Even a donkey would know it's an asinine time to have a bond or a tax on the ballot. So, remember folks, if you pick and choose what to support - and it's hard to imagine that voters won't be very selective - the further away the money gets from local, the less accountable it is. And while we're on the subject, think hard about doing as much of your holiday shopping as you possibly can close to home. It saves gas, supports local jobs, helps put money in the city coffers and generally buoys local spirits.

One local spirit is going to get an uplifting tribute … On opening night, Saturday, Oct. 11, the South Valley Symphony will pay tribute to its longtime patron and champion, the late Al Navarolli. I really do miss his mischievous twinkle at Mass Sunday morning when he'd pass on passing the bulletin out to me and hand it to my wife while saying, "He can't read, can he?" The SV Symphony will feature the Mariachi Santa Cecilia in concert with the orchestra. It's a

7 p.m. date at the Gavilan College Theater and you can be sure Al will be tuned in …

If you haven't tuned in to the latest in the Empty Nominated made-for-CMAP TV soap opera drama surrounding Bonfante/Gilroy Gardens, it's a 30-year lease proposal with more ground control for another new potential park operator. Our city fathers opted to spend $14 million in a very strapped economic time for the city ostensibly because such a bargain basement deal couldn't be passed on. But that bargain is no bargain at all if it doesn't somehow benefit the residents who shelled out $14 mil. That thought should be the bedrock axiom as the City Council drifts into uncharted waters as a quasi-theme park management team …

A fledgling "hometown" comic in town last weekend managed to slur the city with this angry man e-mail firebomb sent to the editor, and I quote, … "there is nothing to do in Gilroy as far as night life unless you wanna count trying to avoid getting stabbed at the oakwood lounge or listening to terrible karaoke at the bowling alley." So, if you're hunting for something in the area to do this weekend besides heading to the Renaissance Faire, or going to the Great Barn Dance and BBQ to benefit the Saint Louise Regional Hospital Foundation Saturday afternoon at the Usegi Farms Pumpkin Patch, 14485 Monterey Road, or enjoying the La Filice Wine Dinner at the Westside Grill Friday night or heading to First Street Coffee Saturday night at 6 p.m. for the CAbi ultimate girls night out shopping experience or … you catch my drift, it's all about perception and attitude …

And speaking of attitude, how's this for charity begins at home. The annual, ever popular and delicious St. Mary's Spaghetti Feed is slated for Thursday, Oct. 3 - mark your calendars - and the men's club which runs the event is going to give 50 tickets for needy families to David Cox, the director of St. Joseph's Family Center, to pass out - now that's a wonderful gesture for these tough times …

During tough times, sports are a welcome distraction. So, thank our lucky stars these days for J.T. O'Sullivan leading the San Francisco 49ers, Tim Lincecum forging toward a possible Cy Young Award for the SF Giants and the Gilroy High School football team under coach Rich Hammond (62-13 over Mitty, a West Catholic Athletic League team???!! … that caused me to text my daughter back Friday night and ask "Are you sure?") …

Missed the game due to a trip with by buddy Steve to the big lake area for a little golf respite. On the way to the beautiful Whitehawk Ranch Golf Course early Saturday morning, we stopped at a small mom-and-pop store for coffee in Sierraville, and a cheerful woman, mid 60s or so, greeted us. We lingered awhile and chatted while she brewed a fresh pot. After awhile, Heather told us that her husband had died in a car accident weeks after they had bought the dilapidated store, and that she dove into the store's renovation. As the coffee brewed, we walked the store filled with bait, crackers and some tempting home-baked pies. I bought a couple of things I didn't need and a pie, so we could stop on the way back to pick it up. Intermittently we talked, and as we left she quietly revealed that she had found her 45-year-old son dead - six months after her husband died - from an acute asthma attack. "You just have to go on," she said with a genuine smile that over time had willfully swallowed her sorrow. When things get a little tough, hopefully I'll think about that morning's life lesson …

Down the road from Sierraville, a big roadside sign set amidst beautiful countryside injected a little humor back into the morning. "Charlie Brown for Congress" it screamed … silly me, I thought he had already been elected multiple times …

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