Published in the Oct. 1-14, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Robert Airoldi 

Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

The Morgan Hill Life staff had lunch at Rosy’s at the Beach last week with Cecelia Ponzini, co-founder with her husband Gary of the Edward “Boss” Prado Foundation which helps students and families in need obtain food and clothes and shoes. Cecelia told us that she would like to give a big “Thank you!” to the woman who stopped by Cecelia’s Closet and Pantry site in Morgan Hill’s Madrone district and anonymously donated a $500 Safeway gift card to be used to purchase food for families. It’s heart-warming stories like this that proves there are a lot of people who care about those less fortunate than them and are generous in helping others. Kudos to whoever you are!
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The San Jose Sharks came through in the search to find missing Sobrato High School student Sierra LaMar by raising an estimated $13,000 at an autograph signing event. Seven Sharks teammates autographed photos and other sports memorabilia for a $20 donation for each item. The players were Sharks Center Logan Couture as well as Matt Nieto, Andrew Desjardins, James Sheppard, Tomas Hertl and Alex Stalock.
Sierra LaMar has been missing since 2012, and volunteers have been persistent in their search for the girl’s remains. To learn how to donate or help in the search, visit www.findsierralamar.com.
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The Morgan Hill Police Officers Association is looking for golf players to have some fun in the sun this month and raise money for its public safety organization. Its third annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament will be held Friday Oct. 10 at the Coyote Creek Golf Course north of Morgan Hill. Entry fee is $150 per player and includes green fees, cart, range balls, box lunch and dinner buffet. Team rosters are due by Oct. 3. For more information, email Sgt. Bill Norman at [email protected] or phone (408) 463-1400.
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Good job local high school students for getting involved in this November’s election process. Morgan Hill Life is co-sponsoring with the American Association of University Women a Candidate Forum starting 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the city’s Council Chambers. AAUW member Margaret McCann reached out to the teachers of the various civics classes in Morgan Hill high schools and asked them to encourage students to submit questions to the candidates for City Council and the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees. McCann said that nine pages of questions were submitted by school students relating to such issues as school uniforms to Common Core standards.

Sobrato High School teacher Jeanie Wallace told us of getting young people involved in democracy: “The opportunity to submit questions for the AAUW forum provided us with a meaningful context in which to discuss jurisdiction, as well as the formulation of effective questions that are designed to bring out meaningful differences between candidates…. I think they appreciate the fact that they are preparing to participate in the adult world, and their work is not just academic – they understand that they are being allowed to make real decisions.”
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Photo courtesy Specialized Bicycle Specialized Bicycle employees can often be seen riding their bikes through and around Morgan Hill.

Photo courtesy Specialized Bicycle
Specialized Bicycle employees can often be seen riding their bikes through and around Morgan Hill.

Here’s some exciting news for cycling enthusiasts that we received from Jennie Tucker, the community services supervisor at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center. Starting Oct. 6 and featured the first Monday of every month after that date, cyclists can join in on a ride with Specialized Bicycle Components employees as they explore the back roads of the South Valley region. Meet at the CCC parking lot around 12:15 p.m. to participate. The rides will feature different courses open to all levels.