Have to love the creativity and energy from Renee Carillo, owner of Grinds, Vines and Automobiles coffee house downtown. Not only has she expanded – opening a chic music venue next door which I’ll refer to as “The Other Room” – but there’s a cool old car hoisted onto the loft area. It adds to a very vibrant vibe (2 points for alliteration) for what is quickly becoming a gathering place for local musicians and a place where the laptop crowd is going to enjoy hanging out. A unique creative comfortable coffee shop is an essential piece to the downtown success puzzle and Renee has put that piece into place – plus she likes to dance …
And I know this because she cut a rug during Rich Firato’s Western-themed party at his incredible pirate-themed backyard treasure chest Saturday night. I’m still soaking in the images from Morgan’s Cove. We’ve done stories over the years, so I’ve read plenty about Rich’s place, but it’s a whole different experience being there. It’s a swashbuckling fantasy gone wild, but done with such obvious dedication, creativity and care that you just shake your head at every turn of the tour, smile, soak in the scene and admire the work that went into every detail. “Charlie’s Camp” with the pirate skeleton in the rocking chair in front of the swamp shack looks like it was lifted straight from the Pirates of the Carribean ride in Disneyland. The pirate mine and the garage turned hideaway dazzle the eyes delightfully, not just with pieces of eight, jewels and dubloons, but with the understanding of the architect’s genuine pirate passion. The best part: he’s a generous soul who’s happy to share that with the community. Friday night he and his wife Julie hosted a graduation party for his daughter, Alyssa, who donned cap and gown at Sobrato High, Saturday the chamber fundraiser, and Sunday a private party dinner for 14 auctioned off a few months back at a Rotary Club charity event at Clos la Chance Winery … So, hoist a grog to Rich and remember this matey, “The average man will bristle if you say his father was dishonest, but he will brag a little if he discovers that his great-grandfather was a pirate.”
A “yo-ho” shout out to Saturday’s entertainers, too, singer Larry Gamble who won the Morgan Hill Idol competition in 2009 and the Rodeo House, a country band with plenty of pop and a lead singer, Christina Amato, who can really belt it out.
Speaking of music, the Jessie Charles Band kicks off the summer Friday Night Music series at the Community and Cultural Center June 14. Since it’s the band that played at our wedding aboard the historic ship, the beautiful Balclutha docked in the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, Miss Jenny and I will have to step out and toast that gorgeous day of many moons ago filled with good memories.
With a few additions and revisions, the hat pictured below would be a great tool to promote the Santa Clara Valley vintners toasting and tasting rooms and fit right in to the tourism push in Morgan Hill. Can’t make Friday’s Community Forum on Tourism at Morgan Hill Cellars, but enjoyed chatting with John K. McKay at the pirate party about the valiant and potentially fruitful push for increased tourism.
And now that the Butterfield extension opened … people are happy because it’s a nice way to get around town – and more wayfinding signs to assist visitors are undoubtedly on the way. BTW, I agree with “lole” who emailed the Red Phone inquiring about when the auto body rattling bump left where Monterey Road meets Watsonville Road is going to be “FIXED.” Soon, I hope. It’s a pet peeve of mine when contractors tear up roads and leave them in worse shape than when they began the work.
In better shape is the Martin Ranch Winery property. It’s a perfect setting for a tranquil Father’s Day picnic. Meet husband and wife Dan and Therese Martin, sample outstanding wines in a lovely setting on Redwood Retreat Road, munch on appetizers and relax. Happy Dad’s Day all.
Reach Editor Mark Derry at ed****@mo*************.com
