Have to start at the heart, and the heart of Gilroy today will
be standing right behind the ExecDirect of the Garlic Festival,
Brian Bowe, who is battling carcinoid cancer and has undergone one
in a series of cutting edge treatments in Houston, TX.
Have to start at the heart, and the heart of Gilroy today will be standing right behind the ExecDirect of the Garlic Festival, Brian Bowe, who is battling carcinoid cancer and has undergone one in a series of cutting edge treatments in Houston, TX. Insurance won’t cover it, but Gilroyans will. That way Brian can get well and be around to run the show a few years down the road at the 50th Anniversary of the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Today is the “One for Brian” golf tournament, dinner and auction at the Gilroy Golf Course. The tournament field sold out weeks ago. The dinner has grown to a table-busting throng of 235 people. Sponsorships alone have raised $8,600. This community has such a big heart – it’s really something to take pride in. Gilroy is a grateful place, appreciative of the hard work and dedication Brian has repeatedly demonstrated to ensure our signature event that’s so integral to our identity maintains its lustre, soul and allure. He’s our G-Fest guy and there are hundreds who are going to support Brian and his family Friday at the events. If you’re going today or tonight, have fun, bid early and often in the auction and know YOU are a part of what makes GILROY GREAT. True that.
True, too, is that “it comes in threes” and I’m banking on the fact that my Nissan truck’s cracked axle housing is the last on the nasty three list. Will tell you, however, that Eric Howard and the crew at Bruce’s Tire – really a misnomer since it’s a full-service shop – on Monterey are top of the heap in diagnosis, thoroughness and service. Kevin and Adrian shoot straight, truly believe in customer service and make sure that you know exactly what’s going on. No surprises. Local people, local business doing great work.
Simple for me to work out the answer to last week’s poll question in my mind. No bustling train stations have been blown to smithereens, no towering buildings bombed, no airplanes dropped from the sky, no critical infrastructure damaged or water poisoned since 9/11/2001, so I do feel safer since our nation sent military forces overseas to arrest the terrorist threat. How can one not? Remember in the months afterward, the horrible possibilities that surfaced? Guards patrolled our reservoirs at night and even small airports were on high alert. That has subsided so much in the last decade since our military has disrupted the terrorist network and brought the fight to foreign soil. Actually, it’s amazing that the forces which protect us have done such an amazing job. Scanners at the airports are weird, certainly, but it’s simple to put that controversial topic in perspective by thinking back to how incredibly vulnerable you felt in the weeks after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11.
A heartfelt salute to one of the very best guys in Gilroy, Pastor Malcolm MacPhail, who is organizing the Sept. 11 Remembrance ceremony Sunday afternoon at Christmas Hill Park. Malcolm really knows about surviving, having nearly left the earth several times during his excruciating battle with cancer. As chaplain for the Gilroy police and fire departments, he knows, too, about traumatic circumstances. And he’s a patriot. Under his guidance, the services will be heartfelt, poignant and pay proper homage to those who suffered great loss and those who displayed great heroism. Be there early, the turnout will likely exceed expectations.
Let’s exceed expectations, too, on Sunday. Don’t forget to fly the flag – even a few small flags on the lawn will do. It is a day to reflect on our freedoms and the price many have paid to protect the freedoms we have in this great country. Flying the flag on Sept. 11 is a simple, but worthwhile tribute to our country and those who protect it.
You have the freedom to suggest a name for the albino gopher caught on camera at Anchorpoint Christian School in a Gilroy Dispatch reader contest on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gilroydispatch). Post your name – Snowy is taken – for the furry white critter on our wall and you could win accolades in print and a gift card for an out-to-dinner treat in Gilroy.
While we’re on the prowl about critters, the Gilroy City Council is poised to officially proclaim thus: 1. Proclamation Naming the week of September 25th – October 1st as Sea Otter Awareness Week (report attached). Nope, not kidding, yep, it’s really on the agenda. Now if we could only get it on the Council’s agenda to work out an agreement with the county so that animal shelter services were provided to city residents at the San Martin shelter …
Led Zepagain will be performing under shelter at the hopping 9 Lives Club downtown next to Lizarran Restaurant Friday night. It’s reportedly “the world’s best Led Zeppelin tribute band” and enjoys a whole lotta love from guitar hero Jimmy Page. Could be a hot destination for folks after the “One for Brian” tournament.
Frys.Com Open a way hotter destination now that Tiger’s on the prowl – though 12,000 tickets sold on the day Mr. Woods announced he would grace the Oct. 3-9 tournament with his presence might be a number that’s over the green. But good news flash: While the set-up at CordeValle’s No. 8 hole (which is No. 17 during the tournament) looks different, there will be the wildly popular beer tent. After any player makes birdie or better, there’s a 5-minute window to grab a $3 beer. Suggestion: $1 beer for 10 minutes following any eagle. Champion Rocco Mediate grabbed dinner in Gilroy town last year rather than on property. We like Rocco mixing with the natives, and would suggest that he visit Adam and Ann at the fabulous Milias Restaurant this year. Hint to Adam: have an invitation waiting for Rocco in his room attached to a bottle of “D” – Don Camilo tequila.
Reach Editor Mark Derry at ed****@****ic.com
