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San Martin Chamber of Commerce Making Things Happen Written & Submitted By Connie Ludewig San Martin Chamber of Commerce S an Martin conversations may include recommend- ing an insurance agent, or comparing schedules for 4-H and Boy Scouts, then lead into “did you know there are monthly Coffee with a Cop meetings, hosted by the CHP?” In October, San Martin Chamber of Commerce hosted Candidates Night so residents could make an educated choice. Sometimes there is confusion about the monthly San Martin Planning Advisory Committee (appointed and scheduled by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors), who meet every 4 th  Thursday and San Martin Neighborhood Alliance, who invited HSR representatives to answer questions specific to San Martin. And then there is the topic of the Trash Bash. Wow, volunteers did a great job cleaning up the roads; they ROCK! But it’s not often that the topics of the “Tiki Lifestyle and Retro Life” are broached! Are you familiar with this interesting Culture, or do you wonder what is it all about; and why I ask?  With the holiday hustle and bustle upon us, community representatives are enjoying a break until January to enjoy the holiday cheer. Families yearn to jet away to the tropics to enjoy the warmth and relaxation. For some, that dream is a lifestyle that includes Tiki holiday decorations, tropical pikake or hibiscus hair accessories, with a ‘flower-everything’ wardrobe; including vintage Tiki purses and bracelets!   It’s refreshing to be around someone with a zest for life who volunteers and shares talents and experiences. Brigitte Crawford has embraced this Tiki way of life. She has been involved in the South County community for almost two decades, and presently volunteers for several local organizations. She is always wearing a smile (and maybe some funky white-rim shades). Recently, she accepted the SMCoC Board nomination as President. Welcome Brigitte to the San Martin Chamber!  A self-employed Personal Trainer and Nutritionist, Brigitte believes in preserving the sense of community that comes from small town living. “Sharing the treasures of commerce that San Martin has to offer is a big part of the community’s identity, as well as building the SMCoC to enrich local residents, our neighbors in South County, and all of those others who come to visit and experience all that San Martin has to offer. Being elected to serve as SMCoC President is truly an honor” she said.    Wishing all a Merry Christmas (l-r): Brenda LoCicero, Marsha Berlinski, James Myrick, Christine Giusiana, Elise Brentnall, Brigitte Crawford, Jon Mockabee, Allison Shelton, and Tony Stafford. received a hardy welcome. President and COO, Elise Brentnall, announced her companies exciting news about bringing Fiber Optics to San Martin!  For over 30 years, San Martin Gwinn School has hosted its annual Santa’s Breakfast. We hope you will attend this local fundraiser on December 8th from 8am-11am, to support their Home and School Club. This year, SMCoC Charter member, EarthTech Landscape volunteered to donate a six foot decorated Christmas tree for their raffle, on behalf of the Chamber. Thank you for your generosity. SAN MARTIN TRASH BASH Volunteers joined together to clean up illegally dumped trash and litter along San Martin and local waterways.The clean up began at 8:30 am and ended with a complimentary lunch for all volunteers. The event was sponsored by the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance, County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, Santa Clara Valley Water District and the San Martin Chamber of Commerce. What’s New: At the October Winedown Wednesday Community Mixer, hosted by South Valley Internet, Brigitte Crawford 22 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN december 2018-january 2019 gmhtoday.com