Three rules for BTS shopping
Welcome to back-to-school – or as I like to call it, “Let's see how fast we can spend every penny in the checking account.” Oh sure, there is a lot of excitement about summer ending - the house will stay clean for longer than five minutes and food may actually remain in the fridge until well after 2:05 p.m. (for those of you unfamiliar with the teenage species, 2:05 p.m. is their version of the crack of dawn).
High Holy Days determined by ancient calendar
Sept. 4 will mark the beginning of a 10-day period so sacred in Judaism that it is known in English as “Days of Awe” or “High Holy Days.” Joining with Jews around the world, members of South Valley’s Congregation Emeth will participate in ancient prayers, fasting and other traditional rituals that reflect the essence of their faith.
Taxes, taxes, fees and more taxes
They are everywhere and I'm sure you've seen them too: Newspaper articles, billboards, yard signs and mailers, all telling us to vote yes on Measure A. After all, it's only $33.66 per home and it supports our local libraries.
‘Circus Vargas’: A genuine family circus
Circus Vargas is circus. If you want to get the feel and flavor of what a real circus is all about, Circus Vargas is the ticket with a modern splash.
Good Dogs Need Good Homes
Ming, Mark and Mischa: In July, a Gilroy resident died and her family abandoned her three dogs, leaving them in the backyard in deplorable conditions without a caretaker. A neighbor who doesn't have any dogs would occasionally throw food over the fence and dribble water to them, but would not go near them because he thought they would bite.
Getting Out: Wilder Ranch has something for everything
Wilder Ranch State Park is two state parks in one. Just north of Santa Cruz, Highway One divides this state park into two distinctly different landscapes. Coastside, the Ohlone Bluff Trail traces a twisting path along the crest of seaside cliffs. A fog free sunset here would surely send poets into a creative frenzy guaranteed to empty their inkwells.
Compassion Center receives scout’s dedication
Connor McConkie’s final project to become Christopher High School’s only new Eagle Scout this year must be completed before he turns 18 in November, and he is well on his way to achieving his goal. Connor says he looked for something that would be of true benefit to the Gilroy community.
5,000 pounds of Gilroy Garlic Mac and Cheese and firefighter greed
A concert last weekend called Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park and a restaurant in Oakland called “Homeroom” lead us, of course, to our Great Gilroy Garlic Festival. “Homeroom” Co-owners Allison Arevalo and Erin Wade run a mac-and-cheese restaurant that serves up creamy goodness that is, by all accounts, “to die for.” At Outside Lands, which daughter Mariah attended, they served up 5,000 pounds of Gilroy Garlic Mac and Cheese in two and a half days, according to a story in the Contra Costa Times. Note to incoming G-Fest volunteer President Vito Mercado: Road trip to “Homeroom” is in order, meet Allison and Erin and get them to the festival. I’m thinking a booth for the Gilroy Garlic Mac and Cheese (near a microwbrew beer station) a guest appearance on the Cook-off Stage. Who wouldn’t want to take in a few mac-and-cheese recipe variations – and the recipes in their new cookbook “The Mac + Cheese Cookbook: 50 Simple Recipes from Homeroom, America’s Favorite Mac and Cheese Restaurant” are in the form of teacher lesson plans. That’s cool.
Looking at the world with his heart
Born in 2003, our dog came to live with us just a couple of days after his second birthday. Given a fancy real name by our friends who bred him, our little guy had earned the moniker “Puddin’” before he came to live with us. And Puddin’ he’s stayed to this day.




















