Published in the April 30 – May 13, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Where’s Waldo? In Morgan Hill, of course! The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 25 downtown businesses this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, book coupons and more from BookSmart and other downtown merchants. Figures of Waldo and newly added dog Woof will be well hidden in local businesses.
Anyone wishing to join the fun can pick up a Find Waldo Local Passport at BookSmart and participating businesses with the names of all the sites where they can get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot. The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at 10 or more sites can bring their passports to BookSmart to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at 20 or more businesses will entitle seekers to enter a grand prize drawing July 31. There is no charge and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more information, call BookSmart at (408) 778-6467 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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Ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon? Well, your chance is coming as the RE/MAX hot air balloon is scheduled to appear at Paradise Park May 18. The event is organized by RE/MAX Realty Partners to introduce the office to the community and provide a fun family event for local residents.
Tethered rides in the 70-foot-tall balloon will be offered, on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 7 a.m. and will last as long as the weather cooperates. There will also be a variety of entertainment activities available at the event, as well as coffee and donuts.
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Marilyn Librers, executive director of the Pauchon Research Foundation recently traveled to the University of Guadalajara, Mexico to deliver a $6,500 cash award to Dr. Joel Huegul West for his outstanding work with artificial limbs in developing countries. The Pauchon Foundation, located in Morgan Hill, supports the best in science, business and medical research. Librers toured the state-of-the-art medical school and campus and gave a talk to more than 250 attendees on the importance of continued research and how the students today attending the university are the future of medical technology. Nice to see local companies and nonprofits doing good things. Way to go, Marilyn.
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El Toro Culture & Arts is promoting the “Morgan Hill Peace Project.” Led by Janet Librers Leach, the project’s purpose is to raise funds for construction and installation of a monument representing Morgan Hill’s commitment to peace, understanding and tolerance. It is set to be installed next to the city’s library, which already includes monuments representing Morgan Hill’s five Sister City relationships.
There are about 250,000 similar monuments already installed across the globe. A typical peace pole monument consists of a single stone column with the word “peace” in different languages etched into each of its four to six sides.
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Well done everyone with Morgan Hill’s American Association of University Women for your April 13 Wildflower Run. Organizers say the 31st annual event was their most successful. Nearly 1,000 runners ran in the 2K, 5K and 10K races. The AAUW received financial contributions from business sponsors and help from more than 100 volunteers. Morgan Hill Life Publisher Marty Cheek ran the 10K. Boy, was he walking funny the next day.