Published in the August 31 – September 13, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Local winemakers Jason and Janu Goelz, with Jason-Stephens Winery, and Tim Slater, with Sarah’s Vineyard, are readying The Stomping Ground project for this fall’s grape harvest. In April the three purchased a seven-acre vacant industrial property in Gilroy and are in the process of transforming the site into a wine production, cellaring, storage and fulfillment facility. Plans also call for tasting rooms, food vendors and entertainment.

Building One — with 12,800 square feet of storage — is complete with new insulation and refrigeration and will serve as the Case Goods Warehouse, according to Jason Goelz. The Main Building and Cellar — 22,800 square feet that will house wine tanks and barrel storage — is nearly complete.

“Wineries planning on making their 2016 vintages at The Stomping Ground include Jason-Stephens, Roudon-Smith, and my Sarah’s Vineyard label,” said Slater. “It may be that we’re cutting the ribbon right as the first grape trucks pull up to the crush pad. But we’ll be ready.”

“The Stomping Ground will be Silicon Valley’s coolest new food and wine destination,” Janu Goelz added. “We’re very excited to be approaching the first of many harvests at TSG!”
We’re excited as well and can’t wait to visit! Check them out online at www.TheStompingGround.com.

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With the new school year well underway, Morgan Hill Unified School District Superintendent Steve Betando wants to tell the community about all the great things that are going on at the local public schools. He’ll be giving a “State of the Schools” talk at the Morgan Hill Community Center at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

We encourage the community to attend and find out what programs the school district has in development.

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Congratulations are in order for Morgan Hill native Juliette Bowers, who received her doctorate in psychology from Baylor University. Her path to this achievement began at P.A. Walsh Elementary School.

From there, she attended Britton Middle School and later graduated as a proud Acorn from Live Oak High School. Bowers helped lead the Live Oak High School softball team to C.C.S. Championship victory in 2005 and was inducted into the Live Oak Hall of Fame in 2014.

Following graduation, Bowers is moving back to California, where she will continue her passion for helping others. Congratulations, Dr. Bowers!

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Registration is now underway for NFL flag football at the Outdoor Sports Center. Dedicated to providing a high-quality NFL flag program for boys and girls ages 4 to 15, South Valley Flag Football has been running leagues since 2004.

The cost to play is $120 for 10 games, plus a player combine, end-of-season jamboree, NFL logo jersey and flags, T-shirt, shorts, socks and more. NFL flag is 5-on-5, no-contact game that emphasizes skill development, equal playing time, life lessons and teamwork. Plus it’s lots of fun.

Registration is open at www.svflagfootball.net. Parents can register online. Payment and mailing information is located on the registration form. Early registration closes Oct. 2 and final registration concludes Oct. 16. The first games are Oct. 16 and the season ends Dec. 4.

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The Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church collects and donates backpacks to kids in the community who are in need of help, many of whom live out of their family car, Lynn Wong administrative assistant for the church, recently told us. At the start of the school year, the church provided P.A. Walsh STEAM Academy with backpacks for children in need.
“Last year we collected about 50 backpacks and with a smaller congregation this year we donated 63,” Wong said. Thank you for caring and making a difference in the lives of 63 P.A. Walsh students.

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Sept. 11 is a day of tragedy in American history. But Advent Lutheran Church of Morgan Hill is one of nearly 10,000 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America aiming to turn it into a day of triumph, we were told by Chris Paulsen, communications specialist at the church.

The church is taking part in “God’s work. Our hands” Sept. 11 when across the country, thousands of ELCA members will engage in service work to make a positive change. Members and friends of Advent Lutheran Church will pack and distribute water and snacks to day workers in Morgan Hill, recognize and appreciate the police department with notes of encouragement and baked goods, collect items and assemble “We Care Kits” for homeless and needy people in South County, and collect items and assemble school supplies its for Lutheran World Relief among other endeavors.