The following events, organizations and people deserve either a
Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down this week:
THUMBS UP: To Hollister teens Sarah Hutchinson and Mayte Mendoza, who have organized a rock music show to benefit local cancer victim Gabriel Fisch, who is 18 months old. The two teens spearheaded an effort that will bring six bands to Rancho San Justo Middle School one week from today from 4-9pm. The two teens took it upon themselves to organize and promote the show, with proceeds aiding in relieving a little bit of Fisch’s medical costs. They are doing it simply because they saw a need and wanted to help out any way they could. We hope the gymnasium is filled on Saturday. The emotional support alone lets the Fisch family know that the community cares.
THUMBS UP: The St. Francis Retreat Center forges ahead despite a devastating fire that destroyed the main, historic, building. Groups and individuals continue to flock to this beloved spot that promises peace and serenity. The loss suffered by the retreat only seems to solidify the public’s belief that this is a place that holds great significance, as much to visitors from far away as to locals.
THUMBS DOWN: The violence that claimed the life of 18-year-old Daniel Gallegos was shocking in its starkness. It was not enough to beat him, the assailants apparently went to great effort to repeatedly run him over with their car. Police suspect the perpetrators to have gang ties. But gang ties or not, the horrible nature of the crime, and loss, and the age of those involved had better send a wave of apprehension through the community. And our law enforcement officials don’t need fingers pointed at them, they need communication, participation, and help from the community.
THUMBS DOWN: Just in time for your family vacation, gas prices are shooting up again. Isn’t this the way it goes every summer? Or does it just seem that prices are always boosted during those times of year when travel is at a high point? Just asking.
THUMBS UP: Downtown Hollister now features cabaret entertainment. The show, last night and next Friday evening at The Vault, is being promoted as a risque bit of good, clean, adult entertainment. We hope it is a success and creates enough of a buzz that other entertainment features might pop up around town.
THUMBS UP: Much of the Grand Jury report on the state of county farm labor was encouraging, although there is much to be done to ensure that our workers have a clean, decent place to sleep after a hard day of work. If you have any doubt as to the physically demanding nature of the labor, take a good look at the photograph accompanying our article on the front page of Friday’s edition. It shows six workers bending, deeply, to tend to a field that is producing food that we eat.
