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Golden Boy Promotions announced Thursday that Gilroy native

It’s ingrained, there like a frozen moment. In my mind until, perhaps, a sad point when I really can’t remember. Even now, my heart starts to trot when I think of it, watching as the spotlight focused on the set in a warehouse at Christopher Ranch. First daughter, first solo, first freak-out feeling for Dad. Shannon nailed it, belting out a fine rendition of the classic Irving Berlin number, “I was blue, just as blue as I could be … Ev’ry day was a cloudy day for me … Then good luck came a-knocking  at my door … Skies were gray but they’re not gray anymore … Blue skies, Smiling at me, Nothing but blue skies, Do I see … And we cheered as my eyes moistened and I thanked the wonderful John Bisceglie, choreographer and director of so many youth productions in Gilroy, for giving my daughter that opportunity to shine. There were many plays and many songs after that night when Miss Jenny recalls, “She sang Blue Skies and blew us away.” Then, the STAR program at Gavilan gave her – and her younger sisters – a stage for years and a creative home that challenged them and helped them grow. That’s why I’m drawn to “The Voice” TV singing show. There are so many great stories and so many incredibly talented “regular folks” – passionate singers giving it their all to get a break. When they “blind” audition for the judges, who have their chairs turned backwards, the families are watching off-stage and I feel what they’re going through as they dare hope and fervently wish for “Nothing but blue skies.”

Been to the Cook-off Stage at the Garlic Fest before, but I’ve never stayed for a whole segment until Sunday. Carla Hall kept me in my seat. The winner of “Top Chef” TV show and the current star of “The Chew” on ABC, is, as my mother used to say, “a riot.” Her mix of down-home humor, witty banter with the crowd, incredible culinary skills and ability to articulate the creative cooking process is a treasure. Add her genuine outgoing nature and she’s a perfect fit for our fest. One of Gilroy’s top chefs, Donny DeLorenzo, who was cooking up peppers and onions, said Carla delighted the crowds on her walk-about through Gourmet Alley, graciously posing for pictures and talking with the crowds for a long time. Carla loved the fest and the fest loved Carla. So, hopefully, we can extend that invite to come back soon because she’s the real deal.

Call me strange, but have you ever noticed that when people are

Dr. Pete, I know that puppies and kittens are born with their