Web poll voters didn't get it right this week, labeling the city as the worst-run governmental agency. It's hands-down, without question, no doubt whatsoever, the unresponsive, arrogant, awash in cash, hopelessly extravagant Santa Clara Valley Water District. But nobody holds the SCVWD accountable, and certainly not the bulk of our City Council.

On to something more uplifting ... the signs of the season are tough in many ways, so it's good to take a break and force the swirling economic storms to subside - at least mentally - for a little while. Taking one gift tag, more if you can, off one of the many giving trees in town is a good way to force that break. To liberally paraphrase the Desiderata "there will always be people with more and people with less than yourself." A charitable act helps reinforce that reflection. There are oodles of toy-drive locations in Gilroy, including First Street Coffee, Bank of America, Bank of the West, South Valley National Bank, Washington Mutual, and Wells Fargo Bank. And your teen can retrieve a tag from the tree at Gilroy High School and drop off a gift there ...

Speaking of gifts, it's the perfect time of year to again thank Phil Robb, GHS Choir Director, for the gift of teaching wonderful music to so many Gilroy students over the years. It's truly been a blessing for many young people and a real source of community pride. That the top-notch Chamber singers have been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York this spring is merely a testament to the consistently high standards that are set and the passion Mr. Robb imparts squarely to his students. BTW, if you'd like a real treat, hire the choir to come sing Christmas carols at your business or gathering. It's a joy. E-mail Phil at phillip.robb@gusd.k12.ca.us to book a performance.

Staying on the uplifting track, the Saint Louise Hospital Foundation is offering raffle tickets for a gorgeous hand-stitched quilt that's currently hanging in the hospital lobby. The Foundation hosts the annual Tree of Light Celebration on Tuesday in the cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. Honor a friend, or a loved one by purchasing an ornament to hang on the tree, then participate in the silent auction and enjoy some refreshments. When Rose Emma Pellicione and Roxie Thomas are on the committee, you know it's going to be a good event. The Foundation provides funds for the purchase of equipment. Call Amanda at 782-0180 for details.

Most certainly, Alan Ladd, the Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager for downtown's Heritage Bank will be on hand for the Saint Louise tree lighting to buy raffle tickets for his entire staff. Alan recently gave a whole new meaning to the expression "drop a dime on you" when he sent me his business card with a dime scotch-taped to it. Does a dime from a banker earn interest?

Sad to hear of the passing of John Scherrer, a man with a generous soul and a thirst for knowledge and life. Besides winning my wife's column contest years ago - Jenny's Kitchen Best Pie Contest - with an out-of-this-world apple pie, Mr. Scherrer was the go-to guy for Gilroy weather records and many a desperate young reporter trying to unearth rainfall totals. Thanks to a reader for this description which says a lot about who he was in a nutshell: "John Scherrer donated the Christmas tree in Elk's Lodge lobby. He's done that for years. As sick as he was over the past couple of months, he made sure that the tree was delivered this year."

So, with the stock market seeming like a mere sand castle, and layoffs coming like waves upon the shore and sad signs of foreclosure on every block, let's remember the Desiderata "it's still a beautiful world" and that "many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism."

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