Winner will receive $10,000 and OFP $25,000
By Robert Airoldi
Robert Airoldi
We got word from Operation Freedom Paws that their client Ramon and his service dog Huey are one of five national finalists for the “Purina Visible Impact Award!” Now it comes down to the popular vote, so they are trying to spread the word.
The winner will receive $10,000 and OFP $25,000. That would fully fund a team in their program.
You may remember last year their service dog team, Todd and Ivy, won the vote thanks to the community. Read Ramon and Huey’s powerful story and vote at www.dogchowveterans.com.
Operation Freedom Paws is a nonprofit organization doing life-saving work. For the veterans, first responders, non-veterans, and children they serve, the human-canine relationships built are nothing short of a lifeline. Their clients and dogs share a bond like no other, and this relationship opens the door to a better, brighter future.
Nacho Moya, recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award and the Poppy Jasper award, comes full circle as a Gav alum this fall semester for a free evening art exhibit at the Gilroy campus’ El Centro gallery at 6 p.m., Oct. 13.
Gavilan College hosts the “Nacho Moya Art Reception: From Retail Worker to Artist.” At this free event, the public can view more than 20 of the local Latino artist’s latest paintings displayed to showcase his talent.
Attendees will be able to chat with Moya and enjoy light refreshments, while viewing the paintings and networking with community dignitaries.
This event is open to the entire community. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to RSVP at bit.ly/gavmoya
For more information email: [email protected].
The spire at the top of the United Methodist Church’s steeple downtown is missing!
Not to worry — the spire is being restored and rebuilt by long-time Morgan Hillian Rick Williams. He has been a custom woodworker for more than 35 years throughout the Bay Area. His work is featured in some of the finest homes up and down the Peninsula.
“I was excited to get the opportunity to refurbish and rebuild the spire. The Methodist church is one of the oldest churches in Morgan Hill, we walk by it regularly and I am looking forward to seeing my work in our community.” Williams is refurbishing the top half of the spire, “It is a large, solid piece of redwood, which is rare. Woodpeckers had caused extensive damage — but the wood was structurally sound. I used automotive filler to repair the damage.” The lower portion of the spire is being rebuilt. “The bottom half was built with plywood and installed in 1967, Scott Autro signed the inside. I’ll be rebuilding it with cedar and look forward to signing my name inside.”
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) recently announced a major milestone in its efforts to protect downtown Morgan Hill from flooding. In May, the agency finished construction of a 2,300-foot-long tunnel running underneath downtown as part of the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project.
The massive tunnel will divert high creek flows underground during major storm events, preventing flood waters from inundating homes and businesses in the downtown area. Once all phases are complete, the project will protect Morgan Hill from a 100-year flood, or a flood with a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year.
“This tunnel represents a critical piece of infrastructure that will help safeguard downtown from devastating floods,” said Valley Water CEO Rick Callender.
The flood protection effort involves 13.9 miles of improvements along Llagas Creek from Gilroy to Morgan Hill, including levee construction, creek channel modifications, and installation of flood walls. The $400-million project is being completed in phases by Valley Water.
Phase 2A, which includes the downtown tunnel, is slated for completion in 2024. Valley Water is currently extending Hale Avenue and building a new intersection above the tunnel. The final phase starting in late 2023 will take two years to finish.
Once certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the project will allow downtown property owners in the floodplain to opt out of flood insurance mandates.
Funding comes from Valley Water’s voter-approved Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. When finished, the project will safeguard more than 1,100 homes, 500 businesses, and 1,300 acres of farmland from catastrophic flooding.
