Published in the March 4 – 17, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Robert Airoldi
The Morgan Hill Historical Society is working with the Freedom Fest folks (Independence Day Celebrations) to create an exhibit to open this summer highlighting the history of the Morgan Hill Independence Day Parade and other festivities. Our parade is one of the longest continuously-run parades in Northern California so the two groups are seeking local residents who might have photos or other memorabilia such as flags, hats or items from past parades to include in the exhibit.
“We want to have people see how it evolved over time and how it existed in the past,” said Kathy Devine, the museum director for the society. “We just received some of the Fourth of July programs and T-shirts from over the years and we have that in our collection.”
People who might want to provide items for the exhibit can contact the historical society at (408) 779-5755 or IDC at (408) 779-1776. We salute their effort to show how our town’s celebration of America’s birthday has evolved since the late 1800s.
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El Toro Elementary School 3rd graders and their bears from the FBLA.
Jennifer Niemann’s third-grade class at El Toro Elementary School was presented with fury, cuddly Valentine bears as part of Live Oak High School’s Future Business Leaders Association’s Heart-to-Heart Project for National FBLA Week.
All 705 third graders (28 classrooms) in the Morgan Hill Unified School District were given the bears with a message on the bears’ hearts: “Here’s a gift from us to you. A bear to hug and laugh and play. Remember, you are special, too. From: FBLA loves all day!”
Thanks Kiki Nakauchi for all the work you do for our future business leaders.
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The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center’s educational owls have formed a “BOWL” team to help publicize WERC’s 2nd Annual BOWL-a-thon fundraiser to raise funds to care for local native wildlife that are orphaned, sick or injured. To help raise funds go to www.werc-ca.org and download a sponsor sheet. Then ask friends and family members to sponsor you with a flat donation. Turn in donation seats by March 24, then come bowl from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Bowl, 650 Tennant Station. WERC’s non-releasable educational animals will be making a special appearance at the event. Have fun and help raise money for a great cause.
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Janie Knopf addresses the audience.
A sold-out crowd enjoyed a Mardi Gras-themed Celebrate Morgan Hill hosted by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Feb. 21. Morgan Hill Life was the sponsor of 2015 Woman of the Year Janie Knopf who over the years has volunteered countless hours helping out the schools, Rotary Club, and the Morgan Hill Historical Society among other worthy organizations. Congratulations to all the winners!
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Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd Annual “An Evening in Monte Carlo,” a black and white affair that includes a formal dinner benefiting Jackson Academy of Math and Music. The night of fun features dancing, silent and live auction events and casino-style entertainment. The fundraiser takes place from 5:30 to 11 p.m. May 1 at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center. The cost is $65 in advance or $80 the day of the event. “It’s a wonderfully fun event,” said Michelle Getty, home and school club publicity coordinator for the event. Have fun and help kids.
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Artist Gary Coleman paints during the MH Art Gallery’s open house last month.
The Morgan Hill Art Gallery did up its grand opening in artistic style Feb. 20 with the production of a painting done by visitors who stopped by to see the new location downtown. Local artist Gary Coleman titled the painting “Committee Action” because it involved a lot of joint effort. “I started the painting and encouraged other people to participate and they did,” he said.
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It’s been two weeks since the city embarked on a six-month pilot program to create a quieter, safer and more pedestrian- and bike-friendly downtown. One lane in each direction was closed to allow for a bike lane and provide a larger distance between outside restaurant diners and moving vehicles. Despite worries, the traffic has flowed smoothly, people are still finding parking and from most people I’ve spoken with the program is working relatively well. Let’s give it a chance and see if this Complete Streets idea will work and improve the quality of life for merchants, shoppers and diners in downtown Morgan Hill.
