Nonprofits

The Gilroy Garlic Queen pageant is back for 2026, following a seven-year hiatus.  Online applications are currently being accepted for the pageant, which will take place April 19. The deadline to enter the pageant is 4pm March 16.  To apply for the 2026 Gilroy Garlic Queen...

Three local women will be honored for their leadership and service at an upcoming Visionary Women’s Luncheon in Hollister.  Ann Marie Sayers, Lucy Rodriguez and Rachel Perez will be recognized at the Aug. 22 luncheon, and annual event hosted by the Latino Coalition of San...

This story was published Dec. 17 by CalMatters. For three years, the fate of poor people accused of crimes in San Benito County lay in the hands of attorneys who barely spoke with their clients and seldom filed legal motions on their behalf.  While defendants...

SJB art exhibit celebrates iconic Route 66 A new art exhibit, “Painting Route 66: An Artist Road Trip,” will open in San Juan Bautista with a June 21 reception from 5-7pm. The exhibit will remain open to the public through Aug. 10. The exhibit and reception...

Rebekah Children’s Services, a South Valley nonprofit that serves about 14,000 children and families annually, is getting ready to collect and distribute donated gifts for their annual holiday toy drive.  Members of the community who are able to donate are encouraged to drop off new...

Winged visitors alien to the area have been casting their large shadows over Contra Costa and Stanislaus counties recently.  Preservation group Save Mount Diablo said in a statement Sept. 25 they’ve tracked the paths of six California condors soaring through the skies above Round Valley...

Alzheimer’s education seminar The Community Foundation for San Benito County will host an Alzheimer’s Education Workshop on April 11 for members of the public to learn about the disease’s risk factors, warning signs, helpful resources and other information.  Presenters include Philip M. Geiger, Regional Director for...

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust recently announced that four new board members have been appointed to the Gilroy based nonprofit’s board of directors.  The new members are Susan True, Amanda Serenyi, Guillermo Rodriguez and Robert ‘Perl’ Perlmutter, says a press release from the trust.  “We at...

Rachael Gallagher wears the crown as the 2026 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen, winning the distinction at the festival’s annual scholarship pageant on April 19. Gallagher, 25, is a Gilroy native and a graduate of Gilroy High School’s Class of 2018, according to the Gilroy...

Kirkland named to Dean’s List Samuel Kirkland, of Hollister, was named to the LeTourneau University fall 2023 Dean’s List. Kirkland is majoring in Aircraft Systems, says a press release from the university.  The Dean's List recognizes students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.50...