Published in the March 18-31, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Robert Airoldi
People went batty over Batman at the “The Legends of the Knight” film event March 1, a special Granada Theater fundraiser for The Edward “Boss” Prado Foundation and Cecelia’s Closet & Food Pantry. The screening of a Batman-based documentary chronicles stories about people who overcome devastating obstacles in life, as well as people who have unselfishly given back to their communities, all because of their love of Batman. The film shows how we all have the inner strength to bring out the “hero” in us.
Heroes4Hope, the local superhero charity group hosted the event, and Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Catwoman and Miss America all made an appearance. The group of caped superhero celebrities did a meet and greet with all the children (and adults) in attendance, as well as delivered their special “Be The Hero” message.
“We just re-tallied everything and we actually raised just over $3,000 for the foundation,” Cecelia Ponzini, the founder of the nonprofit told us.
The Caped Crusader not only saves Gotham City, but helps the children in Morgan Hill. Pow!
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Claudia Rossi passes the ball to Gordon Siebert. Photo by Robert Airoldi
Several members of the community joined other dignitaries March 1 to dribble a soccer ball around the Outdoor Sports Center to celebrate the opening of the San Jose Earthquakes new stadium. Morgan Hill Youth Sports Alliance board members Jeff Dixon and Dave Payne were joined by Morgan Hill police officer Greg Dini, Santa Clara County Board of Education member Claudia Rossi, city councilman Gordon Siebert, OVYSL President Todd Kimble, Morgan Hill Youth soccer player Andrea Gonzalez, former Earthquakes player Art Welch, former Olympic swimmer Lynn Vidali Gautschand U9 Earthquakes pre-academy player Francisco Estrada Jr. Each dribbler took the ball about 100 yards before passing to the next person. Great job by all to honor the Earthquakes and the Outdoor Sports Center.
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Rick Badillo battles the Muddy Patriot obstacle course. Photo by Marty Cheek
It’s good to do your duty by getting down and dirty.
The Muddy Patriot is an annual mud and obstacle race on a course designed to push athletes past their limits while helping to contribute toward the healing of wounded soldiers. It was designed by military combat veteran Vance Berkos Robinson, the son of Bob and Maureen Hunt, the couple who have for many years organized the Morgan Hill Independence Day Parade. Participants took part in the March 7 competition at Mount Madonna County Park, including Morgan Hill Unified School District trustee Rick Badillo, who served in the U.S. Navy.
We salute those who made it through this hard-core course that raised money for a worthy cause.
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Le Tip Networking of Morgan Hill is having its quarterly Networking Mixer at Rosy’s at the Beach from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. This is a great chance to meet local business owners and professionals and enjoy some wine tasting and appetizers. To learn more about Le Tip, stop by or call Steve Barsanti at (408) 710-3509.
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Putting the future of Morgan Hill and the South Valley’s hospital medical care in question, Prime Healthcare Services dropped its $843 million bid to purchase the Daughters of Charity Health System’s Saint Louise Regional Hospital, O’Conner Hospital and four others in California last week. The deal breaker was the lengthy mandates Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris placed on Prime in taking over the hospitals, which have been losing $10 million a month.
Stay tuned to find out what options might develop — including possibly Santa Clara County taking over Saint Louise and O’Conner. After Morgan Hill lost Saint Louise Hospital to Gilroy nearly two decades ago, it would be a shame to see it close completely.
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Rich Firato, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, reads to first-grade students in Donna Page’s class at Nordstrom Elementary School. Photo by Marty Cheek
We must tell you the tumultuous truth: March 4 was the birthday of author Dr. Seuss. To celebrate the creator of a certain famous cat, first-grade students met the “benevolent pirate” in a feathered hat. Rich Firato dressed up as a buccaneer, but kids knew they did not need to fear. The Morgan’s Cove pirate read for the kids at Nordstrom Elementary School. They thought his sea raider’s outfit looked super cool. That day the National Education Association held Read Across America events throughout the nation. And in classes throughout Morgan Hill, kids found that reading is a real thrill.
