Published in the Jan. 21 – Feb. 3, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life

Every weekend
Bingo benefits bands
• The Live Oak Emerald Regime holds bingo games at the Britton Middle School Auditorium, 80 W. Central Ave., to support band programs. Saturday, doors open at 4:15 p.m., games start at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, doors open at 11:45 a.m., games start 1:15 p.m. For more information visit www.emeraldregime.org/bingo_page.htm.

Daily
Walking program
• Join others in evening and Saturday morning walks. Meet at the Morgan Hill Shopping Center (Main and Hale avenues) for walks from 6 to 7 p.m. They also walk for 90 minutes Saturdays beginning at 9 a.m. The walks are at a moderate pace and include hills. For more information, call (408) 779-7592 or e-mail [email protected].

Every Tuesday
Bingo benefits seniors
• Bingo is played at the Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, to raise funds to benefit the Morgan Hill Senior Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games at 6:30 p.m. For ages 18 and older. There is a $20 buy-in, $30 electronic and paper buy-in. For information, call (408) 782-1284 or visit www.fmhsc.org.

Every Friday
Breastfeeding support
group meets regularly
• Join other women at 10 a.m. at the Casa Natal Birth Center, 50 W. Main St., Suite D. For more information, call (408) 778-7583.

Through Feb. 15
Learn about healthcare
• Confused about health care options? Visit Health Markets Insurance from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday to learn more about free Covered California enrollment. Health Markets Insurance is located at 16985 S. Monterey Road (next to the Dollar Tree).

Jan. 22
Meet the author
• Longtime Morgan Hill resident Loretta Wilson be promote her book “You Take the High Road,” at 6:30 p.m. at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. Wilson will share her writing experience and sign copies. The book will make you laugh and cry, wonder and smile.

Calligraphy class
• Learn the basics of calligraphy from 6 to 8 p.m. at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. Instructors will discuss the tools, techniques and strokes needed to form beautiful letters and numbers. There is a $20 class fee that includes a packet with examples of different alphabets and worksheets for practice.

Jan. 24
Oakwood open house
• Come learn more about Oakwood School, an independent, non-sectarian, college-preparatory school for students in pre-school to 12th grade. The open house is a fun, family event and no reservations are required. The school is located at 105 John Wilson Way. For more information, visit www.oakwoodway.org.

Sobrato Marching Band Goodwill Fundraiser!
• The Sobrato Swing Marching Band is having a Goodwill Fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Sobrato High School parking lot, 401 Burnett Ave. Bring your unwanted clothes, books, electronics, small appliances and exercise equipment in any condition. Help us fill the trailer to raise money for new instruments and uniforms. Furniture or large appliances are not accepted.

Meet author of teen books
• Local author Lynn Reed will be at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St., at 2 p.m. to discuss and sign the third epic of Shannon’s Adventure Stories. Titled “Adventures of the Open Door Secrets Revealed,” the book is about how a young archeology student’s adventure changes her life forever. As her class travels to dig sites, a series of mysterious events opens hidden secrets from ancient times to the present.

Jan. 29
Learn to use Quickbooks
• Bookkeeping Express is inviting business owners to a seminar on how to use Quickbooks reports to solve business problems and create business opportunities. Accounting is the language of business and your business speaks to you through your financial reports. Do you understand what it is telling you? The seminar if free and takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community Center’s Machado Room. For more information and to register for the event, call 408-465-7401, or email [email protected].

Jan. 31
Hike beneath the mountain
• Join outdoor columnist Ron Erskine at 9 a.m. at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve for a walk beneath Mt. Umunhum at the source of the Guadalupe River. This is a moderate out-and-back trail, so hikers of any ability can choose how far they wish to go. The trailhead is at the corner of Hicks Road and Mt. Umunhum Road several miles past the community of New Almaden. For more information, email [email protected].

Feb. 7
Event aids teachers
• The Chocolate and Wine for Valentine will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Community and Cultural Center (corner of Monterey Road and Dunne Avenue). Enjoy sampling fine local wines while sampling delicious chocolates and fabulous finger foods from local restaurants, and bidding on local art work for auction. Tickets are available for $25 at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St., the offices of Drs. Jon Hatakeyama and Don Nguyen, 370 W. Dunne Ave., Suite 3. The event raises funds for the Teachers Aid Coalition bi-annual give away to help buy needed school supplies for teachers in the Morgan Hill Unified School District.

Feb. 9
Growing peppers and tomatoes
• Learn about new trends in growing peppers and tomatoes from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave. New compact plants and other varieties will be discussed and participants will also learn how correct planting methods, pest control and irrigation can produce healthy and productive plants.

Feb. 12
Meet the author
• Longtime Morgan Hill resident Loretta Wilson will promote her book “You Take the High Road,” at 6:30 p.m. at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. Wilson will share her writing experience and sign copies.

Feb. 14
‘All You Need is a Party’
• Help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from 7 to 11 p.m. at Troy’s Bocce Ball, 650 Tennant Station during the “All You Need is a Party” event. There will be music, appetizers, desserts and raffles. Tickets are $45 in advance, $55 at the door and available at [email protected]. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the society.

Through Feb. 19
Register now for Spirit
• The Spirit of Morgan Hill Girls Softball league is now accepting registration for all teams. For more information, call Tish Altamirano at (408) 568-3809 or visit www.spiritofmorganhill.com.

Feb. 21
Winter book sale
• The Friends of the Morgan Hill Library’s winter book sales takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, 660 W. Main Ave. All books are $1 or less, children’s books are 10 cents. At 2 p.m., there will be a $5 bag sale, including a reusable library book bag. The cost is $4 if you bring your own bag. Teachers and nonprofits may take books for free at the end of the sale but must pre-register by calling (408) 782-9029 or e-mailing [email protected]. A members-only sales takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. the day before the sale. Memberships are available at the door.
Send calendar items to [email protected].