The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: To the San Benito High Rock Guitar Club. Tonight, nearly a dozen bands will play their guts out for anyone in the community or the high school who wants to come and watch. What a great way to have fun. Throughout the year the club will put on concerts for fundraisers or nonrpofits or families in need, and we hope the community takes them up on the offer. Not only are these kids off the street and having a great time, but they also are willing to give back to the community.
THIUMBS DOWN: Space apparently has become a junkyard. It seems that everything from tools to spatulas have been let loose during spacewalks. And when a space spatula comes fireballing back into our atmosphere, it can’t be good. In fact, scientists calculate that as many as 100,000 pieces of space trash are currently circling our planet. We’re already well on our way to trashing earth; why do we have to take out our garbage in space, too?
THUMBS UP: To city and county officials for looking into the possibility of securing state funds for a river parkway project. To refer to the San Benito as a river may be a bit of a stretch, but beautifying anything with state funds sounds like a great idea to us. Even if the project is out of reach for our locale, we are still appreciative of local officials at least checking out the possibility and seeing if residents are interested.
THUMBS DOWN: To gang graffiti ‘artists.’ And a debt of gratitude to anyone who takes time out of their day today to participate in Graffiti Abatement Day in Hollister. Local residents and law enforcement officials will gather and paint over gang graffiti in town. All of these people deserve our appreciation for beautifying our town, and sending a message in the process.
THUMBS UP: To Gavilan College for handling a 10 percent increase in enrollment with grace and patience. Autumn enrollment had remained flat for about five years, according to school officials, so the increase in student population is welcome. And why not? In a dubious economy and world, Gavilan College offers a superb education at a fraction of university cost. Parking lots and classes are fuller, and that’s a welcome bit of news.
THUMBS DOWN: To the local, state, and national housing market. Sure, inflated prices were due to come down, and sure, it is about time buyers get the break in purchasing power. But a continued depression in the market won’t help anyone. Here’s to hoping sales pick up.
THUMBS UP: To the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team for continuing to be an irritant to county marijuana growers. Last week the team found and destroyed 4,700 high-grade pot plants in a remote part of the county.
