Published in the December 11-25 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

The idea has been around for years, but thanks to Supervisor Mike Wasserman who led the effort, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance allowing wine directional signs in the unincorporated areas of South County. The new signs should help create a “wine trail” that could someday link South County wineries with those in Santa Cruz County. The signs should also help promote South County as a top-notch wine region and bring in additional tourist dollars. Good job to all!
• • •
When disaster strikes, locals come through. And that’s just what the Morgan Hill Lions Club did after typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines last month. Nov. 15, about 125 Lions members and at least 25 more family and friends prepared more than 15,500 meal packets, which serve a family of six.

“This is what being a Lion is all about,” said Morgan Hill Lions Club President Jerry Smith. “Working together, young and old, shoulder to shoulder — laughing, dancing and cheering each time the ‘gong’ was struck when 1,000 packets were completed.”

“Stop Hunger Now” helped the local club get the event together. For more information on how to participate in the next event or to become a Lions Club member, call (408) 909-0009 or (408) 892-1500. Good job, Lions!
• • •

Maureen Tobin

Maureen Tobin

Maureen Tobin has been selected as the city’s first communications and engagement manager. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the city’s community engagement, public information and internal communication efforts.

Tobin has lived in Morgan Hill for 22 years and worked for the city for the past 6 ½ years in the Community Services Department, where a primary focus of her job has been marketing and communications for the city’s recreation facilities, programs, and services. She has also frequently provided communications support for the city as a whole in the absence of this formal function.

“I am honored to serve the organization and the Morgan Hill community in this new role,” Tobin said. “I look forward to the opportunity to work internally and with the community to improve and enhance communications and information sharing.”

Maureen loves spending time in nature and frequently walks and hikes in the surrounding hills with her faithful companion, Sophie, her dog. She will formally start her new role in January.
• • •
The Morgan Hill branch of the American Association of University Women is giving all high school students in Morgan Hill a chance to express their opinion and win a $1,500 prize in a speech contest with the theme of “Women at the Top – Why not?”

The five- to six-minute speech must be submitted by Dec. 18. A final competition will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Villa Mira Monte House. The first place winner in the Morgan Hill competition will be entered in the state competition with the chance to win the top prize. For more information and an application, contact Margaret McCann at [email protected].

Looking for a way to volunteer? If so, there’s an opportunity right around the corner. The city is looking for volunteers to help plant 100 trees in public parks, including Paradise Park, Jackson Park and Galvan Park Feb. 15. To sign up, contact Tony Eulo, program administrator, at (408) 776-7373 or email [email protected].
• • •

Photo by Marty Cheek From left, Terry Moriyama, Gina Oroz-Andrades and Lisa Lapham enjoy a fun moment at Just G’s Boutique during Ladies Night Out downtown Dec. 5.

Photo by Marty Cheek
From left, Terry Moriyama, Gina Oroz-Andrades and Lisa Lapham enjoy a fun moment at Just G’s Boutique during Ladies Night Out downtown Dec. 5.

More than 400 women and men braved the freezing temps Dec. 5 for the annual Ladies Night Out shopping spree put on by the Morgan Hill Downtown Association. Participants strolled in and out of downtown shops and restaurants wearing glowing angel and devil novelty headwear – 200 of which were given away in the first five minutes – to get into the fun spirit of the holidays.