“I have a unique and engaging personality and believe my tribe would want to keep me because I can provide, win challenges and keep them entertained,” he said.
By Robert Airoldi
Robert Airoldi
Morgan Hill resident Naseer
Muttalif will compete on this season’s “Survivor.” The show airs
Sept. 22 on CBS.
Photo courtesy ew.com
Morgan Hill resident Naseer Muttalif is going to have to “Outwit, Outplay, Outlast” other contestants as a cast member of the 41st season of “Survivor.” It begins 8 p.m., Sept. 22 on CBS.
The show’s premise is to subject a group of strangers to a remote location, stripped away of most comforts in life such as food and technology.
A native of Sri Lanka, Muttalif, 37, brings an interesting background to the show.
According to a bio on ew.com, Muttalif grew up in poverty, living in a mud hut with no electricity or running water for half his life.
“I never held a cell phone or touched a computer until I was 18,” he said.
He worked his way from selling vegetables on the streets to making multi-million-dollar sales for his employer. He didn’t know how to use a real toilet or shower until he was 18 and moved overseas (in Sri Lanka, they had a hole in the ground in an outhouse for a toilet and bathed in the river behind the house). They washed their clothes in the river. He didn’t get his driver’s license (or really drive a car) until his wife — then girlfriend — helped him get one in Dubai when he was 26.
“I was able to help send my sister to college and support the education of my nieces and nephew,” the bio reads. “I recently saved enough money to buy land in Sri Lanka, where I hope to build my mom a more modern, safer home.”
Asked why he can win the popular televised game, Muttalif said he is a strong competitor.
“I have a unique and engaging personality and believe my tribe would want to keep me because I can provide, win challenges and keep them entertained,” he said. “I will do whatever it takes to win. This game is so important to me and winning it would be my greatest achievement. I have unique life experiences that will help me to make it to the end.”
Linda Holbrook
The Morgan Hill Methodist Church, the iconic little church in downtown Morgan Hill, has a new Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Linda Holbrook.
She comes to MHUMC as a retired pastor from First Palo Alto United Methodist Church. Her strengths in worship, pastoral care and leadership will enable the congregation to continue worshiping in the historic building and maintaining their inclusive, reconciling and spiritually progressive faith.
Holbrook is a wonderful story teller. With a twinkle in her eye, she embarks on a story that connects the congregation to her quick-witted sense of humor and intelligence. She has a special heart and enthusiasm for the work of compassion and justice. Her high energy, coupled with her lifelong experiences in the corporate world and churches as a change-maker, spiritual director and strategist will help MHUMC continue to be an integral part of the Morgan Hill community.
Welcome, Pastor Holbrook, to our community!
The Gilroy Elks is continuing its tradition of handing out scholarships to high school seniors and transferring 
community college students.
The strength of high school seniors applying for a scholarship is that it has the potential of winning additional funds at the state level as well as the national level through the Elks National Foundation.
These scholarships range from $4,000 to $50,000. The deadline for applying is Nov. 15.
Applicants are also eligible for $1,000 scholarships from the Elks Lodge. Apply at [email protected].
For more information, contact lodge secretary Mitch Marinovich at [email protected]. Funds for scholarships come from the Elks’ Casino Night, OctoberFest and Pacific Brass Band Concert fundraisers.
Last year’s winners were: Isabella Correa from CHS, Danielle Russell from CHS, Jason Chung from TJ Owens GECA, and Isabella Benninger from GHS.
Details: www.gilroyelkslodge.com.
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