Yeah, yeah I normally try to keep this blog tightly focused on Morgan Hill and the South County area, but this is pretty darn big.
Next fall (October 29 thru November 1st, to be exact) the World Fantasy Convention will be coming to San Jose! Woohoo! I’ve never been to a “World XXXXX Convention” before, but I have been tempted, and I don’t see what would keep me away from this one. Especially with the theme being a celebration of Edgar Allen Poe’s 200th birthday (which will actually be on January 19th of 2009).
The discounted $100 membership offer has been extended trhu November 30th, so if you’re planning on going, now is the time to buy your membership. Price goes up to $125 on December 1st.
Tags:
convention,
Edgar Allen Poe,
San Jose,
World Fantasy Convention
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November 17th, 2008 | Posted in Events | No Comments

The Pintello Comedy Theater opened their latest production, Marriage Is Murder, last Friday. Written by Nick Hall, directed by Marion Pintello, and starring Heather Bass & Jayson Stebbins, this two-person show is a must-see for any fan of murder mysteries (be they on stage, film or in print).
Despite being divorced our lead characters, Paul and Pauly Butler, still write murder mystery novels together. While working on their latest bestseller they act out various dastardly deeds right there in Paul’s apartment (and on the stage), each trying to surprise and outdo the other. All the standard murder props (daggers, fingerprints, alibis, and poisoned drinks) are present, along with the natural mirth that presents itself when exes are forced to work together.
Performances will be held each Friday and Saturday at the Gilroy Grange Hall (8191 Swanston Ln) with the curtain rising at 8pm. There will also be a matinee performance at 2pm this Sunday, November 16th. Tickets are only $18 at the door or online at the Pintello Comedy Theater website.
Tags:
Gilroy Grange Hall,
Heather Bass,
Jayson Stebbins,
Marion Pintello,
Marraige Is Murder,
murder mystery,
Nick Hall,
Pintello Comedy theater,
play,
theater
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November 13th, 2008 | Posted in Theater | No Comments

After checking out the classic Impalas this Saturday grab some grub then head over to the Gaslighter Theater in downtown Gilroy (7430 Monterey St) to check out some amazing guitar work presented by the fine folx from Gilroy Guitar Gallery.
Walter Strauss and Stevie Coyle (formerly of The Waybacks) will be presenting their amazing fingerstyle guitar work that evening and if you’re a fan of the guitar this is a show not to be missed. They’ve been in the studio for a while with Walter producing Stevie’s latest solo CD, so there’s sure to be plenty of new music.
The show starts at 7pm and tickets are only $12 and are available at Gilroy Guitar Gallery (64 5th Street) or by calling (408)847-6350.
Tags:
concert,
event,
Gaslighter Theater,
Gilroy Guitar Gallery,
guitar,
Music,
Stevie Coyle,
Walter Strauss
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November 10th, 2008 | Posted in Events, Music | No Comments

This coming Saturday the Impalas Central Coast Car Club will be holding their 11th Annual Toy Drive here in Gilroy. Of course, there will be a “Show & Shine” car show event as well.
All vehicles are welcome to join the show (not just Impalas), so if you’ve got a classic, custom, hot rod, or other car you think others would like to drool over head on down to the Dutchman’s Pizza parking lot at 6490 Chestnut St this coming Saturday. The ‘entry fee’ for each vehicle is only a single new, unwrapped toy. For more details, schedules, etc, call Rudy G at (831)801-0600.
Those who don’t plan on showing off their ride are welcome and encouraged to attend as well to view these classic rides. While there’s no admission fee for viewing or just hanging out it is a toy drive so why not bring a toy or three along to donate? Show hours are from 10am to 4pm.
Tags:
auto,
car club,
car show,
cars,
Dutchman's Pizza,
Impalas Central Coast Car Club,
toy drive
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November 9th, 2008 | Posted in Events | 3 Comments

Personally, I’m an agnostic. However, my daughter has chosen to attend services at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gilroy. Her mother is a pagan/Wiccan. I’ve never mentioned these issues before because they aren’t really relevant. However, I believe it becomes relevant when an instructor at South Valley Middle School (in this case, the choir teacher Ms. Carol McDonald) starts informing her students that their religions are “fake”. Is this really what you want done with your tax dollars?
Here’s the scenario…
Ms. McDonald was discussing the upcoming election and, specifically, California’s Proposition 8, which is an initiative Constitutional amendment that “Eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry“. Personally, I have no problem with teachers discussing politics in the classroom, or even their own political views. Apparently, Ms. McDonald will be voting for this Constitutional amendment. All well and good. When asked why, she informed the choir that homosexual marriage was disallowed in the bible. First, this statement is is simply incorrect - the bible does not address the issue of gay marriage. The Old Testament does speak against gay sex, but I don’t believe gay marriage itself is prohibited. If I’m wrong, feel free to comment with the verse(s) that prohibit the practice. Still, I’m not concerned with Ms. McDonald sharing her personal religious views with her students, though I know many parents would be. No, my problem is just about to rear its ugly head. Back to the conversation…
When Zaira informed Ms. McDonald that her church, the Lutheran Church, allows gay marriage, Ms. McDonald replied that Lutheranism is a “fake religion.” Excuse me? Who, exactly is a choir teacher to declare, to a student, that the student’s personal religious beliefs are fake? Just because Ms. McDonald apparently feels there should be a state mandated religion does not mean that we are operating under one at the moment.
I’m curious what other South Valley Middle School parents (or just the general populous at large) thinks about their children being indoctrinated with religion at public schools and with taxpayer expense. Ms. McDonald has previously informed the choir that paganism is also a “fake” religion and one can only assume that Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, and any other number of accepted religions would also be branded as fake should Ms. McDonald have the chance. I’m not calling for action at this point, but I am curious what others think. I’m also curious what the Gilroy Unified School District’s Board of Education thinks of this. Comments would be greatly appreciated.
Tags:
Board of Education,
choir,
Gilroy,
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church,
Ms. Carol McDonald,
public school,
religion,
South Valley Middle School
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October 30th, 2008 | Posted in News, SVMS | 2 Comments
Well, it is according to their flier and the minimal promotion they do for the event. Housed in the old Wal-Mart building on Arroyo Circle, it seems they […] Continue Reading…
Tags:
event,
Gilroy,
Halloween,
Haunted House,
World's Largest Haunted House
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October 24th, 2008 | Posted in Events | No Comments
As I reported earlier my daughter Zaira and several of her friends passed petitions around the South Valley Middle School Campus today. I collected those petitions […] Continue Reading…
Tags:
Board of Education,
Gilroy Unified School District,
Ms. Gallup,
Science Camp,
South Valley Middle School,
Yosemite
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October 3rd, 2008 | Posted in News, SVMS | No Comments
Around 11am this morning I finally had the time to compile my own message to the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education. I received a response […] Continue Reading…
Tags:
Board of Education,
Gilroy Unified School District,
Ms. Gallup,
Science Camp,
South Valley Middle School,
Yosemite
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October 3rd, 2008 | Posted in News, SVMS | 1 Comment
With so little time to reach out to the parents and students of Gilroy’s South Valley Middle School about saving the Yosemite Science Camp trip I did what […] Continue Reading…
Tags:
Board of Education,
Gilroy Unified School District,
Ms. Gallup,
Science Camp,
South Valley Middle School,
Yosemite
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October 3rd, 2008 | Posted in News, SVMS | No Comments
Z and I just returned from the public meeting of the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education meeting. We were there to speak out against a rules […] Continue Reading…
Tags:
Board of Education,
Gilroy Unified School District,
Ms. Gallup,
Science Camp,
South Valley Middle School,
Yosemite
Related posts
October 2nd, 2008 | Posted in News, SVMS | 1 Comment