... A deli, which we'll get in downtown sooner rather than later. Downtown's repertoire, according to the Economic Development office. The new deli owners, the Velasquez's from Hollister, are buying the business at Judy's Cozy Coffee and recasting it. Soups, sandwiches and more from the head chef at Golden Oak are planned. It's a good move. The space is wonderful, the kitchen is top notch and our city sorely needs a well stocked deli that's not located in a grocery store ...

And as a 50,000 strong city, we also need a NEW POST OFFICE. Please inquire politely to MayorAl whenever you see him as to how the effort to secure a new post office building for our fair city is going. Our P.O. is an unfunctional eyesore and sooner or later there's going to be a nasty accident in the alley where the drop-off boxes are and no, we can't take the ground floor of the new PD and make it the new post office ...

Neither of the two invitations I received from staff at City Hall to MayorAl's State of the City Address (yes, capital letters intact from invitation) came via the U.S. mail. The annual speech will be delivered in the City Council Chambers on Monday, May 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. at 7351 Rosanna Street ... and you can watch it live from work or home on our Web site at www.gilroydispatch.com ... unfortunately, I don't think there is time set aside for questions ...

Without question, if you're looking for a great Mother's Day breakfast and one that does some local good in the process, go no further than the Elks Lodge on Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ... custom omelettes, as well as the works - scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, biscuits, pancakes, hash browns, fresh fruit, orange juice, milk, coffee and champagne are on the menu - and there's a bake sale to boot - all for charitable causes. The Elks is on Hecker Pass just west of the Gilroy Golf Course. Guys, no stopping at the putting green on Mother's Day ...

Mom might enjoy a night of dancing, too, and the music trial runs at West Side Grill have yielded to a regular Friday night schedule, a cool addition to the Gilroy scene. Tonight features the Blue Sky Band which comes with the city's best bartender - Teresa Glover - as a no-charge bonus. "T" - who's been around the Gilroy block - can mix it up with the best of them.

Staying on the entertainment beat, how's this for a cool story. Kelly McDonald, a native Gilroyan and a country artist with a rock bent, is returning to our fair city to perform at the one, the only, the world famous Gilroy Garlic Festival on July 27. He's got three CD's out and, according to his wife and PR director Amanda, loves a good crowd. Here's a taste from his Web site: "Music and my WIFE are my life. I love them both more than words can say. I will be happy to write to all my friends on here, and I will always accept new friends. I DO NOT want your drama, I WILL NOT send you my phone number, or nekked pictures of myself. I have a great bunch of loyal, honest, and caring friends on here. If you are a trouble maker, get the hell out and bother someone else." Now that's country ... straight talk. Check out his site at www.myspace.com/kellymcdonaldband.

Maybe Kelly can be lined up next year for the Friday Night Music Series in downtown which will kick off on Friday, June 20 with John Garcia and the Rockin' Ribs BBQ. If you like music, a good time and are interested in getting to know more community members, volunteer for one of the Friday nights to help out. Send an e-mail to brucemorasca@yahoo.com. The Friday series is sponsored by the Theater Angels Art League, the Gilroy Arts Alliance in conjunction with the city of Gilroy.

Perhaps as a pre-festival cookbook release Gene Sakahara and Sam Bozzo will stir it up on one of the Friday nights and cook up one of the many scrumptious recipes for the masses. The cover below is enough of a promotion ...

... and the proceeds could go to the Sons of Italy Scholarship Fund. BTW, if there's a need for college money, applications for the local Sons of Italy scholarship are being taken through May 15. Ciao!

Mark Derry Mark Derry is the executive editor of the Gilroy Dispatch. Reach him at (408)847-7010 or editor@garlic.com.