Written by Lyse McGilvery 

“I’m passionate about our town”, says George Galt, a Boulder Creek resident for three decades. “When you’re geographically isolated like in our little valley, it’s important to have a strong community.”

George is well-know for serving more than a decade on the board of Boulder Creek Parks & Recreation, an elected position. With other board members, he helps organize the community picnic at Junction Park each year following the Fourth of July Parade, and helps set up the live music for the event, harmonizing with the band during the dancing songs.

George also plays harmonica with a number of local bands:  “Joy of Jazz” at Scopazzi’s, and the eclectic ‘Badenov’ and ‘Grownups’, “music for mature audiences that appeals to us”.  Occasionally, he solos, singing and playing acoustic guitar. http://www.myspace.com/georgegalt

In addition to being on the Board of Parks & Rec., George has volunteered fifteen years on the Board of Vajrapani, a retreat located just north of Boulder Creek, to foster an understanding of Buddhism in the West. George elaborates, “Buddhism is like a logical approach to generating compassion. Your mind is your own “personal laboratory”. When you find something that works, continue on that road. This approach could be a tremendous benefit to the West.”

In addition to volunteering on these boards, George donates his auto mechanics skills to these organizations while running his mobile mechanics business from Boulder Creek.  He is lauded by many long-term customers, and often has a waiting list for more complex jobs on cars, where a trustworthy local mechanic is far preferable to a chain company.

While waiting for their car to be repaired, some “more mature” Boulder Creek residents may think back to the records of the Fairport Convention and the psychedelic band Ant Trip Ceremony from the sixties. You can hear George wailing on his mouth harp with those bands in the late sixties.