Guess the strategy for the poor, neglected rain-soaked Red Barn
on the Ranch side of Christmas Hill Park is pretty simple:
”
Let it rot until it falls down.
”
Too bad, just seems like it might be worth shoring up and
keeping as a nod to our historical roots … yeah, I know, no money
in the budget … but if it were restored a few cool possibilities
for the Garlic Festival and other events would be opened up.
Guess the strategy for the poor, neglected rain-soaked Red Barn on the Ranch side of Christmas Hill Park is pretty simple: “Let it rot until it falls down.” Too bad, just seems like it might be worth shoring up and keeping as a nod to our historical roots … yeah, I know, no money in the budget … but if it were restored a few cool possibilities for the Garlic Festival and other events would be opened up.
Opening suggestion for the Garlic Festival Entertainment Chair: Take a look at singer-songwriter Lucas Ohio Pattie, grandson of longtime Gilroyans Frank and Mary Jane. He has Gilroy roots, a good sound and brings a regional following spanning from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco.
It’s not an SF Gala, but there’s a Grad Night fundraising event – a luncheon and fashion show – for the annual Gilroy High safe and sober after graduation party on Saturday, Feb. 27. The special guest speaker is MayorAl. Guest speaker? C’mon, we’ve got plenty of podium shots, we wanted some MayorAl catwalk photos for the archives … seriously, good event for a good cause. GHS seniors are the models, the Off Fifth Saks Fifth Avenue outlet store is supplying the clothes, Hello Gorgeous Beauty Salon is taking care of the models and West Side Grill is handling the food. It’s at South Valley Community Church from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets: 595-1393.
Hot tickets for Valentine’s Day should include a trip to the local wineries since the weather, thankfully, is supposed to be spring-like and gorgeous. You can bottle your own wine at Martin Ranch off Redwood Retreat Road this weekend, indulge in a chocolate and wine pairing at Solis Winery from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, play a little Bocce Ball on the picturesque courts of Sarah’s Vineyard, visit Carlo in the La Vigna tasting room at Hecker Pass Winery or join the wine social with live music, decadent chocolates, and “tasty treats for your sweetie!” at Sycamore Creek Vineyards with family and friends. For a romantic and relaxing glass of wine and a picnic, there are many choices so close to home …
Liked the close-to-home observation from Brad Jones, the owner of Garlic City Books downtown which might throw open the doors Friday. He observed, good-naturedly, “You can buy pot here, but you can’t dance (downtown).” Putting aside the absurd no-dancing-downtown issue, the pot shop issue remains. Those who say the fight’s not worth it, just don’t get it. Of course it’s not worth it monetarily. But that’s not the sole yardstick Gilroy should use. The ability to enforce our zoning laws is worth it. So is the ability to establish community standards in a bizarre world where federal and state laws are either ignored and/or are in conflict. The issue of abuse is real, too. There are many horror drug abuse stories out there that involve young people, and the use of marijuana in particular. It would be far simpler to throw in the towel, but that’s not the right course. Now, whether the city is getting good legal counsel, is another issue, but the City Council has its head on straight on the base issue. If marijuana is needed for pain, make it legal to prescribe, have it regulated like other pain medications and dispense it through accountable pharmacies. I’d sign that petition.
Petitions available from the Gilroy Assistance League right now. Have a youth cause that needs money? Get a form at www.gilroyassistanceleague.org or call Patty Giacalone at the magic number 847-3036.
The magic number at the Gilroy Golf Course is 58. That’s the course record and if you know the names of the two people who hold it, well, you’re probably going to the AT&T Tournament at Pebble Beach with an old Crosby Tourney hat on. Answer: the late Gilroyan, professional golfer and 1969 Masters Champion George Archer and esteemed former Fresno State star Jon Bettencourt, who just marched off with the GGC pre-Super Bowl Tourney title shooting a sizzling 65.
Sizzling salsa served up by father of the chef, Gil Garcia, at Heavy’s, the grill at Gilroy Golf Course, is absolutely fabulous. The fresh salsa at Rocca’s Market in San Martin is great, but Gil’s salsa should be bottled and sold.
Not sold on any of the TV ads aired on Super Bowl Sunday. Usually, that’s part of the fun. I’ll give the Betty White Snickers candy bar ad a 7.5 out of 10, but the football game clearly outscored the ad game …
Game on for the Academy Awards Sunday, March 7 at the Morgan Hill Tobacco Company … red carpet and all. Formal attire, costume contest, a game to name the winners in the top 10 award categories … Peg Fordney is the event coordinator with quite a grand plan …
There’s no way to grand plan a $6.3 million cut to next year’s Gilroy public school budget, but a close look at programs like the Community Day School and an audit of special education services could save a large chunk and make some of the additional cuts that will be necessary less painful. But until the state changes the ridiculous yo-yo way schools are funded, the farce will continue.
Reach Mark Derry at md****@************ch.com
