Hey, so I really, really like John Melone’s idea of a BBQ competition at the Garlic Festival. It’s a slam dunk match. The son of the late Rudy Melone, co-founder of the festival, could be on to the next big food event at our fest, one that could attract another wave of media attention and add even more zest to the crowd appeal. I watch BBQ Pitmasters on TV. It’s a reality television series which pits three cooks against one another in a timed competition with cash and prizes on the line, including a shot at $50,000 for winning the whole shebang as the Kingsford BBQ Champion. Myron Mixon, the winningest man in BBQ, and BBQ Masters Tuffy Stone and Aaron Franklin are the usual judges. If you like to BBQ or enjoy cooking, it’s a fascinating show filled with a dizzying array of different cookers and methods. Most competitions are held at festivals in the south at places like the Barnesville BBQ and Blues Festival in Georgia, so I’d bet burnt ends from the beef brisket that Myron and company would love to make a beeline for California and the Garlic Festival. The “Pigs in the Park with Garlic” BBQ competition (which I’m sure will have a new name next year) begins at 10:30 a.m. Friday to the right of the Cook-off Stage with the judging at 4:45 p.m. Wander by – maybe they’ll even put out a suggestion box for a new name … Q’d up at the Garlic Fest, Grilling Garlic Gurus, Up in Garlic Smoke … c’mon, ya’ll got one …
Headed to The Grove restaurant for a 15th wedding anniversary meal last week Wednesday. For those of you who remember back a ways, it’s located where the old Sugar Plum Farm, formerly a popular breakfast joint, was. Go out Highway 152 toward Los Banos, take a right at the Don Pacheco Y as if you were headed to Hollister and it’s on your left hand side pretty quick. Frank Leal, the entrepreneurial owner of Leal Vineyards in San Benito County and renovator of the Willow Heights Mansion north of Morgan Hill, has put a lot of work into the facility, indoors and out. If he can iron out a few execution kinks in his smart concept, the place will be a smashing success. Most importantly, the meal – start to finish – was absolutely outstanding. We ordered the “Around the World Wednesday” dinner which was tied to Spain that week: Bacalao with white bean salad, chicken and chorizo paella and sopapillas, $22 a person and half off a bottle of wine on Wednesday. Chef Mark Johnson, son of well-known local developer Cliff, is truly extraordinarily talented and hard-working. The flavor combinations were five-star San Francisco stuff without the fluff – just downright delicious. The outdoor area is expansive and charming with fire, lighting and heat that exudes cozy. Frank’s concept revolves around counter ordering for food and bar. That keeps prices reasonable and the food quality up. A greeter who shepherds patrons through the process would help that and better lighting on the large chalkboard menu is needed, but Miss Jenny and I will certainly be going back and that’s the best endorsement a customer can give.
Endorse the Gilroy Foundation this weekend and stop by our wine cooler tent – booth #5 – at the festival. For a few bucks, you’ll get a smile, some chit chat from the lovely ladies up front, a very refreshing vino cooler and the good feeling that comes from supporting a wonderful local philanthropic organization.
Organizing the urban trails in the city of Gilroy is an ongoing project that recently received a $190,000 grant boost from the Santa Clara Valley Water District for more work on the Ronan Channel Trail. By accident, the Uvas Levee Trail, built to control flooding, has become the city’s most used recreational facility by leaps and bounds. Wonder if Mayor Don Gage put a large segment of urban trail completion on his list for the proposal for a citywide bond measure. Wonder if there’s even a question about funding trail projects on the list for the PR firm testing the political waters.
The waters of delay are flooding the justice system in the murder proceedings charging Antolin Garcia Torres with the killing of Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar. Again Wednesday, Garcia Torres and his attorney were in court, and another delay in ENTERING A PLEA, was granted. Sierra went missing from her mother’s north Morgan Hill home on MARCH 16, 2012 and Garcia Torres was arrested on MAY 21, 2012 and still no plea entered because the prosecution is still providing discovery evidence to the defense. Figure it out people, it’s been more than a year. Absurd, painful for the victim’s family, unfair to all parties, frustrating to the dedicated volunteers who searched and searched, thus far fruitlessly, for Sierra’s body. This delay-delay-delay charade is making a mockery of the justice system.
Systematically generous, far and wide. That’s what Don Christopher has been to Gilroy, our high schools and our community. Thank you, Don, on Garlic Festival weekend, for your many contributions to Gilroy. Most Gilroyans are absolutely appreciative.
Reach Editor Mark Derry at
ed****@ga****.com
