Not sure why, but a song that my mom used to sing gleefully when
I was young popped into my head this week.
Just what makes that little old ant
… Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can’t
… Move a rubber tree plant
But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes
He’s got high apple pie, in the sky hopes
So any time you’re getting low
… stead of letting go … Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant
Think it’s just that we need that shot of optimism, inherent in
that unsophisticated song Frank Sinatra recorded in 1961, right
now. Maintaining optimism and hope is essential to an American
recovery. So
…
Not sure why, but a song that my mom used to sing gleefully when I was young popped into my head this week.
Just what makes that little old ant … Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can’t … Move a rubber tree plant
But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes
He’s got high apple pie, in the sky hopes
So any time you’re getting low … stead of letting go … Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant
Think it’s just that we need that shot of optimism, inherent in that unsophisticated song Frank Sinatra recorded in 1961, right now. Maintaining optimism and hope is essential to an American recovery. So …
I’m optimistic that the City Council will look into the future and build our community’s new library to the highest environmental energy-saving standards we can possibly afford. “But the plans are almost done …” … So what? Revise them, we’ve waited this long. The building is going to last 40 or 50 years and PG&E (that stands for Price Gouging Experts, BTW) costs aren’t going to go down. Plus, the cost of construction has plummeted so we ought to be able to save any additional costs for building “green” in lower building costs. Now’s the time …
It’s time, too, to rebuild downtown. So, I’m also optimistic that one of our three esteemed councilmembers, be it Dion Bracco, Craig Gartman or Bob Dillon, will see fit to bring back the vote on the city using housing funds to buy into the South County Housing Cannery project downtown. One vote for short-term pain to the city housing fund for a long-term gain – getting the vital Cannery project back on its feet – is all it will take to inject tangible hope into downtown revitalization. As they say, putting butts in the seats is what it’s all about and that’s what downtown needs more than ever.
Once those folks are happily seated there, a bona fide “Shop Local” program that would not only educate the public but create tangible results for local merchants would solidify the message. Gilroyans need to think Gilroy first, whether it’s a prom dress, a lunch meeting or a set of new tires. If you can, buy local. The dollars that stay in Gilroy are recycled again and again in town providing jobs and benefits for the entire community. Spend it here first.
The Sportsman Chefs – the group that puts on the amazing Fishability Day for special needs children – certainly do. The “big” raffle at the monthly dinner included a full-sized, shiny new stainless steel BBQ unit and a 32-inch flat screen TV which “Generous” John Garcia, thank you very much, won.
Not sure if she’ll win the grand prize, but Gilroy Police Chief Denise Turner has high hopes. She’s going to “cowboy up” and enter the San Jose Police Chief’s Chili Challenge which pits police vs. fire departments in a charitable event. Game day is Saturday, March 28 at Club Auto Sport in San Jose from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets at SJPOA.com. The chief will be cooking up a practice batch with her Gilroy chili team on Friday at the PD … Hey, chief, just make sure there’s some GARLIC in that chili or you’ll get a fine from Saka and Bozzo …
A fine effort over the years has been put in by zany and fun-loving theater director John Bisceglie who returns to Gilroy this summer to direct and produce “Rock the Boat” – described in a press release as a “giant family musical!” To this day I imitate his brilliantly affected line as Captain Hook at the makeshift outdoor theater in what was an empty dirt lot next to Station 55 on Eigleberry … “It’s just not fair,” he bellowed perfectly and sometimes my children need to hear that again. Auditions will be May 30 and performances just before school starts. It’s a great summer activity for the kids.
Plenty of activity around the corner for the adults … glad to hear the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, a huge fundraising effort for St. Joseph’s Family Center, is sold out Saturday. With the passing of Val Filice and Joe Peralta, the corned beef and cabbage duties will be ably manned by the Diner Dave Duo, Dave Perez and Dave Bozzo, both better in the kitchen than on the golf course.
Dangling an expanded golf course option in front of the City Council is Gary Gillmor who is trying (once again) to annex 285 acres to the city limits in order to open the floodgates for homes on the 2,014 acres of the Lucky Day ranchland. But dangling land for a golf course these days is like offering free land for a car dealership. All the courses are begging for players and the city isn’t exactly flush with capital for a golf course … now, reviving the mini-golf course at Gilroy Gardens – or even building a full 18 holes there someday – that’s another story.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it: the school board should revoke the charter for El Portal and explore the possibility of an academy within the school system. Our public schools continue to make significant academic progress and all students should have access to that opportunity.
A blossoming opportunity will knock again at the Gilroy Rotary Club’s annual flower sale, now renamed the Flower Fest. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 11 when the gorgeous flowers from Goldsmith’s Seeds will be available from 8 to 1 p.m.
Can’t sign off without wishing my Sweetie a happy birthday. She always gives me “high hopes, high in the sky …”
Mark Derry is the editor of The Gilroy Dispatch. Reach him at ed****@****ic.com.
