Gilroy’s Memorial Day events are alright for all the right
reasons. From the somber tribute to our fallen heroes at the
cemetery to the quaint parade, it’s a perfect slice of Americana in
Gilroy. And, yes, I do think we should figure out a way to involve
the downtown area in the parade route. Maybe a Memorial Day
downtown street food fest or BBQ event post parade? A little
brainstorming ought to work it out. While on the subject, hats off
to those who began and sustained this tradition
– former Mayor Mike Gilroy, Councilman Craig Gartman and
Councilman Bob Dillon. It’s a great thing for Gilroy.
Gilroy’s Memorial Day events are alright for all the right reasons. From the somber tribute to our fallen heroes at the cemetery to the quaint parade, it’s a perfect slice of Americana in Gilroy. And, yes, I do think we should figure out a way to involve the downtown area in the parade route. Maybe a Memorial Day downtown street food fest or BBQ event post parade? A little brainstorming ought to work it out. While on the subject, hats off to those who began and sustained this tradition – former Mayor Mike Gilroy, Councilman Craig Gartman and Councilman Bob Dillon. It’s a great thing for Gilroy.
Also Gilroy good is Don Prieto, our own wonderful Elvis showman. The King has landed his first solo Elvis gig in Las Vegas. Viva! He’ll be at the Flamingo Resort this coming October. Headline pop: “Gilroyans flock to Flamingo.” One for the money, two for the show …
Speaking of flocks, this just into the newsroom – a copy of a letter from one Quentin Levy sent “To the City Administrator and Council of Gilroy: I am writing to you to have the city ordinance Chapter 4, Section 20 repealed or amended. The ‘Green Movement’ has prompted most major cities across the country to change their laws regarding backyard poultry. Gilroy is the only city left in Santa Clara County where backyard poultry raising is not permitted.” Gosh, we’re so not with it … It goes on to extol the virtues of pet ownership, insect control and, of course, fresh food. Don’t know if the Council Roosters (with sincere apologies to Cat Tucker) will go off half-cocked and enact a new backyard chicken coop d’etat law, but I do know that if they do so business for our popular Red Phone feature will leap off the charts …
A new leap for Relay for Life cancer-battling efforts happens Saturday at the Gavilan College track. In the “Bark for Life” event, the relay is literally going to the dogs. Proceeds from the walk (registration starts at noon followed by a one-hour trot) go to fight cancer in our four-legged loved ones. It’s $20 for the first dog, $8 for each additional and registrants get a gift for their pet and a raffle ticket. So, leash Sparky, take a walk and go for the best Relay Spirit award. Heather Nolan has details at bl*********@***oo.com …
Not sure if Heather Nolan would be interested, but ladies here’s your chance to roll in on the ground floor and join the South Bay Mizfitz, a roller derby team from South County. Kimberly Merrill and company are free skating in Gilroy on the Uvas Levee, practicing drills on a basketball court in Morgan Hill and looking for a warehouse home. Interest is high, Merrill says. Websites to check out are www.southbayderbymizfitz.com and a site about the sport set up by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association: http://wftda.com. If you remember Joanie Weston and the San Francisco Bay Bombers, then you know that the sport can be exciting and fun. Now that would be a well-watched exhibition sport for the Garlic Fest – ranch side parking lot featuring the roller derby queens …
Our Garlic Fest Derby King, landscape designer Greg Bozzo, son of Sam, should have a chat with Gilroy Gardens creator and nurseryman Michael Bonfante. Why? Shade, baby, shade – which is just about the only thing the G-Fest needs more of. Trucking in a number of those beautiful trees Michael grows in really big boxes could make a cool customer difference in areas like the Vineyard Stage.
Lots of stages with bands at Disneyland for the Gilroy High seniors, including my Mariah, who boarded the buses Thursday morning for the magical trip to the kingdom. What a great idea for the students just before graduation – nightmare if you’re a nervous Nellie chaperone, of course – but a fabulous way to make indelible memories right before walking the big diploma stage … and you know they’re having a good time when your text message takes more than 30 minutes to get a response …
An emotional response indeed is what bubbles up as Dad puts together the photo slideshow for the youngest daughter’s graduation party. When Mariah, bursting with enthusiasm, blurts out, “That’s awesome,” it describes how I feel about being a Dad …
And since Dad’s day is coming up, I have a suggestion. After six years of abuse and intermittent cleaning, my gas grill needed a house call before I fired up the tri-tip for 80 folks who visited the house for my father-in-law, Lorens Midtgaard’s, 70th birthday bash Saturday. Martin Gross, aka the BBQ doctor, fixed up the flames perfectly. Jingle him at 396-1440 if Dad would really appreciate a “like-new” grill for a present …
“Your present is your presence” was never more true than at Lorens’ 70th as people – and plenty of Danes – came from near and far to celebrate the big day with him. Quite a heartwarming tribute as everyone gathered round and sang the best birthday song ever which includes a boisterous stretch of “Hooray, hooray, hooray …” pronounced who-rah and then made quick work of a towering traditional wreath cake called a kransekake decorated with small Danish and American flags …
Wave the Gilroy flag for Brownell Middle School teacher Aaron Machado, a finalist in Comcast’s All-Star Teacher Award. Online voting continues until July 9 (you have to register, so there is a marketing price to pay), but if Machado wins the school gets $10,000. That’s a good chunk of change, so consider voting at www.CSNBayArea.com.
Not absolutely sure I made all the right choices, but I have mailed in my ballot – and that’s an official reminder.
