Published in the April 16-29, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life

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

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 after-school 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.

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 starting at 6:30 p.m. For ages 18 and older. There is a $20 buy-in, $30 electronic and paper buy-in. Flash games available. For more information, (408) 782-1284 or www.fmhsc.org.

April 19
Check out the stars
• Join friendly docent astronomers, the San Jose Astronomical Association and other stargazers for an evening under the stars 9 to 10:30 p.m. at the Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve. Families and children welcome. No registration required. Directions from Highway 101: take the Bailey Avenue exit west, turn left onto McKean Road, right onto Casa Loma Road. The staging area is at the end of the paved road on the left. For more information, call (408) 224-7476.

April 21, 24
What’s coming to our downtown?
• Got an idea of what you’d like downtown to look like in the future? The city is asking for your input regarding downtown improvement projects. The meeting for downtown residents is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 21, at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. The meeting for the community at large takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 24, at the Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road.

April 24
Author visits MH
• Erica Goss, the Poet Laureate of Los Gatos, will share her tips on writing better poems and talk about the craft of writing based on her new book Vibrant Words: Ideas and Inspirations for Poets, at 7 p.m., at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. For more information, call (408) 778-6467.

April 25
Sowing Seeds, Nurturing Dreams help students
• Join the Gavilan College Educational Foundation at “Sowing Seeds, Nurturing Dreams” and help provide scholarships and emergency assistance to students in need. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the college’s Student Center. Tickets are $50 and limited to those 21 and older. They are available at www.gavilancollege.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, call (408) 848-4724.

April 25 , 26
Get your spring flowers
• Morgan Hill Flower Lovers hosts its 89th annual flower show, tea room, raffle, and plant white elephant sale 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Rd. Special guest Mercury News columnist Steve Yvaska will be giving antique appraisals Sunday only from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Maximum of three appraisals. First appraisal $5; additional appraisals $10 each. For more information, email [email protected]

April 26
Art a la Carte
• Enjoy a free arts and crafts fair from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the downtown amphitheater at the Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. The fair is for children 2 to 10. This year’s theme is “How Do You Get Around? Cars, Trains, Kites, Rockets, Bikes? For more information, contact [email protected].

Spring craft fair
• Spring is in the air, so why not join others at the 2nd Annual Machado Heritage Society’s Spring Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Machado School, 15130 Sycamore Dr.? Find great ideas to make mom smile on Mother’s Day, plus a large range of local handcrafted goods.

San Martin Spring Fling
• Join the San Martin Neighborhood Association from 5 to 9 p.m. for a barbecue and dance fundraising to support the Sylvia Hamilton Picnic Area Memorial. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. The location is the Lion’s Club building at 12415 Murray Ave, San Martin. For more information, visit www.sanmartinneighbor.org.

May 2
MH Fashion shows aids local charities
• The Ladies of Charity of Morgan Hill will hold its 5th Annual Fashion Show at 7 p.m. — doors open at 6:30 p.m., at the Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Refreshments and dessert will be served. Proceeds benefit local charities.

May 3
Cops & Robbers Ball
• The Community Law Enforcement Foundation presents the Cops & Robbers Ball from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center. Proceeds benefit the Morgan Hill Police Department. Tickets are $95 per person and must be purchased in advance. Attire is black tie optional. For more information, to purchase tickets or to review sponsorship opportunities, visit www.morganhillclef.org or contact CLEF at [email protected].

Learn about composting
• Discover the benefits of gardening using your own compost. Join a free workshop taught by a Santa Clara County Master composter from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Centennial Recreation Center. Pre-registration is required. Please call (408) 918-4640 to register or register.

May 10
Get free compost
• Recology South Valley will be giving away compost at Morgan Hill Community Park in the parking lot across from the tennis courts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Morgan Hill residents may take up to three 32-gallon cans of compost (about ½ cubic yards). There’s a limited supply, so it’s first come first served. Remember to bring a shovel and container. For more information, (408) 842-3358.

May 11
Mother’s Day breakfast
• Enjoy a Mother’s Day breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Henry Coe State Park, 9000 E. Dunne Ave. Stroll to the picnic area and enjoy an old-fashioned chuck wagon breakfast with friends and family. Funds benefit the Pine Ridge Association in support of Henry W. Coe State Park. There is a parking fee of $8 per car ($7 senior rate if someone in the vehicle is 62 or older). Please carpool if possible. Tickets available at www.coepark.net.
May 17
City Beautification Day
• Help make the city more beautiful from 9 a.m. to noon. This is an opportunity for individuals, families and groups to enhance the health of West Little Llagas Creek and its wildlife. Participants will concentrate on picking up litter — gloves, bags and litter grabbers will be provided. Meet at the Corporation Yard, 100 Edes Court, at 9am. Participants are invited to a free barbecue after the event. Call (408) 776-7333. Participants younger than 18 need to bring a volunteer waiver signed by their parents the morning of the event.
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