Published in the April 2-15, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Robert Airoldi
First “First Dog,” now “The Sea.” Morgan Hill’s historic Votaw House, located at 395 West Main Ave., is once again a movie star. Filming has recently been going on at the 1900-built Victorian house by independent film director Oscar Beckman for “The Sea,” a Hitchcockian psychological thriller about a couple whose lives are thrown into turmoil when they meet the wrong people while taking a vacation on the California coast. Even though Morgan Hill is miles from the Pacific, through the magic of editing, the Votaw House will serve as a beach home in the movie. “The Sea” does not yet have a release date.
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A great big thank you to everyone who contributed to the Mt. Madonna YMCA’s annual fundraising drive in February. Our community raised $180,000 that goes to support “Y” programs such as the Centennial Senior Center that help keep our residents mentally and physically fit.
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Interested in getting a view of police work and the inner workings of the Morgan Hill Police Department? If you’re 18 or older, we recommend that you apply for the spring 2014 session of the Citizens Police Academy, which starts May 13. You’ll learn about how an investigation is conducted, what it takes to be a member of the SWAT team, defensive tactics, narcotics, gangs, domestic violence and community policing. For details, visit the MHPD’s website or contact Corporal Scott Purvis at [email protected].
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Divya Gopisetty
We got word that Oakwood School senior Divya Gopisetty, the winner of the Morgan Hill branch of the American Association of University Women’s inaugural Speech Trek contest in January, has been chosen as one of the three finalists to compete at the AAUW’s state convention. Gopisetty also came in first place at the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill’s annual student speech contest at the club’s Feb. 12 meeting with her impassioned speech “Every Woman, Every Right.” Gopisetty will compete Saturday April 12 in Sacramento during the AAUW’s state convention. Good luck, Divya!
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With Earth Day coming up, we’d like to offer a friendly go-green reminder to help preserve the environment. The city council adopted an ordinance regulating single-use carryout shopping bags last year. On April 22, this ordinance takes effect and Morgan Hill will join other local communities in banning plastic bags given to shoppers at the check out counter. Paper bags, if offered, will now cost 10 cents each. Bringing your own reusable bags when shopping saves resources and prevents waste. Start by keeping a reusable bag (or two!) in your car. This will help you get in the habit of bringing your own bag. What happens to the fee? Stores may keep bag fees collected. No payments to the city are required.
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This in from local dentist Dr. Jon Hatakeyama about the latest news in the wine trail project. A steering committee for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently met with local wine enthusiasts to hear about the importance of promoting the local wine industry in the South Valley through wine signage to help visitors discover our wonderful wineries. The steering committee gave the wine trail advocates “a standing ovation,” Hatakeyama said. The wine trail idea next goes to the county’s board of supervisors for its April 15 meeting starting at 9 a.m. Hatakeyama encourages local leaders and residents to show up and support the vote for the signage project.
