The Gilroy Police Department’s motorcycle traffic unit put on a nice bob-and-weave demonstration at our wonderful homespun Memorial Day parade. As the cars, displays and honorable veterans motored by and my grandchildren waved their flags in delight, I thought a thank you to former Mayor Mike Gilroy and former Councilman Bob Dillon and their cohorts for starting this annual event. It’s a great tradition.
But back to those motorcycle guys who have really stepped up traffic enforcement in town – I have a tip. About 20 minutes before Solorsano Middle School starts in the morning, buzz over to the Ranch Side of Christmas Hill Park. Not sure what the speed limit is in the park, but there are cars ripping through the parking lots to drop their kids off near school at 25 to 30 mph – and it’s anything but safe. The park roads aren’t built to be a school drop-off point, either, but that’s another matter altogether. At the very least, the drivers ought to figure out that it’s a park parking lot, not freewheeling Santa Teresa Boulevard.
Free admission is what active duty military personnel get at Gilroy Gardens from July 4-7 and Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Thanks to reader Trista Zukowski for pointing that out after I wondered aloud in a column about the free admission for American war vets offered at Great America.
New, lighted sign for our Gardens on the Hecker Pass gateway is very out of place, particularly at night when it’s distracting flash is visible from miles away. Yep, I get it, that’s the point, but Gilroy Gardens has always been about a more relaxed approach, featuring peaceful surroundings filled with beauty – and it should stay that way.
Speaking of relaxing and Hecker Pass, Debbie and Jim Hoey are doing a great job with the Hoey Barn shop. The character-laden historical barn is filled with interesting antique and heritage items at reasonable prices and the atmosphere is soothing for a break. Found nice Mom’s Day gifts there a few weeks back for Miss Jenny and daughter Shannon, so stop by take a peek at a place with old-fashioned character and shoot the breeze with the friendly owners.
Another ag-heritage related stop – hmmm, this could be a Gilroy economic development theme in its infant stages – is LJB Farms at Fitzgerald and Santa Teresa where the Bonino family has nicely touched-up the old barn, partially to accomodate the burgeoning, gift-oriented business started by Russ Bonino’s wife, Raquel, who has great taste. The old barn is brighter, more inviting for customers and, not to worry, the corn is still the sweetest around and the Italian tomatoes, when they come in, taste like the real thing, not some grocery-store marketed “hothouse” tomato that has about as much flavor as a plastic bottle cap.
Uncapping or uncorking, either way, the growth is still amazing. Thanks to Jennifer Scheer from the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau for passing this along: “Wine sales in the U.S. from all production sources – California, other U.S. states and foreign countries – increased 2% from the previous year to a new record of 360.1 million 9-liter cases with an estimated retail value of $34.6 billion, according to www.wineinstitute.org. California wine accounts for a 58% share or 207.7 million cases of U.S. wine sales with an estimated retail value of $22 billion.” And, if you still don’t think we as a community should be figuring out more ways to capitalize on our wine industry, think again.
Think that Pacific Coast Recyling put together the liveliest business display in the Memorial Day parade. Upbeat dance music from “Grease” entertained the crowd and t-shirts, a la a Sharks game, were tossed into the air for the crowd to capture. Never heard of the biz, but they’re located on Obata Way and according to the website they, “… accept and process construction and home remodeling debris, metal, roofing materials, wood, grass, tree and hedge clippings, concrete, dirt, carpet, mattresses, cardboard, paper and more.” Now that sounds like a company that could play a big role in preventing the dumping of mattresses and such on private land and on rural roads.
In my fortunate experience, pets are a wonderful addition to a family – and this is the perfect weekend to adopt a shelter animal locally. It’s Maddie’s Fourth Annual Pet Adoption Days Saturday and Sunday. PETCO in the Cochrane Plaza in Morgan Hill will host Perfect Dog Rescue canines on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Friends of the San Martin Animal Shelter will be at the county animal shelter at 12370 Murphy Ave. on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is the brainchild of Workday co-founder and CEO Dave Duffield and his wife Cheryl. Their animal rescue foundation, Maddie’s Fund, gives a tidy sum to participating organizations for each pet adopted. So, save a life and gain a loyal friend.
Reach Editor Mark Derry at [email protected]
