Bravo's Top Chef series, competed against three other celebrity chefs and came out on top with his "Perplexed Portobello." Using this year's secret ingredient - mushrooms - Scott went vegetarian and let the secret ingredient shine, instead of using it to compliment a more traditional protein.
"This was the most I've ever sweat in my life," Scott joked, with check in hand and a wide grin across his face. "I sat there and said 'Oh my God, what are we going to do?'"
The charismatic chef and owner of a Ryan Scott 2 Go, a San Francisco catering company, reeled in the judges with a mushroom steak served with mushroom salsa verde and sauteed Yukon gold potatoes.
"It was our ode to steak," Scott said.
Showdown judge Gene Sakahara, who is no stranger to the Cook-Off stage himself, said he picked Scott's dish because the chef didn't just feature the secret ingredient, he built the rest of the dish around it.
"One of the things (Scott) learned is that you have to use garlic but you have to emphasize the secret ingredient," Sakahara said. "It was all delicious."
From what police reported, festival goers were too busy enjoying the shows on the Cook-Off stage, trying the food at Gourmet Alley or snapping their fingers to one of the many entertainment acts to act up themselves. As of 4 p.m. police hadn't made any arrests Sunday and reported no fights, though they did have to remove a few revelers for minor violations, like not wearing shirts or bringing in outside food or drink.
"Today's been real slow," said Sgt. Joseph Deras. "It's not like any other Festival Sunday we've had."
Emergency calls for service were also down from last year with 17 on Friday, 28 on Saturday and about a dozen as of 5 p.m. Sunday, said Randy Wong, chairman of emergency services. Typically, his crew receives about 50 calls for service on the Saturday of the festival, Wong said. The majority of calls this year were for twisted ankles and heat exhaustion, he said.
"We have a good crowd, great weather," Wong said. "It's been a really cool Garlic Festival."
Volunteers and visitors alike credited temperatures in the 80s, a well-behaved crowd and a beefed up entertainment roster as elements that made for a great last day of the 32nd Garlic Festival and the crowds were waiting at the gates when the festival opened for the third, and final, day.
Some of the first in line were Gerd and Richter Ute from Bremen, Germany. Although the couple is miles away from home, this is the Utes family's seventh Garlic Festival.
The couple has never tried the garlic ice cream. They don't plan to.
"I think it's a joke," said Richter Ute.
The Utes weren't the only out-of-town-visitors with an opinion on the garlic ice cream. Festival goers Mike Ngo and Tina Huang came from San Francisco to see the festival.
"It was worth the drive," said Huang who held garlic ice cream in one hand and garlic fries in the other.
"We heard about the garlic ice cream," said Ngo, who held a beer and an ice cream. "It's actually pretty good."
Though many volunteers predicted a record-breaking year in terms of attendance, Festival President Greg Bozzo said a preliminary count showed that overall attendance numbers were down from last year, with about 100,000 attendees compared to last year's 108,000.
"But I'm not interested in the fact that we might be down," he said after the last visitor had left the park. "I'm interested in the fact that we might be down but people are spending money. People were spending money like crazy."
The combination of tacking an extra $5 onto the ticket price and the lackluster economy could be reasons for the dip in attendance, Bozzo said. But what the festival's attendance may have lacked in quantity - relatively speaking - it made up for in quality and those that did come stayed and spent money, he said.
"I was extremely pleased," Bozzo said. "I don't mind if we're trending toward a smaller crowd. As long as their spending the bucks, that's the crowd we want."
While visitors enjoyed food, live entertainment and the countless arts and crafts booths, volunteers such as Carlos Alferez cooked. Alferez directed the production of garlic sausage sandwiches on Gourmet Alley this weekend. In three days, his 30-person crew will make an estimated 8,000 sandwiches, he said.
Alferez is the senior pastor of Jubilee South Valley in Morgan Hill and his church is one of many nonprofits that benefit from the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
"We take the sausages and prep them on skewers," he said pointing to volunteers cooking sausages over a charcoal fire. Next to the grill, a volunteer sauteed peppers in olive oil and seasoning.
After visitors grabbed garlicky food, many tried their hand at garlic braiding inside a ring of hay bales next to the Garlic Cook-Off stage. Visitors also watch garlic topping races where workers try to remove the leaves from as many garlic bulbs as possible in a certain amount of time.
The queen and her court took time to pose for pictures and meet festival goers before the contest began.
"I've done everything there is to do at the Garlic Festival - except rock climbing. That's still on my list," said first runner up Tiffani Petersen.
While Princess Petersen has not yet climbed the rock wall, eight-year-old Christopher Disibio scaled the festival rock wall and enjoyed the challenge.
"It was a little hard. I couldn't get my arms and legs over to the other rocks," he said.
His parents were pleased with the festival.
"Its great," said Nancy Disibio."Ice cream, fries, escargot, shrimp, sausage," she said listing her favorite festival foods.
Although most festival goers remarked it was not as hot as they expected, children still enjoyed the Rain Room, a giant tent with water misters.
"I really like it," said 10-year-old Brian Giacomaro. "I'm not hot now."
Brian's parents, Chris and Veronika Giacomaro happened to be near in the area and decided to take their family to the festival. The family visited the rides in the children section and created a water bottle terrarium for sunflower seeds.
Like the Giocomaros, volunteers commented on the weekend's beautiful weather.
"We are the perfect temperature this year," said Leighan Perales, program director for the Gilroy Foundation, which runs a booth that sells wine coolers and mimosas. "Too hot and people are only drinking water. Too cold and they're not drinking much of anything."
Perales estimated sales at her booth were up 20 percent as compared to last year thanks to the Garlic Festival Association's efforts to attract visitors to the park side of the festival, which is hosted every year at Christmas Hill Park. Amid new colorful yellow, orange and red flags, a large shade tent with picnic tables and the Cook-Off stage, the Gilroy Foundation's booth had prime real estate, Perales said.
"The Festival tried to get more people to come to this side and it seems to be working," she said, indicating the line that remained a constant six or so customers deep at their window. "The line never stops."
Perales was pleasantly surprised earlier that day when the Garlic Festival Association awarded the Gilroy Foundation the 2010 Gilroy Garlic Festival Vendor Award to best nonprofit. As part of the festival's push to "go green," the Gilroy Foundation poured their refreshing iced libations into compostable cups.
Throughout the park, volunteers' faces mirrored the same easygoing smile that lit up Perales'.
"There are always a few little hitches but the majority of the time, we're doing just fine," said Julian Aguilar, 72, who has volunteered at the festival since its earliest days. "It's been so long I've forgotten half the things I've done. I've done it all."
His nose wrinkled, Aguilar remembered back to the days when he picked up garbage at the festival. These days he's moved up and enjoyed a patch of shade behind the Cook-Off stage during the Garlic Showdown, where he checked corporate sponsors and other VIPs into the hospitality area.
"We try to give them a nice atmosphere, have them take a load off," Aguilar said. "We're just one happy family."
About the same time Aguilar was welcoming vendors behind stage, critically acclaimed Bay Area chef Ryan Scott was accepting an oversized $5,000 check on-stage as the winner of this year's Garlic Showdown. With sous chef Evan Rich, Scott, last year's Showdown winner and a former contestant on Bravo's Top Chef series, competed against three other celebrity chefs and came out on top with his "Perplexed Portobello." Using this year's secret ingredient - mushrooms - Scott went vegetarian and let the secret ingredient shine, instead of using it to compliment a more traditional protein.
"This was the most I've ever sweat in my life," Scott joked, with check in hand and a wide grin across his face. "I sat there and said 'Oh my God, what are we going to do?'"
The charismatic chef and owner of a Ryan Scott 2 Go, a San Francisco catering company, reeled in the judges with a mushroom steak served with mushroom salsa verde and sauteed Yukon gold potatoes.
"It was our ode to steak," Scott said.
Showdown judge Gene Sakahara, who is no stranger to the Cook-Off stage himself, said he picked Scott's dish because the chef didn't just feature the secret ingredient, he built the rest of the dish around it.
"One of the things (Scott) learned is that you have to use garlic but you have to emphasize the secret ingredient," Sakahara said. "It was all delicious."
From what police reported, festival goers were too busy enjoying the shows on the Cook-Off stage, trying the food at Gourmet Alley or snapping their fingers to one of the many entertainment acts to act up themselves. As of 4 p.m. police hadn't made any arrests Sunday and reported no fights, though they did have to remove a few revelers for minor violations, like not wearing shirts or bringing in outside food or drink.
"Today's been real slow," said Sgt. Joseph Deras. "It's not like any other Festival Sunday we've had."
Emergency calls for service were also down from last year with 17 on Friday, 28 on Saturday and about a dozen as of 5 p.m. Sunday, said Randy Wong, chairman of emergency services. Typically, his crew receives about 50 calls for service on the Saturday of the festival, Wong said. The majority of calls this year were for twisted ankles and heat exhaustion, he said.
"We have a good crowd, great weather," Wong said. "It's been a really cool Garlic Festival."
Categories: Local News
Restaurant at key downtown corner to embrace history
The Pendergrass Restaurant, named after the original owner and building, could open within 60 days. Photo by: Nick Lovejoy, Staff Photographer The historic Pendergrass Hotel building at a key downtown corner has a new tenant and plans for a "pretty nice restaurant" that borrows its name from the original building opened in 1927.
The Pendergrass Restaurant's cuisine will focus on fresh seafood, good meat and a lot of pasta, owner Max Bailey said. And the bar will be filled with local wine and 40 to 50 types of beer. All of the food, meanwhile, will be made from scratch.
But most of all, Bailey hopes to bring 5-star restaurant food at a good, cost-effective price, he said.
"It's all about being very cost conscious, and if I could give the people a cost break," he said.
Bailey, 42, along with his daughter, moved to the Hollister area two years ago and since then he has been looking for a way to give back to the community, he said.
"I've done all the money making," he said. "Now it's time to start giving back."
Bailey has owned a restaurant before but now he wants to do it differently - as he said he doesn't want to worry about finances too much.
Bailey knows the building's importance on the corner of Fifth and San Benito streets. And more important, he knows what the name means to the city.
Since Bailey painted the restaurant's name on the building, people have filed in every day thanking him for the name.
"The building just talks to you - there is a lot of history here," Bailey said.
Its name alludes to the building's history. J.R. Pendergrass constructed it in 1927 to serve as a high-rise building in the downtown.
Through the years the building saw restaurants cycle through and, for most of its life span, a bank used the building. In the early 2000s, preservationist Tim Lantz bought the structure to renovate it.
The restaurant, still in a development phase, has initial plans to be open within 60 days. Bailey plans to hire employees in the next few weeks and train them soon after.
The hope is that the new restaurant will bring more people downtown and from out of the county, said Hollister Downtown Association Executive Director Brenda Weatherly.
See the full story in the Free Lance on Tuesday.
The Pendergrass Restaurant's cuisine will focus on fresh seafood, good meat and a lot of pasta, owner Max Bailey said. And the bar will be filled with local wine and 40 to 50 types of beer. All of the food, meanwhile, will be made from scratch.
But most of all, Bailey hopes to bring 5-star restaurant food at a good, cost-effective price, he said.
"It's all about being very cost conscious, and if I could give the people a cost break," he said.
Bailey, 42, along with his daughter, moved to the Hollister area two years ago and since then he has been looking for a way to give back to the community, he said.
"I've done all the money making," he said. "Now it's time to start giving back."
Bailey has owned a restaurant before but now he wants to do it differently - as he said he doesn't want to worry about finances too much.
Bailey knows the building's importance on the corner of Fifth and San Benito streets. And more important, he knows what the name means to the city.
Since Bailey painted the restaurant's name on the building, people have filed in every day thanking him for the name.
"The building just talks to you - there is a lot of history here," Bailey said.
Its name alludes to the building's history. J.R. Pendergrass constructed it in 1927 to serve as a high-rise building in the downtown.
Through the years the building saw restaurants cycle through and, for most of its life span, a bank used the building. In the early 2000s, preservationist Tim Lantz bought the structure to renovate it.
The restaurant, still in a development phase, has initial plans to be open within 60 days. Bailey plans to hire employees in the next few weeks and train them soon after.
The hope is that the new restaurant will bring more people downtown and from out of the county, said Hollister Downtown Association Executive Director Brenda Weatherly.
See the full story in the Free Lance on Tuesday.
Categories: Local News
BASEBALL: Hollister National advances to Division II semifinals
Hollister National players surround Daniel Hopkins on Saturday after he connected on the game-winning hit to defeat Tri-City 3-2 in the NorCal Division II Tournament in Vacaville. Photo by: Andrew Matheson
VACAVILLE
Having to battle from behind really wasn't something Hollister National had experienced entering the NorCal Division II Tournament last weekend in Vacaville. Although in the rare instances that it had, it managed to find a way to win.
The District 9 championship, in which National fought back from a 4-0 deficit against Hollister American en route to a 5-4 victory, certainly comes to mind.
It's perhaps the one and only case, though.
"But we're always playing as a team," said National pitcher/shortstop Andrew Sotelo. "And that's good."
Indeed. Dealt with a 2-0 deficit against Tri-City on Saturday to open the Division II tourney, a game in which the boys in blue were no-hit until the bottom of the fifth inning, Hollister National fought back to tie it at 2-all when Daniel Hopkins connected on the game-winning, walk-off hit in the sixth en route to a 3-2 victory.
One day later against San Ramon, Hollister National again fell behind 1-0, only to come from behind again with a 5-2 win.
"These kids, they're scrappy kids, and they're gonna swing the bat," National manager Anthony Sotelo said. "They may be little, but they've got big hearts, and our hearts are always in the game."
National now sits just two wins away from the Division II crown in the Major Division. Hollister will face off against Section 1 representative Napa National in Tuesday's semifinal round, with the winner advancing to Thursday's championship.
Napa National received a first-round bye to start the tournament, but defeated Section 6 representative River Park on Sunday by a 4-2 margin to advance to the semifinals.
"A great hitting team," Sotelo said of Napa. "They put the ball in play a lot more."
For Hollister National, putting the ball in play didn't come that easily on Saturday against Tri-City Little League, located in Rocklin.
Tri-City's A.J. Sauer allowed no hits through three innings, striking out six, although the no-hit bid didn't prevent Hollister from scoring runs.
After Tri-City took a 2-0 lead through two innings Garrett Kauppila led off the game with a solo home run National took advantage of a pair of walks in the third to tie the game.
Davonte Butler led off the inning with a base on balls, and then stole both second and third before Elijah Changco drew a walk as well. Changco stole second to make it a second-and-third situation when Drew Williams grounded into a fielder's choice off reliever Aidan Malm to score Butler from third. Tyler Biersdorff's grounder to short then resulted in a throwing error, scoring Changco and knotting the game at 2-all.
Meanwhile, Hollister starting pitcher Joshua Ramos kept what appeared would be a high-scoring ball game to a low-scoring one. The right-handed hurler allowed two runs one earned through two innings, but kept Tri-City scoreless until he was pulled in the fifth inning.
The relief pitcher Biersdorff acted as the perfect counter to Ramos, who allowed four hits and struck out five. Biersdorff's delivery was slow and methodical, forcing Tri-City to frequently ask for timeout.
He didn't allow a hit in two innings pitched, striking out four.
"Those two guys," Sotelo said of Ramos and Biersdorff, "they're always calm. They do the job and they're not startled. Coach (T.J. Williams) gets them mentally prepared for the games."
Ramos, though, who was looking to redeem himself after allowing the first-inning home run, led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to straightaway center field.
"You can't let that bother you just pay attention to the game," Ramos said. "I felt good."
Courtesy runner John Barrientos then came into the game, and immediately advanced to third on a sac bunt from Ryan Medrano.
With the winning run on third, Daniel Hopkins then took the first pitch he saw a fastball and connected on a hard-hit grounder that ricocheted off the shortstop and allowed Barrientos to score.
"I was nervous to hit, nervous going up," Hopkins said after hitting the walk-off. "I was wanting a fastball to start off the at-bat, and I hit a fastball."
Hopkins leapt into the arms of coach Williams after the improbable win, which saw Hollister connect on just two hits.
"We kind of hung our shoulders through the first four innings," Sotelo said. "A lot of it had to do with the heat, a lot had to do with that first-inning home run and the run in the second.
"I told them they have the heart. They've just got to find the drive to keep going."
Sotelo could have delivered that statement on Sunday as well, although the team's quarterfinal victory over San Ramon was more reflective of National's play of late.
Although San Ramon scored in the opening frame off starting pitcher Andrew Sotelo, the narrow lead was short-lived. Hollister responded in the home half when both Sotelo and Drew Williams led off with back-to-back singles, and Ramos followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-all.
Hollister then pulled ahead for good in the third when it plated a pair of runs. A Biersdorff walk preceded a catcher's interference call, allowing Ramos to reach base, when two consecutive pitches in the dirt allowed Davonte Butler to score. Russell Enz then smacked an RBI single up the middle to put Hollister ahead 3-1.
Keeping things interesting, San Ramon's Jake Ackerman lifted a solo homer to deep center field in the ensuing frame off Sotelo, cutting Hollister's lead to one run. But Sotelo, who didn't reach his pitch-count limit until the final out of the game reliever Ian Dobbs recorded the final out pitched near lights-out baseball for the final three innings.
Of the 10 batters he faced in the last three frames, Sotelo struck out eight of them, including the side in both the fourth and fifth innings.
He finished with 10 strikeouts in the game.
"I didn't pitch too good in the first inning, but I started pitching better throughout the game," Sotelo said afterward. "(After the home run), I still trusted my team that they'd stop each ball that was hit to them and that we'd get them back at a later inning."
National did get San Ramon back later in the game, and it was Sotelo himself who provided the insurance. With Dobbs on first and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Medrano singled on and Changco was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Sotelo, who lined a two-RBI single down the third-base line and pushed National out to a three-run lead.
"Anytime you can add two runs late in the game, it's good," said the manager Sotelo, whose team will look to keep its current winning streak in tact on Tuesday night when it will play Napa National at Vacaville's Centennial Park. First pitch is 8 p.m.
Tyler Biersdorff is expected to start for Hollister National.
"This is something special," Sotelo added. "Hopefully we can keep it going."
VACAVILLE
Having to battle from behind really wasn't something Hollister National had experienced entering the NorCal Division II Tournament last weekend in Vacaville. Although in the rare instances that it had, it managed to find a way to win.
The District 9 championship, in which National fought back from a 4-0 deficit against Hollister American en route to a 5-4 victory, certainly comes to mind.
It's perhaps the one and only case, though.
"But we're always playing as a team," said National pitcher/shortstop Andrew Sotelo. "And that's good."
Indeed. Dealt with a 2-0 deficit against Tri-City on Saturday to open the Division II tourney, a game in which the boys in blue were no-hit until the bottom of the fifth inning, Hollister National fought back to tie it at 2-all when Daniel Hopkins connected on the game-winning, walk-off hit in the sixth en route to a 3-2 victory.
One day later against San Ramon, Hollister National again fell behind 1-0, only to come from behind again with a 5-2 win.
"These kids, they're scrappy kids, and they're gonna swing the bat," National manager Anthony Sotelo said. "They may be little, but they've got big hearts, and our hearts are always in the game."
National now sits just two wins away from the Division II crown in the Major Division. Hollister will face off against Section 1 representative Napa National in Tuesday's semifinal round, with the winner advancing to Thursday's championship.
Napa National received a first-round bye to start the tournament, but defeated Section 6 representative River Park on Sunday by a 4-2 margin to advance to the semifinals.
"A great hitting team," Sotelo said of Napa. "They put the ball in play a lot more."
For Hollister National, putting the ball in play didn't come that easily on Saturday against Tri-City Little League, located in Rocklin.
Tri-City's A.J. Sauer allowed no hits through three innings, striking out six, although the no-hit bid didn't prevent Hollister from scoring runs.
After Tri-City took a 2-0 lead through two innings Garrett Kauppila led off the game with a solo home run National took advantage of a pair of walks in the third to tie the game.
Davonte Butler led off the inning with a base on balls, and then stole both second and third before Elijah Changco drew a walk as well. Changco stole second to make it a second-and-third situation when Drew Williams grounded into a fielder's choice off reliever Aidan Malm to score Butler from third. Tyler Biersdorff's grounder to short then resulted in a throwing error, scoring Changco and knotting the game at 2-all.
Meanwhile, Hollister starting pitcher Joshua Ramos kept what appeared would be a high-scoring ball game to a low-scoring one. The right-handed hurler allowed two runs one earned through two innings, but kept Tri-City scoreless until he was pulled in the fifth inning.
The relief pitcher Biersdorff acted as the perfect counter to Ramos, who allowed four hits and struck out five. Biersdorff's delivery was slow and methodical, forcing Tri-City to frequently ask for timeout.
He didn't allow a hit in two innings pitched, striking out four.
"Those two guys," Sotelo said of Ramos and Biersdorff, "they're always calm. They do the job and they're not startled. Coach (T.J. Williams) gets them mentally prepared for the games."
Ramos, though, who was looking to redeem himself after allowing the first-inning home run, led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to straightaway center field.
"You can't let that bother you just pay attention to the game," Ramos said. "I felt good."
Courtesy runner John Barrientos then came into the game, and immediately advanced to third on a sac bunt from Ryan Medrano.
With the winning run on third, Daniel Hopkins then took the first pitch he saw a fastball and connected on a hard-hit grounder that ricocheted off the shortstop and allowed Barrientos to score.
"I was nervous to hit, nervous going up," Hopkins said after hitting the walk-off. "I was wanting a fastball to start off the at-bat, and I hit a fastball."
Hopkins leapt into the arms of coach Williams after the improbable win, which saw Hollister connect on just two hits.
"We kind of hung our shoulders through the first four innings," Sotelo said. "A lot of it had to do with the heat, a lot had to do with that first-inning home run and the run in the second.
"I told them they have the heart. They've just got to find the drive to keep going."
Sotelo could have delivered that statement on Sunday as well, although the team's quarterfinal victory over San Ramon was more reflective of National's play of late.
Although San Ramon scored in the opening frame off starting pitcher Andrew Sotelo, the narrow lead was short-lived. Hollister responded in the home half when both Sotelo and Drew Williams led off with back-to-back singles, and Ramos followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-all.
Hollister then pulled ahead for good in the third when it plated a pair of runs. A Biersdorff walk preceded a catcher's interference call, allowing Ramos to reach base, when two consecutive pitches in the dirt allowed Davonte Butler to score. Russell Enz then smacked an RBI single up the middle to put Hollister ahead 3-1.
Keeping things interesting, San Ramon's Jake Ackerman lifted a solo homer to deep center field in the ensuing frame off Sotelo, cutting Hollister's lead to one run. But Sotelo, who didn't reach his pitch-count limit until the final out of the game reliever Ian Dobbs recorded the final out pitched near lights-out baseball for the final three innings.
Of the 10 batters he faced in the last three frames, Sotelo struck out eight of them, including the side in both the fourth and fifth innings.
He finished with 10 strikeouts in the game.
"I didn't pitch too good in the first inning, but I started pitching better throughout the game," Sotelo said afterward. "(After the home run), I still trusted my team that they'd stop each ball that was hit to them and that we'd get them back at a later inning."
National did get San Ramon back later in the game, and it was Sotelo himself who provided the insurance. With Dobbs on first and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Medrano singled on and Changco was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Sotelo, who lined a two-RBI single down the third-base line and pushed National out to a three-run lead.
"Anytime you can add two runs late in the game, it's good," said the manager Sotelo, whose team will look to keep its current winning streak in tact on Tuesday night when it will play Napa National at Vacaville's Centennial Park. First pitch is 8 p.m.
Tyler Biersdorff is expected to start for Hollister National.
"This is something special," Sotelo added. "Hopefully we can keep it going."
Categories: Local News
BASEBALL: Junior League opens Division II tourney with pair of victories
SACRAMENTO
Just three days prior, it was perhaps safe to say the Hollister Junior League All-Stars were scratching and clawing their way to victory.
Against Los Altos, for instance, which equaled the team's best competition at the Section 5 Tournament, Hollister mounted two come-from-behind victories, one of which came in the championship game where they scored five runs on just three hits.
But that was last week.
On Saturday, the local Junior League All-Stars opened the NorCal Division II Tournament in Sacramento on a far different note when they picked up a pair of victories over Half Moon Bay and Petaluma National, scoring a combined 22 runs on 22 hits.
After defeating Half Moon Bay 10-1 on Saturday and Petaluma National 12-1 on Sunday, Hollister will now square off against Rocklin in Tuesday's Division II semifinal the Section 4 representative having defeated Chowchilla 18-1 on Sunday night.
"I think they're gonna be a much better team," Hollister manager Todd Freitas said of Rocklin, which is located northeast of Sacramento.
"They have, traditionally, a very good program out of Rocklin," Freitas said. "They're gonna be much better competition, no doubt about it."
Rocklin could perhaps even be a similar opponent to Los Altos, Freitas added.
That wasn't necessarily the case last weekend at American River College, however. Hollister's opener against Half Moon Bay included a seven-run fourth inning, while its matchup with Petaluma included a six-run sixth each frame turning a somewhat close ball game into comfortable cushion for the local all-stars.
"We're finally coming around," Freitas said of the team's offense. "We were getting that big, two-out hit. Now we're getting three-hit innings to drive in runs.
"We're just really hitting well right now."
Hollister's offensive display was evident in the very first inning against Petaluma on Sunday when Daniel Gonzales and Cody Freitas started the game with triples, while Robert Soto followed with an RBI single to push Hollister out to an early 2-0 lead.
Both Greg Steinbeck and Josh George reached base on an error to open the second inning when Freitas knocked them both home with a two-RBI single. Chris Manderson then knocked the pitcher out of the game with a hard-hit come-backer in the third, and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Connor Menez. Chris Cook drew a walk to make it a first-and-second situation when Dylan Yamasaki connected on a two-out, two-RBI double to push Hollister up 6-0.
Petaluma plated its one and only run in the fourth. It was an unearned run off starting pitcher Robert Soto, who tossed five innings and allowed three hits and one walk, striking out five.
The five-run lead was as close as Petaluma would get, though. Hollister blew the game open in the sixth when George, Freitas and Soto each reached base to start the inning. Jordan Lopes then drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring George, while Manderson blasted an RBI single to score Freitas, and subsequently knocked another Petaluma pitcher from the game with another hard-hit come-backer.
Menez then hit an RBI single to extend the inning for Cook, who cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple.
"We're hitting really well right now," Freitas said.
Menez pitched the sixth inning in relief, going 1-2-3 on the mound for Hollister when the game was called due to the 10-run rule.
Hollister nearly equaled the 10-run rule on Saturday as well against Half Moon Bay, which scored its only run of the game in the second inning and, for a single frame, held a 1-0 lead over the local Junior League all-stars.
Hollister scored the next 10 runs unanswered, though, starting in the home half of the second inning when Lopes and Yamasaki both singled on and Nate Alvarez bunted them both over. Greg Steinbeck then drew a walk to load the bases, while Gonzales followed with a walk as well to score Lopes.
Freitas and Soto both singled on to start the third for Hollister when Lopes connected on an RBI double to push the local all-stars ahead, 2-1.
The narrow lead blossomed in the fourth when Menez, Steinbeck and Gonzales all reached base to start the inning and George followed with an RBI single. Freitas then connected on a three-RBI double.
Later in the fourth, Soto reached base on an error, and Lopes knocked him and Freitas home on a two-RBI double. Lopes later scored when Alvarez grounded into a fielder's choice.
In the sixth, Hollister added another run on Cook's sacrifice fly that scored Freitas.
The starting pitcher Steinbeck tossed six innings of four-hit baseball for Hollister to earn the win, striking out six and walking no one. Alvarez pitched the last inning in relief to close out the victory.
Manager Freitas isn't expecting another one-sided affair with Rocklin, though. The Hollister coaching staff scouted the team's 18-1 win over Chowchilla on Sunday night.
"And they look good," Freitas said. "It's gonna be a really good game."
The two teams will meet at American River College in Sacramento on Tuesday night. First pitch is 8 p.m.
Chris Manderson is expected to start for Hollister on the mound.
Game 1 Saturday
HMB 1 3 4
HOL 10 10 2
Game 2 Sunday
PET 1 3 1
HOL 12 12 1
Categories: Local News
ERSKINE: Adventures near Tahoe City
The Truckee River acts as your path to Page Meadows. Photo by: Ron Erskine, Special to the Free Lance When you reach Tahoe City on Route 89 from Truckee, a right turn will immediately take you across Fanny Bridge where the Truckee River is born and begins its descent toward Reno and the Great Basin. This past weekend, we were the guests of friends who have a place close by. With their guidance, we launched several great family outdoor activities.
Over the years, huge fish have gathered in the pool just below the lake outlet here. Passersby would arch their bodies over the wide concrete bridge railing for a better look. Thus, Fanny Bridge earned its informal name.
The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail rides the crest of the mountains that encircle Lake Tahoe. The trail is open to hikers and equestrians throughout and to mountain bikers in most areas. While it offers great adventure for multi-day trekkers, it also holds scenic treats for the casual day hiker.
Early in the first morning of our visit, we set out on a walk to Page Meadows, a site that my friend was excited to show me on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Our walk began just south of Fanny Bridge on a path of interlocking pavers at the Bridgetender Tavern and Grill. Exact directions of our route to the meadows are too complex to give in full (there are several routes; check with the helpful people at Tahoe Mountain Sports in Tahoe City), but we hugged the Truckee for a half-mile before turning uphill along a footpath littered with massive sugar pine cones. After a mile, we joined the Tahoe Rim Trail and a creek that led to the meadows.
July in the Sierra is lush and lovely. Water and wildflowers decorated this final approach, but as we came closer to the meadow mosquitoes attacked like something from an Alfred Hitchcock film. One hand-swat across my calf muscle resulted in a bloody killing spree.
Never mind. The beauty trumped the inconvenience. The forest parted and a green wonderland opened with views to Alpine Meadows ski area beyond. The early morning light cast a fresh warm glow through the trees and across the meadows. There it was: a peaceful paradise just an easy hour's walk from the mayhem of Tahoe tourists.
We were four of those Tahoe tourists, and, in the afternoon, we acted like it. Back from our hike, our wives joined us for the perfect family bike ride. Beginning at the same location near Fanny Bridge, we followed a terrific bike path along the gentle descent of the Truckee River. We were safely divided from Route 89 traffic and close by the river and its changing moods.
While the path goes all the way to Truckee, we went only a short distance past the long-standing River Ranch Restaurant where we stopped for a burger and a soda on the return trip. The dining patio here sits on a promontory that juts into the river and redirects its course around your lunch table good lunch grub in a setting that can't be beat.
Along the way, we observed another way to enjoy the river. Just below Fanny Bridge, Truckee River Rafting rents rafts for a self-guided drift down the same stretch of river we passed. Though it sometimes looked like an urban commute corridor, the river carried a parade of happy rafters enjoying a casual float on a lovely day.
A morning in the peace and solitude of a mountain meadow. An afternoon on a family bike ride and a burger by the river. Go to Fanny Bridge and pick your favorite, or do it all.
Over the years, huge fish have gathered in the pool just below the lake outlet here. Passersby would arch their bodies over the wide concrete bridge railing for a better look. Thus, Fanny Bridge earned its informal name.
The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail rides the crest of the mountains that encircle Lake Tahoe. The trail is open to hikers and equestrians throughout and to mountain bikers in most areas. While it offers great adventure for multi-day trekkers, it also holds scenic treats for the casual day hiker.
Early in the first morning of our visit, we set out on a walk to Page Meadows, a site that my friend was excited to show me on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Our walk began just south of Fanny Bridge on a path of interlocking pavers at the Bridgetender Tavern and Grill. Exact directions of our route to the meadows are too complex to give in full (there are several routes; check with the helpful people at Tahoe Mountain Sports in Tahoe City), but we hugged the Truckee for a half-mile before turning uphill along a footpath littered with massive sugar pine cones. After a mile, we joined the Tahoe Rim Trail and a creek that led to the meadows.
July in the Sierra is lush and lovely. Water and wildflowers decorated this final approach, but as we came closer to the meadow mosquitoes attacked like something from an Alfred Hitchcock film. One hand-swat across my calf muscle resulted in a bloody killing spree.
Never mind. The beauty trumped the inconvenience. The forest parted and a green wonderland opened with views to Alpine Meadows ski area beyond. The early morning light cast a fresh warm glow through the trees and across the meadows. There it was: a peaceful paradise just an easy hour's walk from the mayhem of Tahoe tourists.
We were four of those Tahoe tourists, and, in the afternoon, we acted like it. Back from our hike, our wives joined us for the perfect family bike ride. Beginning at the same location near Fanny Bridge, we followed a terrific bike path along the gentle descent of the Truckee River. We were safely divided from Route 89 traffic and close by the river and its changing moods.
While the path goes all the way to Truckee, we went only a short distance past the long-standing River Ranch Restaurant where we stopped for a burger and a soda on the return trip. The dining patio here sits on a promontory that juts into the river and redirects its course around your lunch table good lunch grub in a setting that can't be beat.
Along the way, we observed another way to enjoy the river. Just below Fanny Bridge, Truckee River Rafting rents rafts for a self-guided drift down the same stretch of river we passed. Though it sometimes looked like an urban commute corridor, the river carried a parade of happy rafters enjoying a casual float on a lovely day.
A morning in the peace and solitude of a mountain meadow. An afternoon on a family bike ride and a burger by the river. Go to Fanny Bridge and pick your favorite, or do it all.
Categories: Local News
LEONE: Everyone mishits shots, even Tom Watson
Don LeoneWhat a U.S. Open it was at Pebble! The Irish took home golf's most prestigious trophy. Let's take a look at some of the key's that won the championship.
Graeme McDowell played the most consistent on the weekend. He avoided the big number, and made the fewest mistakes.
Before the tournament began, I happened to catch Tom Watson during a practice round. I noticed he was spending much of his time around the greens, playing various shots and putting.
As he walked off the 13th green, I asked him why he was spending so much time around the greens and little time with his driver. His kind response: "You're going to mishit shots. Getting up and down is what wins this championship."
He also said, as the week progresses, the greens firm up, so you better be prepared to suck it up when you miss and figure out how to get it close to give yourself a chance to save par.
Playing in the U.S. Open may not be something you're preparing for, but working on your short game will save you strokes, and may even win you a club championship.
Graeme McDowell played the most consistent on the weekend. He avoided the big number, and made the fewest mistakes.
Before the tournament began, I happened to catch Tom Watson during a practice round. I noticed he was spending much of his time around the greens, playing various shots and putting.
As he walked off the 13th green, I asked him why he was spending so much time around the greens and little time with his driver. His kind response: "You're going to mishit shots. Getting up and down is what wins this championship."
He also said, as the week progresses, the greens firm up, so you better be prepared to suck it up when you miss and figure out how to get it close to give yourself a chance to save par.
Playing in the U.S. Open may not be something you're preparing for, but working on your short game will save you strokes, and may even win you a club championship.
Categories: Local News
DELO: Enjoy the game? Join a club
Don DeLorenzoWe know that golf is an individual game, but there is no sport on earth more sociable.
Most sports don't give you a chance to socialize between shots. Could you imagine discussing your daughters upcoming wedding plans between shots on a tennis court? And not only that, almost always the person that is closest to you on the playing field in other sports is your competitor. Though this can be true in golf, it can also be that he or she is your teammate as well.
The best way to get the most out of your game is to join a golf club. The Northern California Golf Association establishes handicaps for thousands of golfers, so we can all compete on a level playing field. Check with a golf course near you to see if they have a local men's or women's club that you can join. This puts you in contact with other players who are looking for a social round just like you. Most of them have a tournament or outing schedule that allows you to compete in different formats both individual and team. Some take trips to other area courses with a large group much like a field trip for adults.
No matter what club you join, this will take your game and why you play it to a whole new level. You will improve simply by playing more regularly, and you will meet new people to share this great game with.
Most sports don't give you a chance to socialize between shots. Could you imagine discussing your daughters upcoming wedding plans between shots on a tennis court? And not only that, almost always the person that is closest to you on the playing field in other sports is your competitor. Though this can be true in golf, it can also be that he or she is your teammate as well.
The best way to get the most out of your game is to join a golf club. The Northern California Golf Association establishes handicaps for thousands of golfers, so we can all compete on a level playing field. Check with a golf course near you to see if they have a local men's or women's club that you can join. This puts you in contact with other players who are looking for a social round just like you. Most of them have a tournament or outing schedule that allows you to compete in different formats both individual and team. Some take trips to other area courses with a large group much like a field trip for adults.
No matter what club you join, this will take your game and why you play it to a whole new level. You will improve simply by playing more regularly, and you will meet new people to share this great game with.
Categories: Local News
VOLLEYBALL: Fischer named Gavilan Scholar-Athlete of the Year
GILROY
Former Gavilan women's volleyball player Tessa Fischer was named the 2009-10 Student-Athlete of the Year, it was announced by Gavilan Athletic Director Ron Hannon earlier this month.
"It ranks pretty high," Fischer said of her latest award. "It's neat."
The Rams' athletic department joined forces with Famous Dave's legendary Pit Bar-B-Que and Articulate Solutions to honor its student-athletes throughout the year, culminating with this final distinction, according to a statement released by the school.
Fischer, who is headed to California Baptist University in the fall, maintained a 3.94 grade-point average during the past school year to boost her two-year cumulative GPA to 3.91, despite juggling her role on the volleyball team and community volunteer positions.
"Having athletics helps me with academics because it gives me another reason to do well in the classroom," Fischer said. "It helps me focus."
With a number of destinations available to her next fall, Fischer settled on California Baptist because the school offered volleyball.
After all, what would she do without volleyball?
As a member of the Lady Rams, the 5-foot-10 middle blocker played a pivotal role in guiding the squad to its first-ever Coast Conference South league championship (17-7, 9-1) and berth into the NorCal Regional Playoffs.
Her efforts were recognized with a first-team All-Conference selection.
Fischer leaves Gavilan second on the career-blocks list with 78.
In May, Fischer also gained national recognition for her accomplishments at Gavilan, earning a spot on the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators Honorable Mention list.
While at California Baptist, Fisher said she will major in biology, aiming to become a large animal veterinarian.
Categories: Local News
Plea deal for tow-truck operator: 14 years
Vincent Cardinalli, of San Benito County, is seen in this file photo. Photo by: Free Lance file photo In a move that took prosecutors by surprise, a tow truck operator who has spent three years in jail awaiting trial pleaded no contest to 99 felonies and one misdemeanor.
Vincent Cardinalli, a 67-year-old San Benito County resident, pleaded no contest to a litany of embezzlement, perjury, forgery and other charges the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office brought against him after uncovering a tow and sue scam Cardinalli ran with his two children and a son-in-law. He will likely serve 14 years in prison, said prosecutor Victor Chen, who just took over the massive case this week. He credited former prosecutor Dale Lohman and one of the scam's victims, Greg Adler, with the work leading up to the plea.
Without them, "he would clearly still be victimizing people," Chen said.
Chen met with Cardinalli's defense attorney this morning for a readiness hearing prior to his trial, which was scheduled to take place Aug. 16. At previous hearings, "every offer he floated to us was ridiculous," Chen said. "We certainly didn't expect him to plead today."
Chen said he expects a sentencing hearing to be scheduled later this year.
Earlier this year, Cardinalli's son, tow truck operator Paul Greer, 33, pleaded no contest to 59 felony counts, according to prosecutors. His charges included 26 counts of attempted grand theft, 14 counts of perjury, 13 counts of subornation of perjury, three counts of embezzlement and one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice, presentation of false evidence and burglary. Greer will receive eight years in prison, Lohman said earlier this year.
Cardinalli's daughter, Rosemary Ball, 35, also pleaded no contest to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, one count of attempted grand theft and one count of perjury, according to the District Attorney's office. Her husband, Michael Ball, 39, pleaded no contest to one felony count of attempted grand theft. They will be sentenced to between four and six months of county jail and 150 days of electronic monitoring.
Vincent Cardinalli, a 67-year-old San Benito County resident, pleaded no contest to a litany of embezzlement, perjury, forgery and other charges the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office brought against him after uncovering a tow and sue scam Cardinalli ran with his two children and a son-in-law. He will likely serve 14 years in prison, said prosecutor Victor Chen, who just took over the massive case this week. He credited former prosecutor Dale Lohman and one of the scam's victims, Greg Adler, with the work leading up to the plea.
Without them, "he would clearly still be victimizing people," Chen said.
Chen met with Cardinalli's defense attorney this morning for a readiness hearing prior to his trial, which was scheduled to take place Aug. 16. At previous hearings, "every offer he floated to us was ridiculous," Chen said. "We certainly didn't expect him to plead today."
Chen said he expects a sentencing hearing to be scheduled later this year.
Earlier this year, Cardinalli's son, tow truck operator Paul Greer, 33, pleaded no contest to 59 felony counts, according to prosecutors. His charges included 26 counts of attempted grand theft, 14 counts of perjury, 13 counts of subornation of perjury, three counts of embezzlement and one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice, presentation of false evidence and burglary. Greer will receive eight years in prison, Lohman said earlier this year.
Cardinalli's daughter, Rosemary Ball, 35, also pleaded no contest to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, one count of attempted grand theft and one count of perjury, according to the District Attorney's office. Her husband, Michael Ball, 39, pleaded no contest to one felony count of attempted grand theft. They will be sentenced to between four and six months of county jail and 150 days of electronic monitoring.
Categories: Local News
Solargen's draft EIR comment period extended
This is the map of the proposed project area.After many residents and interested groups expressed a need for more time to adequately go through the Solargen draft environmental impact report, the San Benito County Planning Department announced an extension today of the 45-day comment period for 15 more days.
"It's pretty standard," Assistant Planner Byron Turner said. "We were asked to extend it another 45 days, but we felt that was a little much. We thought 15 days was a sufficient amount of time to review."
The new due date for all comments regarding the Solargen proposal for a solar farm in the Panoche Valley is Aug. 31.
At Wednesday's public comment meeting, many speakers asked for an extension of the comment period, with some stating that the document was too thick to review thoroughly.
The document is more than 200 pages long and most of the document is dedicated to the biological impacts of the project.
If approved, plans call for the 420-megawatt solar farm on 4,700 acres in the Panoche Valley in southern San Benito County.
"It's pretty standard," Assistant Planner Byron Turner said. "We were asked to extend it another 45 days, but we felt that was a little much. We thought 15 days was a sufficient amount of time to review."
The new due date for all comments regarding the Solargen proposal for a solar farm in the Panoche Valley is Aug. 31.
At Wednesday's public comment meeting, many speakers asked for an extension of the comment period, with some stating that the document was too thick to review thoroughly.
The document is more than 200 pages long and most of the document is dedicated to the biological impacts of the project.
If approved, plans call for the 420-megawatt solar farm on 4,700 acres in the Panoche Valley in southern San Benito County.
Categories: Local News
Two suspects sought for shooting at car, injuring one
Police are looking for two men suspected of shooting into a car and injuring one resident Thursday after a verbal confrontation in the 1200 block of San Juan Road, according to police.
The incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The two men reportedly were walking in the area as the vehicle drove by. After exchanging words, the suspects drew firearms from their waistbands and started shooting at the vehicle and its occupants, according to police.
The vehicle drove off with the passenger sustaining a gunshot wound to the "upper torso," while the suspects fled on foot. Authorities recovered firearms they believe were used in the attack.
The victim was taken to a Bay Area hospital and was treated for the injury. He is expected to recover, according to police.
According to police, the suspects are described as: Hispanic males, possibly teenagers. One of the suspects was described as having short hair and wearing a white jersey with the number "3" on it. The other suspect was described as wearing a black hat and a black shirt.
Anyone with information should call Detective Theresa Aguilera at (831) 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call the National WeTip Anonymous Hotline at 1-(800)-78-CRIME. Informants to the National WeTip Anonymous Hotline may be eligible for a reward.
The incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The two men reportedly were walking in the area as the vehicle drove by. After exchanging words, the suspects drew firearms from their waistbands and started shooting at the vehicle and its occupants, according to police.
The vehicle drove off with the passenger sustaining a gunshot wound to the "upper torso," while the suspects fled on foot. Authorities recovered firearms they believe were used in the attack.
The victim was taken to a Bay Area hospital and was treated for the injury. He is expected to recover, according to police.
According to police, the suspects are described as: Hispanic males, possibly teenagers. One of the suspects was described as having short hair and wearing a white jersey with the number "3" on it. The other suspect was described as wearing a black hat and a black shirt.
Anyone with information should call Detective Theresa Aguilera at (831) 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call the National WeTip Anonymous Hotline at 1-(800)-78-CRIME. Informants to the National WeTip Anonymous Hotline may be eligible for a reward.
Categories: Local News
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