Published in the January 6 – 19, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Brownie Troop for Around Town

Brownie Troop 60922

Morgan Hill Public Works Director Karl Bjarke shared with us a hand-written letter from Brownie Troop 60922 encouraging drivers to be careful during the upcoming rains. The girls’ letter read:
“Please help us because we need you to know that we have a problem. When it rains, cars are going fast and that is a big problem because people can get in acsdents (sic). Can you please help so no one gets hurt.”

Girl Scout leader Mary Bacca wrote Bjarke that her group of 8-year-old Brownies are working on a skill where they practice reaching out to the community to show they care.

“The enclosed letter was written by some of my girls in which they identified a community concern they have and then proposed a possible solution,” Bacca wrote in her introduction letter. “They are concerned about oil-slicked streets during early season rains and people driving too fast. They were hoping for maybe a reminder to put in the local newspaper to encourage people to drive more carefully during the storms.”

Well, Brownie Troop 60922, here you go. The power of the press is in your hands. Drivers out there… take care!
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Clint Bunch

Clint Bunch

Clint Bunch, owner of Morgan Hill-based Dropout Cabinet Fixtures, dropped by our office recently to let us know that his company won the prestigious 2015 Product Innovation Award given out by industrial magazine Kitchen & Bath Business. Bunch invented and patented a new type of spice rack storage system that slides out and down from a kitchen cabinet, allowing home chefs to easily select from up to 36 spice bottles.

This unique storage system received much praise at a major Las Vegas trade show when Clint showed it there last year. It is a 4-inch wide filler cabinet that easily integrates into all styles of cabinetry, he told us. It’s designed so that cooks can easily open it with one outward and downward motion, putting the upper area of the cabinet within fingertip reach. The system is not limited to just spices. It can be used for other kitchen products to be reached conveniently, such as beverages.

Clint told us he’s always coming up with inventive ideas to make life easier for people. Good job, Clint!
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The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill fulfilled Christmas wishes for the youth at The El Toro Boys and Girls Club. The event held Thursday Dec. 17 included singing Christmas carols, dinner provided by the families and the presentation of a gift to each child.

The Christmas party was attended by about 75 children. The Rotary club provided gifts for all of them. Rotary club members shopped for gifts off of wish lists provided by the children.

El Toro Youth Director Alban Diaz noted that the youth were excited about the party. He looked at the party as more than just a Christmas celebration for the children but also as a reward for all the hard work they having been doing in their schoolwork.

The Rotary club was delighted to spread some holiday cheer for the children. The Rotary at its finest!
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Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds, goes the unofficial U.S. Postal Service motto. And four Morgan Hill carriers were honored as newly installed members of the National Safety Council’s 17th annual “Million Mile Club” for driving a combined four million accident-free miles bringing letters and packages to local residents’ homes.

The recognized postal employees are Angel Montelongo, 53, of Morgan Hill; Steven Wright, 52, of San Jose; John Velasco, 55, of Gilroy; and Toni Chandler, 62, of Morgan Hill. The four were feted as guests at an awards ceremony held Nov. 18 in Oakland. Each received a plaque, jacket, cap and prestigious club membership for their career achievement in recognition of their outstanding record for one million miles or 30 years of driving without being involved in a preventable motor vehicle accident. It takes about three decades of carrier service to reach the milestone in mileage.

“Postal Service drivers are among the safest in the world,” said Bay-Valley District Manager Jeffrey Day in a press release. “The remarkable achievement of these four drivers demonstrates how Postal Service employees continue to deliver on the promise of delivering their best every day with care, courtesy and the concern for the safety of others.”

Congratulations to all of our letter carriers.
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Brrrrrr. If you have a thrill for the chill, the city of Morgan Hill has got a winter water event for you.

Nichole Parker with the city let us know that if our readers are brave enough (or crazy enough), they can hit the H-2-O in an unheated catch pool at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center 11 a.m. Jan. 9 for a Saturday morning Polar Bear Plunge to bring in the new year. There’ll be an inflatable obstacle course and the swimmers can finish with a plunge into the instructional pool. The Aquatics Center is located at 16200 Condit Road. To register, visit the city’s website at www.morganhill.ca.gov.
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Tola Mov

Tola Mov

We have sad news. Tola Mov, 19, a Sobrato High School graduate and popular athlete died Dec. 21 after five months in a coma. Doctors at the Stanford Medical Center put him into a medically-induced coma to prevent seizures they attempted to figure out his condition. His family took him off life support.

The young man had a mysterious liver illness that left him critically ill after he took an Aug. 2 bike ride. He played basketball and served as a youth referee for the YMCA of Silicon Valley at the Centennial Recreation Center.

Originally from Cambodia, he loved the United States and sports. His funeral was held Dec. 27 at the Cambodian Temple in San Jose. To donate to the family for his medical expenses, visit www.gofundme.com/tolamovfund.