They say it’ s not who you know; but what you know. Well, I’ m here to say— hogwash! Just when I think we’ ve completely run out of things to write about, someone sends me an email or flags me down at the supermarket( actually that would be Larry as I have relinquished that outing to him) and shares a new and exciting item of interest. I’ m not going to say I know all of them personally but they are friends of gmhTODAY— so they certainly aren’ t strangers. I want to thank them for much of the inspiration that went into the development of these pages.

Within the last year, we’ ve dealt with drought conditions on one end of the spectrum and an overabundance of rain causing floods on the other. They say this has been the wettest year ever, following the driest four years in recent history. With that backdrop, we continue our Infrastructure Series with Part II— Water. Robin Shepherd did an excellent job of finding out where our water comes from, how it’ s stored, and what the future holds.( Pages 12-17) You may also want to read about Gilroy’ s first water system and what the valley was like before there was an Anderson Lake.( Pages 62-65)

On the topic of“ Regional Thinking,” we had a conversation with Mayor Steve Tate of Morgan Hill and Mayor Roland Velasco of Gilroy and asked them what their take was on some regional issues. Although facing the challenges of their respective communities is a priority, both agree that a regional mindset is needed to address those issues that effect the area.( Pages 26-29)

I am so excited that the Gilroy Demonstration Garden is bringing back our Farmers Market. Larry and I really missed it this past summer. Although I’ ll still miss our Saturday morning walks to the City Hall parking lot, I have now found solace in knowing that I will be able to get my fresh veggies and fruit on Friday evening just before I kick up my heels and enjoy our Fifth Street Live Concert Series.( Pages 40-41).

I want to thank Michael Cichon, Kendall Oblak and Addie Bryant-Habit for allowing us to tour the amazing facility that is TenCate, Morgan Hill. We had no idea of the scope of their work when we asked to visit and do a story about the company. Larry and I were just blown away by the scope and international reach of their work. It’ s pretty cool to have businesses of this caliber located in South Santa Clara Valley.( Pages 53-55)

Everyone talks about where they’ re going or where they’ ve been on vacation. Well, we wanted to address some of the pretty cool stuff to see and take advantage of right here at home. When I say home, I mean within a 30-60 mile radius— doable in one day, without the expense of a hotel. We couldn’ t include all of the things we discovered while conducting our research, but we do have 23( my favorite number) things to attend and places to go this summer. We hope you take advantage and enjoy a few of them.( Pages 82-87)

Larry and I want to thank Captain Jim Maya for helping us bring his adventure in relocating to the San Juan Islands to you. I’ m sure after reading of his adventure, you will want to include a visit on your bucket list; I know I have.( Pages 96-99)

Last but not least, this is to Frank Leal— you have literally hit it out of the park with the Granada Theatre dinner shows. We had an amazing time sharing dinner with our good friends Linda and Steve Hussar and we made new friends all while enjoying a five-star meal and great entertainment. Thanks for the experience.( Pages 102-103)

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MAY / JUNE 2017 gmhtoday. com

gmhTODAY 14 gmhToday May June 2017 | Page 9