El Toro Youth Center dedication honors former director
Dear Editor,
Exactly one year to the day after Lori Escobar’s death, the Morgan Hill youth center where she helped change lives for nearly 25 years was dedicated in her honor. El Toro Youth Center was officially renamed The Lori Escobar El Toro Youth Center. Operated by Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, the youth center provides quality educational, recreational and social services to low-income youth and their families in Morgan Hill.
About 60 of Escobar’s family, friends, former clients and other supporters, including Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate, joined the Feb. 4 dedication to remember her many contributions to the community and unveil the new sign.
Escobar was the director of El Toro Youth Center for nearly 25 years and was a tireless advocate for the children, teens and families served by the center. The fundamental goal of the center is to ensure academic success by keeping youth on track in school so college becomes a realistic possibility. The center also gives children and teens a place to go after school where they can get the help and support they need.
“Lori was dedicated to helping children and families get the tools they need to achieve academic success and overcome poverty,” said Melissa Santos, director of Justice Empowerment Services at Catholic Charities. “She worked tirelessly on their behalf and they loved and respected her. We want to make sure her legacy lives on by naming the center in her honor.”
Caitlin Kerk, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
Chocolate and wine for Valentine’s helps deliver school supplies
Dear Editor,
The successful Teachers Aid Coalition Chocolate & Wine for Valentine event held last Saturday not only brought out a good crowd, but secured the funds needed to bring out more paper, pencils and other necessary classroom supplies for TAC’s next school supply give away in March.
The appropriately decorated Granary building with hearts and flowers everywhere seemed to float with the live violin music of Byron Bass and friends. This romantic setting had attendees in tune in with the delectable chocolates provided by Coco Butters, Andy’s Orchard and Marich Confectioners as well as with the delicious morsels provided by Odeum, Ladera Grill, Mama Mia and Rosy’s at the Beach.
No wine glass could be found empty when local top wineries Guglielmo, Clos La Chance, Fernwood Cellars, Martin Ranch and Sycamore Creek began offering their award winning wines.
Not only were Morgan Hill’s notables in attendance, but many came to admire the artwork of local artisans Laurie Barmore, Susan Dillon, Jill Davies-White and Lorna Saiki.
An expression of thanks was delivered by TAC President Roger Beaulieu to the many event sponsors lead by Anritsu, Johnson’s Lumber Company, Morgan Hill Times, Weston Miles Architects and Doctors Don Nguyen, DDS and Jon Hatakeyama, DDS, as well as the many volunteers who made this magic event come true. Roger’s message was clear. We want our public schools to be a great asset for Morgan Hill. TAC is one vehicle for that goal. With this gesture of thanks, attendees reluctantly left the Granary noting next year’s event will be held Feb. 9.
Jon Hatakeyama, Morgan Hill
This is no time to return to the policies of the Bush Administration
Dear Editor,
When Obama took office in January of 2009 America was losing 750,000 jobs a month. Now we’re adding 250,000 jobs a month. Although we have a long way to go, the number of jobs is almost 1 million jobs a month increase since the end of the Bush administration. It seems to me that we are heading in the right direction and I don’t see why we should consider going back to the party of Bush and have them ruin the economy like they did last decade.
Marc Perkel, Gilroy
The president is beyond
incompetent or corrupt
Dear Editor,
The Keystone XL pipeline is one of the most well studied and environmentally safe projects in the past few decades. It was not stopped by President Obama because of environmental concerns; it was just one more casualty on a long list of vote-getting games to appease Obama’s radical base of support. And the American people be damned.
It is clear that our Chicago politician considers his re-election more important than American jobs or energy independence. It’s better to dump billions into Solyndra and other politically-correct, crony-capitalist, slot-machine, pay-for-play scams.
This administration is placing our economy, our energy security and our national security at risk. Our problems revolve around one point – the failed policies of Barack Obama.
The Chinese will mock us while they power their economic engine with Canadian oil that should have been flowing into the heart of American industry. Every day this president proves that he is beyond incompetent or corrupt. He is a risk to America.
Mary Park, TracyÂ
Â
