Drive-by inspiration for motorists is couple’s forte
In these days of e-mails, cell phones and satellite service, a
Gilroy couple still communicates with the community the
old-fashioned way.
In these days of e-mails, cell phones and satellite service, a Gilroy couple still communicates with the community the old-fashioned way.
Like the Burma shave signs that entertained drivers until the 1950s, their target audience travels by car, where along Monterey Street at the E-Z Car Wash owners Al and Jane Howard place an new inspirational message every Monday.
“Good is never enough,” is this week’s food for thought, a quote from Mrs. Fields of cookie fame.
The bright white board with bold black letters changes almost weekly. Sometimes it’s a friendly greeting; other weeks it features something they hope will inspire those who see it.
The Howards have been collecting thoughts and sharing them with passersby since installing the sign in 1997, when they bought and remodeled the do-it-yourself car wash across from St. Mary’s Church between First and Welburn Streets.
Last Saturday the couple took down the “Happy Holidays” greeting and brought out a list of possible replacements.
“Working together works,” “Exuberance is beauty” and “All fear is bondage” were good – but not good enough – than the Mrs. Fields quote Jane copied from a self-help booklet. She carries a notebook around to jot ideas for future messages as they come to her.
“I’m just noticing things out there,” Jane said. “I’m a student of nature; I’m like a sponge.”
Al spends about an hour a day at the carwash collecting coins and re-filling soap, so the sign serves as a silent voice for the Howards, a way to communicate with the community that they have grown to love during their 22-year stay in Gilroy.
“We believe very strongly in the community of Gilroy,” Jane said. “Al and I are both philosophical and try and be very upbeat, and our little sign can contribute to that.”
There is no way to gauge readership. Some may drive by oblivious, others might wonder what the messages mean, but a few might take the message to heart. It’s those few that inspire the Howards.
“We hope that they think,” Jane said. “You never know what might be going on at that perfect time in their life and that little sign might be a catalyst. A little phrase can cause something to activate in your mind that could be the last encouragement needed to take a step forward.”
The messages that grace the board are oft times a reflection of current events within the community and the world.
“A lot of it has to do with where we are in life,” Jane said.
During the Garlic Festival the couple puts up welcoming messages such as “Follow your nose to the Garlic Festival,” for visitors rolling into town along the heavily traveled section of Highway 152 that passes by the carwash.
“We want to let people see we’re a warm and friendly community,” Jane said.
The couple also uses the board for political endorsements during election season. Jane, who sat on the Gilroy Unified School Board for four years and ran against Simon Salinas unsuccessfully for the state assembly last November, is still involved in local politics and is not afraid to tout her favorites.
“I think it’s important that people speak up in terms of what they believe,” Jane said. “Sure there is some risk, but we’re willing to do that. Part of being a business owner is taking risks.”
During last March’s supervisor’s race the Howards’ sign went for incumbent Don Gage. “How do you Gage a supervisor? Vote for Don,” it read.
Following Sept. 11 the couple put up “God Bless America” and “United We Stand” messages.
“There was a lot of honking and there was a lot of waiving,” Al said. “We enjoy sharing our thoughts and feelings with other people.”
According to Jane, the hardest part of changing the sign is not coming up with the message; it’s the spelling.
“I had to learn to spell backwards,” Jane said of the way the letters have to be inserted to form a legible message, “and I’m a spelling bee champ from way back.”
The Howards will probably change the sign next Monday, as they usually do, replacing the current quote with a new message that they have yet to decide.
“It depends on how the 49ers do,” Jane said. “We’re very supportive of Jeff Garcia.”
“See you in San Diego” has a nice ring.
