Choice for the best addition to The Fest - the cool, tall, colorful flags ExecDirect Brian Bowe dreamed up that served as subtle wayfinding posts. Garlic bread dunked in the sauce from Gourmet Alley calamari still my No. 1 choice. That's just Italian garlic heaven in my book.

Yep, I do think that the Rotary wine tent should move closer to Gourmet Alley where the Chamber's huge and not-so-busy-anymore beer booth sits taking up space. As our signature event transitions from party city to summer celebration of food and wine, we should shift the emphasis to take full advantage of our area's outstanding wineries. Creating synergy between The Festival's signature dishes and local wines only makes sense. And market it - Pepper Steak Sandwich goes best with J.D. Hurley Zinfandel from Martin Ranch or Calamari, best paired with Côte de Madone Blanc from Sarah's Vineyard.

Speaking of vines, it must be an interesting year given the strangely cool weather. Can't remember a summer stretch this cool since arriving in Gilroy 25 years ago. Global warming, no doubt.

Should be plenty warm for Gilroy Golf Course pro Donny DeLorenzo's

25-years-in-Garlic-City anniversary golf tournament Saturday. Whoever suggested that everyone bring 20 slightly used golf balls as a gift to replace the range balls at GGC, our 11-hole gem, didn't have a bad thought ...

Not a bad thought, either, to wish Don Christopher a happy birthday next week. With founders Val Filice and Rudy Melone gone, Don remains the direct connection to the roots of the Garlic Festival, and 32 years later, with the able assistance and spririt of Gilroy's volunteer army, it's absolutely amazing what that simple idea shared and acted upon by three men has become.

Saw Inception, the summer's hottest flick, on the big screen the other night. The base premise is that ideas can be incredibly virulent - how one idea can spread rapidly and change the course of many lives. Certainly true with Don, Val and Rudy's Garlic Fest thought.

Inception won't change many lives, but it's a great discussion movie that will keep your mind occupied for a few hours. Stopped at the relatively new Mr. Falafel in downtown Morgan Hill before the flick. Very good grub, and just the way Miss Jenny and I like it - hot and spicy. Owner Art Nazzal, son of famous cafe owner Betsy, is more than happy to chat about the shawarma in lavash or the falafel sandwich with tahini sauce. Anyway, worth the short drive for an inexpensive and deliciously different meal. A garlic shawarma could be a good addition to menu at The Best Fest ... yikes, I'm off track, so back to the flick ... it's a blend of the science fiction books I read as a young adult and the video games teenagers are playing now. The plot and various premises are worth pondering, but don't take it all too seriously. Even if you didn't like to read books like "Farenheit 451," "Dune," and "A Stranger in a Strange Land," you'll probably enjoy the movie. If you did read sci-fi and enjoy the overdose of imagination, then it's right up your Gourmet Alley.

Proud to say Son-in-Law Steve, a very accomplished chef whose resume includes Maggiano's at Santana Row, currently, and, formerly, Charlie Trotter's in Chicago and Manresa in Los Gatos working with Chef David Kinch, contributed a gourmet touch as a guest chef to the annual Christopher Ranch Garlic Festival celebration dinner at the Westside Grill Friday. Really nice job by all at the grill. Steve's appetizer - roasted mushroom stuffed squash blossoms, freshly picked from Chiala Farms, and topped with green garlic puree from Christopher Ranch, were the talk of the dinner. It's fitting that his approach - fresh ingredients from local suppliers - fit in not only with the culinary movement but also with volunteer Garlic Festival President Greg Bozzo's ideas about the future of food at The Festival. Wonder if Steve could dish out 5,682

G-Fest servings of those grilled Mariani Orchard nectarines with vanilla bean ice cream, sugared-bacon crisps and crumbled blue cheese. Wowza good ...

Chewing on the fall election, I can't help but ponder what exactly this means: Paul Kloecker, first elected to the Gilroy City Council in 1983, is running to reclaim a seat this November. Jerry Brown, first elected California governor way, way back in 1975, is seeking a return to the governor's mansion ... (well, at least the governor's office) ... what can it mean? ...

Maybe it means Linda Rondstadt, former girlfriend of Mr. Brown back in the day when they were fighting off nuclear power plants with free rock concerts, will reprise one of her hit albums or that the San Francisco Giants will Buster a move back to the World Series. No idea, but clearly what's old can be kind of new again - like dusty ties that come back into fashion perhaps ...

Perhaps it would be good idea for Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager to contact farmers who actually live and pay taxes in Santa Clara County before he starts a fresh produce delivery program for county employees with a Monterey County farmer. How many times have we heard politicians paying lip service to "preserving agriculture" in the county? C'mon, think the program through and support the businesses in the county that pay your salary.

Inception thought for the weekend: "Beat LA." Great to be in a pennant race.

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