Well, first things first … I’m about to join the father of the
bride club. Our oldest daughter, Shannon, is getting married
Saturday to a wonderful gentleman, Steven Catalano, and recently
it’s been a roller coaster of emotions for me as the BIG
&
amp;#8200;DAY
&
amp;#8200;approaches. All the hopes and dreams and love you have
for your child get emotionally wrapped up in this watershed event.
I have thought quite a bit in recent days about the wonderful
people in Gilroy who have had a hand in the creation that she
is
– Mrs. Wheeler at Brownell (now Luigi), so many people at the
STAR Theater program at Gavilan, Ed, Cat and Michelle with the
youth group at St. Mary’s, her dance teachers, her coaches, etc.,
etc. … the Web is thick and filled with good attentions. We have
been blessed indeed to be in Gilroy …
but I still don’t know how those 24 years went by so quickly?
…
Well, first things first … I’m about to join the father of the bride club. Our oldest daughter, Shannon, is getting married Saturday to a wonderful gentleman, Steven Catalano, and recently it’s been a roller coaster of emotions for me as the BIG DAY approaches. All the hopes and dreams and love you have for your child get emotionally wrapped up in this watershed event. I have thought quite a bit in recent days about the wonderful people in Gilroy who have had a hand in the creation that she is – Mrs. Wheeler at Brownell (now Luigi), so many people at the STAR Theater program at Gavilan, Ed, Cat and Michelle with the youth group at St. Mary’s, her dance teachers, her coaches, etc., etc. … the Web is thick and filled with good attentions. We have been blessed indeed to be in Gilroy … but I still don’t know how those 24 years went by so quickly? …
Quickly now, from the personal to the political … naw, let’s go to painting … take a minute and stop to smell (and sip) the coffee at First Street and enjoy the sumptuous watercolors by our own JoAnne Perez Robinson, who won the Garlic Festival poster contest once and has finished in the top three numerous times. Her peaceful renderings are perfect for an artistic interlude in your day – plus you get to say hi to the dynamic duo, Konni and Kassie.
Staying on the special “K” theme, let’s knock out a a few things I know:
■ Kurt “King” Chacon called after last week’s Garlic Festival PR blast on the battle of the bands. He wasn’t entirely happy. But he did say he’d match the pot for the prize, so …
■ If you missed the outstanding performance of the Gilroy High School choirs in the end of the year Pops concert last Friday, check out the video on our Web site and …
■ Phil Robb, GHS choir director and teacher extraordinaire, is truly a Gilroy treasure, and it’s …
■ Too band, too band – that Joey Fortino is leaving GHS for “greener” pastures at Los Gatos High. Wish we could afford to “booster” his salary for building such a great program. (Merit pay anyone?) BTW …
■ Gary Walton should be knighted by the city of Gilroy for his work in renovating downtown and his passionate investment in our town. He should not be subjected to eight months of permit wrangling in City Hall before being able to re-open and operate the Gaslighter Theater.
■ Lastly, the hot and heavy rumors about a teacher at Gilroy High being dismissed when the administration found out he was a registered sex offender are just that – rumors. Anyone who can prove otherwise, show me. Otherwise, quit calling the paper and spreading unfounded gossip.
Random thought of the week: What if good teachers made half the money that firefighters did?
In the same vein, there’s a shake of the head and a belly laugh in the question from a longtime Gilroy police officer posed to MayorAl: “Mayor, how about four officers to a police car?” …
The kitchen fires are again burning downtown at the new Garlic City Cafe, and the food served up by Socrates and Margarita Diego, is delicious and quick – perfect for breakfast or lunch. The spicy Garlic City Omelette is yummy, even the presentation is done with care, clearly pointing to Diego’s 12 years of experience at the Golden Oak Restaurant down the road …
Another kitchen confidential tidbit: Now that Jeffrey’s Restaurant is closed, the room around the corner can no longer be the place where “discreet” meetings can be held. Perhaps the back room at OD’s will be next or the tail room at the Longhouse …
MayorAl finished his meeting with the Editorial Board Tuesday by complaining about fellow councilmembers Bob Dillon, Craig Gartman and Perry Woodward who, he said, should stop meeting for coffee. Nothing illegal in that, it’s not a quorum, but MayorAl says his fellow councilmembers should save the discussion for the dais. Hmmm … guess that means that our beloved mayor, who has chosen not to place the issue of a local Sunshine Law on the Council agenda now for seven months, will be certain it’s on the next agenda where issues like that can be addressed in open forum…
In good humor, MayorAl brought a makeshift “Squirrel Terminator” box to the edit board meeting. That move came in playful reaction to news tipster Roe Dent’s call to action last week regarding the massive critter invasion at Christmas Hill Park that “threatens” the Garlic Festival and all able-bodied softball players in city leagues. No, I didn’t hear that GF publicist Peter Ciccarelli, who has indeed been around the block, was spotted wandering in Christmas Hill Park with a 20-gauge shotgun and several gray pelts hanging from his belt accompanied, of course, by Gerry Foisy fully clad in his garlic suit. Now that would be a picture …
Donning that famous garlic suit isn’t foreign to Bob Kraemer either. In the heat of last week, I unfortunately and shamefully missed his surprise “roast” at Gilroy Gardens. I’m certain he and his better half very much appreciated the wonderful turnout, the planning efforts (by Vilma) and all the kind words. I’d like to extend a personal thank you to him for his generous public service. Though we disagreed numerous times on community issues, his genuine interest in bettering Gilroy cannot be questioned. He was always willing to discuss – in good humor, it’s important to note – the issue and any “elephant in the room.” That speaks to his character. His penchant for enjoying life was evident from the first time I met him many years ago as a co-guest bartender at a charity event at Sandrino’s Restaurant. That goes back quite a ways, but not as far as his roots in this community. God bless, Bob, – BTW, those Coke-bottle glasses should be a shoe-in for the Gilroy Hall of Fame.
…. Went to reach for my dictionary to look up the fun Word of the Week, bailiwick, and noticed that the clear coat on the double-sealed book jacket is peeling off … good thing for an editor to have a well-worn dictionary …
The dictionary may be dirty, but thanks to Al Howard’s latest addition to his self-serve car wash on Monterey Road across from St. Mary’s Church, Roxy the dog is clean. Yep, that’s right, honk the horn or have Rover bark and trot into the doggie wash bay right there in front complete with tub, ramp and convenient dispensing wand. Instead of wax and shine you drop in the required tokens and select oatmeal shampoo or deodorizing rinse … there’s even a selection for de-skunking … It’s a doggone good idea, chow, er, ciao for now from the FOTB …
