Published in the December 9 – 22, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life

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].

Second Monday
Cookbook book club
• Beginning Jan. 11, a group is organizing a Cookbook Book Club from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the library, 660 W. Main Ave. Each month will feature a different theme and participants can select a cookbook/recipe within the them and share it with the group. They are also planning a potluck-style sharing of the recipes each meeting.

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 more information, call (408) 782-1284 or visit www.fmhsc.org.

Kiwanis meet regularly
• The Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club meets at 7 p.m. at Mama Mia’s, 275 E. Dunne Ave. They are a service club that benefits children in Morgan Hill. For more information, call (408) 659-0350.

Second Wednesday
SV Woodworkers meet
• If you are a woodworker and would like to share your skills and experiences with fellow woodworkers you might enjoy the South Valley Woodworkers. They are a group of turners, marquetarians, carvers and furniture makers, and meet at 7 p.m. Visit www.southvalleywoodworkers.org for more information and the meeting site.

Every Thursday
Learn public speaking skills
• Interested in building your public speaking and leadership skills? Come to the Morgan Hill Toastmasters Club’s weekly meeting at 7:30 a.m. at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. For more information, visit www.morganhill.toastmastersclubs.org.

Every Friday
Breastfeeding support group
• Join others at 10 a.m. at the Casa Natal Birth Center, 50 W. Main St., Suite D. Call (408) 778-7583.

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

Dec. 10
Women and investing
• Women and men have differing considerations when it comes to long-term financial goals. Learn more at 6:30 p.m. at Marie Callender’s in Morgan Hill. Dinner will be provided, seating is limited. Call Stephanie at (408) 778-4400 to RSVP by Dec. 3. Hosted by Marisa Otto, CFP@, Edward Jones. Feel free to bring a friend.

Gift of Reading
• Share your love of books and donate new and like-new children’s books for distribution to needy children in our local area. Drop off sites are BookSmart, 80 E. Second St., and the Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave. For more information, contact [email protected].

General plan meeting
• The Draft General Plan will shape development, land use, growth and conservation in the city of Morgan Hill during the next 20 years. Learn about the main ideas in the plan, the proposed changes to the city’s existing General Plan, and share your thoughts. The meeting takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Morgan Hill City Council Chambers., 17555 Peak Ave. For more information, visit www.morganhill2035.org.

Dec. 12
Art for Kids!
• It’s the holiday season so join in the spirit of creativity and giving. Children are invited to make a beautiful ornament for the holidays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. The cost is $4. Please call BookSmart at (408) 778-6467 to sign up to participate. Drop-ins are welcome if space is available. Parents are asked to stay in the store while child participates in the activity.

Dec. 12 & 13
Wine and chocolate tasting
• Come to the Paradise Valley Vineyards Wine and & Spirited Chocolate Tasting from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hiram Morgan Hill House at Villa Mira Monte, 17860 Monterey St. The event cost $5 and is for those 21 and older.

Dec. 14
Christmas Open House
• Add some extra merry to your Christmas as Marisa Otto of Edward Jones hosts a gift of appreciation to the clients, friends and neighbors who make Morgan Hill a wonderful place to operate a business. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, 275 Tennant Ave. Ste. 206A. Bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and RSVP to Stephanie at (408) 778-4400.

Through Dec. 15
Toys for Tots drop off
• Marisa Otto, the local Edward Jones financial advisor, is supporting the Morgan Hill Toys for Tots program by using her office as a drop-off location for this year’s toy drive. Residents may help needy children in the area by bringing in a new, unwrapped toy to 275 Tennant Ave., Suite 206A, during regular business hours through Dec. 15.

Dec.. 16
AAUW speech contest
• The American Association of University Women Morgan Hill and the Santa Clara County Library Morgan Hill branch are sponsoring their third annual high school speech contest at 6:45 p.m. Jan. 26. The deadline to submit an application is Dec. 16. The topic is gender bias and inequality and the speech should be five to six minutes. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers and the first-place winner will be entered in AAUW’s state competition with the possibility of competing for a $1,500 first prize. Applications are available at www.aauw-morganhill.org/speechtrek. For more information visit www.aauw-morganhill.org/speechtrek or contact Margaret McCann at [email protected] or (408) 782-9577.

Feb. 13
Enjoy Valentines Day
• Attend the annual Chocolate and Wine for Valentine event from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Road. Enjoy the fine wines, delicious chocolates, inviting finger foods and hand crafted items by local artisans. This Teachers Aid Coalition event benefits local public school teachers and students. Purchase tickets, $25, at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. and at the offices of Drs. Nguyen and Hatakeyama, 370 W Dunne Ave #3. For more information, call (408) 888-8770.

Send calendar items to [email protected].