So thanks to Sharon Albert, former councilwoman, for alerting us about a simple way to help beautify Gilroy. Benjamin Moore, the paint company, is having a voting contest to pick a city that could use a paint job for its downtown and Gilroy made the list. Just go to www.paintwhatmatters.com and click on the general geographic location where we are. Gilroy pops up on the list and then click to vote. “Main Street Matters” is the overarching theme. I wholeheartedly agree with that notion – our downtown is a reflection of our community – and ours could use a fresh coat and then some. But every little bit helps and this would be a big bonus if we get it together and pass the word along.
One very noticeable downtown improvement is the lovely green space – it’s great to see green downtown – next to the Interim Center for the Arts. How about advancing an old time cool idea that would support downtown on a slow evening – say Wednesday – during the summer. The space is perfect for free family-oriented outdoor movies. Bring some chairs, catch a flick, sample some local snacks for sale and make a night of it. Maybe Garlic City and other downtown restaurants would agree to have a stand and sell snacks during the flick. Maybe the downtown association, the Gilroy Foundation, the chamber and the city would sponsor the movie series. That would be very cool.
Cool to see the house – so long abandonded, vandalized and forlorn – at Princevalle and Sixth streets finally being given the care and remodeling it needs.
Need to make a political push to open the doors at our fantastic new Gilroy library for more hours, expecially now that it looks like our school libraries may be closing due to budget issues. A vote on extending the current library tax, which is set to sunset, is coming to our mailboxes this August. There’s no good reason not to have the Gilroy library open seven days a week and into the evening on Friday. It’s a beautiful, popular and useful facility that would be ever more useful if the doors were open on Sunday and Monday. How can we make that happen, Mayor Don Gage and City Council?
Making a whole bunch of tomatoes – and a few peppers – happen in my backyard. Different varieties, heights and smells – all growing like weeds, flowering and giving off that captivating marinara spaghetti sauce scent. Grandson Jackson is helping me with the crop. At 3, he needs a tad bit of assitance with aim. While watering the plants, the hose tends to creep skyward a bit at a time until it’s flirting with watering the top of his curly haired head. “Papa’s” smiling correction yields that all too familiar michevious smile and we water on dreaming of bountiful fresh tomatoes on sandwiches, in salads and, of course, sauce. Singing a made up Dr. Seuss-like ditty helps keep the focus on the task.
Focus on an intriguing new mixed medium exhibit at the Interim Arts Palace (maybe someday), is summer perfect: local artists including Diane Wallace, Nancy Grieves, Glynis Crabb and Janet Vanderhoof are displaying their landscape-oriented paintings. A reception at 7341 Monterey St. is set for this Sunday, June 9 from from 1 to 4 p.m. but the works will be on display through July, so stop on by.
If I stop by I might meet my old tennis teammate from years ago who is married to one of the artists, Janet Vanderhoof who told that to our reporter, Scott Forstner during an interview. Austin and I played together on the Bellarmine tennis team many, many years ago. The reminder really took me back. Last time I picked up the racket and the fuzzy tennis balls was at least 11 years ago. Oldest daughter Shannon, who played at Notre Dame High in Salinas, challenged me during a summer family vacation. The stop/start killed me. My Achilles tendons revolted for at least a week afterward during which I shuffled around trying not to moan too much. But that memory has faded and I might like to hit it around again for old time’s sake. El Roble Park tennis anyone? Hmmm … Rocco the Wonder dog loves to fetch, maybe he’ll go out there with me.
Great adoption numbers from South County’s first participation in Maddie’s Fourth Annual Pet Adoption Days held last weekend. About 110 furry friends found new homes. That’s a huge number.
SF Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum has been surrendering huge numbers of runs, but I think his stellar start this week is indicative of things to come. He’s transitioning from power pitcher to crafty pitcher after seven seasons and it’s going to take a while. But Timmy, short hair and all, just might have another Cy Young Award in him. That will probably happen before the Sharks win a Stanley Cup.
Reach Editor Mark Derry at
ed****@ga****.com
