The mural concept was given to Dale Dowd, an art teacher at Sobrato High School

Photo courtesy Morgan Hill Art School
The mural at the Cal Fire station on Monterey Road.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Anthony Stenberg, founder of nonprofit Morgan Hill Art School, met with Battalion Chief Jake Hess of Cal Fire and several of his staff to design and paint a mural on a blank wall facing Monterey Road at the Morgan Hill station. Cal Fire Capt. Sam Gonzalez took the lead role in helping Morgan Hill Art School complete the mural, which features three firefighters carrying a hose.

The school became an Exploring Post, and with the help of Susan Vinh, was able to provide a group of youth volunteers to aid with the mural completion.

Cal Fire did not have a budget to fund the project, but Morgan Hill Art School applied for and received grants from Rotary Club Morgan Hill, Farrington Historical Foundation, and the Jewish Community Federation for Bill Graham Memorial Foundation.

The mural concept was given to Dale Dowd, an art teacher at Sobrato High School and Morgan Hill Art School, who designed it digitally.

Good job in bringing public art to Morgan Hill.

Poonam Chabra

Poonam Chabra, the executive director of a humanitarian initiative Indian Association of South Santa Clara County — Circle of Giving, told us the group has spent the past year helping members of our community struggling during the pandemic.

“Circle of Giving has given back through food and clothing donation, care packages for the homeless, snack bags for migrant farm workers, and now launching a free tutoring program for the underserved communities,” she said. “The goal is to serve the most vulnerable in our community.”

If you want to help make a difference, email [email protected] or call (408) 310-3515.

The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2nd Annual Virtual Easter Egg Hunt that will take place from April 1 to April 4. This year participating businesses have the option to add an egg hidden within the store, as well as virtually, for those families who feel comfortable getting out of the house. However, it is not required for egg hunter’s to find both. To participate:

Download the Easter Egg Hunt form from the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Website (www.morganhillchamber.org) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MorganHillChamber). The form will be available on March 31.

Visit each participating business website (or in-store if offered and you choose to do so) and use the hint provided to locate the hidden Easter egg.

Describe the egg found on each website/store. Email your completed form to Lori Allen at [email protected] to be entered into a drawing for prizes. Deadline for completed forms to be submitted is 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 7.

Congratulations to our many fine South Valley winemakers who participated in the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Among the local winery winners this year is Solis Winery based on Hecker Pass near Gilroy. Solis Winery won the distinguished Double Gold Award for both the 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2017 Estate Grenache. The judges also awarded the Gold Award to the 2017 Reserve Baciami.

“After such a challenging year, it’s a wonderful honor to receive these awards and be recognized for producing some of the best wines not just in California — but in all of North America,” said Vic Vanni, co-owner of Solis Winery. “We are excited to welcome guests back to the winery to enjoy these award-winning wines!”

President Barack Obama talks with his guests before signing S.1055, a bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II, in the Oval Office, Oct. 5, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The Morgan Hill City Council unanimously approved a project to install a plaque commemorating the bravery of the Japanese American soldiers who fought in Europe during World War II in the famed 442nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army.

The project was conceived by Morgan Hill dentist Jon Hatakeyama and came together with help from the Morgan Hill Community Foundation’s Pamala Meador. The bronze plaque will be placed at the Civic Center.

“The World War II veterans have been called the greatest generation, but I think the truly great generation was the warriors who fought in that war for a country that did not recognize them as complete citizens,” said Mayor Rich Constantine prior to the vote at the March 17 meeting.

The project is seeking funds to construct and maintain. Locals interested in supporting this project can email Hatakeyama at [email protected].