Published in the June 24 – July 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Robert Airoldi
Morgan Hill is famous for its spectacular July 4 America birthday bash thanks to the good folks at the nonprofit group Independence Day Celebrations. Every year they put on free family-friendly Freedom Fest fun events which this year kicks off with the July 3 night Patriotic Children Sing at the Downtown Amphitheater and the Family Street Dance in downtown Morgan Hill. On July 4, enjoy the Freedom Run, Car Cruise ‘n’ Show, Independence Day Parade, the star-spangled Fireworks on the Green show at the Outdoor Sports Center. We at Morgan Hill Life salute all the volunteers for their hard work putting on the events.
“We all found that we have a common interest in patriotism in our community and celebrating our national holiday,” Jeff Dixon, president of IDC, told us.
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Angeline Madriaga
Morgan Hill’s Angeline Madriaga, 12, has been a popular performer of the national anthem for the past four years at the Patriotic Sing and Fireworks on the Green show — and now she might be singing the Star-Spangled Banner at Levi’s Stadium to start off a San Francisco 49er game. The talented singer was one of 10 finalists competing for the chance to sing in the team’s Gold Voice contest. She auditioned June 11 and you can see a video and vote on her performance at the Niners’ website at www.49ers.com. Madriaga received a football with her name printed on it as a souvenir.
Good luck, Angeline! Whatever the outcome, you’re a winner for everyone in Morgan Hill.
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Dan Rocca, Toni Julien and Dan Keith celebrate the introduction of Toni’s OatMEAL in Rocca’s Market. Photo by Robert Airoldi.
Tony Julien is “so excited” about oatmeal. And June 12 her Toni’s OatMEAL officially made it into Rocca’s Market in San Martin.
Thanks to Dan Keith and Dan Rocca, the South Bay will now have access to an easy and quick way to get a complete meal that’s as delicious as it is healthy.
Dan Keith found her on Facebook and sent her a message asking why she didn’t have Toni’s OatMEAL in the store. So they met and made it work.
“I’m all about supporting local businesses,” the Morgan Hill business woman said. “I love to be able to connect with people, especially those looking toward a healthier lifestyle.”
“This is a good product,” said Keith, who is trying to lose weight, and says it also makes for a good healthy dessert.
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Morgan Hill resident Jeanine Healy recently let us know about a new meet-up group she just started called “100 Hearts — Volunteers Changing Morgan Hill.”
Jeanine Healy
She explains the unique concept this way: “We have quite a few service organizations and volunteer groups in South County. We also have kind-hearted residents who don’t mind giving their time and talent to the community, but sometimes they either don’t want to be full-time members or they don’t know what is available to them.”
The group is sponsored by the Morgan Hill Lions Club and hopes to match up those with the time and talent with the organizations that would benefit. Members of the meet-up will receive email notices of the upcoming volunteer opportunities. They can choose to participate or ignore the post and wait for another event that is more in their interest area.
But why 100? “That’s my estimation of when we will have critical mass,” Healy told us.
100 Hearts hopes to have a variety of both hands-on service projects, fundraisers and just-for-fun social events so that they can get to know Morgan Hill neighbors better. The group will hold an inaugural meet-up at Marie Callender’s at 7 p.m. July 2 to get to know each other and to brainstorm.
For more information about the 100 Heart meet-up, visit www.meetup.com or find them on Facebook.
Thank you for taking the initiative, Jeanine.
