Music, Munchies and More...Your First Good Deed in 2015!

Instead of rocking into  2015 with good intentions only, how about starting it with a good deed?

Here is your chance: I have six tickets left for the spaghetti dinner. If you email me at silviabichler@kw.com, with the amount of tickets you need and your address, I will personally bring them over to you. First come, first serve! There will be a ticket sale at the door. If you have an item for the silent auction, I will pick it up at your house. If you want to write a check, I will take it to the violin instructor after the holidays. All you have to do is giving me a holler and you can start 2015 as a very much appreciated sponsor of our violin kids and as my personal hero of 2015! 

Antonio Del Buono Elementary School in Gilroy has been providing free violin instruction and instruments under the direction of accomplished violinist and credentialed Suzuki Violin instructor Lori Franke for many decades. Due to rigorous state cuts, however, funding for music and art has almost been wiped out for our school kids during the past years.

My 7-year-old granddaughter started to play violin and through the unique Suzuki method improved her ability to concentrate on a task not only in music but also  in math and other subjects. Her last report card showed "exceeding district bench mark" in all tests.

Experiencing the joy of playing an instrument and open the door to the world of Mozart and Bach should not only be reserved for students whose affluent parents can afford private lessons. There is tremendous talent among the Antonio Del Buono students many of them are children of migrant workers  - don't let this talent go to waste because of lack of funds.

I joined the Board of the Antonio Del Buono violin program and pledged to support the program in 2015 with a percentage of any of my business transactions as Keller Williams Real Estate Consultant. I want to give back to the local youth because it is you who help me grow my business with your referral to friends and family. Thank you for your continued support and friendship!

Help me to support this wonderful program - probably the only free violin program offered by an elementary school in the South County.

There are many ways you can help: Buy tickets for the upcoming spaghetti dinner, donate items for the silent auction or write us a check. Anything you can do is very much appreciated.

Below is a letter from Lori Franke, Director of the ADB Violin Program

2015 Horses for Warriors - Free Support for Veterans Must Continue!

Starting in January 2015, DreamPower on WoodMyst Farm in Gilroy will be offering four weekly or bi-weekly groups for veterans of all eras and their families.  All the information is below.  Please share this information with any veterans you know who may be interested in participating in any of these groups, and with those who work with veterans and their families.

All of DreamPower's groups are offered without cost to the veterans. That is possible only because of the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Wounded Warrior Project values each equine group at $100 per veteran per session. So a group of four veterans would be worth $400 for each weekly meeting. We need more donors to help cover the costs for these expanded services for our veterans and their families. Please share this information with anyone you know who cares about veterans and might consider supporting DreamPower's Horses for Warriors.  The deadline for donations to be applied to 2014 taxes is Dec. 31, 2014 at 11:59 pm.

The above paragraph was written in an email by Martha McNiel, Director of DreamPower.

In 2014, I witnessed the healing power of DreamPower Horsemanship for our veterans, other therapy groups, and yes, even us volunteers. My whole family felt at peace, whether it was during walking in the 4th of July parade in Morgan Hill,  sipping tea with grandparents invited by Trigger the Mini Horse, drinking wine at the Satori Cellar fundraiser, or caroling in the wagon around Wood Myst Farm during last Christmas. No wonder that the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce voted DreamPower the Charity organization of 2015.

 With every real estate transaction, I support this 100% non-profit organization to help our heroes coping with post traumatic stress disorder. It is my way to thank this great country that has become my home during the past decade and all US service members who defend individual freedom in this world. Please help me to help them! Thank you with all my heart!

 

This Month In Real Estate - December 2014, Gilroy Edition

Dear Gilroyan neighborhood, after publishing the December statistics for Santa Clara County and the South County, I still owe you the local Gilroy numbers.

For Your Thanksgiving Table: Healthy, Tasty, Easy!

I tested this wonderful recipe from Detoxinista and my entire family was completely sold, two thumbs up!

This is how I prepare my Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts on Thanksgiving following the Detoxinista's easy recipe, see below:

Brussels sprouts can be a bit intimidating on their own, but when roasted with a splash of balsamic vinegar, they become a delectable treat!

Traditional roasting methods usually call for a coating of olive oil before cooking, but I opted for coconut oil in this particular dish. The higher the saturated fat content in a cooking oil, the less likely it is to be damaged or oxidized, making coconut oil a more stable fat source for cooking at high temperatures. In fact, I’ve noticed that when I cook with coconut oil, my vegetables rarely burn!
Tender on the inside, and crispy on the outside, these Brussels sprouts are a quick and easy addition to any meal.
—
Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts (Vegan, Paleo)
serves 4
Lightly adapted from this recipe
Ingredients:
1 pound Brussels sprouts, washed and trimmed
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375F. If your coconut oil is solid at room temperature, place the two tablespoons of coconut oil in a small bowl, and set it on top of the oven to warm while you prepare the Brussels sprouts. If the top of your oven isn’t warm enough, you can place the bowl inside the oven for 2 minutes to melt.
Slice the Brussels sprouts in half, and place them in a large bowl. Pour the balsamic vinegar over the halves, and toss well to coat. Add the melted coconut oil, and toss again to coat. Arrange the Brussels into a single layer on a baking sheet, cut-side facing down, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
the Brussels sprouts for 25 minutes, turning the pan after 10 minutes for even browning.

The sprouts are ready when they are lightly golden. Eat immediately!

Holiday Parade and Doggie Dress Up Contest in Gilroy

Are you ready to light the Gilroy Christmas tree? My 7-year-old granddaughter Adriana is. She and all the other violin kids from Antonio Del Buono Elementary School will walk in the parade together with their instructor, Lori Franke.

 We appreciate any tax deductible donation to this violin program which is not funded by the state and want to keep it free of cost for all Antonio Del Buono kids to attend.

Watch out for upcoming fundraisers which I will post information as soon as available.

 For information how to donate to the ADB violin program, please do contact the school or write me at: silviabichler@kw.com.

Thank you on behalf of our kids who have the chance to get introduced to music during their elementary school years - no matter how small their family's budget is. Keep the spirit alive because these kids are our future presidents, mayors, and teachers.
 

Wacky Shoe Day in Gilroy!

Wacky shoe/school spirit day at Antonio Del Buono Elementary School in Gilroy today. My granddaughter dressed herself, hair done by my daughter, Sarah Bichler fabulous hair stylist at Hello Gorgeous - Hair Salon in Gilroy. Happy Friday everyone!

Pecan Date Truffles (Vegan, Paleo)

You want to live through the holidays without putting back on all the weight you just tried to lose in the gym?

However, you also don't want to miss out on all the delicious goodies, yes?

Well, just in time for the holiday season and  for my coach and connoisseur Mike Devlin to try at his  famous cookie exchange party at my Campbell office at Keller Williams Silicon Valley, I found this  marvelous recipe to enjoy without regrets: Pecan Date Truffles

Because of health issues, I cannot eat refined sugar and flour and found this wonderful recipe site from Detoxinista.

Pecan Date Truffles  will make you the Queen/King of every cookie exchange party there is:

Pecan Date Truffles (Vegan, Paleo) 

Author: Detoxinista.com
Prep time: 30 mins Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 24

Naturally sweetened with dates and enhanced with a hint of salt, these bite-sized truffles are delicious on their own, but they are downright addictive when coated melted dark chocolate. The crisp dark chocolate shell is the perfect contrast to the buttery, rich pecan centers. These truffles make an impressive dessert to bring to a party, and a delicious treat to keep on hand in your freezer!

Ingredients
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup raw pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup 70% dark chocolate chips, for coating

Instructions 
In a large food processor, combine all of the ingredients and process until a sticky dough is formed. Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and use your hands to roll into smooth balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy removal. Place the tray in the freezer to set for 30 minutes.

Melt the cup of dark chocolate chips (5 minutes in a 400F oven does the trick), and remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Roll each ball in the melted dark chocolate, then return them to the parchment paper to set. If you'd like to sprinkle some crushed pecans or coconut on top for decoration, be sure to do it while the chocolate is still melted-- it will solidify quickly on the chilled truffles!

Return the chocolate truffles to the fridge or freezer until ready to serve.

 *Note: For a chocolate-filled variation, add 1/4 cup cocoa powder before processing the filling ingredients.

ENJOY!

Prayers for the Victims of the Plane Crash near Gilroy's Frazer Lake Airport, Yesterday Sunday

I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims killed in yesterday's plane crash nearby Gilroy's Frazier Lake Airport. Prayers to all of you, R.I.P.

Go Orange For Dinner - 20 Things You Can Do With Left-Over Pumpkin

 

Put your pumpkin decoration to use as long as they look nice in front of your house.  Here are 20 great pumpkin recipes  even Cinderella would approve of. 

Go Pumpkin for dinner!

This Month in Real Estate, November 2014 - Gilroy Edition

As we are entering the holiday season, sales were expected to be down from last month. The median home price looks still solid  although down a few percent from last month due to a softer seasonal market. Freddie Mac reported today, November 6, that mortgage rates have moved higher for second consecutive week now.

We Are The People!

Exciting day for me - my first vote since I have been sworn in as a US citizen. "If you sleep in democracy, you will wake up with another Hitler," my German grandma used to say (I think she borrowed Rousseau's words for that).

A Gilroy Neighborhood Hero

This is my granddaughter's neighborhood hero and it is about time to make this public. For the past decade, this man is making and giving away free cotton candy every Halloween to every kid who comes by. This is the secret spot on a side street off 6th street in downtown historic Gilroy - the highlight of our trick and treat pilgrimage. Thank you from the bottom of my heart in the name of all your neighbors and their kids - you are a hero.

Hot Dogs For Your Large Giants Fans Crowd!

Hot Dogs for a Crowd of Giants Fans!

You did not get tickets for the World Series Giants game tonight but still want to party? One question on my US citizenship test was, "what food do baseball fans eat during every inning?" Hot dogs of course! (Just kidding).

However, this is how you pass the test to prepare Hot Dogs for a large Giants fans crowd:

You get 60 standing hot dogs in a 6-quart crockpot. Stand hotdogs on end if you're trying to cram in 60. If not, you can just dump them in.

There's no need to add water. This is for two reasons: 1, the hotdogs will release moisture all on their own, and 2, if you have a crockpot full of hot dog water it'll just be kind of gross to dig through the water to pick them out. and 3 (I lied, there are 3 reasons) if the hotdogs hang out in hot water for too long they'll end up splitting on you.

Cover, and cook on low for 4 hours, or on high for about 2 hours--check to make sure the ones in the middle are fully hot before serving. Serve with tongs into regular or pretzel buns, and top with desired fixens' like onions, pickles, cheese, mustard, and ketchup.

Your dogs can stay on the "warm" setting for an awfully long time. If your pot has a hot spot (mine does), the dogs on the edge will get kind of crispy and blackened, which will COMPLETELY fool your 10-year-old into thinking you learned how to barbecue.

Goooooooo Giants!

Mark Your Calendar, Sunday November 2nd!

Time to Plan(t) the Frozen Crop

You heard right. My garden never sleeps. This is Northern California and there are plenty of herbs and vegetables which will grow well in fall and winter, some of them even better than in the summer heat.

A mint jungle is growing around my house, and I just recently learned that this might be the reason we have no ants at all. Not only do we enjoy the aroma of different herbs during the different seasons such as melissa in spring, the drought resistant lavender and rosemary in summer, and mint all year long, we also distille oils from them. Melissa oil is a highly sought after commodity and lavender can be dried and sown into herb sachets - great holiday gift btw.

I plant all my vegetables in high-risers.  Arugula, lettuce, radishes, brussels sprouts and spinach are great cold season crops. To provide for the few frosty days and nights we have here, I put a cold frame over my high-riser and leave the windows open when it is mild and close it shut during the Siberian nights.The frames are easy to built but if you need an even easier protection, just put a loose plastic cover over your high-riser thrown over plastic pipes and held in place with rocks on the edges - not fancy but adequate.

 Garden lovage, see picture below, or as we call it in Germany, Maggi herb, is another good plant for winter months. During summer you have to cut it down or you will end up with a forest of garden lovage overgrowing your place. The aromatic herb gives every stew and soup a great hearty taste, is full of vitamins, and you only need a few leaves per recipe (don't overdose or you will hang on to your toilet seat for 24 hours).

.

I feel lucky living in a climate that allows me to garden all year round. The winter crops are a welcome variety to the tomatoes and summer squash, prevents the soil from erosion and replenishes it with nutrients. I look for heirlooms and non GMO seeds. Organic gardening was the reason for me to start one to begin with.

Digging in the dirt also has a spiritual aspect. It keeps me grounded in times of stress, and gives me the necessary exercise to keep my glucose level balanced. Very often, a couple of helpers show up with my granddaughter eager to learn what herbs  grow well together and which one will end up in today's supper- biodynamic gardening , nutrition and biology education hands on.

My Birthday Present From The Universe

Tomorrow, Oct. 8, in the morning before sunrise, take the time and watch the moon. It will be a colorful red moon - a total lunar eclipse - my present from the universe for my 55th birthday. Thank you universe and I will sure watch. Will try to shoot some photos before I commute to work.

Let's Go See The Pumpkin Hill

My little granddaughter Adriana is bugging me already, "let's go to Uesugi Farms to see the pumpkin hill." To be honest, we all love to hang out there, drive the little choo-choo and load up our wheelbarrow with all kinds of different looking pumpkins to decorate our home. Fall isn't fall without a trip to Uesugi on 14485 Monterey Road in San Martin.

Zucchini Fettucine Alfredo-style with Mushrooms

This is a recipe for all my fellow diabetics who need to cut down on pasta. I borrowed the basic zucchini fettucine idea from California Bountiful and was amazed how the zucchini really taste like pasta when prepared like that and make fettucine in this recipe a  good choice.

My recipe is enough for 4 people :
Peel 4 zucchinis into fettucine with the potato peeler including the outer green. Then heat olive oil in a frying pan with some chopped garlic but don't let it burn. Add pepperoncino, some nutmeg, salt, pepper, a tiny bit turmeric, the mushrooms of your choice and the zucchini fettucine. Only fry everything for a few minutes, mix with tongues, don't fry too long or they get mushy. I had about 1/2 a cup heavy cream left over in the fridge, poured it in and sprinkled grated cheese over it. I added fresh chopped basile and oregano before serving. Voila!

We had a roasted pork loin wrapped in bacon with it but you can as well eat the fettucine as healthy vegetarian meal by itself.

This Month in Real Estate - October 2014 Gilroy Edition

The number of home sales in Gilroy are up compared to last month but slightly down compared to last year. The good news for homeowners: The median Gilroy home price is considerably up compared to last year and even to last month we are 6% up.

The ratio between active inventory on the market and homes sold over a certain period of time is called the absorption rate. The higher the rate, the more buyer friendly is the market. Today's absorption rate of the Gilroy residential real estate market lies between 4 and 5 % which indicates a shift from the 100% seller's market with scarce inventory which we have seen in spring 2014 to a more balanced market with less bidding wars but still strong sales numbers. Many first-time homebuyers want to take advantage of the current low interest rates to become homeowners instead of renting.

All in all I would call this a win-win market in October for sellers and buyers. Homeowners are still experiencing an increase in equity and buyers have low interest rates as incentive to purchase.

Call me for a free consultation at 408.706.0671   should you think of buying or selling - no strings attached of course.

 Happy Fall everyone!

Pomegranate Cowgirl Icecream

I promised you Pomegranate recipes - here is Numero Uno:

A no frills ice cream recipe, no need for fancy schmanzy equipment. Nothing but homegrown, organic not genetically modified ingredients.

Warning: I grew up with the metric system so you need to convert my measurements into your cups, stones, bushels and pinches if you can't do metric. I apologize for the extra step.

If you do not have fresh pomegranates, you can also substitute with 175 ml POM juice.

Ingredients:

3 pomegranates

1 lime

175 grams icing sugar
 Shaved dark chocolate to taste

500 ml double cream

• Juice two of the pomegranates as well as the lime. Strain the juices into a bowl. Save the third pomegranate to use the kernels for decoration later.
• Add icing sugar and whisk until it dissolves
• Whisk in the double cream until soft peaks form in the pale pink cream 
• Shave some dark chocolate into the ice cream and fold the deco seeds in
• Spoon and smooth the ice cream into an airtight container
• Freeze 5 hrs, overnight is even better                                                                                                                                                           Bon Appetite!    

Pony Up For Dreams - Bluegrass, Horses, Country Store, BBQ and Family Fun

 

Tours on a wagon, horse parade, a country store, and great food and bluegrass music, what more can you ask for? This fundraiser is not only fun, it will also benefit all the wonderful DreamPower programs such as therapeutic riding for special needs kids, our free veterans program, preschoolers, and so many more. Hurry up to buy your tickets in advance via Pay Pal or at the DreamPower Ranch on Wood Myst Farm, Crews Road! There will be no ticket sale at the door so giddy up!

 More info here

The homemade, handmade, and homegrown items sold at the country store should be a special attraction. I can't wait to see Garry Stauber's newest knife to be sold there and I donated my homemade jams, made with blue agave syrup instead of sugar - a healthier choice in my opinion.

Hello Gorgeous Fashion Show - Latest Hair Trends For A Good Cause

Don't miss this opportunity to check out the latest hair trends while helping a good cause: Coming Sunday, October 5th, at 2PM at Hello Gorgeous Hair Specialists on 8060 Santa Teresa Blvd., in Gilroy.

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Personal invitation from the owner of Hello Gorgeous:

Hello beautiful people! It's one of my favorite times of the year and the annual fashion/hair show is back! I absolutely LOVE this event. Not only is it loads of fun with a silent auction, fashion/hair show, Dj, food and drinks, but it's also to benefit abused children through ChildHelp USA!

Absolutely everything from the ticket sales, clothing, hair artwork, makeup, auction items and so on is donated. Pre-sale tickets are $25 and at the door it's $35!

Everyone is welcome! This is an important event to me. I know people have busy lives, but if you can find the time to make it, it would mean the absolute world to me!

If anyone wants to donate to the event, please let me know or call the salon directly (408) 846-0000!

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For my upcoming 55th birthday and trip to Hollywood, I got my make-over last weekend at Hello Gorgeous from my favorite stylist, my daughter Sarah Bichler: Hi lights, low lights, and make-up - check out yourself the before and after pictures. I am ready for the walk of fame!

Leaving Leaves in the Gutter Means Leaving Dollars In Escrow

It usually costs me one homemade apple pie to get my husband cleaning the leaves out of the gutters in fall but it's worth it!

One of those items that always appears on home inspection reports is indeed "Gutter needs to be cleaned."
You would be surprised at the added expense to the seller for this very easy to do task.

Pommegranate Harvest

The Fruit of the Gods as it is called, is hanging red and heavy from my tree. It's time to harvest the pomegranates and use them in salads, cheescakes, smoothies, cookies and even stews.

I will post different recipes in the upcoming fall season to promote this super fruit a little bit. It is one of my favorite.

Today I will mix the kernels into a salad of mixed spring greens together with candied walnuts, feta cheese, and pears tossed in a vinaigrette made of olive oil, lemon juice, a tiny bit balsamico for the taste (not too much as we have lemon as main acidic ingredient), salt, pepper and a little bit garlic. Not of this world!

And yes, you read correctly, it is the juicy kernels you use from this fruit.The best way to separate the kernels from the fruit is to break the pomegranate into pieces in a big bowl of water. Then pull the kernels out with your fingers UNDER water to prevent the kernels from bursing.

Once you are done, you will notice that the kernels remain on the bottom of the bowl while fibers from the fruit swim on top. Pour the water and the fibers out and voila, you have the kernels ready to use.   Here is a video showing you the process.

Storytelling Quilts

 Our Academic overlords not always recognize quilting as an art form. In my opinion, and if it is done right, it is one of the most extraordinary art forms we have combined with craftsmanship to perfection and a history lesson one square at a time. There is a quilt made by a migrant worker telling the story of her family, a Celtic wedding tree quilt from a Scottish immigrant, a Chinese dragon quilt, and Native American motives telling stories of great nations not to be forgotten, and there are the new themes of the younger generation such as a quilt showing comic book hero Superman and buddies. Every quilt has something to tell, a personal point of view stitched into fabric. Go check it out today, free admission and free parking. This is the largest quilt show here in the South County and part of the A Taste of Morgan Hill event currently taking place.

The above two examples are only two of many. The Frozen quilt was definitely the favorite one of my little granddaughter and I promptly got an order from her to make her one for her birthday. The patriotic quilt is part of a fundraiser benefiting veterans.

PorchFest Gilroy - Free Music Festival in Your Neighborhood

Welcome to the first annual PorchFest Gilroy. A gathering of local Gilroy musicians performing from the quaint porches of Hanna Street residents' homes. PorchFest Gilroy is a roaming neighborhood festivity for neighbors and community of all ages. The Saturday afternoon celebration brings the community together enjoying the tree lines of Hanna Street highlighting Gilroy as a welcoming place to live. Come join the fun, all Gilroy neighbors are invited!

Saturday, September 20th, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

HANNA Street, between 3rd and 6th Streets, Gilroy, CA

Porchfest Gilroy 2014 Musician Line-up
Please Note: Addresses go from North ( at 3rd St.) to South at 6th St.)


1:00 - 1:45

7691 Hanna St. Mariah Silva and The Usuals Rock
7550 Hanna St. Gilbert (cowboygil) Guerrerro Country Western & Pop
391 5th St. Herman Schmaltzried Austrian and German Folk Music
7451 Hanna St. Alvaro Juarez

1:45 - 2:30

7631 Hanna St. Janet Thompson Acoustic Blues
7551 Hanna St. Brandon Guevara Latin Percussion
366 5th St. Melissa Blas String Band
7430 Hanna St. Richard Simunic Bluer than Blue, Blues

2:30 - 3:15

7691 Hanna St. Liver and Onions Acoustic Classic Rock
7631 Hanna St. Bodfish Folk/Americana
7580 Hanna St. Adriel Berger Acoustic Alternative
391 5th St. Kendra Denson Cellist
7451 Hanna St. Patti Lemon Jazz, Vocalist

3:15 - 4:00

7631 Hanna St. Eric, Janet, and friends Folk/Americana
7571 Hanna St. Sam Woolsey Guitar and Harmonica
7540 Hanna St. Sufani Garza Contemporary and Alternative Rock
366 5th St. Bill Lowrey Jazz from 20's and 30's
7430 Hanna St. Headstrong Classic and Alternative Rock

4:00 - 4:45

7691 Hanna St. Salt the Bone Alternative Rock and Blues
7580 Hanna St. A Good Buzz Classic Rock and Blues
7460 Hanna St. Mariachi Estrelar Mariachi Music

This is a FREE Family-Oriented Musical Walkabout
Local Musicians Play on Residents' Porches as Neighbours Walk
or Ride Bikes from Porch to Porch

Discover the Violin in Gilroy

My 7-year-old granddaughter started in a new Elementary school this week in Gilroy, at Antonio del Buono - go Wolves!

The many extra curricular opportunities is one reason why we love this school. I strongly support to give all children as many opportunities to try out new things as possible and learning an instrument is such a precious chance to discover a maybe lifelong love for music.

Today was the information meeting for the violin program. The program is free and the school lends the instruments to the kids. What more can you ask for?

 The instructor with the German name, Lori Franke (have to further investigate whether she or her husband or both have German roots - inquiring German minds want to know LOL) is an excellent musician and educator and  has lots of accomplishments to show on her bio. She founded a renowned private violin school, The South Valley Suzuki String Academy - things to do in Gilroy which I did not even know exist.

Of course I allowed Adriana to enroll. I hope that music will become a treasured part of her life just as it had become in my one when I started to learn guitar and flute as a second grader. My sister played a melodica, my father harmonica and my grandmother sang all day long. Most people in my German hometown in the Bavarian Alps love music and play an instrument. Famous violin builders come from there. One of my cousins is a violin builder.

I look forward to be involved in that program and listen to Addy practicing even if it squeeks the fillings out of my teeth in the beginning.

Tea With the Queen at Northern California Renaissance Faire

The Northern California Renaissance Faire is upon us. Have tea with the Queen, get your Celtic Experience or listen to a Celtic Rock Concert here in Gilroy at Casa De Fruta on Pacheco Pass Hwy.Check out their schedule and different festivities.