More than 250 filmmakers from 14 countries will attend

British actor Timothy Spall stars in the feature film “Bolan’s Shoes.” It will be shown at the 2023 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival in April. Photo courtesy Richard Swingle

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Mattie Scariot

Want to hob-nob with some of the most talented independent filmmakers in the world? The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival returns in spring to showcase excellent cinematic art April 12-19. The organizers seek your help in making sure audiences and filmmakers have a good time.

More than 250 filmmakers from 14 countries will attend, said the festival’s executive director, Mattie Scariot. PJIFF will be in Morgan Hill for four days screening 81 short and feature films along with a women’s panel, awards ceremony, and an after-party. For tickets and passes for the festival go to pjiff.org.

“Volunteers are needed in the areas of box office, ticket taking, transportation, and families to host visiting filmmakers,” she said.  “If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community and make a difference, please consider becoming a volunteer with us.”

Interested in being  part of the festival? Please contact Mattie at [email protected].

Congrats to Charter School of Morgan Hill, which received a prestigious award recently. It’s now designated a California Distinguished School.

This award recognizes the efforts and achievements of students, staff, parents, and volunteers. CSMH celebrated at a March 3 ground-breaking ceremony to kick off the start of construction on their campus.

California Distinguished Schools Program selected 356 out of 5,872 elementary schools statewide to hold the two-year title. Since 1985, the California Department of Education has used this award to acknowledge and celebrate exceptional schools.

The school’s project-based learning model encourages students to explore, experiment and discover in a collaborative hands-on environment. CSMH prioritizes problem solving and critical thinking to help students in their educational journeys and beyond. Project based learning format helps students become lifelong learners.

An artist rendering of what the restaurant might look like if built.

Is Morgan Hill getting a new fast-food restaurant? Raising Cane’s is proposing to build a new location at the corner of Butterfield Boulevard and Cochrane Road — if it sees a potential market.

The city’s Planning Commission heard from the restaurant’s rep Jay Higgins at a Feb. 14 meeting and saw concept art of how it might look if built in the Evergreen Village, a retail development on the north end of Morgan Hill that’s a work in progress.

Raising Cane’s has not yet submitted an application for a permit to build. They’re seeking input from the commissioners on the proposed design, layout and architectural appearance for a potential new eatery.

If built, it would have a long drive-thru and lots of outdoor seating in a public plaza serving as a gateway to attract people to the shopping center when its construction is finished.

Raising Cane’s specializes in chicken fingers. The company was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It has been expanding its chain nationwide with about 600 restaurants total, including 10 in the Bay Area.

We’ll definitely welcome the restaurant if it decides to come to Morgan Hill.

The Gilroy Veterans Memorial Hall and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association Chapter 33-4 is hosting a Veterans Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 74 West Sixth St.

“Bringing the VA Mobile Medical Team, Veteran Service Officers and other vendors here helps local vets get the services they need,” said Danny Molina, with the CVMA and the VA Mobile Medical Team.

The event will include medical and government professionals and local businesses with services specifically for veterans, who can ask questions and learn about a variety of benefits, start claims, and even start the process for obtaining a new driver’s license with a veteran’s designation.

“The VSOs and VA Mobile Medical Team will help veterans start the screening and registration process for PACT Act benefits,” said Molina.

Veterans need to bring either their VA card and/or a DD214 for proof of service.

The Veterans Memorial Hall is home to the American Legion Post #217, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Veterans of Foreign War John A. Berri Post #6309 and the VFW Auxiliary. Details: email [email protected] or call (408) 842.3838.

CVMA Chapter 33-4 has members from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who happen to share a love of riding motorcycles. Their mission is to help veterans, active duty military and their families in need.