The following people, organizations or events deserve either a thumbs up or thumbs down this week:
THUMBS UP: Eighteen months after a fire destroyed the clubhouse at Bolado Golf Course, the state this week approved construction on a new one. While golf courses like Bolado have struggled with membership in recent years – its has dropped from 275 to 200 since the fire, a decline of 27 percent – the new building is a welcome sign and should help rejuvenate the local course’s usage. The new building, set for completion around February 2008, will include some of the same features as the previous facility, but with a newer look and feel. The new clubhouse should be worth the long wait, and we urge local residents to check it out once it’s done.
THUMBS DOWN: Hollister School District officials expressed concern this week about declining kindergarten enrollment and its effect on funding levels from the state. Preliminary numbers – they may change – show kindergarten enrollment dropped by 10.4 percent from 676 last year to 606 this year. The drop has a direct correlation with Hollister’s sluggish growth since the building moratorium started after a 15 million gallon sewer spill in May 2002. The decline is yet another signal that we must have a solid plan in place when the moratorium lifts after completion of a new sewer plant, expected toward the end of 2008. Superintendent Ron Crates, meanwhile, made the right choice when he implemented a hiring freeze a few weeks back in anticipation of a likelihood for a cutback in funds from the state.
THUMBS UP: The Hollister School District made strides on another level recently with the opening of its two new magnet schools, the Hollister Dual Language Academy – taught in both English and Spanish – and the Accelerated Achievement Academy. At the dual language academy, kindergarten and first-grade classes will each be divided into two classes. Each of those will spend half of its day learning in Spanish and the other half learning in English. The program stands to greatly benefit our children and, ultimately, our community. They’re also an opportunity to attract new students to the district from private schools and other districts. The achievement academy, meanwhile, is for honors students who are ready to focus on academics. They’re both commendable steps in the district’s continuing effort to offer broader educational opportunities.
THUMBS UP: Fannie Curro of Hollister recently took first place in the local competition for the Ms. Senior America pageant. The 75-year-old described as “animated and positive” – and who performed a monologue from the musical “Hello Dolly!” during the talent portion – demonstrates there’s no age limit for beauty and talent. Curro next goes on compete for Ms. Senior California in Orange County on Sept. 30. We wish her luck in the competition and we know she will represent Hollister and the region well.
