Pop-up Park was packed with locals for Jewish holiday celebration

Photo by Mark Fenichel/fenifoto
Residents listen to Rabbi Mendel Liberow at the Hanukkah event.

The rain miraculously subsided just in time for the Grand Public Menorah lighting ceremony kicking off the eight days of Hanukkah Sunday, Dec. 22. The Pop-up Park was packed with people eating, drinking and enjoying traditional music.

Rabbi Mendel Liberow and his wife, Chani, put the event together with the help of friends and members of Chabad Temple of Morgan Hill. Mayor Rich Constantine was on hand to light the first candle, followed by comments from the mayor, city dignitaries and Liberow.

Happy Hanukkah to all!

Do you have an idea for a state law that you’d like to propose to a political leader for possible vote? Well, you’re in luck. Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), who represents the South Valley region in Sacramento, is launching his inaugural “There Ought to Be a Law” program. Residents of Assembly District 30 are invited to submit ideas for state legislation.

“California faces a number of challenges. Solutions to the issues facing our community should not come from Sacramento alone,” Rivas said in a press release. “I know that there are engaged residents in our community who have ideas on how government can work better for Californians.”

Proposals can be anything from bold new programs to simple, common sense fixes to existing law that more effectively address the needs of local communities.

“Whether you have a big new idea, or a simple fix to improve past legislation, I look forward to hearing from you,” the assemblymember said. “Elected officials don’t have a monopoly on good ideas. In fact, I’ve already received great suggestions from constituents that have led to successful legislation. The goal of is to encourage even more people to get involved and become engaged in the legislative process. Together, we can work to make California a better place for all people.”

Proposals can be submitted through Assemblymember Rivas’s website at www.a30.asmdc.org/there-ought-be-law or contact the district office at (831) 759-8676 to get a paper form. The deadline for entries is Jan. 15, 2020.

Let’s see what new legislation might come out of this great idea to get citizens engaged in state government.

Claudia Rossi

Congratulations to Morgan Hill resident and long-time education advocate Claudia Rossi for being elected as the new president of the Santa Clara County Board of Education. She received this honor at the Dec. 11 meeting.

“Public education is a fundamental element of a peaceful and just society as it advances the goal to empower youth to contribute to our collective economic, civic and social well-being,” she said. “The commitment to educate all young people remains a noble endeavor that is not seen in many other parts of the world that are faced with the consequences of disenfranchised youth.”

Rossi was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Education in 2014. Previously, she was on the school board of Morgan Hill Unified School District for the term of 2010-2014. She has served as a volunteer both in and out of the classroom and is a staunch supporter of special education and students and families who face socio-economic and language adversity. She started Project Roadmap as a way to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to go to college. She also started a sports mentoring program to serve at-risk youth and has been actively involved in organizing workshops for parents of English Language Learners.

Our friend Jeff Dixon told us that the South Valley Flag Football League just opened up its 2020 winter season. Dedicated to providing a high quality NFL FLAG program for boys and girls 4-14 years of age, the group of sports enthusiasts has been running leagues in the Morgan Hill area since 2004.

If you’re interested in having your child participate, the cost to play is $150 for 10 games plus player combine, end-of-season jamboree, NFL logo jersey and flags, T-shirt, shorts, socks and more.

“NFL Flag is a 5-on-5, no-contact game that emphasizes skill development, equal playing time, life lessons and teamwork plus its lots of fun to play,” Dixon said.

Registration is now open at www.svflagfootball.net. Parents can register online, then mail payment. Payment and mailing information is located on the registration form. Early registration closes Jan. 5 and final registration closes Jan.26. The player combine will be held Jan. 5, the games start Jan. 26 and the season ends March 1.

Robert Airoldi is the editor of Morgan Hill Life and Gilroy Life.