Published in the December 7 – 20, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Robert Airoldi
The new year is coming and everyone needs a 2017 calendar. And if you’re a dog lover, the Morgan Hill Dog Owners Group has one for sale that benefits the nonprofit. They are $20 each or two for $30 and are available at Canine Concepts, 16999 Monterey Road. The Morgan Hill Dog Owners Group works with the city to maintain and improve the off-leash dog park at Community Park.
They also sponsor dog related activities, functions and educational programs to improve the lives of dogs and their owners. Great idea, great cause. I’ll take two!
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The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill is seeking applications for a new grants program, Hearts of Rotary, to help local nonprofit organizations fund local projects or programs. Grant guidelines and applications, which are due Dec, 31, are available at www.morganhillrotary.com. HOR support is available for projects/programs that benefit youth, seniors, education or community benefit in the Morgan Hill or San Martin area. Grants are not restricted to tangible items and can be used for operating expenses. Organizations are required to be designated tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofits and funds must be used for a specific community benefit. Because Rotary Club of Morgan Hill has its own separate scholarship program for college-bound seniors, similar scholarships grants will not be considered. Nonprofits, get your applications in now.
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Grinds, Vines and Automobilia Cafe has been raising money for the Tara Romero statue that will be installed at the demonstration garden between City Hall and the council chambers on Peak Avenue. To date, the public has contributed $6,700 of their $8,000 goal.
Romero’s parents commissioned an artist to create a bronze bust depicting the teen’s likeness, as a reminder of the impact of violence, urging local youth and other passersby to commit to a peaceful environment.
Romero died in a November 2011 drive-by shooting at the intersection of Cosmo and Del Monte avenues. Five men drove slowly by the intersection when at least one of the occupants opened fire on Romero and a group of her teen friends, who were standing in the area waiting for a ride home.
Stop by GVA anytime to make a donation and help reach their goal.
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Britton Middle School Principal Chris Moore joined staff and students to welcome 20 Indonesia Scouts to campus Nov. 18. Ten boys and 10 girls, ages 11 and 12, are the winners of the annual Indonesia Scouts Challenge. Top prize for winning the challenge is a seven-day trip to the United States. After more than 24 hours of travel, the group arrived in San Francisco. They spent the next seven days exploring the wonders of the Bay Area, including a trip to Morgan Hill.
“We are honored to welcome the Indonesian Scouts to campus,” Moore said of the visitors. “This is such a great opportunity for them to experience our culture and see what it’s like to attend school in the U.S.”
The Scouts spent the morning hours on Britton campus attending classes and making new friends. The Scouts were able to shadow Britton students to see what it’s like to attend an American school.
Now in its second year, the Indonesia Scouts Challenge is an annual competition for both girl and boy scouts in Indonesia. For the competition, each school sends their troops to compete at the city/regional level. The winners then move on to represent their city/region at the province level, then on to the National Championship. As part of the challenge, each troop must compete in events such as traditional sport, art, an English test challenge and a flag semaphore challenge.
“For the kids, this trip is an unforgettable learning experience to see how other people with different culture, language, religions and all the attributes live and interact,” said Ari Sufiati, the U.S. organizer of the East Java scouts’ visit. “This moment is not the grand finale of the championship, but it’s only a beginning of their next journey.”
