San Bruno, CA|News|
Gilroy Garlic Festival Firsts: What's New This Year
From the food to the entertainment to the competitions, this festival's got it all.

I am all about being available to my community so here are two ways you can contact me: via email at mayra.marcotteATpatch.com or on the phone at 408-623-5145
A little about myself: Mayra Flores De Marcotte is a first generation Mexican American. Both her parents were immigrants, with similar stories as many that came before and after them. Her first language is Spanish and she is still fluent.
Her parents learned English when she started school and later were naturalized to gain the right to vote.
Education has always been important in the family and a driving force growing up. Mayra became the first to attend and graduate college. She is a San Jose State University graduate with a degree in Journalism.
Mayra has worked in the field for about 10 years in various capacities and on various platforms.
She is a recipient of four California Teachers Association John Swett Awards for Media Excellence for her coverage of education and schools in the Santa Clara County as well as two San Francisco Peninsula Press Club Awards and was a Blue Ribbon Finalist for the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
Mayra is married to the love of her life, has a beautiful son, two sassy cats, a sweet dog and a pair of funny chickens.
Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs.
So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them.
In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
My politics are simple. I am pro-civil rights for everyone and pro-equal opportunity to education and healthcare. I think everyone should have a voice and an opportunity to be heard, regardless of what they believe. I feel that if society is educated, other things will follow. I believe in accountability and transparency. I believe in hard work, which sometimes means compromise. Above all else, I believe in fairness in journalism, telling every side's story and letting the readers decide how they feel.
Religion
I was brought up Roman Catholic and went to private catholic schools growing up. I no longer practice, however I understand the importance of religion for others and respect that.
From the food to the entertainment to the competitions, this festival's got it all.

Campbell Police Department is one of several local PDs that pitch in to make sure the big festival is fun for all parties.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're going to the 33rd Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival.
From the food to the entertainment to the competitions, this festival's got it all.
Portera Community Celebration is holding a fundraising event at the Pruneyard Shopping Center tonight.
Cambell's Fire Fighter Paramedic Program was the first in Northern California.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when gearing up for the Garlic Festival. The first: Remember to wear shoes and a shirt.
Two men charged with assault and mayhem in Brian Stow attack now to be arraigned on Aug. 10.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when gearing up for the Garlic Festival. The first: Remember to wear shoes and a shirt.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when gearing up for the Garlic Festival. The first: remember to wear a shirt.
Need a weekend getaway? Check out the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
Setup of the annual festival venue is proceeding slightly ahead of schedule.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're going to the 33rd Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival.
Here's some virtual chatter from Campbell this week on Twitter.
From the food to the entertainment to the competitions, this festival's got it all.
Campbell residents can receive a free pint of ice cream by donating a pint of blood now through the end of August.
Various food events, including competitions, will be held on all three days.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when gearing up for the Garlic Festival. The first: Remember to wear shoes and a shirt.
Campbell's Hero's Comic Book Store represented the Orchard City at one of the largest comic book conventions in the world.
Gary Dunn was once homeless in Cupertino. Now he calls Campbell 'home.' Watch this second installment of a video mini-series on homelessness according to Gary.