By Robert Airoldi
I’m often amazed at the beautiful, bucolic area in which we live. Just driving some of the back roads gives me pause. Pastoral fields of corn, hay and other crops line avenues that wind their way throughout South County. Small farms, detached residential homes and large estates are sprinkled among the agricultural uses. The drive between Morgan Hill and Gilroy through San Martin can be a joy, with just a few stop-lights and zero — make that no — strip malls. And, if you get behind a tractor, relax and enjoy the ride. At least you’re not stuck in a traffic jam.
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If you haven’t been to Grinds Vines and Automobilia Cafe’s new lounge area, you have to check it out. The cozy couches set against one wall offer a relaxing area to come and listen to live music that now plays every Friday and Saturday. Heard someone the other day call it Morgan Hill’s living room. And owner Renee Carrillo is as gracious a host as you’ll ever find. Stop by some time for a cup of coffee, glass of wine and a snack. You’ll feel right at home.
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There’s a great opportunity on the horizon that promises to be a rewarding cultural experience with the likely chance of making lifelong friends. This summer, eight middle school students and two adult chaperones from Morgan Hill’s Sister City, Mizuho-machi, Tokyo, Japan, will arrive and are looking for host families. The seven girls, one boy and two men need parents of Morgan Hill Unified School District students to serve as host families for ten days from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28. Host families are required to provide housing, meals and transportation to school or meeting places. The students will attend Morgan Hill schools for five days and participate in other activities. Interested parents please contact Judy Little, Mizuho Student Exchange Coordinator at (408) 779-8170 or at [email protected].
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It’s time to enter Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman’s Summer Photo Contest. Grab your camera and snap images of landscapes, farmers markets, parades, county parks, neighborhood barbecues, pets and other fun images of summer in District 1. E-mail the photos to [email protected] along with your name, address and where the photo was taken. For more information, including rules and a map of District 1, visit www.SupervisorWasserman.org.
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About 190 friends and family members of Kevin Waltrip came together on June 15 to celebrate their love for him and raise money for Kevin as he deals with cancer. The party was put on by David Domenichini and four other childhood friends of Waltrip. The ‘80s party theme was not only a blast, it raised a substantial amount of money to help the Waltrips through these challenging times. It was held at Domenichini’s San Martin home. Anyone interested in a venue for a nonprofit fundraising event should contact Dave at (408) 691-3283. You’re a good man for all you do, Dave.
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Brooks H. Carpenter, a deceased Morgan Hill resident, has made a $300,000 legacy donation to Barton’s campership endowment fund, the largest personal donation ever made to the fund. The fund is part of The Barton Center for Diabetes Education. The funds will be earmarked to help children attend the organization’s resident, day and adventure camp programs, which motivate and inspire confidence in young people with Type 1 diabetes, while helping them manage their disease. Carpenter moved to California in the 1960s after serving honorably as an officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era.”We are very grateful that the Carpenter family has actively supported The Barton Center and its programs for decades, serving in the board and advising staff on countless issues,” said Board Chairman Thomas C. Lynch. Here’s hoping the donation helps with some of the those issues.
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Living here for 17 years now, I have to say I really love the entire Fourth of July program of events put on by the hardworking group known as IDC. There is no paid staff. All the events, from the Bike Classic, to the Patriotic Sing, to the July 3 Family Music Fest, to the parade to the fireworks show, are put on by volunteers. And every year, things just get better and better. Already looking forward to next year.
