Languishing on Gurries Drive and Hanna Street are
post-construction unfinished streets to go along with the
unoccupied homes that aren’t selling. That’s the obvious problem,
but compounding it is the fact that this is an existing
neighborhood, not some new area separate from usual traffic
patterns, etc. Isn’t there bonding that goes along with a
development which should come into play in order to fix the public
portions of a development if it goes south? The City Council
should, as representatives of the residents in that area,
collectively direct the city manager to seek answers to remedy this
situation before it becomes a long-term civic embarrassment …
Languishing on Gurries Drive and Hanna Street are post-construction unfinished streets to go along with the unoccupied homes that aren’t selling. That’s the obvious problem, but compounding it is the fact that this is an existing neighborhood, not some new area separate from usual traffic patterns, etc. Isn’t there bonding that goes along with a development which should come into play in order to fix the public portions of a development if it goes south? The City Council should, as representatives of the residents in that area, collectively direct the city manager to seek answers to remedy this situation before it becomes a long-term civic embarrassment …
And that is, by the way, exactly what the old Wal-Mart building on Arroyo Circle has become. Besides the chain link fence surrounding the boarded up eyesore, five-foot high dry weeds hug the building presenting a huge fire hazard … oh well, at least the new Wal-Mart is generating precious sales tax dollars for the firefighter’s generous retirement fund … but I digress, surely three years is time enough for the city to do something about this? The building has been vacant since September 2005. Maybe we should turn it into a shelter for the homeless …
In contrast, the new Santa Clara County Medical Center down the street on the east side, looks spiffy and is as trim as our Supervisor Don Gage who has lost an astounding 80 pounds in the last few months – congrats to Don …
Not that I want to entice Mr. Gage into putting back on one or two of those pounds, but you can smell the Rock ‘n’ Ribs BBQ competition coming Saturday to downtown Gilroy from miles away. Reportedly, the number of competitors has doubled from last year and one BBQ Superhero, according to “Downtown” Dave Peoples, is bringing in a $200,000 BBQ rig. For us flame hounds, that’s worth a stroll downtown all by itself. Throw in a few bands, refreshments – mmmm, a cold beer and tasty ribs – and antique shopping for a good cause … well, that’s a perfect summer event. Friday there’s live music from 7 to 9 p.m. and the festivities start early Saturday morning and last until 5 p.m. C’mon down and partake in a few saucy bones.
No bones about it, the best sports theater in a long time had me riveted on Saturday afternoon, on Father’s Day (in between smoking ribs) and on Monday at the Claddagh for a purposeful three-hole, er, four-hole lunch. Even though rooting for Rocco, who’s been around the block, to end Tiger’s stranglehold on major golf tournaments when leading after 54 holes, one can’t help but be in awe of Tiger’s skill and will especially in light of the injury revelations – a torn ACL and two stress fractures in his lower left leg. The two long putts and the chip-in on the back nine Saturday were other worldly. Rocco, in defeat, however, earned lasting admiration for guts and for defining what it means to be a gracious sportsman … now to the opposite of gracious …
Don’t miss Barry Bonds one iota … and shouldn’t the Giants have known better than to weigh down the payroll and morale with another high-priced Barry?
Last sports shot: San Jose Sharks, Stanley Cup champs in 2009-10.
Not 2010, but 5150. That’s the name of the tequila available on shelves now made in neighboring Hollister by Leal of vineyard fame. All police officers will recognize the number, it’s code for a call involving a crazy person … hmmm, easy …
For guys who are being considerate but going crazy by agreeing to a weekend shopping excursion to the outlets, there’s salvation at Jody Maroni’s. No, it’s not yet another women’s clothing store … it’s a darn good sausage sandwich/hot dog joint – what they term HAUT DOG – with big screen HD TV’s and beer on tap. Take the “fam” to lunch (it’s near Nike) and just stay behind to pay the bill for 145 minutes or so while you digest that delectable Toulouse Garlic sausage sandwich …
That would be a perfect meal to accompany your cool-car entry into the Garlic City Fun Run coming up on July 12. Last year, more than 7,000 people (and 300 hot cars) flocked to downtown “fawning over some of the hottest cars in the region,” according to the Gilroy Dispatch. Year No. 8 should be even hotter. If you have a cool classic or custom car, or a friend with one, pick up a form at www.downtowngilroy.com/events.htm and enjoy a wonderful Saturday on the widened streets of downtown.
Filling up the old muscle car is expensive, but my buddy told me about a recent gas station experience. The owner of a lifted, turbo-powered, diesel Ford Excursion pulled up and three credit cards later ($75 limit each card), the tank was full … yikes
That’ll give you a Charley Horse … one theory holds that Charley Radbourne a player for Boston in the 1880’s known as “Old Hoss” rounded the bases after an HR and his leg muscles cramped up. He fell and a teammate came to his aid and asked, “What’s a mattah wit you, Charley Hoss?” … True? Not sure, but it’s fun to “hoss around.”
Mark Derry is the editor of the Dispatch. Reach him at ed****@****ic.com.
