We live in a remarkable time! 
I was attending an out of state conference and before a meeting got started I began speaking with the lady next to me. Eventually, we talked about where we were from. When I mentioned where I lived this lady began to ask a question then looked away as she convinced herself that the question was silly. When I pressed for the question she said, “Well, would you happen to know so-and-so?” I quickly responded that I knew them well and that they lived a couple of blocks away. “Wow”, I exclaimed, “what a small world”, to which she taught, “No, just a big family”.
When the 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti yesterday almost instantly the world family knew about it and, more importantly, began responding to the anticipated need. Quake victims were able to call extended family members to assure them that they were okay. In one case, a woman, buried under rubble, was able to talk her own husband right to her potential tomb and he rescued her – thanks to their cell phones.
Now, through a newer vehicle we can effortlessly send money just by texting. You can text: “Haiti” to 90999 and $10 will be sent to the Red Cross for the Haitian Relief. Our phone company will add the $10 to our next bill. Over $200,000 per hour is currently rushing in from all over the world through these text messages!
The true nature of mankind is good and once again we are seeing the outpouring of goodwill from every corner of this small world. I, for one, am a proud member of this big family.
As I hear the familiar sounds of the pickers in my apricot orchard I’m reminded that it is that time of the year for the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
31 years ago Dr. Rudy Melone decided that Gilroyans shouldn’t be embarrassed or apologetic about our prolific crop of garlic but be proud of it. Dr. Melone also thought that the “Stinky Rose” could be a fund raising source and activity for his beloved community. So he cornered the local garlic farmers and convinced them to hold such an event and earn some funds for the local Rotary club. A media luncheon was held and they were also convinced. Reluctant city leaders were pulled into the fray and 7 months later, in 1979, the first G arlic Festival arrived.
That 1st festival netted $19,000. In the 30 years since then, more than $8 million has been given back to the community!
But what I really like is the cheerful community involvement where hundreds of charity and non-profit groups work side by side as volunteers and vendors earning funds for their group. The Gilroy Gators Swim Teams earns over $6,000 during the 3 day event. Hope Rehabilitation earns more than $3,000. Even the $400 earned by Sunset 4-H club is much more than they could earn selling cookies in front of the market. My son-in-law is a Scout Master of a local Boy Scout troop. They will earn all of their entire year’s operating funds from selling lemon aid at the Festival.
When we say it is “tons of fun” for the visitors we mean that, literally: approximately 11 tons of beef, 5 tons of pasta, 5 tons of calamari, 3 tons of scampi and 3 tons of fresh Christopher Ranch garlic is expected to be consumed by the 100,000 patrons. Additionally, there are live bands, events for the kids, and all of the normal fun activities you would expect as such a world class event.
Why not plan on coming out for good food, lots of fun and helping so many good organizations. This year’s Festival will be held on Friday – Sunday, 7/24 -25-26. Gates open at 10:00 AM. For more information go to: gilroygarlicfestival.com
