Rough week amidst continuing economic bad news and the gang
violence threat that’s more than clear … but I smiled when I paid
$1.99 at Plaza Gas at the Garlic Farm for a gallon of gas.
Rough week amidst continuing economic bad news and the gang violence threat that’s more than clear … but I smiled when I paid $1.99 at Plaza Gas at the Garlic Farm for a gallon of gas. Bozzo’s Union 76 on First Street is always a good bet, too. The prices are consistently fair there and often better than most – small consolation, but …
And at long last, Gilroyans and our welcome shoppers can travel the back way from the outlets to the Tenth Street shopping centers … vroom, vroom over the Sixth Street Bridge which is opening with great fanfare on Saturday. Hopefully, Gilroy can keep those shoppers here a bit longer. Lord knows those precious sales tax dollars are needed here now and I sure hope the signage directing folks from one place to the other is visible and well placed.
And that will be a good thing when Thanksgiving night Midnight Madness shoppers take to the streets after their turkey day feast in search of that perfect Christmas gift bargain at the Gilroy Premium Outlets. The outlets appear to be, as originally advertised, recession proof – at least thus far. That’s according to General Manager Jeannie Omel who reports brisk and steady sales. That’s a real bright spot for Gilroy since about 20 percent of the sales tax revenue that flows into the city comes from outlet sales. Ca-ching … the Midnight Madness promo with stores opening at the magic stroke of 12, has been such a success that the CHP has developed a traffic plan a la the Garlic Fest. Turkey, nap, football for the guys, shop for the gals … now that’s an American holiday.
Though the weather’s been whacky warm lately, the cold is coming and a nice fire in the hearth can be a comfort as well as an energy bill saver. LJB Farms has a really nice service. Russ Bonino and company will deliver wood to your door stacked neatly on a pallet and driven via forklift right to the spot where you want it. Saw him driving around town, forklift in tow last weekend – our own winter wood farmer. Buzz him at 842-9755.
In case you get worn out on home cooking over the Thanksgiving break, don’t forget that Gilroy’s own downtown gem, OD’s Kitchen (I always want to call it ODwon Kanobe’s), is now open for dinner until 9 p.m. Everything from grilled shrimp salad to Gilroy garlic steak graces the new menu, all done in down-home OD’s style. Oh, and there are Los Angeles, er, oooops, Oakland Raider fans working there, so watch your snickers at Sunday breakfast.
Memories are about all Raider fans have these days … in that vein somebody sent me an enjoyable “memory” quiz this week that had questions like:
4. Good night David …
A. Good night Gracie
B. Sleep well
C. Good night Irene
D. Good night, Chet
E. See you later alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night Steve
and
12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women’s stockings …
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway
I’ll put the whole quiz online at the end of my column, it would make for good fun at the Thanksgiving table.
Off the table, I’m intrigued by state Sen. Joe Simitian’s eighth annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest. The deadline is Dec. 1 to send him a suggestion for a new law. Says the PR pitch, “The winner or winners will have their ideas introduced as legislation, and get to testify at a hearing on their bill in the State Capitol.” You can get an application at www.senatorsimitian.com … that’s cool, and I have two proposals: 1) There should be a law limiting the number of laws the state legislature can pass each year and 2) For every suggestion the good senator gets, he agrees to find a law worthy of repeal and pursues just that.
While I’m on suggestions, wouldn’t it be nice if all government organizations and quasi-government organizations made it easy to find who’s in charge, or who’s on the board on their Web sites. If you’re in charge of a group like this, and that info’s not there, please consider a change. And please make sure you can e-mail those in charge directly. Take the Gilroy Gardens Web site. The park is now owned by the city and the board of directors is listed there, but there’s no way to e-mail those folks from the site. The Web’s all about communication and information …
There are big holiday plans at the aforementioned Gardens – Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang highlight festivities beginning Dec. 5. Ice skating, a traditional holiday feast, visits with Santa. All good stuff. An invitation to Gilroy for a family night at the Gardens would be a nice Christmas present indeed. Remember, “Shop at Home, It’s Good for Gilroy.” That’s my theme, and I’m stickin’ to it.
This is NOT a pushover test. There are 20 questions. Average score is 12;
it will help if you are over 60! This one will be difficult for the younger
set. Have fun, but no peeking! When you forward this to your
friends/family, put your score in the subject line & let them know your
score. Don’t forget to forward it to me, as well. Good luck youngsters.
1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil
2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was…
A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
D. Rudolph Valentino
E. Fabian
F. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay
3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, ‘We have met the
enemy and…
A. It’s you
B. He is us
C. It’s the Grinch
D. He wasn’t home
E. He’s really me an
F. We quit
G. He surrendered
4. Good night David.
A. Good night, Chet
B. Sleep well
C. Good night Irene
D. Good night Gracie
E. See you later alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night Steve
5. You’ll wonder where the yellow went…
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons
C. When you clean your tub
D. If you paint the room blue
E. If you buy a soft water tank
F. When you use Lady Clairol
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. Before he was the Skipper’s Little Buddy, Bob Denver was
Dobie Gillis’s friend…
A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G. Krebbs
E. Corky B.. Dork
F. Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo
7. Liar, liar….
A. You’re a liar
B. Your nose is growing
C. Pants on fire
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher
F. On the wire
G. I’m telling Mom
8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never
ending battle for truth, justice and…
A. Wheaties
B. Lois Lane
C. TV ratings
D. World peace
E. Red tights
F. The American way
G. News headlines
9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It’s time for Yogi Bear
B. It’s time to do your homework
C. It’s Howdy Doody Time
D. It’s Time for Romper Room
E. It’s bedtime
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour
G. Scooby Doo Time
10. Lions and tigers and bears…
A. Yikes
B. Oh no
C. Gee whiz
D. I’m scared
E. Oh my!
F. Help! Help!
G. Let’s run
11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone…
A. Over 40
B. Wearing a uniform
C. Carrying a briefcase
D. Over 30
E. You don’t know
F. Who says, ‘Trust me’
G. Who eats tofu
12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial
wearing women’s stockings…
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway
13. Brylcream…
A. Smear it on
B. Go for the Goo!
C. Tame that cowlick
D. Grease ball heaven
E. It’s a dream
F. We’re your team
G. A little dab’ll do ya
14. I found my thrill…
A. In Blueberry muffins
B. With my man, Bill
C. Down at the mill
D. Over the windowsill
E. With thyme and dill
F. Too late to enjoy
G. On Blueberry Hill
15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by….
A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G. Jay Leno
16. Name the Beatles:
A. John , Steve, George, Ringo
B. John , Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John , Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John , Paul, George, Ringo
17. I wonder, wonder, wonder, who..
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?
18. I’m strong to the finish…
A. Cause I eats my broccoli
B. Cause I eats me spinach
C. Cause I lift weights
D. Cause I ‘m the hero
E. And don’t you forget it
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
G. To outlast Bluto
19. When it’s least expected, you’re elected, you’re the star
today…
A. Smile, you’re on Candid Camera
B. Smile, you’re on Star Search
C. Smile, you won the lottery
D. Smile, we’re watching you
E. Smile, the world sees you
F. Smile, you’re a hit
G. Smile, you’re on TV
20. What do M & M’s do?
A. Make your tummy happy
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
C. Make you fat
D. Melt your heart
E. Make you popular
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
G. Come in colors
Below are the right answers:
1. D – Wonder Bread
2. G – Cassius Clay
3. B – He Is Us
4. A – Good night, Chet
5. G – When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D – Maynard G. Krebbs
7. C – Pants On Fire
8. F – The American Way
9. C – It’s Howdy Doody Time
10. E – Oh My
11. D – Over 30
12. C – Joe Namath
13. G – A little dab’ll do ya
14. G – On Blueberry Hill
15. B – Mary Martin
16. G – John , Paul, George, Ringo
17. D – Who wrote the book of Love
18. B – Cause I eats me spinach
19. A – Smile, you’re on Candid Camera
20. F – Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand
