While we're on the subject of running faster and smoother, socks off to Supt. Flores who smoked the women's competition in the 50- to 59-year-old age group at this past Saturday's Run for the Stinkin' Roses. Her time: 46:02 - minutes in front of the second-place finisher. Nice to have a supe who can hit the ground running …

And we have to give a nod to the "Old Guys Rule" Club. Gilroyan Richard Young and San Martinian Bill Flodberg, who both have been around the block many times, handled the 5K race beautifully - both are 74 years old … also noteworthy Richard's daughter, Ashley, made it to the third round in the big poker tourney in Vegas finishing just out of the money. Prize pool: $64,333,600, the largest in history …

… Note to Uncle/Father Dan who recently turned 70: There's still hope for some good tennis even with those two "new" knees. St. Mary's students can stop by after Mass and see Fr. Dan's new pup, appropriately named Bandita. Watch out, though, don't leave your flip-flops laying around for more than 2 seconds …

And no, Mr. Tom Lewis, I'm not flip-flopping on the issue of Council members meeting in less-than-quorum groups of three … citing a "Jeer" written in 2005, he wrote a letter (coming Tuesday) asking Mr. Editor (that would be moi) the question. The answer: I don't like it, never have, never will whether it's Bob Dillon, Perry Woodward and Craig Gartman or Dion Bracco, Al Pinheiro and Peter Arellano. Serious policy discussions should take place on the dais so that the public understands the issues, the thought processes and can connect the dots to the outcome. It's also silly - and just as harmful if not more so - when politicians put their personal

"ha-ha-I-got-you-back" agendas ahead of the public good …

Though initially skeptical about the whole process, I have to say that the recommended motto for the city compiled by Kat Filice the owner of Articulate Solutions, both articulates the essence of Gilroy and captures our spirit. "A community with a spice for life," is a wonderful nod to our garlic fame and our can-do attitude. It says something true and good about Gilroy, and I'd welcome it on city stationary, entry signs to Gilroy and on an archway downtown … other suggestions - like "We're in the middle of it all" and "Respect for our past, vision for our future" - trailed far behind … though we could use the former as a slogan to drape over the City Council dais …

But I digress, happily, to the politics of dog parking and must thank Donna Pray for pointing out that a Gilroy dog park is in the offing at Las Animas Veterans Park. Foolish me assumed it didn't make the budget cut list, but Donna, the purveyor, BTW, of the finest wine coolers and sangria at the Great Gilroy Garlic Festival at the Gilroy Foundation booth, assures me that she's seen the line item in the budget and it's a go for a start in August. Ms. Pray will be doing some fundraising to ensure the park's longevity … Can't wait to see her with the Girl Scout uniform on selling canine cookies in front of Nob Hill ... put me on the donation list, and

"Help Me Donna …"

She's getting some help, too, at the Foundation with the hiring of Leighan Perales to assist in events and fundraising and, I'm sure, many other activities. Good move, Foundation folks … now we've got the new principal (John) at Christopher High literally married up to the Foundation … sweet …

And for Solis Winery - a sweet showing in the very prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition - emphasis on international. A couple of silvers and a like number of bronze awards will adorn the Vanni family tasting room on Hecker Pass. Hang the silvers around the bottleneck for the '04 Syrah and '05 Estate Merlot. The '04 Cara Mia Meritage and '04 Estate Sangiovese earned bronze honors ... just another reason to pass up the beer and drink wine at the Rotary tent at this year's Garlic Festival.

And that didn't make the "Top 10 things to do list at the Gilroy Garlic Festival" list in the LA Times, which included this: 4. Sample some scampi or calamari or some of the other delicacies in Gourmet Alley. If you're with a group, have everyone buy one item and swap samples. Select a winner.

A better list next week, I promise.

Mark Derry Mark Derry is the executive editor of the Gilroy Dispatch. Reach him at (408)847-7010 or editor@garlic.com.