‘Other Desert Cities’: An interesting, delicate theme
When Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Jon Robin Baitz put pen to paper (or fingers to PC) to write “Other Desert Cities,” he was either in split personality mode or solving a Rubik’s cube puzzle – or both. His play is about dysfunctional family members with fragile backgrounds. Some have a secret that could break the delicate hold that - at times - keeps the family together.
Choir programs alive and well at schools
As school bells again ring and kids with backpacks make their way across campus, beautiful singing waifs through the air at Gilroy's high schools. Thanks to two newly hired, energetic and enthusiastic music specialists, the choral program that retired teacher Phil Robb spent 30 years building into one of the best in Northern California is alive and well and will continue to be one of our city's great assets.
Getting Out: Mt. Tamalpais mini-challenge
Where on earth can you stand and from a single spot see Mt. Diablo, Mt. Hamilton, the Farallon Islands, and Tomales Bay by Pt. Reyes National Seashore? Of all the great views from the Bay Area's summit peaks, the panorama from the top of Mt. Tamalpais takes the cake. In addition to those far-flung spots, Angel Island, the San Francisco skyline, and the entire expanse of the north Bay Area lay beneath you as if you are seeing them from the window of a jet airliner.
Bleacher bumming … yet Gilroy’s past is filled with exceptional athletes …
Coming like a football season freight train is the annual Gilroy Foundation Day in the Country auction on Saturday, Sept. 14. Co-chairs Sal and Annie Tomasello are working on the plan around the theme, “For the Love of the Game” which will highlight the athletes from Gilroy’s past which made it to the big time, like quarterback Jeff Garcia and boxer Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and PGA professional George Archer, winner of the Masters golf tournament in 1969. Local wine tasting, appetizers, a sit-down dinner prepared by Top Chef Dave “The Dish” Bozzo. There’s a silent auction and a live auction hosted by Don DeLorenzo and Jim Habing with plenty of sports tickets and memorabilia on the block. It’s $100. Tickets online at www.gilroyfoundation.org and there’s also a super raffle for a Baseball Getaway for Two to Cooperstown which includes a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame, a game day parade and an old-timers game on gorgeous Doubleday Field. Now that’s a classic prize.
‘Back to school’ goes ‘Back to the Future’
My favorite time of the year (besides spring, Christmas and White Sale) is right now. The air is crisping up - or maybe that’s just my hair in all this heat. Why is it when you’re ready for woolen jumpers, frosty pumpkins and high school football games (OK, I’m never really ready for that last one), the weather suddenly goes berserk and hits us with triple digit temps?
Seniors have stories to share – if we listen
After my last column detailing the finger-lickin’ goodness found at Gilroy’s famous Garlic Festival, I was contacted by the program director at Live Oak Adult Day Services, who asked if I’d be interested in swinging by to visit the seniors and share the details.
Dog’s funky toenail needs to be trimmed, kept short
Q: Bratford, our Morgan Hill fieldhound (aka: mutt), broke a toenail two months ago. It really didn’t hurt him, but the new nail grew out crooked and it points up in the air. It looks goofy, and I’m more worried that it might get bumped or caught on the carpet when he runs around. Can this nail be trimmed and straightened to grow normally again?
