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This weekend I stopped in at Sarah’s Vineyard on 152 Hwy just outside Gilroy proper. This is truly one of the hidden gems of South Valley. Along with their award winning wines this is a facility that includes a pizza oven, bocce ball, picnic tables, patio, live music and manicured grounds. 

The 2010 Garlic City Fun Run custom car show in Gilroy is back. After a short hiatus the Gilroy Downtown association along with it's sponsors  are continuing a tradition that warms the hearts of gearheads up and down our great state. In 2008 this event hosted over 300 cars with live bands, food booths and of course some tasty beverages. Unfortunately 2009 saw none of these chromed, flame adorned, vehicles cruising through the streets. This year however we are much luckier the Garlic City Fun Run is back and the exhaust music will once again vibrate in your chest and rattle near by windows as they parade down Monterey St. It has been a great event in the past appealing to the whole family and serving as the official warm up to Garlic Festival. I have dug though the video archives a re-posted some footage of years gone by in our video gallery. Check it out to get a glimpse of what to expect at this years Garlic City Fun Run. I can't wait to see you all there.

This time the wine stroll was in downtown Gilroy. Fifteen different wineries were involved serving various vintages. All in all a very nice event. I have posted a few short video of the day with more to come. I'm just wondering out loud, does Hollister have a wine stroll? I will check that out as sipping a local wine is always fun to me. 

I was lucky enough to stumble upon the downtown Morgan Hill Wine Stroll over the May 1 weekend. In reality I was on a mission to put my video camera fresh from repair to use and put it threw it's paces.  My intent was to shoot for a hour then go back to the studio to check my cameras performance. That plan soon fell apart and I was on a journey meeting people and capturing the flavor of the day. While side stepping smiling crowds with wine glass in hand my ears perked as pleasing notes of a female guitarist filled my ears.  The guitarist turned out to be Aprylle Gilbert and I settled in and adjusted my focus to try to capture her energy and tune. Here is what I captured that moment in time. http://www.southvalleynetwork.com/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=3&video_id=87

Recently I was visiting downtown Hollister CA speaking to the local business owners about SouthValleyNetwork.com when I stumbled upon the Penny Saver on San Benito St.  Talk about stepping back in time! This place is vintage 1970's drug store. From the moment I walked through he doors I was transported back to my childhood tagging along with my Mom and Auntie as they shopped. There was always a stop at the local drug store and while my mom shopped I went to the toy isle to ogle the newest Hot Wheel.  The buildings back then where narrow but deep with a pharmacy at the back of the store. There was a certain aroma and the old timers gathered in the back to shoot the breeze and brag about their grandson or granddaughter.  The pharmacist knew you by name and there was hardly a time when you didn't bump into someone you knew in the long isles of bric-a-brac. The Penny Saver in Hollister is as it was back then, narrow but deep, bric-a-brac filled isles with a staff that seemingly knew my name as I walked up.  It is a slice of Americana, a time capsule of the goodness that was, the type of place that gives a city character, filled with people who still care for their customers and the community.  It's the way small town businesses should be and one Hollister should cherish. The Penny Saver has been in existence for many years handed down from father to son.  It was forged with hard work and a "customer comes first attitude". Personally I think businesses in general need more of that attitude. Focusing on the customer promotes loyalty. Customer loyalty is a wonderful  achievement, it creates friendships, fosters word of mouth advertising, consistent sales, and stimulates the local economy.  There is and always has been more to a sale than just the exchange of money.  I think part of the economical downturn is a direct result of some of us forgetting about this fact.  Recovery starts in the community, born of relationships continued by trust, nurtured by the business owner knowing that without his loyal customer he is not likely to succeed in his business.  Yes there are other components to the economics of a healthy business but there are none as foundational as your customer nor better for the community you work in.

I had a nice time at the Network Cafe and a good lunch at Westside Grill in Gilroy.  Sue at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce is doing good things and gets an "A" for effort. Thanks Sue!

[video:http://www.southvalleynetwork.com/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=3&video_id=68 200x200]

In an earlier post we made it known that your blogs if posted as public would be picked up by Technorati.com. Recently our tech department at  made it possible to post your blogs to the SouthValleyNetwork Twitter feed automatically. When posting your blog just select "Local Chatter" as the section to post to and we will do the rest. Get three post for the price of one, SouthValleyNetwork.com, Technorati , and Twitter. Here at South Valley Network we are always looking for ways to increase your exposure on the web.