The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: To kid power across the county. Two teens from Hollister, Mayte Mendoza-Moreno and Sarah Hutchins, wanted to do something to help 18-month-old cancer victim Gabriel Fisch and his family in their attempt to raise money to help ease his medical bills. So they organized a concert and ended up raising nearly $1,500. It was a selfless act that the family greatly appreciated. This weekend Gavilan College Summer Theatre Arts Repertory presents a children’s theater presentation of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ starring area kids ranging in age from 5 to teens. There is a performance at 7:30pm today at El Teatro Campesino. Also, we’d like to give thanks to director Javier Hurtado, who is finishing his eighth and final season in the STAR program. He has provided his time and energy to exposing our children to theater, and deserves our appreciation.
THUMBS DOWN: Kuma the cat. Kuma came to California from Japan and at the first opportunity broke loose from his owners and bolted into the new world. Jim and Kay White have offered a $1,000 reward to anyone who finds Kuma. He was last seen near Highway 101 at Betabel Road. Anyone with information can call Kimberly White at 831 394-4814 or 831 604-1314. We wish Kuma had given himself a chance to enjoy life with the Whites in California, instead of taking off on a journey he cannot complete.
THUMBS UP: To private enterprise as pursued by Michelle Haworth and her brother, Mark. A San Benito High graduate, Michelle came up with a new energy drink, Cheetah, and is hoping to crack the tough energy drink market with it. We wish them the best of luck. So far the Haworth’s have marketed the drink beautifully and have attained endorsement from professional athletes. Here’s to “The Fastest Energy Drink on Earth.”
THUMBS UP: On Tuesday evening 100 residents showed up at a Town Hall meeting to discuss a new sewage treatment plant. With sewage rates proposed to take a steep increase for local residents, it was good to see a decent turnout for the meeting. Local officials made brief presentations, and then the public was allowed to have its say. Perhaps next time there will be an even better turnout.
THUMBS DOWN: To whatever is preventing farmers from getting the labor they need to tend to fields. Organic growers, in particular, are getting hit hard by the labor shortage. According to an Associated Press report, “increased patrolling along the border with Mexico, and easier, higher-paying jobs in the city have made farmworkers scarce.” We can only hope local growers are managing the situation to their success.
