The following organizations and individuals deserve either CHEERS or JEERS this week:
CHEERS: For another successful Garlic Festival. Volunteers, organizers, 2006 President Micki Pirozolli, new Executive Director Brian Bowe and, of course, our entire city should be proud of a job well done. It’s 28 years of garlic glory and a rosy future ahead.
JEERS: For CALSTAR’s $20,000 bill sent to the Trejo family following the death of their
5-year-old son. The news this week – that the family’s insurance company will pick up the bill – is only slightly comforting. The truth is, everyone who has insurance ends up paying for those kinds of bills in higher premiums.
CHEERS: For Gilroy High School’s six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. That’s the maximum stamp of approval WASC can give, and the high school staff did its best job in years getting the “passed with flying colors” nod.
JEERS: For Mel Gibson, who made derogatory comments about Jews following his arrest for drunken driving. What a mean-spirited slob. The only good news that comes from this incident is a sober reminder of something that’s way out of kilter in our society: hero-like status for actors and actresses. More often than not, it’s bestowed not for character and accomplishment, but for mere film presence. The true heroes often live down the block, not on the silver screen.
CHEERS: For John Bisceglie’s latest Gilroy production, “Totally Rockin’ Temple of Boom-erang.” In true Bisceglie tradition, audiences are treated to a non-stop explosion of entertainment. Zany plots, upbeat tunes, costumes that would make Cher jealous and sets that dazzle the senses are all part of the Bisceglie formula. Ultimately, it’s all about fun for the audience and for the performers. Catch a show at Christopher Ranch this weekend and leave smiling with a lighter heart. Curtains part at 7:30pm, tickets are $12. Call 848-3630 for information.
CHEERS: For all the local students who participate in the Future Farmers of America program. It’s the highlight of the season for those FFA students who raise animals. It’s Santa Clara County Fair time where animals are shown and sold. The value of the FFA program, unfortunately, is sometimes underestimated. Besides learning responsibility and leadership, participants come away with a keen sense of the connection between the land and the dinner table.
