Last year, Jeff Garmany and his wife, Laura, ran together in the Stars and Strides Run 10K race through downtown San Jose. And they had planned to do so again last Saturday, until tragedy struck.
Jeff Garmany was riding his motorcycle to work the morning of June 9 when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver. He’s been hospitalized at Valley Medical Center since, recovering but still paralyzed.
But he was at Stars and Strides in spirit — thanks to his wife and his mother, Lori, who made sure his presence was known at the race. Laura, his wife, ran the 10K wearing a cape that had the words “Justice for Jeff” and “I’m Running For My Husband Because He Can’t.” Race founder Carl Guardino and Michael Elliott, CEO of race beneficiary the Valley Health Foundation, brought her on stage to thank her for being at the race and sharing her story.
Laura Garmany shows off the cape she wore with the words, "Justice for Jeff" and "I'm Running For My Husband Who Can't," following the fifth annual Stars and Strides Run in downtown San Jose on June 28, 2025. With her on stage are race founder Carl Guardino, left, and Valley Health Foundation CEO Michael Elliott. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)Runners gather at the starting line before the fifth annual Stars and Strides Run in downtown San Jose on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Sponsored by Bloom Energy and Tarana Wireless, the race has raised more than $1.5 million for the Valley Health Foundation.Runners in the fifth annual Stars and Strides Run make their way through the 5K and 10K course in downtown San Jose on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)Stars and Strides Run founder Carl Guardino, left, presents a giant check for $286,778 to the Valley Health Foundation. It’s being held by Bloom Energy CEO KR Sridhar, Valley Health Foundation CEO Michael Elliott, Tarana Wireless CEO Basil Anwar at the starting line of the race in downtown San Jose on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)Show Caption1 of 4Laura Garmany shows off the cape she wore with the words, "Justice for Jeff" and "I'm Running For My Husband Who Can't," following the fifth annual Stars and Strides Run in downtown San Jose on June 28, 2025. With her on stage are race founder Carl Guardino, left, and Valley Health Foundation CEO Michael Elliott. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)ExpandLori Garmany held a sign throughout the race decorated with pictures of her son and daughter-in-law, including some showing him in the hospital. Police arrested a suspect in the hit-and-run, and Lori was persistent in the days leading up to the arrest in making sure police were actively chasing down leads.
The couple had tickets to hike Mt. Whitney on July 4, but a hopeful Laura Garmany said they’ll aim for next year. No doubt after running the Stars and Strides together again on June 27.
BY THE NUMBERS: Stars and Strides Run founder Carl Guardino was pleased to report that the event passed expectations with 2,717 paid participants and a $289,000 donation to Valley Health Foundation, the nonprofit that supports the Santa Clara County Health and Hospital System. That brings the five-year total the race has raised for Valley Health Foundation to more than $1.5 million.
POSITIVE SIGN: In a world beset with many seemingly unsurmountable problems, we can at least rejoice that the iconic neon sign atop the Hotel De Anza in downtown San Jose is again glowing brightly — and nightly.
The iconic neon sign of the Hotel De Anza was relit on Friday, June 27, 2025, during the Preservation Action Council of San Jose's 35th anniversary event at the downtown San Jose hotel. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)At the Preservation Action Council’s 35th anniversary gala last Friday night, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan was joined by hotel owner Dhavan Panchal and his family on stage before he led the guests in a countdown that ended with him declaring “Let there be light.” Oakland-based Arrow Sign Co. spent about three weeks repairing the neon tubing and giving the vintage sign a new coat of red paint. Panchal and Sean Curtis, the hotel’s chief operating officer, promise there are more improvements on the way, with a refresh of the jazzy Hedley Club coming and the re-opening of the ground-floor restaurant expected next year.
MULCAHY’S MOMENT: The political barbs were flying as expected Monday night at San Jose Stage Company’s 29th annual “Monday Night Live” fundraiser, where San Jose City Councilmember Michael Mulcahy really wowed the packed house with his skills as a song-and-dance man (useful qualities in both theater and politics). It’s going to take someone special to follow in his talented footsteps next year.
San Jose City Councilmember Michael Mulcahy sings a tribute song to late developer Barry Swenson at San Jose Stage's "Monday Night Live," a political satire fundraiser held at the downtown theater on Monday, June 30, 2025. With him on stage are San Jose Stage Company Artistic Director Randall King, far left, Swenson CEO Case Swenson, left, and actor Ashley Garlick, right. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)And while you tend to know the way these things go after nearly 30 years, Monday night’s show still had some surprises. Mulcahy led the packed house at the Stage in a chorus of “Happy Birthday” for Silvia Scandar Mahan, who spent her big day watching her husband, Mayor Matt, tell a few jokes and be the butt of others. Downtown Councilmember-elect Anthony Tordillos made an unexpected appearance to deliver a birthday cake to their table.
And the show ended by honoring developer Barry Swenson, a stalwart supporter of San Jose Stage Company who died in April at age 85. Mulcahy was joined onstage by San Jose Stage Artistic Director Randall King and Swenson CEO (and Barry’s son) Case Swenson for a touching tribute that morphed into a musical showcase with Mulcahy and actress Ashley Garlick singing the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” with the lyrics appopriately Swenson’d.
In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote a few jokes for the Weeknight Update sketch, but only the funny ones.
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Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Her husband couldn’t run the Stars and Strides race, so she ran it for him )
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