The firefighters did an awesome job bobbing and weaving their way through the traffic and driveways on Day Road Saturday night to find the rights spots to make a stand, and, quite frankly, we were lucky. A shift in the wind from here to there, and most certainly some homes would have been lost. Credit, too, many homeowners, who took fire prevention seriously by clearing wide swaths around their homes. Kudos too for all the people with horses who recognized the dilemma and drove out with horse trailers in tow to aid the tense and chaotic evacuation. Anyone who witnessed Saturday night clearly understands the meaning of the word firestorm.

And indeed there were too many witnesses … Giving a nod to natural curiosity, it's understandable that people want to see what's going on - even more so for those who live in the area anxious to gauge how imminent the threat is. But there were goons who parked in driveways, stopped in the middle of the road and tried to flip u-turns on twisty Day Road. They made life miserable for emergency responders, when a few minutes can make a huge difference. Hindsight is 20-20, but a suggestion would be to have police officers clear the streets with bullhorns and the threat of tickets for impeding an emergency operation.

Last fire comment … I'd like to thank all the kind readers who called and sent e-mails praising us for the rock-solid fire coverage on the Web, (and all those who sent in the great photos). The team here hustled all weekend to keep concerned readers up to speed, and believe me the feedback is much appreciated. BTW, if you haven't signed up for our breaking news e-mails, it's easy, just go to www.gilroydispatch.com/subscriber. It takes just a minute and, when significant news happens, you'll be in the know quickly.

A quick draw on a couple items that caught my eye this week:

n Frosty Paws in Nob Hill's frozen dessert section. Yep, frozen summer treats for your favorite pooch - or you could serve them to the kids when they're in the dog house …

n First Baptist Church on Wren Avenue has a drawing every week through July for a $100 gas gift card with a $1,000 grand prize gift card going out the door in September. Suggestion to winners: If you really want to cash in long term, bring the gas card to St. Joseph's Family Center.

If you want Gilroy religion, just show up on Wednesday morning at Sue's Coffee downtown around 8:30 a.m. and talk to the ladies who have their own "Views from the Pews." This spunky group goes from Mass at St. Mary's to the Round Table at Sue's for stories, plentiful laughter and, most certainly, to render opinions on Gilroy matters of the day …

Opining aplenty around town this week on the hot subject: fireworks and to ban or not to ban … yowza, Councilman Peter Arellano's suggestion that an emergency ordinance be enacted to ban fireworks on the eve of the booth's opening all over town met, predictably, with a veritable firestorm of protest. Sure, there's an argument for patriotism and tradition. I understand it and appreciate it. But the truth is that selling fireworks is a cash cow. Where else could these groups raise that kind of money in three days? Thus, the howls …

Note to Peter, a veteran council member: Remember the spirit of the law when sending e-mails to fellow council members. Asking for an emergency meeting is one thing, initiating a policy discussion via e-mail shielded from public view is another … "I am asking that all sales of fireworks in the city limits be suspended for this year," and, "Can we declare a State of Emergency in Gilroy and stop all firework sales and displays?," is certainly initiating policy discussion. Though we understand it's innocent intent, that doesn't make it right.

Also, had to chuckle when a letter writer sent in Councilman's Craig Gartman's response to her advocating a ban. In capital letters it said something akin to "NOT ONE RESIDENT SPOKE UP FOR BANNING FIREWORKS" … well, just shows that Gilroyans are smart enough not to ruin a Tuesday night by gleefully heading for the lion's den at City Hall. We'll put the question up today on our web poll to see what the real deal is …

In the genuine good guy department, Al Navaroli, who passed away last week, ranked high in the rafters. Al had a twinkle in his eye and a quick wit. You knew from his warm smile he enjoyed life and people. He faithfully promoted his love of music by working to get the word out about South Valley Symphony events for years. One Sunday, he passed me the bulletin as I was exiting church and asked my wife, "Can he really read?" It started our repartee … My thanks to Joe Thompson for the reminder that in his salad days, Al, while working for Bud Antle, Inc. in Salinas, convinced the boss to purchase a fleet of 500 refrigerated trailers. The BUDZ fleet, designed for truck transport to rail lines, represented the innovative "Salad Bowl Express" taking lettuce to New York in a week. We'll miss you, Al.

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