The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: To Panoche School for not only carrying on despite having three students, but also thriving and undertaking ambitious projects, like creating a wildlife habitat on campus. Panoche is the smallest of 23 schools in the county and usually has between 10-20 students. The school gets the most out of education on such a tiny, personal scale. Unfortunately, the school may not survive unless it grows. The state often withholds funding to schools with an attendance of fewer than 12. Let’s hope Panoche School survives and continues to thrive.
THUMBS DOWN: To the person who made off with a statue of the Virgin Mary among the destruction of the St. Francis Retreat in San Juan Bautista. The recent fire destroyed a historic building and many items but the small statue of the Virgin Mary had survived. Apparently someone stole it. But a big Thumbs Up goes to the staff at the retreat. It is getting back on its feet and will return to full service. Construction is on the move, and staff has worked diligently to make visitors feel welcome and comfortable in this special place.
THUMBS UP: To the Hollister City Council for making a tough decision to increase sewer rates in the faces of scathing public criticism. The decision had to be made. And also a big Thumbs Up to the members of the public who took the time to keep up on the issue and speak out and attend public meetings.
THUMBS UP: To members of local rock band Vent, who shared the stage recently with Kid Rock, and reminded us that rock can be fun. The band members are working guys from Hollister and Gilroy and they have no pretense about being rock stars, other than giving local audiences a reason to get out on the dance floor and have some clean fun. We hope the band gets all the gigs it ever wants and needs.
THUMBS DOWN: To another death on the tracks. This week 18-year old Victor Sandoval, a former San Benito High student, was killed after being hit by a train in Morgan Hill. His death is being investigated. Death at the tracks is becoming too common. And to lose someone in the prime of life with his future ahead is particularly tragic.
THUMBS UP: To kids who willingly eat vegetables. A recent study shows that even when vegetables and produce are made more available to kids at school, they tend to eschew them for sweeter foodstuffs. It is a sad state of affairs, nutritionally speaking. On the other hand, why should this generation of schoolchildren be any different from previous generations? Perhaps the new slick marketing campaigns of produce by corporations like the Disney Co. will have a positive effect on kids wanting to eat vegetables.
