Published in the January 17 – 30, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life

Leah Halper

As Gavilan College prepares for its 100th birthday in 2019, college historian Leah Halper is looking for interested parties who attended the college to contribute their memories to a Gavilan College Centennial archive and oral history project.

Of special interest are those who attended San Benito Teachers College in the 1950s and before, or who have family records of college activities prior to the 1950s. If you are or know such a person, contact Leah Halper at [email protected], or call Noemi Naranjo at (408) 852-2825. Sounds like a great idea and I can’t wait to see the results. I’m sure our publisher Marty Cheek will search his attic for archives relating to when his father helped get the college to its current location in Gilroy.

  • •             •

Looking to get involved with what goes on in Morgan Hill? If so, the city is seeking applications from residents interested in serving on two city council appointed commissions. First, the Library, Culture & Arts Com-mission has three upcoming. Citizens appointed will serve two, two-year terms beginning April 1, 2018 and ending April 1, 2020. Second, the Parks & Recreation Commission has four upcoming. Individuals appointed will serve four-year terms beginning April 1, 2018 and ending April 1, 2022. Visit www.bit.ly/2E7tJPT to fill out an application or visit the City Clerk’s Office, 17575 Peak Ave., or call (408) 779-7271. Applications will be accepted in the City Clerk’s office until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. Interviews before the City Council are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Feb.7. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/2CqG4OI.

  • •             •

The American Association of University Women awarded $4,000 in Community Action Grants to seven organizations in Morgan Hill, an increase of $500 compared to 2016.

Community Action Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations for specific programming consistent with AAUW’s mission and are funded through AAUW-MH’s Wildflower Fund. The 2017 recipients are Community Closet, St. Catherine Parish of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, $875; the Learning and Loving Education Center, Literacy for Immigrant Women, $800; BookSmart Community Advantage Gift of Reading program, $500; Discovery Counseling Center, Bold Journey Elementary Program, $600; South Valley Science Fair at Oakwood School, $300; Future Women’s Leadership Conference, $375; and the Yearbook Club at El Toro Health Science Academy, $600.

  • •             •

The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, the Gilroy Library and CMAP have come together to offer a “Make a Movie” class for youth ages 9 to 14. Learn about movie making and how to use iMovie to create a one- to two-minute film, which will then have a chance to be recognized by the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. These classes are free and take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20 and 27, at CMAP, 350 W. Sixth St. What a fantastic way for aspiring film makers to get a start.

  • •             •

James Allen Taylor

Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans, a locally-based, multi-state Japanese-American veterans’ group, will hold its annual meeting Feb. 10, at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center, 16450 Murphy Ave. The main guest speaker will be Congressional Medal of Honor recipient James Taylor, who served as the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Independence Day Parade in Morgan Hill. The host will be Lawson Sakai, who is president of FFNV and also was the Grand Marshal of the 2014 parade.

The public is invited at 12:30 p.m. A potluck lunch for FFNV members and guests will start at 11:30 a.m. For details, contact [email protected] or (408) 896-1021.