Published in the February 4-17, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life

Every weekend
Bingo benefits bands
• The Live Oak Emerald Regime holds bingo games at the Britton Middle School Auditorium, 80 W. Central Ave., to support band programs. Saturday, doors open at 4:15 p.m., games start at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, doors open at 11:45 a.m., games start 1:15 p.m. For more information visit www.emeraldregime.org/bingo_page.htm.

Daily
Walking program
• Join others in evening and Saturday morning walks. Meet at the Morgan Hill Shopping Center (Main and Hale avenues) for walks from 6 to 7 p.m. They also walk for 90 minutes Saturdays beginning at 9 a.m. The walks are at a moderate pace and include hills. For more information, call (408) 779-7592 or e-mail [email protected].

Every Tuesday
Bingo benefits seniors
• Bingo is played at the Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, to raise funds to benefit the Morgan Hill Senior Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games at 6:30 p.m. For ages 18 and older. There is a $20 buy-in, $30 electronic and paper buy-in. For information, call (408) 782-1284 or visit www.fmhsc.org.

Every Friday
Breastfeeding support group meets regularly
• Join other women at 10 a.m. at the Casa Natal Birth Center, 50 W. Main St., Suite D. For more information, call (408) 778-7583.

Sundays
Happiness Workshop
• We are immersed in numerous activities everyday like taking care of family, working with tough deadlines and during this process we might experience negative emotions like anger, fear, insecurity; low energy and enthusiasm; lack of focus and concentration on the task we are doing; inability to handle stress and stressful situations; and lack of sleep and rest. Breathing techniques and meditation are effective tools to bring out the best in us and enhance the overall quality of life. Join this free workshop to learn about these techniques from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. RSVP at http://trulyhappy.org/morganhill/happiness-workshop-details?happyId=874

Through Feb. 15
Learn about healthcare
• Confused about health care options? Visit Health Markets Insurance from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday to learn more about free Covered California enrollment. Health Markets Insurance is located at 16985 S. Monterey Road (next to the Dollar Tree).

Feb. 5
Book talk and signing event
• Come meet Olive Balla, author of “An Arm and A Leg,” a newly released mystery/suspense novel, at 6 p.m. at BookSmart 80 E. 2nd St. Balla, a native New Mexican,  is a retired educator and part time professional musician. This event is free.  For more information, call (408) 778-6467 or visit www.omballa.com.

Feb. 7
Event aids teachers
• The Chocolate and Wine for Valentine will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Community and Cultural Center (corner of Monterey Road and Dunne Avenue). Enjoy tasting fine local wines while sampling delicious chocolates and fabulous finger foods from local restaurants, and bidding on local art work for auction. Tickets are available for $25 at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St., the offices of Drs. Jon Hatakeyama and Don Nguyen, 370 W. Dunne Ave., Suite 3. The event raises funds for the Teachers Aid Coalition’s bi-annual give away to help buy needed school supplies for teachers in the Morgan Hill Unified School District.

Feb. 9
Growing peppers and tomatoes
• Learn about new trends in growing peppers and tomatoes from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave. New compact plants and other varieties will be discussed and participants will also learn how correct planting methods, pest control and irrigation can produce healthy and productive plants.

Feb. 12
Meet the author
• Longtime Morgan Hill resident Loretta Wilson will promote her book “You Take the High Road,” at 6:30 p.m. at BookSmart, 80 E. Second St. Wilson will share her writing experience and sign copies.

Feb. 14
‘All You Need is a Party’
• Help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from 7 to 11 p.m. at Troy’s Bocce Ball, 650 Tennant Station during the “All You Need is a Party” event. There will be music, appetizers, desserts and raffles. Tickets are $45 in advance, $55 at the door and available at [email protected]. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the society.

Puppy Love Adoption Fair
• Come mingle with available rescue dogs and help support the local organization ThePerfectDog.org at Morgan Hill’s Trader Joe’s supermarket. Meet the dogs, visit the “Puppy Love Kissing Booth,” and purchase”ruff-le” tickets for a chance to win a doggie goodie bag. The canine fun goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trader Joe’s, 17035 Laurel Road. For details, call (408) 778-6409.

Through Feb. 19
Register now for Spirit
• The Spirit of Morgan Hill Girls Softball league is now accepting registration for all teams. For more information, call Tish Altamirano at (408) 568-3809 or visit www.spiritofmorganhill.com.

Feb. 19
An evening with the author
• Mount Madonna School presents an evening with New York Times best-selling author, international public speaker and practicing clinical psychologist, Dr. Wendy Mogel, at 7 p.m., in the Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. The public is also invited to a special reception with Dr. Mogel at 5:30 p.m. at the Sesnon House, next door to the theater, and the educator workshop at Mount Madonna School from 2 to 4 p.m. Dr. Mogel is an internationally acclaimed psychologist, author and public speaker. For more information about Dr. Mogel, please go to www.wendymogel.com. Space is limited, so register now. If you’d like to attend one or both of the free sessions – and, feel free to attend the special reception preceding Dr. Mogel’s evening talk.

Feb. 21
Winter book sale
• The Friends of the Morgan Hill Library’s winter book sales takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, 660 W. Main Ave. All books are $1 or less, children’s books are 10 cents. At 2 p.m., there will be a $5 bag sale, including a reusable library book bag. The cost is $4 if you bring your own bag. Teachers and nonprofits may take books for free at the end of the sale but must pre-register by calling (408) 782-9029 or e-mailing [email protected]. A members-only sales takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. before the sale opens to the public. Memberships are available at the door.

‘Girl Rising’ screening
• The American Association of University Women presents the screening of “Girl Rising,” a moving new film about nine unforgettable girls living in the developing world who confront tremendous challenges and overcome nearly impossible odds to pursue their dreams. The films starts at 1 p.m., at the Granada Theater, 17440 Monterey St. The cost is $5. For more information, email [email protected].

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