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Got this from reader Kris: “I’m curious about the color of the new taco restaurant on First Street – who on earth approved it? It makes Mi Pueblo look subdued! Is the entire 64 count of Crayola colors on the approved city list for exterior colors?” Funny thing, got essentially the same email on the “new taco place on the corner of 10th and Monterey” so I’m not sure if there’s a new taco place patrol out there or what. Do know that the new taco place at 10th and Monterey is a colorful and welcome sight as far as I’m concerned. I’ve passed it almost daily going to and from the office and it’s been a weed infested, broken glass, crumbling, empty, rat hole mess for years. Paint it bright orange and put a pink bow on it as long as the paint’s fresh, the property is clean and the lights are on. As soon as it opens, I’m going for lunch.

Our local grape vines have been thriving throughout the warm summer, the leaves soaking up the sunshine and clusters of grapes hanging heavily from the vines. Our wine growers have been busy with canopy management - pulling selected leaves from the vines to give the best sunlight exposure and air movement to the fruit. Veraison (when grapes start to ripen and change from green to purple) has come early this year, attracting birds and other critters that are looking for a tasty meal. But even though the grapes are turning color, they aren't ripe enough yet - so nets are draped over the rows to protect them from being picked clean by hungry birds.

Long before they took the plot from the opera “La Boheme” and created a contemporary version that became the Broadway hit “Rent,” Douglass Wallop and George Abbott took “Faust” and turned it into a rollicking, joyous, wacky tribute to baseball and enduring faithfulness. “Damn Yankees” is a feel good romp that has all the elements of a great musical. “Damn Yankees” opened on Broadway May 5, 1955 and starred Gwen Verdon with choreography by Bob Fosse. It walked away with eight 1956 Tony Awards and has continued to captivate audiences around the world through the years.

Earlier this summer children attending the Vacation Bible School sponsored by the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church learned about Uganda as part of their mission program. Now they have an opportunity to actually meet children from that African nation.

Moving to a new area can be a stressful ordeal for all involved, especially your pets. The chaos of packing, moving furniture and the strangeness of a new area can leave your cat or dog spinning. However, with a little advance planning, patience, and affection you can help your pet quickly adjust to their new neighborhood.

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.

Q: Our dog, Rex, has been feeling kinda puny lately. He isn't eating and seems really tired. My friend was over yesterday day and drained his car radiator. Rex licked up some of this fluid. He seemed to like it. Now my brother told me that radiator water is poisonous to dogs. Is that true? What should I do?

You’ll find me at the Garlic Festival almost every year. If I’m not meandering around with friends, I at least take a quick break from work Friday to swing by and grab a peppersteak sandwich and some garlic bread.