Driving along in my automobile on a fine Gilroy August day and
heard a radio ad jingle
… wasn’t so long ago that we were all told how the California
Lottery was going to solve all our school funding problems in
perpetuity.
”
Please play responsibly,
”
said the silky voice at the end of the ad urging you to gamble,
gamble, gamble. Me, I contemplated the $150 million Gilroy school
bond coming to the November ballot, starting teacher salaries and
the siren song of quick fixes that have become a fixture in our
culture.
Driving along in my automobile on a fine Gilroy August day and heard a radio ad jingle … wasn’t so long ago that we were all told how the California Lottery was going to solve all our school funding problems in perpetuity. “Please play responsibly,” said the silky voice at the end of the ad urging you to gamble, gamble, gamble. Me, I contemplated the $150 million Gilroy school bond coming to the November ballot, starting teacher salaries and the siren song of quick fixes that have become a fixture in our culture.
Throw a little dance number in with that siren song and you have Carl Guardino, former honcho of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, turned actor starring in the sequel horror flick “The Vampire Tax Man Cometh XII.” Guardino, who has headed something like 12 we-want-more-cash tax initiatives just wants a little blood this time, a 1/8-cent increase in the Santa Clara County sales tax to fund maintenance and operations for BART-to-San Jose IF the project ever gets built. Imagine all those SVLG Board members with six-figure salaries and stock options sitting at the table going, “It’s just 1/8-cent, let’s …” Let’s just spend their money. Just remember the California Lottery when you’re ready to vote on that “slight” tax increase for BART.
BART’s close to Brett (and they’re both train wrecks), which brings us to Jeff – Mr. Garcia, that is, who should now gets his well-deserved contract extension from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now that Mr. Favre is headed to the New York Jets. Whew! Hope Jeff gets off to a good start this season, otherwise the signs and howls of “Where’s Brett?,” will be out in force.
May the force be with Ms. Karen La Corte this Saturday as she sails the ship to sea on a Shakespearean adventure Saturday unveiling her last fashion show extravaganza fundraiser for Leadership Gilroy. Scouring the program, I found just about everything but Ron Pray coming out in a St. Francis Lancers cheerleading outfit and I’m just not sure it’s truly “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” without that number, though with Gene Sakahara and Sam Bozzo walking the runway hand-in-hand as punk fairies it’s pretty darn close. If that’s not enough, Garlic Festival President Ed Struzik, Don De Lorenzo, George Parrish and Father Daniel Joseph Derry are in a number headlined “I’m Bringing Sexy Back.” Forgive me Father, but Karen does have quite the imagination. Cocktails at 6:30, dinner at 7:30 at Bonfante Gardens. Limited tickets available from Ms. Brigitte Nicholls at South Valley National Bank. The $85 includes a day pass to Gilroy Gardens, parking, dinner and z show. Video online early next week. How could we not?
Ms. La Corte doesn’t limit her contributions to Leadership either, she contributed to the Gilroy Foundation as well, enjoying a fabulous wine cooler (or two) at the best booth ever at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Bottom line profits at the Foundation booth might get close to posting a 100 percent increase this year, but Donna Pray is still doing all the math before making any stirring announcement.
Revenue numbers all around the Garlic Festival were up, up, up according to President Struzik who relayed that Gourmet Alley, the Chamber beer concession and sales in general all seemed to enjoy a better-than-inflation increase that virtually matched the attendance increase of 7 percent. Next week, we’ll follow with a news story to present a clearer picture, but it’s ca-ching, ca-ching again from the magical fest … yet there’s that business about the thick-steak calamari that didn’t cut it. Struzik said the vendor told the Festival he couldn’t deliver the thin, delectable calamari that curls perfectly in the big fry pans a week before the gates were going to open. This despite the huge order being placed far in advance. Hmmm … vendors who don’t deliver should be sentenced to do business with the Mushroom Mardi Gras.
Have to go out of town to get the best ‘shrooms on a steak at Original Joe’s in downtown San Jose, but if you want a good casual meal close to home stop in and meet the new guys, Bruce and Art Carson, who are now running the grill at the Gilroy Golf Course. There are even nice tables for two set outside for patio dining, perfect for a relaxing and quick lunch.
Relaxing and quick describe the trip to a San Jose Giants game, too. And Deb Sanchez is happy to invite all Gilroyans to support Relay for Life and have a good time at a minor league ballpark. Now that’s a good deal. The game is Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. and it’s just $5 a ticket. That’s a deal that allows you to take the whole family. E-mail Mi**********@*****er.net for the 4-1-1.
Another way to lend a helping hand – help clean up the brush, paths and deadwood around the Gilroy Hot Springs Saturday to make it fire safe. If you’ve never seen the hot springs, it’s cool, though it’s too bad they aren’t in use for a fee. Anyway, rangers would like you to “bring your gloves and tools, and roll up your sleeves,” in addition to packing a lunch. Meet at the Hunting Hollow parking lot 8:15 a.m. to carpool. Directions:
