M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 42

3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

44-47A Whale Of A StoryLaura Perry’s Adventures

Silver Bank Sanctuary

18 A Stroll Down Mainstreet Spending Time In Downtown Morgan Hill

20 Morgan Hill’s Finest Julie Zintsmaster, MHUSD

34 For The Love Of Music Meet Janet Thompson

38 Life On The Farm The Garibaldi’s Home

50 Health Care For Veterans A Look At Benefits Available

52 Hollywood Discovers Local Artist Paul Laughride

54 A Restauranteur Extraordinaire Meet Majid Bahriny

66 Ten Reasons To Shop Locally Keeping Your Dollars At Home

72 Everyone Has A Story A Woman For All Seasons

26-32Freedom Fest 2014Destination America

62-65A Renaissance In EducationMorgan Hill Unified School District Embraces Common Core

Be sure to visit our website morganhilltoday.net and/or tell us what you think of our Summer 2014 Issue at facebook.com/morganhilltoday.

Inside This Issue

LOOK WHO CHRISTINE GIUSIANA FOUND ON FACEBOOK: (clockwise) Elaine Ditmore visiting Telluride; Hailie with her mom, Theresa Kiernan; Gina & Dave Dominichini’s dog, Charlie (cute & patriotic); Leonette Stafford watching the parade and celebrating 4th of July with a friend; Dale Foster with his new remote plane; and Jennifer and Ashley McLain with friends in Downtown Morgan Hill.

Community Happenings

8-15

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 44

J. Chris Mickartz

A MAGAZINE FOR AND ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OF MORGAN HILL

PUBLISHED BYInfoPOWER Communications

7446 Rosanna Street / Gilroy, CA 95020Telephone: 408.848.6540

Email: jchris@morganhilltoday.net

EDITOR J. Chris Mickartz

EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEETeri Nelson Sherry HemingwayRosy Bergin Christine GiusianaLorraine Welk John HornerLaura Lundy Laura PerryMarilyn Librers Jennifer TateDennis Kennedy Rich Firato

WRITERSLarry J. Mickartz Kelly Barbazette Robin Shepherd Stephanie Vegh Laura Wrede Megan Griffin

PHOTOGRAPHY Larry J. Mickartz

PROOFING Susan Patereau Linda Hussar

CONTRIBUTORSAging Dorie U. Sugay

Finance Daniel T. NewquistReal Estate Teri Nelson

Mortgage Banking Jenny Boffy/Laura LundyHome Improvement David Domenichini

Gardening Debbie BarncordInsurance Carl C. Schindler

Solar Pam Garcia

WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA Susan Patereau

ADVERTISING l DISTRIBUTION

Edgar Zaldana email ads@morganhilltoday.net

for ad placement, information, and availability

COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATIONSubmit for free inclusion, space permitting.

© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. No part, either editorial or display advertising,

may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher and author.

From the Editor

As we put the final touches on this issue we are getting ready to fly off to Kauai for the destination wedding of

our very dear friends, Linda Pond and Kevin Godden. They are an amazing couple and we wish them every happiness as husband and wife.

Speaking of husband’s, I think mine is get-ting a little out of hand. I may have to take that camera away from him. I think he took over a thousand photos of the 4th of July alone. Now, that shouldn’t be a problem except I have so many photos to pick from for each issue that it’s hard to not place them all and we just don’t have that many pages. Having said that, I hope you enjoy the ones that made the cut for this issue.

There’s alot happening in this little community of Morgan Hill. The Community Happenings section (pages 8-15) is full of fun filled activi-ties that took place in the past couple of months. And the Freedom Fest … what an amazing group of events (see pages 26-32). We are always pleased when we can highlight the people who make these over the top events happen — the volunteers. They deserve a big thank you for all the hard work they do in order to provide such amazing venues.

Larry and I were out walking around in downtown Morgan Hill one day and so enjoyed visiting a few of the businesses that we decided we would share our stroll with you (see pages 18-19). We especially enjoyed visiting Villa Mira Monte during the Antiques photo exhibit put on by the Morgan Hill Photography Club.

One of the people that we have enjoyed meeting and getting to know in Morgan Hill is Janet Thompson. What a delight! She and her husband Mike are just the warmest, most welcoming people we have ever met. And not only can Janet sing, but she writes her own songs. We’ve at-tended a number of events where we have had the pleasure of listening to her and she never disappoints.

Then there’s Majid Bahriny, owner of Mama Mia’s. We’ve known Majid for a number of years; not only an astute businessman but a huge supporter of all things community (see pages 54-55).

Enjoy!

PROUD MEMBER OF:

5 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

A MAGAZINE FOR AND ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OF MORGAN HILL

PUBLISHED BYInfoPOWER Communications

7446 Rosanna Street / Gilroy, CA 95020Telephone: 408.848.6540

Email: jchris@morganhilltoday.net

EDITOR J. Chris Mickartz

EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEETeri Nelson Sherry HemingwayRosy Bergin Christine GiusianaLorraine Welk John HornerLaura Lundy Laura PerryMarilyn Librers Jennifer TateDennis Kennedy Rich Firato

WRITERSLarry J. Mickartz Kelly Barbazette Robin Shepherd Stephanie Vegh Laura Wrede Megan Griffin

PHOTOGRAPHY Larry J. Mickartz

PROOFING Susan Patereau Linda Hussar

CONTRIBUTORSAging Dorie U. Sugay

Finance Daniel T. NewquistReal Estate Teri Nelson

Mortgage Banking Jenny Boffy/Laura LundyHome Improvement David Domenichini

Gardening Debbie BarncordInsurance Carl C. Schindler

Solar Pam Garcia

WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA Susan Patereau

ADVERTISING l DISTRIBUTION

Edgar Zaldana email ads@morganhilltoday.net

for ad placement, information, and availability

COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATIONSubmit for free inclusion, space permitting.

© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. No part, either editorial or display advertising,

may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher and author.

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 46

Community Tidbits20TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENTAUGUST 22, 2014 — The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill will be holding their 2014 Golf Tournament at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Gilroy. Proceeds help fund local community organizations throughout the year. For more information: mhrotarygolf.com

BRITISH FALL CLASSICSEPTEMBER 14, 2014 — This exceptional event, held in beautiful downtown Morgan Hill, will feature exquisite British classic sports & saloon cars representing revered marques such as Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Jaguar, MG, Morgan, Triumph, Austin Healey, Lotus, Morris, and more! There will be British motorcycles and race cars as well! Visit their website at thebritishfallclassic.com for details.

25TH ANNUAL TASTE OF MORGAN HILLSEPTEMBER 27–28, 2014 — A local tradition, this downtown event again promises to have something for everyone. The weekend festivities include gourmet food, local premium wines & beer garden, drinks, music, car show, kids zone, arts & crafts, quilt and fiber arts show, exhibitions, live music and dancing. For more information: morganhill.org.

CALABASH GOURDFEST OCTOBER 10 –11, 2014 — The 3rd Annual Calabash Gourd Festival will be held at Uesugi Pumpkin Patch, 14485 Monterey Highway, San Martin. In addition to the very popular Make and Take Classes for children and adults, there will be gourd technique demonstrations, gourd art for sale, gourd supplies, and raw and craft ready gourds. Admission is free, with a small parking charge. Information: GourdFest.com.

ANNUAL PHILANTHROPY EVENTNOVEMBER 14, 2014 — The Morgan Hill Community Foundation is accepting nominations for our community-wide celebration to honor those individuals at the 9th Annual Philanthropy Event to be held at the MH Community & Cultural Center. Due by September 12th, the nomination form is available at morganhillcf.org. Sponsorships and donation information are available. Contact: amy.whelan@morganhillcf.org.

IT’S FUNTO SHARE MORGAN HILL TODAY

FOR AND ABOUT

YOU

YOUR COMMUNITY

YOUR LIFESTYLE

T O D A YMorgan Hill

magazineAvailable everywhere you do business. Electronic copies available online at:

morganhilltoday.netWe invite you to join in the conversation. Share the things you loveabout Morgan Hill, features and people you would like to see infuture editions of Morgan Hill Today, and any comments you might have on articles in the current issue.

Local Trends Single Family Residential in Morgan Hill & San Martin

408.425.5200BRE#00858151

Quick Stats

Teri Nelson, RealtorIntero Real Estate Services

housing market in the Morgan Hill area has shown an inventory increase which has made the sales-to-listing ratio more balanced and has given buyers an opportunity to shop the market and see more homes before taking the buying leap.

Housing Market More Balanced

The

2014 AprilMayJune

Active/Pending 147 157 238

Homes Sold 44 55 46

Days On Market 44 36 56

Sale To List Ratio 99.2% 100.3% 99.4%

Sales are very brisk but we are not seeing as many multiple offer situations in the South County as there were prior to May. Typically May and June are somewhat slow due to the graduations, weddings, end of the school year and vacations. We usually see them pick-up towards the end of June and through July. We are noticing that our open houses are well attended and buyers are really assessing the needs of their family before making the offer. This gives the buyer an opportunity to see all the homes in their price range and make an informed decision. Although, we do still caution, if they take too long, the home may sell.

Prices are staying steady and homes are selling close to the listed price; and some are still selling over the listed price. This market is more balanced for both the buyer and seller and making for a much more pleasant experience for the buyer.

It is very important the sellers take the extra time to repair anything that looks tired or needs replacing. Buyers typically estimate the cost to repair a lot higher than the actual cost and are most likely to buy the home that has all the repairs completed. In this market, you want your own home to stand out as the best home for the price when compared to other homes selling in the same price range. Over- pricing your home in this market may result in your seeing your home sit on the market too long and/or your losing money when buyers come in with a much lower than listing price offer. In the last few months, the average days on the market has averaged from 30-35 days. If you want to sell your home quickly in this market and at a good price, you’ll want to list your home fairly and get it in tip top condition. This will garner more money and a faster close of escrow.

Barring any economic crisis, the housing market should continue to normalize. Here are five ways that the 2014 housing market will be different from 2013: (Source: Trulia Trends)

• Housing affordability worsens

• The home buying process gets less frenzied

• Repeat buyers take center stage

• How much prices slow matters less than why and where

• Rental action swings back toward urban apartments

Prices are rising steadily and interest rates are still low but may rise which makes now the right time to sell or buy for your lowest mortgage payment and property taxes.

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BOCCE BALL COURTA Gift To The Community By The Rotary Club Of Morgan Hill

Our readers are so fortunate to live in a community with so much heart, where there never seems to be a shortage of places to go, people to see, and organizations to support.

As you will see in the following pages, these past few months have provided an abundance of all of the above. Morgan Hill Today is happy to include as many of these wonderful events and activities, as space allows. We encourage community organizations and businesses to let us know about their efforts to support the community.

We thank them for continuing to make Morgan Hill a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Morgan Hill CommunityHappenings

Morgan Hill Seniors have a new bocce ball court thanks to the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill who joined forces with Tech Con Landscape Construction to build a bocce ball court outside the multi-purpose room on the west side of the CRC.Rotarians were on hand to celebrate the grand opening of the Bocce Ball Court on June 19th. Tech Con Landscape Construction completed the work; underwriting a considerable portion of the costs. Past presidents Laura Lundy and Brad Ledwith threw out the inaugaural balls.

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NINTH ANNUAL DAZZLEPresented By The Rotary Club Of Morgan Hill

This year’s Dazzle was a sophisticated fundraising event held later in the day than in years past years. It was held on a perfectly warm, enchant-ing evening filled with laughter, fun and whimsy, set amidst the pristine views and luxury of Clos la Chance Winery. A sold-out crowd of over 250 guests were welcomed with Dazzle’s signature hosted champagne reception. Their senses were tempted by the treasures of the popular raffle showcases and silent auction, and the distinguished offerings in Dazzle’s new, thrilling live auction.

A sunset dinner and comedy show by the popular Pintello Comedy theater entertained guests, during which, the active live auction, hosted by popular auctioneer, Jayson Stebbins, was held. Guests were also treated to a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Lou Zulaica, Cellar Door Catering.

The Morgan Hill Rotary proudly announced that the Club raised over $50,000, an increase of 25% over the record-breaking amount raised in 2013. Proceeds from the event will be used to help youth and leadership organizations as well as provide scholarships to college bound students.

Denise Genovese & Steve Betando

Nancy Miller and Janet Thompson

Jeff Perkins, Brad Ledwith, Patti Trantow and her husband Dr. Steve Peterson

Sandy de la Cuesta and Tracy Newquist

Jayson Stebbins Laura Perry and Peter Anderson

Janie & Roger Knopf, and Rosy Bergin

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Matt Haluza, Lori McIntosh, Jeff Patereau, Lisa Desilva, C.J. Patereau, Mike Withrow, Nick Fryou, Theresa Kiernan, and Chris Bezanson

Jayson Stebbins and “Miss Dazzle” (aka Mike Withrow)

Matt Haluza

David Domenichini and Lisa Desilva

Valet Parkers from Precision Parking

Sherry Quick, Chris Giusiana, Elyzabeth Perrier, & Daniel Nguyen

C.J. Patereau

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District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen, CS CEO Erin O’Brien, Deputy DA Stuart Scott and Supervisor Mike Wasserman

Heritage Bank: Tracy Carpena, Alyssa Garcia, Tracie Wallace, Jeff Perkins, Debbie Frazen

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COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AWARDSPresented By Leadership Morgan Hill

Leadership Morgan Hill’s annual event to recognize and honor community leadership took place July 12 at Castillo’s Hillside Shire. This year’s honoree was George Chiala, who truly epitomizes leadership that advances the spirit of community and charity, reflects courage and insight, and inspires others to lead. Owner of George Chiala Farms, George and his family are generous contributors to and supporters of education, agriculture, science and healthcare.

The event featured a reception, silent auction, dinner, recognition program and entertainment. Proceeds from the event support the Leadership Morgan Hill program that provides insight, tools, and training to enable and inspire leaders to give back to the Morgan Hill community through service.

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Community Excellence Award Recipients (l-r)Mike Cox, Gene Guglielmo, Roger Knopf, Rosy Bergin, George & Alice Chiala, George Guglielmo, Mike Johnson, Sherry Hemingway, Mike Rubino, Dennis Kennedy.

Pete Aiello Jennifer Scheer

2014 Excellence Award Recipient: George Chiala with wife, Alice

Photos by Liza Garibaldi

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THE COVE GOES WESTERNPresented By Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce

FARM TO TABLEHosted By Mike & Mary Cox

Sixty-four winners of an auction item, which was offered at the Celebrate Morgan Hill Event held by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce in January, enjoyed an evening of amazing gourmet farm to table food, networking and merriment on the grounds behind Anaerobe Systems on Concord Circle.

Mike & Mary Cox

The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce held its annual fundraising event at the famous pirate-themed Morgan’s Cove. However this event had a twist; the event was “Dallas” inspired and was entitled The Cove Goes Western. The event included dancing, country music and a delicious barbeque dinner. Proceeds from the event are used to fund the Friday Night Music Series that runs June 13th-August 29th, along with the start-up costs for the Taste of Morgan Hill. Guests were enchanted by the western theme and the many pirate attractions, such as the Captain’s Quarters and the Treasure Cave.

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COPS & ROBBERS STEAL SHOWCommunity Law Enforcement Foundation

THE COVE GOES WESTERNPresented By Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce

Mike & Mary Cox

The Community Law Enforcement Foundation hosted their Second Annual Cops and Robbers Ball to raise funds for training, services and equipment for the Morgan Hill Police Department in May. This action–packed night included dinner, dancing, auctions, and complimentary pictures with the ’55 Oldsmobile (see at left).

Every year the foundation presents the Public Safety Award; that recognizes an individual who has played a large part in keeping the commu-nity safe. The recipient for this year was Stuart Scott, the Deputy District Attorney, who has put away criminals such as gang members and child sexual predators. The funds raised at this event help to make the community safer and better prepared to take on any situation.

Deputy District Attorney, Stuart Scott

Officer Santiago Fierro and canine, Sony were introduced by Chief of Police, David Swing.

Photos by Officer Jeff Brandon

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17 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

Carl Schindler is a 40-year State Farm Insurance agent in Morgan Hill. His agency has been voted #1 in Morgan Hill for the past 5 consecutive years. He specializes in Auto, Homeowner’s, Life & Disability Insurance. Visit StateFarm.com/CarlSchindler or call (408)779-6969.

Carl Schindler, LUTCF, CSAAgent, State Farm Insurance

Time foran insurancecheck-up!

When was the last time you reviewed your insurance coverage? Just as getting an annual medical check-up is a sensible way to maintain your health, reviewing your insurance policies annually can provide peace of mind and may save you money. As you review your policies, here are some questions to keep in mind:

HomeownersInsurance• Does my coverage keep up with current rebuilding costs? If my home sustains serious

damage due to a fire or a severe storm, does my policy cover rebuilding costs? If not, you might want to consider increasing your coverage.

• Does my recent home renovation affect my coverage? If you have added square footage to your home recently, its value may have changed. Check with your insurance agent about increasing your coverage.

• Does my policy cover new purchases? If you bought a new appliance or computer over the last year, make sure your policy covers replacement costs due to a fire or theft.

• When was the last time I had my luxury items appraised? If you have expensive items such as jewelry, furs, coins, artwork, and antiques that have not been appraised recently, you might want to consider doing so. Having up-to-date insurance can help take some of the sting out of replacement costs in case of theft or damage.

• How can I lower my premiums? If your premiums are too high, consider raising your deductible. A higher deductible could lower your premiums, but will also make you more responsible for a greater portion of each covered loss.

AutoInsurance• My teen recently got a driver’s license. How does that affect my auto insurance? If

your teen is now driving, let your agent know and be prepared for your family auto insurance premiums to rise. If your teen stays on your insurance, it is still cheaper than purchasing a separate policy. But keep in mind that insurers may offer discounts to high school and college students who maintain a B average and complete a driver-safety program. Students who complete a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program may get a lower rate.

• Can joining a carpool help lower my rates? By driving less, you can lower your auto premiums because you are putting fewer miles on your vehicle per year.

• Does my car’s value affect my insurance? If you have a much older vehicle, look up its value to see if carrying collision and comprehensive coverage is still cost-effective. If the car’s book value is low, it might not make sense to maintain comprehensive and collision coverage.

• What else can I do to lower my rates? If you increase your deductible, you can substantially reduce your monthly premiums.

LifeInsurance• We’ve just had a baby. Should I increase my life insurance coverage? Purchasing

more life insurance can help cover the costs of your child growing up if something unexpected should happen to you.

• Does my recent marriage affect my life insurance? If you have recently gotten married, you might want to increase your life insurance coverage or change the beneficiaries on your policy. Having more life insurance could make your family’s future even more secure.

• How does my new job/layoff affect my coverage? If you recently got a better paying job and are planning to expand your lifestyle (a new home, a bigger car, etc.), then getting more life insurance might be a good idea. If your life insurance policy was tied to your old job, you might want to consider starting a new policy that suits your current needs.

• How much life insurance do I currently need? To find out how much life insurance you might need, use the handy life insurance calculator at statefarm.com/insurance/life/resources/life-needs-calculator/.

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By Megan Griffin

Downtown Morgan Hill has come a long way since it was a stage-coach rest stop in the mid 1800’s. Morgan Hill has a rich history and has grown into the beautiful residential community we see today.

Back in the day, Morgan Hill was the “21 Mile House” rest stop on the mail route. Morgan Hill began to blossom in 1876 when the railroad came to town. Since that time, Morgan Hill has grown in numbers, but continues to have a small town atmosphere that is friendly and relaxed.

A Stroll Down Mainstreet…

DOWNTOWN MORGAN HILL

BUBBLES WINE BAR17105 Monterey RoadIf you are a supporter of organic foods and enjoy local wines from Northern California, then Bubbles Wine Bar is the perfect dining option. The building it is located in used to serve as a local branch bank. The vault is now used

FARMER’S MARKETSThe California Farmer’s Markets Association puts on a farmer’s market in the Caltrain Station park-ing lot every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm year-round. There are a plethora of booths selling a variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other fresh foods. cafarmersmkts.com.

JUST G’S BOUTIQUE17367 Monterey RoadEvery woman loves a good glass of wine and shop-ping for clothes, shoes, and other accessories. Just G’s Boutique provides a unique shopping experience. They invite you to enjoy a glass of wine or champagne while browsing designer jeans and all the most contemporary

fashions for any style. They were named the winner of Best

Women’s Clothing in town, and Best New Business of 2013.

(408) 612- 8880, justgsboutique.com

as a wine cellar, where patrons can check out a wide selection of local wines. (408) 779- 8800, requests@bubblesmorganhill.com

COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE17090 Monterey Road

Located on the Community and Cultural Center cam-pus, the Community Playhouse is home

to many performances each year. The building is

used by Morgan Hill Comedy and South Valley Civic Theater

regularly for their shows, as well as being used for church

The Morgan Hill Downtown Association also puts on a farmer’s

services and classes on occasion. The building is a beautiful, recently

renovated, 1920’s style theater. (408) 782-0008, morgan-hill.ca.gov

market every Thursday starting at 4 pm. This smaller market takes place at the corner of 3rd Street and Monterey.

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Dunne AvenueFifth Street

Fourth StreetThird Street

Second Street

First StreetMain Avenue

Depot Street

Delmonte Street

Monterey Road

Monterey Road

NORTH

VILLA MIRA MONTE17860 Monterey RoadThe historic home that was once owned by Hiram Morgan Hill, is now owned and operated by the Morgan Hill Historical Society. The house is an important landmark and is representative of the city’s past. Villa Mira Monte is now home to the Morgan Hill Museum, Centennial History Trail and beautiful Rose Gardens. morganhill-historicalsociety.org

LADERA GRILL 17305 Monterey RoadThe chef, Tony Garcia, is extremely passion-ate about his creations and even suggests wine pairings in order to have the ultimate dining experience. Ladera Grill has an ever-changing menu with daily specials, so there is always something new to try! (408) 201- 9200, laderagrill.com

HAPPY SPATULA17415 Monterey RoadThis cute little shop has everything for the inner foodie in everyone. They encourage anyone who loves to cook, or those who are new to cooking, to explore their selection of cookware and kitchen accessories. Happy Spatula strives to make cooking easy and fun.(408) 778- 7494, thehappyspatula.com

GVA CAFÉ17400 Monterey RoadThere is something for everyone at the GVA Café. This restaurant is a coffee shop, gelato shop, sandwich shop, and bakery all rolled into one. It has a fun automobile themed décor and has live music! (408) 776- 0571, gvacafe.tumblr.com

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Morgan Hill’sBy Kelly Barbazette

21 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

Julie Zintsmaster

MORGAN HILL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

By Kelly Barbazette Moving from Chicago to Morgan Hill in 1986, Julie Zintsmaster immediately started

volunteering in her children’s classrooms, never realizing that it would lead to a career at the Morgan Hill Unified School District.

For the past 11 years, she has served as the executive secretary for four different superintendents at the Morgan Hill Unified School District.

“I jumped in and started volunteering and this is where it led me,” Julie, 65, said motioning to the conference room at the school district office. “But it’s been great.”

Originally from Columbus, OH, Julie and her husband Logan relocated to Morgan Hill with their three children after Logan accepted a job as an electrical engineer at a Silicon Valley company.

A stay-at-home mom, Julie volunteered at her two oldest children’s school, P.A. Walsh, taking her 22-month-old daughter with her. A year later, she became the president of the home and school club for four years, and also served on the school site council, the year-round school committee, and the Morgan Hill School Board from 1992 to 1996.

After one term on the school board, Julie worked on communications projects for the school district from 1998-2002, including a quarterly newsletter that was mailed to 20,000 Morgan Hill residents.

In December 2002, the former assistant to the superintendent retired. At that time, only two people had served in that role, Julie said. The first was Ruby King, who Julie said held the position before the Morgan Hill Unified School District formed in 1966. Pat Alligood held the job from 1994 until 2002.

Julie said that she was hopeful that she would get the job.

“I had to go through the whole interview process. I was elated when I was selected,” Julie said, explaining that the job matched her skill set perfectly.

“I just love our community,” she said. “I love our schools and the work that I do to support them.”

Julie’s job includes scheduling and keeping track of the superintendent’s and school board’s calendar, event planning, travel arranging, and coordinating every-thing needed for two board meetings a month, including putting together agenda packets and ensuring they are published 72 hours prior to the meeting. She also takes meeting minutes, gathers information, writes agenda items, and works with the Registrar of Voters to coordinate the board member elections every two years. In addition, Julie organizes the orientation for new board members, including the annual California school board member conference, and works closely with the secretary of the assistant superintendent of business services. She is also the point of contact for any communication from the school district office.

“Anyone who calls from the newspaper or TV or radio, they all funnel through the superintendent’s office. It stays pretty busy,” she said.

Julie said she is grateful that the job also helped her and her husband pay for their children’s college education and three weddings.

She said she has seen plenty of changes during her tenure, including Burnett and Encinal elementary schools closing and the opening of Sobrato High School.

“I think my favorite part of the job is being a significant part of the community of Morgan Hill and beyond, and being able to interact with the city, police department, parks and recreation, and all of the different community agencies. We

just have so many incredible people in this town,” Julie said.

She said she particularly loves anything to do with the students, especially when they make presentations to the Board.

“I’m usually hanging on every word. They’re so amazing,” Julie said, adding that it makes her think that “we’re in good hands” when she sees the students and hears about all of their accomplishments.

Julie is retiring at the end of this year, on December 30, a month following her 66th birthday. She said her husband officially retired this past year and she looks forward to spending more time home with him. She also said the long hours and taxing schedule have become too much.

“Physically I can’t keep up with this job anymore….its not fair to me and my health,” Julie said.

Julie said she looks forward to spending more time volunteering at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where she and her family have been members since 1997. Julie is the church treasurer and plays in the bell choir, which her husband directs. She also enjoys playing the flute, which she took up about five years ago, as well as gardening and sewing.

One of the hardest parts of retiring, Julie said, will be not seeing people who feel like family, like Superintendent Steve Betando.

But Julie said that she has been working with a fabulous person since 2009 who has been appointed to her position and will do a great job.

“I have to let go,” she said. “And with our kids out of town, I’d love to take off and see them more often.” Julie said she also has siblings back east whom she would like to visit.

Julie said she looks forward to a trip to England in the immediate future visiting friends and taking the tube to Paris.

“It’s just a whole new step,” Julie said. “It’s like from being single to getting married, from having children to being an empty nester…and now we’re retired,” she said.

I just love our community… I love our schools, and the work that I do to support them.”

“

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23 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

When Safety Becomes A ConcernBy David Domenichini

In this day and age, an increasing number of

seniors are making the decision to stay in their

own homes as they age. Staying at home allows

for greater independence but can also lead to

a number of complications. There is a variety of

home health care providers who can help deliver

companionship and other services but to be truly

comfortable and safe in your home it may be

necessary to make some physical alterations. As

mobility, eyesight, and hearing decline, these

alterations can allow you to stay in your home

safely and securely. Some changes can be made

on your own, like removing area rugs to avoid

tripping, but others may require the help of a

contractor.

Widening DoorsAs mobility decreases the use of a walker or wheelchair may become necessary. In this case, all entrance doors must be at least 36 inches wide and all interior doors must be at least 32 inches wide. If your doors are not the proper width it will make it difficult and sometimes impossible to maneuver, which makes it necessary to widen doorways.

FlooringMany types of flooring become tripping and falling hazards as mobility decreases. High pile carpets and slippery flooring can increase the risk of slips and falls and should be replaced with flooring that is easier and safer to walk on.

Raising Sunken RoomsAs eyesight and mobility weaken it may become more difficult to differentiate between levels, which creates a dangerous tripping hazard. Maneuvering between levels with a wheel chair, cane, or walker can be extremely difficult as well, so it is best to raise the sunken room so all the floors are level.

Contrasting FlooringIf mobility is not an issue, it is possible to simply change the flooring between the rooms to contrasting colors. If there is any change in height or flooring texture that could result in a slip or trip it is important that you change the flooring to contrasting colors so that it is easier to see the transition.

Grab BarsAnother important addition for your home is grab bars. They can assist with balance and standing as well as provide assistance when sitting down. These are mostly found in bathrooms and kitchens but can also be placed around the house where needed if there is sufficient room. Though these can be installed by the homeowner, to insure they are secure and properly installed it is recommended that you get the help of a professional.

LightingOne of the most important changes to make as vision declines is increasing lighting. In some places, it may be possible to simply add lamps but due to limited space it may be necessary to install additional overhead lighting. Lowering Counters and CabinetsIf a wheelchair has become necessary, countertops may be difficult to reach and accessing cabinets and storage may be more problematic. If necessary, counters should be lowered to an appropriate height and the installation of under counter cabinets may be required.

To find a free home safety checklist and more information about changes you can make to create a safe environment for you or an aging loved one visit: makinghomesaferforseniors.com. Additionally, the Morgan Hill Home Instead Senior Care is offering free home safety checks in our local community.

For more information contact Brian Jackson, President of South Bay Senior Solutions Incorporated and the local owner of Home Instead Senior Care Office (408) 722-9499, brian.jackson@homeinstead.com.

The top seven safety changes that will most likely require the assistance of a contractor.

D. R. Domenichini Construction was named Morgan Hill Business of the Year in 2012 and recently voted (2014) Best Contractor in Morgan Hill by the Morgan Hill Times. The owner David Domenichini, resides in the Morgan

Hill area and brings nearly 20 years of experi-ence to his family-owned and operated busi-ness. Follow them on Facebook for weekly project updates, hints and tips, giveaways and more.  You can also visit their website at www.drdcon.com, or call 408.691.3282.

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 424

408-779-73891645 San Pedro Avenue

Morgan Hill, Californiawww.morganhillcellars.com

morgan hillc e l l a r s

e s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 1 3

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Come visit our tasting room and

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TASTING ROOM & GIFT SHOPTaking a step back into Old Italy, the ideal, relaxing backdrop for

tastings the Guglielmo family’s awardwinning wines.

Open Daily 10am to 5pm

VILLA EMILE EVENT CENTERRich in the charm and tradition of old world Tuscany, the perfect

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COME EXPLORE OURRICH HERITAGE AND

PICTURESQUE SETTING.

From our family to your table.

25 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

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Never doubt

that a small

group of

thoughtful,

committed

people can

change the

world; its the

only thing that

ever has. Margaret Mead

By Larry J. Mickartz

27 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

It All Starts Here

LAST YEAR MORGAN HILL TODAY RAN A PHOTO ESSAY ON ALL SEVEN COMPONENTS OF THE 2013 FREEDOM FEST, “SING THE SONGS OF

AMERICA.” THIS YEAR MORGAN HILL TODAY IS LOOKING AT THE BEHIND THE SCENES EVENTS AND PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE FREEDOM FEST

HAPPEN. FIRST, OUR APOLOGIES TO THOSE MANY INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHO ARE NOT MENTIONED OR PHOTOGRAPHED. WITH WELL

OVER 500 VOLUNTEERS AND HUNDREDS OF PLANNING MEETINGS FOR FREEDOM FEST 2014, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RECOGNIZE EVERYONE.

FOR THOSE WE DO MENTION, OUR PURPOSE IS TO HONOR THEIR VOLUNTEER EFFORTS AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

TO STEP UP. VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FREEDOM FEST NEED AN EVER-RENEWING SUPPLY OF HELPERS. VOLUNTEERS ALLOW FREEDOM

FEST, FIRST OF ALL, TO CONTINUE TO EXIST BUT, ALSO, TO GROW AND GET BETTER. IF YOU ARE MOVED TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY AS

A FREEDOM FEST VOLUNTEER, GO TO GOVOLUNTR.COM OR GO THE FREEDOM FEST WEBSITE AND SIGN UP.

Local architect, Charles Weston (above) served as President of the Freedom Fest for the past three years. He continues on the Board as the Freedom Run Race Director and the Fundraising Chairperson.

His successor, Jeff Dixon (left) is this year’s President. By day, Jeff is President of the Morgan Hill Youth Sports Alliance and is one of the newer members of the Board. He only moved to Morgan Hill in 2003 and quickly became involved in the community. Jeff believes that the Freedom Fest is in a period of transition and expansion. The details of which have yet to be determined.

The Board meets throughout the year to assure the success of the event. As the 4th of July comes closer, so do their meetings. Everyone has an area of responsibility and basically report where they are and if they are in need of any assistance.

The Freedom Fest operates under two major assumptions. Firstly, the whole program is run by volunteers; secondly the events will be free. The only excep-tions to free are some parking and participation fees. Anyone who has been associated with an organization this large and diverse, has got to be impressed with the fact that the Freedom Fest is completely and totally run by volunteers.

The Freedom Fest Board of Directors is an interesting mix. Some directors as responsible for one or another of the seven events, others have functional responsibilities that run across several events and a few have responsibilities for a function and an event.

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Lynn Astalos A freelance marketing representative, is the Marketing Chair and Bike Race Director. As marketing director he had a major role in the production of the Freedom Fest 2014 Event Program (above). This program is a major step-up from the 1999 Program (right). The 2014 Freedom Fest 60-page program, including the inset, is in full color, informative and very professionally done. Kudos to Laura McCoy, the program editor! Lynn Astalos is a relative newbie on the Board with only four years participation. As an avid athlete he also manages the annual bike event.

Fast FactsP It is a patriotic town

party.

P It has a parade that can trace its history back to 1876

P The Freedom Fest Parade has been designated (in 1994) the official 4th of July parade for the County of Santa Clara.

P The Freedom Fest Parade has been officially ranked as the best and biggest 4th of July parade in Northern California (in 2003).

P It costs about $150,000 to put on!

P It uses over 500 volunteers.

P It is a free event, except for some parking and partici-pation fees.

P It is a major project taking all year to plan and organize.

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Karen Ann Crane One of the most charismatic volunteers is Karen Ann Crane. She is a grade school teacher who is currently hired by four schools as a music teacher. She also directs a Girl Scout camp program. Karen grew up in San Louis Obispo in the shadows of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Patriotic sing alongs were a part of life there. When she took a grade school job in San Jose and the kids did not know God Bless America she went an a mission to change that. Teaching in Morgan Hill 26 years ago she was recruited to do a patriotic sing along for the 4th. Today the Patriotic Sing includes 120 kindergarten to 6th grade students, some of who are second-generation singers! The Patriotic Sing today also includes a tribute to currently serving troops and veterans. Emotions well when the kids sing the Marines fight song and grizzled veterans stands at attention!

High energy Karen has made patriotism a reality for many students, parents and citizens of Morgan Hill. Donations are directed to Blue Star Moms who send letters and gift packages to deployed troops. Karen is backed up by a group of 28 helpers who make it all happen. One of Karen’s key helpers is Theresa Liensdorf. Theresa started out as a parent of one of the singers but today is the go-to-person behind the unabashed patriotism and energy of Karen Ann Crane.

Angelina Madraiga (right) recently completed sixth grade at Los Paseos Elementary School in San Jose. She has been singing the national anthem at the Freedom Fest for the past three years.

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Seven Events Make-Up The Freedom FestBike Classic A bike event featuring a 6-mile, 13 mile, 30 mile, 100 kilometer and 100 mile components…typically held the Saturday before July 4th.

Patriotic Sing Community children sing patriotic songs and honor America’s military…July 3rd at Britton Middle School.

Family Music Fest A music festival this year featuring the Morgan Hill Wind Symphony, the Children’s Patriotic Sing and the Usual Suspects…July 3rd at the Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater.

Freedom Run A 1-mile kid’s run, a 5-kilometer walk and a 5 kilometer run along the parade path starting at P.A. Walsh School, July 4th.

Car Cruise ‘n Show 100 classic cars cruise the parade route and eventually park at the Outdoor Sports Center, July 4th.

4th of July Parade Over 140 entries march Monterey to W. Main to Peak to W. Dunne back to Monterey, July 4th.

Fireworks on the Green A daylong music fest finishing with a fireworks show at the Outdoor Sports Center, July 4th.

IDC’s Mission Statement

Independence Day Celebrations (IDC) is a non-profit organization committed to uniting the community of Morgan Hill, CA around the vision of our founding fathers who boldly proclaimed that “all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We are committed to reinforcing and sustaining the principles of American freedom in our community through Independence Day events of the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest.

IDC Committee MembersJeff Dixon, Board President

Charles Weston, Past President Freedom Run Chair/Fundraising Chair

Tammy Clark, Board Secretary

Ric Gamboa, Board Treasurer

Lynn Astalos, Marketing Chair/Bike Classic Race Director

Russ Carr, Car Cruise ‘n Show Chair

Karen Crane, Patriotic Sing/Essay Contest Chair

Dennis Dal Poggetto, Family Music Fest Chair

Sam Houston, Parade Administrative Vice Chair

Bob Hunt, Parade Chair

Maureen Hunt, Parade Chair

Laura McCoy, Marketing/Program Editor-in-Chief

Frances Nance, Marketing/Publicity Chair

Manny Padilla, Family Music Fest Co-Chair

Mitsie B. Smith, Fundraising/Sponsor Liaison

Debbie Tawney, Fireworks On The Green Chair

John Tawney, Fireworks On The Green Chair

Rick Tifft, Logistics Chair

Nathan Winchell, Bike Classic Chair

Congratulations on a job well done!

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For The Love Of Music…Janet Thompson

Janet Thompson is a retired family law attorney. That is one side of Janet. The

other side of Janet is a guitar finger picken, song writing, blues player. She is

a fun loving, adventurous, upbeat, affable bundle of energy. Sometimes

the two sides of Janet confuse us, but mostly we just enjoy her energy, her

voice, her music and her zest for life.

The professional side of Janet includes law school, after two kids, and

then 22 years in family law. That side of Janet is over but she has used

some of the themes and characters she met along the way as material

for her songs. People who have known Janet in her legal profession

are never identified in her songs but they might recognize a piece

of their life or circumstances in her songs!

You might be wondering where did the singing, song writing

guitar player come from? There is a song for that…The Man on the Tapes. Janet’s older sister, Judy, took and recorded her guitar

lessons from a guy named “Jerry.” Only later did Janet realize that

the guitar instructor was Jorma Kaukonen who went on to fame as

a member of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. Rolling Stone names

Kaukonan the 54th greatest guitarist of all time and the 16th greatest

acoustic guitarist.

When Judy went off to college she left the tapes and a guitar to Janet.

Time after time Janet played the tapes and learned to mimic what she

heard on the tapes. Later in life Janet met Jorma and even attended

some of his guitar camps. At one of these sessions she played The Man

on the Tapes for Jorma Kaukonan…a memorable event in her life.

Janet‘s songwriting sometimes has elements of the dark side

of life — that seems to be essential to the blues. Check out

Hard Candy Shell, Fast Train Blues or Good Girl Blues.

Every now and then she even writes a song that is too

personal and it goes into the not-in-public folder!

Photo: Janet & Mike Thompson entertaining at Villa Mira Monte

By Larry J. Mickartz

That Man of the TapesI never really met himIn the ordinary wayAn inadvertent mentorHe taught me how to playAlthough he didn’t know me He opened up my eyesThat man played music on the tapes

CHORUSI learned Down and OutWest Coast BluesCandyman and moreI’d play then listen to those tapesUntil my hands were soreI never got to tell himJust what it meant to meHe taught me the musicThat set my spirit free

© Janet Thompson

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But Janet also has playfulness in her song writing that is

absolutely hysterical. Cheeto Blues is about an addiction to

cheetos. Something we can all relate to.

Cheeto Blues

Sneaks in every night around midnightIn those sound proof soft-soled slid slipper shoes

Only illumination is the starlightYeah tomorrow know I’ll have to pay my dues

Yes it’s such a savory seductionFluorescent orangey crunch I can’t refuse

Oh it’s got me once againThe damn you Frito-Lay those Cheeto blues

That greasy coating in my mouth that I’m lovinLike a tasty oil slick dancing on my tongue

Illicitly devouring by the dozenJust like the ones I had when I was young

I can’t keep myself from indulgingI have no strength no power left to choose

Oh for you whom I adoreI’ll take more Lipitor

The damn you Frito-Lay those Cheeto blues….

© Janet Thompson

Another fun one is about a problem many guitar

players have…one can never have enough guitars! Janet

reluctantly admits there is a very personal element to this

song. She currently has nine guitars. One more than can fit

in her guitar closet!

Guitar Acquisition Blues

I’m cruising posts on EBay, can’t help it if I doAnd once or twice, or maybe more,

I’ve searched on Craigslist, tooIt’s a fearsome, hard addiction, way too big to ignore

In the land of milk and honey, you’ve got me on a dietGot a pocketful of credit, but you just won’t let me buy it

It’s got me in a feverAnd I just don’t know what to do

If I play her gotta keep herThis guitar acquisition blues…

© Janet Thompson

At this time in her life Janet is very content to write, have fun

and play! Accountant and hubby, Mike, often accompanies

her on the base. They live in a beautiful San Martin home.

Together they play a few gigs and just have fun. Janet is

grateful that life has been good to her and Mike, and that

she does not need to make a living at her music. She remarks

that no wonder in medieval times musicians had patrons! She

loves to write and tell a story in song.

For now she is content “to play what I like” and she is

grateful that “people like music.” This is a happy congruence.

Janet’s bubbly personality and affable style might conflict

with her love of the blues for some. It is a combination,

however, that helps us realize that we really do live in a

wonderful place full of some delightful, exceptionally talented

individuals!

janetthompsonmusic.com

Take It On The Fly janetthompsonmusic.com/wp-con-tent/uploads/2013/11/Take-it-on-the-Fly.m4a

Hard Candy Shell janetthompsonmusic.com/wp-con-tent/uploads/2013/11/Memo.m4a

Cheeto Blues janetthompsonmusic.com/mp3s/cheeto-blues.m4a.mp3

Down and Outjanetthompsonmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Janet-Thompson-Down-And-Out.mp3

That Man on the Tapes janetthompson.bandcamp.com/track/man-on-the-tapes

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Shady Creek Farm…a family home with threegenerations of love, enjoyment and memories

By Megan Griffin

39 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

Shady Creek Farm…a family home with threegenerations of love, enjoyment and memories

Shady Creek Farm is an extraordinary home with history, memories, and a special place in the hearts of owners Liza Garibaldi and her husband Dave Clapp. They are happy with their choice to build their life together in the same home that Liza

grew up in. The Garibaldi home has seen three generations grow up on the large property. The farm is beautiful with a picturesque red barn that is the home of their chickens and ducks. They also have goats, sheep, alpacas, dogs and cats. The huge plot in the middle of the property is sometimes leased to grow peppers and cucumbers.The farm also has a crystal clear creek, bountiful with crawdads.By Megan Griffin

Dave Clapp & Liza Garibaldi

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 440

Liza joyously reminisced about how she would ride down the creek on an inner tube with her siblings and ride their horses around the area. Liza originally moved to Shady Creek Farm in 1973. The house, which has four bedrooms and two bathrooms, has a lot of history. The living room was built out of wood from a barn that was on the property, giving it some real character. For sentimental reasons, everything in the kitchen and much of the house has been left as it was. Liza felt a strong connection to the kitchen because it is where she learned to cook. The kitchen table that she sat at as a young girl, is now where she feeds her grandchildren. L i z a lit up whenever she spoke about the history

of the house and openly shared some personal stories. She truly enjoyed her childhood and she is immensely grateful that she was able to provide a similar upbringing for her own children.

The house has small details inside and out that make the house homey and adorable. There are charming signs with fun sayings, an old fashion trailer, a rustic wood wagon and a lovely table outside under the trees.

Dave and Liza have some themed rooms in the house to express the places they love. The family room is decorated with a beach theme and is Dave’s favorite room in the house. The music

41 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

room has a London theme with a union Jack suitcase and art of landmarks, because Liza has an obsession with London. The music room is used for practicing musical instruments. Both Dave and Liza play, and their youngest son, Ryan, is an incredible drummer.

Every year, Shady Creek Farm hosts a Chili Cook Off in October. Last year’s winner had an interesting entry. The chili was made with chocolate and nuts. This family doesn’t spend much time indoors. Dave spoke of his love for the farm lifestyle. Dave loves to come home from a long day at work and de-stress in his own piece of nature. While the family loves the farm, the everyday upkeep is very taxing.

Liza has been offered the opportunity to work in London, one of her favorite places. They struggle daily with the decision. The farm means the world to them, but there may come a point where the work becomes too much. Caught between a rock and hard place, they will have to choose between a home that has given them so much in the past and a new beginning. This move may be their chance to create their new home, new memories, and have a new place steal their hearts.

Special Thanks to Liza and Dave for the wonderful setting photographed on the cover of this issue of Morgan Hill Today.

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Give Your Statuary, Birdbaths Or Fountains A FaceliftSTONE GARDEN ORNAMENTS like statues, birdbaths or fountains can last a lifetime but sometimes they need a little repair and refreshing with some stain or paint. Most of these DIY projects are easy to do!

Have a little chip on your garden Gnome or fountain? All you need to repair it is some auto bondo, medium grade sandpaper, and stain or exterior latex paint of your choice.

• First you want to wash the piece really well and let it dry. If you have some moss growing on it you want to try and remove it with a little bit of bleach and water.

• Make sure to remove all flaking paint.

• Fill in the chipped / cracked area with auto bondo to the best of your abilities, channel your own Donatello, and remember it doesn’t have to be perfect. Let dry.

• Once the repair is dry use medium grade sandpaper to smooth the repaired area.

• Wash off any dust or residue and let dry.

Once dry you are ready to apply your stain or paint. If only touching up and finishing up your repair you can use a Q-tip to apply your color to the repaired area. If staining or painting the entire piece you can use a paint-brush. You can find your concrete stain or paint at your local hardware store or you can visit concretenetwork.com/stained-concrete.

Voila, it’s that easy! Now repairing a broken arm on a statue is not as easy, but chips, peeling paint, even a piece that has broken off clearly can be repaired with epoxy. All these repairs you can do yourself.

If you need some extra help just give us a call at 408-846-4555, we would be happy to walk you through the repairs.

BEFORE

AFTER

Brought to you by Garden Accents 11155 Lena Avenue • 408.846.4555 • garden-accents.net

IT’S TIME TOo Dead head flowers in your garden

o Fertilize with a slow release fertilizer

o Apply 2-3” of mulch in your garden if you haven’t already. It will also refresh your garden and make it look its best for those summer parties. Make sure to keep the mulch 6-12” away from tree trunks.

o Start planting your fall vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower

By Deborah Barncord

WATER SAVING TIPApply CAL-CM / Gypsum to your garden and lawn to loosen up your soil this will maximize the water you apply.

43 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

Give Your Statuary, Birdbaths Or Fountains A FaceliftBy Deborah Barncord

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aWhale of a story

Written By Robin Shepherd Photography By Jim VanGogh & Bob Byrum

Every year from February through April,

thousands of majestic humpback whales

migrate up to 3,100 miles from the icy waters

of the North Altantic to a 300-square-mile

Marine Mammal Sanctuary known as Silver Bank.

Instinctively the whales are drawn to the warm, shallow

underwater banks of this sanctuary. Silver Bank is the ideal

safe haven where they can spend the winter mating and

raising their young. It is also the only place in the world where

people have the opportunity to get up close and personal with

the North Atlantic Humpback whale.

This important detail caught the eye of Morgan Hill lawyer

and intrepid traveler Laura Perry.

“I’d wanted to visit Silver Bank for years,” Perry said.

“When the opportunity came along this year I jumped at it.

In March I flew to the Dominican Republic and set sail with

one of the few tour companies permitted to operate in the

Silver Bank sanctuary.”

“In one week I learned so much about the whales,” Perry

said, “only to realize there was so much more to learn about

their social structure and habits.”

“The mothers weigh about 40 tons while their calves emerge

at about 13 feet in length, weighing about 2 tons at birth. The

babies get their nourishment by positioning themselves just

beneath their mothers, who then release their milk, creating a

pool of milky ocean water.”

The calves consume 100 lbs of their mother’s milk every day

for up to seven months until they are weaned, by which time

they will have grown to about 26 feet and 10 tons. Why all

the rush? Because the young whales must be strong enough

to make the long return trip to the humpback whales’ natural

feeding grounds in the Northern Atlantic without falling prey

to marauding Orca whales along the way.

Close Encounters of the Best Kind“We spent hours on the water with the whales every day,”

Perry said. “We went out in small inflatable boats and when

the tour operators found a group of females with their calves,

it was our opportunity to slip into the water in our wet suits

with our snorkel gear. They taught us how to enter the water

quietly and approach the whales as a group, linking arms

and staying on the surface of the water at a close but safe

distance.”

“The humpback whales were very tolerant of our presence

45 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

and curious by nature, especially the calves,” Perry said.

“While the adults could remain submerged for half an hour,

the newborn calves had to surface about every four to six

minutes for air. They were rambunctious and would swim

right up to us. We figured that the moms were probably

exhausted and relieved that their babies had a little diversion,

playing with us like tubby toys while the moms got some rest.

The trick was to stay away from their tails. Easier said than

done and there were a few times when getting clear was not

happening. The touch of a pex fin, tail or fluke spray brought

us back to the realization, that although caught up in the

beauty of the whales, they are powerful.”

Perry said that at times, the sanctuary was filled with

hundreds of whales. The tour operators avoided some groups

of whales, which were either made up of “rowdy males”

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 446

exhibiting mating behavior, or males that were escorting

females with their young.

“I had my first close encounter with a whale on day-one,

within minutes of getting into the water,” Perry said. “The

whale was magnificent. Much bigger than I’d imagined, and it

got my heart rate going. We are very little in the humpback’s

world. It’s a good reminder of our place in the universe.”

Humpbacks are notorious for their acrobatics, and Perry got

to see it all, from breaching (rising up out of the water) to the

slapping of their pectoral fins and tails. She learned that some-

times it’s about building up strength for their long migrations,

and other times it’s just pure playfulness.

“We were amazed at the males that would position swim

along the bottom singing their mating songs for 20-25

minutes, hoping to attract a fertile female,” Perry said. Our

fascination with whale songs has made them the stuff of sea-

faring legends and new age meditative musical compositions.

An Unforgettable Experience

Perry’s tour mates were of different ages and backgrounds.

Some, like Perry, were experienced scuba divers. Several came

47 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

equipped with the latest GoPro video cameras. Others were

new to snorkeling and whale watching.

“The beauty of these tours is that they are accessible to

virtually anyone who is comfortable on a boat and in surface

water with a snorkel,” Perry said.

Perry also enjoyed the evenings back on the main boat,

which were “filled with beautiful sunsets, good food and

presentations on whale behavior and habitat.”

“The more you dive, the more you see the impact we have

on our oceans, with our cruise ships and our dumping and

overfishing,” Perry said. “It’s a powerful motivator to get

people involved in finding solutions.”

“You get to know these whales during your short time with

them. They have distinctive markings on their torsos and

fins, and distinctive personalities to match. Many of these

whales have been traveling the oceans for 30 to 40 years.

The biggest thing I came away with is not understanding

why anyone would want to hurt such an amazing animal.“

“The memory of being with them really stays with you.”

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INTRODUCINGTHE 2015 HONDA FIT

1 7 1 0 0 L a u r e l R o a d I M o r g a n H i l l , C A 9 5 0 3 7 I 4 0 8 - 5 0 0 - 3 0 0 0 I H o n d a o f M o r g a n H i l l . c o m

How much can you fit in a Fit?

(Keep an eye out for the all new redesigned 2015 Honda Fit.)

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Financial advisors and professional money managers provided investors significant value before, during and after the Great

Recession. A recent study by Aon Hewitt, a human resources consulting firm, explored how retirement plan investors who had professional investment help faired versus investors who did not.

In the study, “Help in Defined Contributions Plans: 2006 Through 2010,” Aon Hewitt looked at the investment behavior of over 425,000 individual defined contribution plan participants and their $25 billion in assets. The investors were divided into two distinct groups: “Help” investors, those receiving investment help (from a managed account, a target date fund or plan provided investment help) and “Non-Help” investors, those who managed their investments on their own.

The study uncovered three fascinating insights about the performance of investors with Help versus the Non-Help investors.

n Investors who received help had better returns with less risk than Non-Help investors. This was true across all age groups and market conditions studied.

n Investors who had help outperformed those who didn’t by a median annual return of 2.92% over the five-year period from 2006 – 2010.

n The downside of 2008 was about the same for both Help and Non-Help investors, but the upside returns of 2009 were noticeably different. Non-Help investors tended to have more concentrated portfolios, and they didn’t fully participate in the recovery.

While a 2.92% median annual return doesn’t seem like a big number, let’s give some context to the advantage that the Help investors received. Over the 5 year length of the study, an investor with help would have 14%* more wealth than a Non-Help investor. Over 10 years, this median annual return grows to a 30% advantage, and over 20 years it is a 70% advantage.

The study found that the poor performance of the Non-Help group came primarily from two sources:

n Inappropriate risk levels and

n Inefficient portfolios. For every age range Non-Help investors had riskier, more volatile portfolios than investors who had help.

While the study reviewed above was focused on investors in defined contribution plans like 401(k) plans, the case for professional advice holds for investors and their investments outside of a plan. According to Meir Statman, PhD., a Santa

Clara University professor and member of our investment oversight committee, investors should seek an advisor aimed at improving the whole of their financial wellbeing. Statman, a recognized behavioral finance expert, says investors who align themselves with “professionals who examine the financial resources and goals of investors, diagnose deficiencies, and educate investors about financial health,” will assist investors in maximizing their potential e.g., tax optimization, savings, spending, planning, etc.

In other words, success in financial planning and investing is more about making sure that investors are making “healthy choices” than it is about beating the market every year. Are you saving regularly? Are you living within your means? Is your asset allocation appropriate for your goals and personal temperament? Do you have your estate in order should the unthinkable happen? Are your beneficiaries up to date? Do you plan to alter your spending in retirement? Are you maximizing your tax situation each year?

While the value that financial advisors provide their clients is sometimes taken for granted, the time advisors spend trying to understand each individual investor matters greatly. We spend time to understand your goals, objectives, risk comfort and needs. All of this is essential to recommending an efficiently diversified portfolio that is appropriate for you and in your best interest.

by Daniel T. Newquist, CFP®, AIF®

ProfessionalAdvicePays

Daniel T. Newquist, CFP®, AIF® is a Princi-pal Wealth Advisor with RNP Advisory Services, Inc., in Morgan Hill with over 17 years experience advising clients on their personal wealth, retirement planning, insurance, and business planning needs. Born and raised in Morgan Hill, Dan is available for private consultations and speaking engagements. Investment advisory services offered through RNP Advisory Services, Inc. – a registered investment advisor.  Securi-ties offered through Foothill Securities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, an unaffiliated company. Visit his website at www.RNPadvisory.com or call 408-779-0699.

FINANCIALLY

Speaking

* Assumes $10,000 invested at an illustrative return of 8% and 10.92% (8% +the 2.29% advantage).This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as investment advice.

Always consult your financial or tax-planning professional for guidance with respect to your specific situation.

Questions to keep in mind when interviewing a financial advisor:n Is the advisor a registered

investment advisor?

n How does the advisor charge for services, and how much?

n What is their experience and professional credentials or certifications?

n What services does the firm provide?

n Why types of clients does the advisor specialize in and can they provide references?

n What is the investment philosophy and approach to financial planning?

n How often will you interact?

n Is the advisor your only point of contact, or is there a team?

n What makes the client experience unique?

n Did you like the advisor and your initial experience?

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Help forVeterans

Dorie Sugay is the Executive Director of Visiting Angels, a company that provides living-assistance services to seniors and adults-in-need who wish to stay in their own home or receive one-on-one care within a facility.

By Dorie U. Sugay

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It was written independent of Visiting Angels.

AGING with an Attitude{} Many don’t know that

Veterans who need home health care may be able to

get financial assistance from the Veteran’s Administration. Depending on one’s situation, the VA can pay 6 – 9 hours of home health care a week. It isn’t a lot but it helps.

According to the Department of Veter-ans Affairs census estimates, there are ap-proximately 13 million Veterans and their single surviving spouses age 65 and older. Comparing this to a total of 41 million Americans 65 and older, Veterans and their single surviving spouses represent about

¹/³ of the senior population. According to the VA, about 42% of all veterans are 65 and older. This percentage will continue to grow as the Vietnam Veterans reach 65.

Facts You Should Know Senior veterans are typically in receipt of four cash income programs from the VA. Two of these programs – Pension and Death Pension – are paid to veterans and their surviving spouses who are non-service-connected disabled. The other two of these programs - Compensation and Dependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC) - are paid to veterans or surviving spouses due to disability or death from service connection. The VA estimates handling about 4,501,200 cases in 2013, and of those about 38% or 1,693,200 beneficiaries are age 65 and older. It is important to note that of those 1.7 million beneficiaries 65 and older, only about 28% or 517,900 beneficiaries will be receiving Pension or Death Pension. Also note that the number of surviving spouses receiving DIC is about 20% more than those receiving Death Pension.

Why are these important? Practitioners who work on educating seniors about Veterans benefits almost always direct their attention exclusively to Pension or Death Pension – which comprise only about 28% of all VA beneficiaries! In contrast, seniors receiving service-connected payments represent 72% of those beneficiaries age 65 and over. Those seniors who could benefit from knowing more about Compensation and DIC and the Aid and Attendance As-sistance are often completely ignored.

Pension and Death Pension Commonly called “Aid and Attendance,” these benefits provide cash payments to Veterans who served during a period of war or to their single surviving spouses. Pension helps to cover the cost of home care, assisted living and nursing home services. Pension is also available to Veterans or surviving spouses with very low income who do not have long-term care costs. Cash income payments from Pension range from about $700 a month to a little over $2,000 a month depending on the type of claim and the medical rating involved. Most people don’t even know of the existence of this benefit. VA does not advertise it, and, as such, many eligible people never apply. Visiting Angels in this area is the only agency approved by the VA to work with Veterans between South San Jose and North Salinas. Our Vet clients receive from 2-3 days (3 hours each) of assistance and a few hours every other week for respite to help a caregiver spouse.

Disability Compensation Disability Compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a veteran for a service-connected disability that happened as a result of active duty, active duty for training, inactive duty training or injury from VA healthcare. Cash income payments for Compensation range from a low of about $130 a month to a high of about $8,000 a month. Special benefits like grants for new automobiles or modifying existing automobiles, grants for constructing or modifying homes, clothing allowances and so on are payable for severe service-connected disabilities. An Aid and Attendance or Housebound Assistance Allowance in the form of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is available to the veteran who is 100% disabled. In 2013, a veteran assessed as 100% disabled could receive a check for about $2,816 a month. And if the Veteran had a spouse, the amount could be as high as $2,974 a month. Higher amounts are possible if the aid and attendance involves certain severe disabilities.

This aid and attendance allowance is not an automatic benefit and most veterans don’t know about this special assistance and never apply for it. If the Veteran receiving

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Compensation is not 100% disabled, the need for aid and attendance might possibly allow for that increase in rating and the additional assistance for aid and attendance on top of that. Most veterans receiving Compensation don’t have a clue as to their eligibility for this special benefit. Also, an aid and attendance assistance allowance is available due to the need for services to a disabled spouse of a veteran where the veteran is 30% or more disabled.

Of particular note for Disability compensation are Agent Orange claims for each and every veteran who was stationed in Vietnam and who has developed pre-sumptive health conditions such as certain forms of cancer, type II diabetes, ischemic heart disease (lack of proper blood flow to the heart) and Parkinson’s disease. Veterans with service-connected hearing loss can also make claims and receive free hearing aids. This hearing disability rating will also get them into the health care system.

Health Care Benefits The VA health care system is the larg-est single provider of health care in the United States. It has also been recognized by numerous surveys as being one of the best providers of health care as well. Not all veterans can receive care in the system. Eligibility requires either service-connected disability, receipt of Pension, special ser-vice recognition such as prisoner of war or Purple Heart or low income and less than $80,000 in assets. For all beneficiaries – not to include those who are means tested – all services are free and medications are $8 per month per medication regardless of what it is. Means tested veterans have a co-pay for services. There are no other out-of-pocket costs such as health care premiums. Help can also be provided with disability-required home renovation grants of $2,000 or $6,800, orthotics, prosthetics, and in certain cases, hearing aids. VA outpatient clinics are available in most communities. Approximately 8,400,000 individuals are enrolled in the health care system.

Dependents Indemnity CompensationDependents Indemnity Compensation (DIC) - is payable to eligible survivors of a military service member who died on active duty or whose death after service

There IS help… check it out!

resulted from a service-connected injury or disease. It is also available due to improper treatment of the deceased veteran from VA healthcare or rehabilitation services. DIC is automatically granted to a surviving spouse for a veteran who was permanently and totally disabled for 10 years or more. DIC is said to have paid up to $1,215 a month in 2013 to a surviving spouse. Additional amounts are available if there are dependent children. A dependent child is one who is 18 years old or younger or 23 years old or younger and enrolled full-time in school or is an adult who became totally dependent prior to the age of 18. If the surviving spouse needs the aid and attendance of another person such as home care, assisted living or nursing home care, an additional monetary assistance is provided.

Burial Benefits Money is available for burial costs for veterans who were service disabled, receiving Pension or died under VA care. If the death was a result of service-connected disability, $2,000 is available. If the death was non-service related, and the veteran was receiving Pension or Compensation or was entitled to either of these, up to $700 is available for plot allowance and burial and funeral expenses. All veterans also receive free burial in State and Federal VA cemeteries. Under cer-tain conditions, spouses and other family members can receive free burial in State and Federal VA cemeteries. All veterans are eligible for a grave marker (or equivalent monetary allowance), a flag for the coffin, a graveside honor guard, and a letter from the President of the United States. Approximately 60,000 veterans received burial allowance in 2013 and about 33,000 received a burial plot. The VA expected about 18,000 service- connected deaths in 2013 and claims for about 350,000 grave markers. About 500,000 flags were given out for burial.

State Veteran Benefits All states offer various additional benefits

to veterans to include special recognition, property tax reduction, free hunting and fishing and state parks admission, as well as a whole host of other benefits. Some states are more generous than others and in

some states, veterans can receive a one-time cash stipend. All states have at least one or more Veterans’ homes that are available to various classes of veterans depending on the rules of the home.

Some homes require the veteran to have been a war veteran and others do not. Federal rules require that at least 25% of all beds in state Veterans homes be reserved for the spouses of veterans if those beds are available.

There IS help!Many Veterans in this area do not realize, for example, that they can get assistance from the VA when they need home health care. The budget cuts may have affected some of these benefits that were intended to assist our veterans, but there IS help. Visiting Angels has been working with the VA. Our experience has been encouraging – the people who work with the Veterans on home health care truly care, and see to it that our Vets get whatever assistance is available. For home health care funding assistance, see your VA Primary Physician and for a home healthcare consult – he/she can get the wheels turning. (Physicians outside the VA system cannot get the process started).

For more information, NCPC has two books: “How to Apply for Department of Veterans Benefits for Seniors and Their Survivors” and “The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning.” LTC Benefits for Veterans is free at VeteransBenefitsNow.com. The va.gov website has a lot of information as well. There are also agencies who can help you navigate through the VA system. Our first-hand experience working with the VA is that the process to apply for home health care funding seems simpler than one would expect.

SOURCES:“How to Apply for Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits for Seniors and Their Survivors” (NCPC)www.seniorvets.org VeteransBenefitsNow.com

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They say that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, but to Paul Loughridge (pronounced loc-rij) junk is his art. It’s this “junk art” that Hollywood recently discovered when they found photos of Paul’s sculptures on Flickr. Paul creates crazy pieces out of everything from broken coffee pots and toasters to rusty old vacuum cleaners and thermos bottles at Lockwasher Design Studio in Morgan Hill, CA.

It all started back in high school when he earned the name Lock-washer from a classmate in a metal shop. Years later when he needed a name for his studio, Lockwasher Design seemed to fit. “I choose not to weld, solder or glue my sculptures together. I drill and bolt all of the pieces. Sometimes I will use a lockwasher in the assemble.” From that method, Lockwasher Design was born. Creating things came naturally for Paul.

He grew up in a large family - two brothers and two sisters. With childhood years predating the computer games era, kids had to invent their own fun. “We were always building stuff. We’d tear perfectly good bikes, skateboards and wagons apart and modify them. We didn’t always succeed, but that never mattered to us. This early hands-on approach to ‘mechanical engineering’ definitely fueled my interest in assemblage,” said Paul.

It took a few years for Paul to find his creative niche with sculptures. “I have been a driver, dishwasher, a doughnut jockey, a mechanic, prep cook, bag boy and box spring mattress maker among other things. I was given an opportunity to work at a sports

Hollywood Discovers Local ArtistPaul Laughridge

Written & PhotographedBy Laura Wrede

53 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

publication in the design and art department. Thus started my long career as a graphic artist.” This laid the creative foundation that allowed Paul to end up where he is today. “I just followed my passion – building, drawing, designing…creating was fulfilling.”

“For a large portion of my professional career I was a trade show manager and traveled extensively throughout the USA and Europe. I was especially captivated by the venerable churches and castles of Germany. I was intrigued by the complexity, grandeur and scale of the ancient architecture - definitely inspiring,” said Paul.

When Paul started creating his sculptures, it wasn’t long before he had fans. In 2007 Paul sold his first piece: an old electric drill he turned into a ray gun. Since then, he has shown in galleries from New York, New Orleans, Ohio, San Diego, to local venues, Paul also has international collectors. One Belgium man has purchased eight pieces to date; a local jade dealer has one of his “crazy pieces oddly displayed alongside his dignified hand-carved masterpieces,” and a cast member of Grey’s Anatomy has purchased several of his sculptures. “I have a couple of full size robot sculptures on display at our very own Morgan Hill Library.”

He also had his automotive art displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance and the San Diego International Auto Show. “I created a full size robot which garnered a first place award at San Francisco International RoboGames competition.”

It wasn’t until recently however, that Paul’s work reached a new level. One of the art directors for the new movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (starring Megan Fox, Will Arnett and Whoopi Goldberg, scheduled to release August 2014) saw Lockwasher Design sculptures on Flickr and contacted Paul to commission several pieces.

“The Turtle’s hangout is down in a sewer and is all decked out with crazy gadgets and crime fighting equipment. The set director was looking for small pieces that were nerdy, geeky, with a steam punk look to place around their lair,” said Paul. “My favorite piece from that job was a skateboarding Ninja robot.” He created six pieces in all.

As if creating sculptures weren’t enough to keep him busy, these days, Paul also pursues a new venture: Paul’s Paint Parties. His most recent local one was held at Rosy’s at the Beach. Paul walks guests through the process of painting their own masterpiece while friends sip wine and enjoy a fun evening.

When I asked Paul if there was anything else we should know about him, he said, “I like riding my bicycle, eating Mexican food, wasn’t a great student, Young Frankenstein was one of my favorite movies and when I was seven or eight years old I announced to my parents that when I grew up I was going to be a Catholic Priest or a professional comedian…hey, you never know, it could still happen.”

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Majid Bahriny Restaurateur Extraordinaire

By Kelly Barbazette

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By Kelly Barbazette

We are in the best place on earth, but most people don’t appreciate it.”

“

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57 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

P

art of each new patient exam is a

comprehensive evaluation of each

patient’s dental condition. Frequently it is

determined that the patient could benefit

from a night guard. A night guard is a

protective plastic dental appliance that is

worn on the upper or lower arch of the

patient’s mouth. Often, patients do not

feel that they need a night guard because

it is not clear to them what damage the

dentist is seeing or how the night guard

could benefit them. We will attempt to

explain some of the common reasons for

the prescription of a night guard and how

the appliance could be a benefit.

Bruxism or grinding of the teeth is the

most common reason for the prescrip-

tion of a night guard. Teeth grinding is

primarily a nocturnal activity but it is also

something that may happen during the

day. Often the points on the teeth have

been worn away and a crater develops in

its place. Ultimately, the enamel is worn

away exposing the softer dentine under-

neath. This can result in tooth decay as

well as temperature and contact sensitiv-

ity. In extreme cases, the patient can have

a bite that collapses due to the extensive

wear to their teeth. The night guard serves

to act as a barrier between the teeth to

prevent damaging tooth-to-tooth contact.

Another condition is clenching. Of-

ten people wake up with a headache or

find themselves with tension headaches

throughout the day. This can be the result

of clenching. Often people have no idea

that they are clenching until someone

brings it to their attention. In addition,

there are physical symptoms as well.

Typically this can be observed in well-

developed jaw muscles, fractures and

fracture lines in the teeth and a build

up of supporting bone in the jaws. It is

also important to note that some of these

symptoms can also be observed in “tooth

grinders” as well. The night guard serves

to break the tension that would otherwise

be created by clenching the teeth together.

Many people report resolution of their

headaches and the practitioner observes a

decrease in tooth damage as well.

The night guard can also serve as a first

line of treatment for people having prob-

lems with their Temporomandibular Joint

or TMJ. It is important to note that brux-

ism and clenching can both be major con-

tributors to problems associated with the

TMJ. Some people require more sophis-

ticated appliances in order to treat their

symptoms and it is up to the practitioner

to make this determination.

In conclusion, the recommendation

of a night guard is a simple treatment to

prevent a series of tooth related problems

in the future. It may also provide relief for

symptoms you may be experiencing now.

If you have been prescribed a night guard

and are reluctant to proceed, we encour-

age you to begin a dialogue with your

dentist to help you fully understand why

a night guard is being prescribed.

Dr. Escobar has been practic-ing dentistry in the Bay Area since 2006. She took over Dr. Palmerlee’s practice when he retired in 2012. She is passionate about providing exceptional oral health care in a patient centered environment. Dr. Escobar par-ticipates in continuing education seminars with other leading clini-cians in exploring new and inno-vative methods and materials for restoring smiles.

Night guards:Not just a piece of plastic!!

By Dr. Jernell Escobar

It’s Your Smile

This is the third, in a series of articles, which will attempt to address some of the most common questions that are regularly posed to dental practitioners. We hope that the reader will find this to be useful and perhaps find answers to questions they might have regarding dental procedures. We will preface all of these articles by reminding the reader that no armchair diagnosis or advice is a substitute for a trip to a dental professional. Every person’s case is unique and proper diagnosis and treatment planning with a dental professional is essential for optimal case outcome.

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59 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

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SPEND AN HOUR WITH STEVE BETANDO and you’ll realize there is a lot to learn about education. Betando is

Superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District (MHUSD), and he sees education entering a kind of Renaissance period. Teaching methods, learning environments, curricula and standardized testing are all evolving as schools and local communities work together to prepare students for the future.

MHUSD encompasses nearly 300 square miles, making it the largest school district in the county. The district serves the ethnically diverse population of Morgan Hill, San Martin, portions of San Jose, and unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. Within the district there are more than 9,000 students enrolled in 14 schools: seven elementary, one K-8, two middle

A Renaissance in Education

BY ROBINSHEPHERD

Preparing Students For The Future

schools, two high schools, a continuation high school and an adult education school.

“It is our responsibility to serve the community by making a quality education accessible to all students,” Betando said, “and several factors have created new opportunities for us to do so.”

“A new funding formula through the California State Department of Education, Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), has helped us to reduce class sizes for increased teacher-student interaction and personalized instruction. It also helped us to bring teacher salaries on par with similar school districts. And we’ve been able to invest in new services for community outreach, bi-lingual community liaisons and counseling among other things.”

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In 2012, the voters of the MHUSD community passed Measure G, a $198.25 million bond, to fund much-needed improvements to the district’s schools. Building and infrastructure renovations are making schools safer, more secure and more energy-efficient while adding ADA access and more classroom capacity. Funds are also being used to incorporate classroom technology for 21st century learning.

21st Century LearningAccording to Betando, the district’s academy schools are thriving. Jackson Academy of Math and Music was the first, and has since become one of the district’s high performing schools backed by strong community support. Credentialed teachers provide instruction in math and music. The school even has its own piano lab. Students can learn several instruments – a skill which has been shown in studies to have a positive impact on development of math and problem-solving skills.

San Martin/Gwinn Elementary School is not only a successful dual-immersion school, but also an Environmental Science Academy. Measure G funds made it possible to introduce project-based learning in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curricula. Environmental challenges are creating demand for new knowledge and skills in the workforce, and this academy provides young minds with hands-on experience outside the classroom.

P.A. Walsh Elementary School is making the transition from traditional elementary to a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) academy. There’s a strong focus on technology-enabled learning while curriculum is themed around the arts. School staff partnered with the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Walt Disney Family Foundation for its focus on the arts. Each student in Grades 2 through 6 has access to his or her own Chromebook computer in the classroom. K-1 students have access to tablet computers. This will help students be better prepared for life in an increasingly digital world, not to mention making the shift to online assessment testing.

At all elementary schools, class size reductions will be in effect for the 2014-15 school year. This supports one of Project Cornerstone’s 40 Developmental Assets, which is to enable more

21st Century Learning

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Embracing Common Core

teacher-student interaction in the early years. It’s also a step toward meeting the state’s target of 24 students per classroom by 2018.

Betando said the school district is also taking back five special education programs from Santa Clara County, which will give the district schools more control over the quality and cost of services provided to students.

Embracing Common Core MHUSD is in its third year of focus on Common Core Standards, and Betando said that students across the district will be well-prepared when Common Core testing begins next year.

“The district and teaching staff embraced Common Core early on, knowing there would be some challenges in terms of developing new teaching methods and curricula,” Betando said. “But everyone recognized that the result would be students who are more creative thinkers and problem-solvers. I really credit our teachers who began preparing several years ago to adopt the Common Core standards and test them in practice. They found that programs like integrative math and its practical applications are more aligned with what our world looks like today.”

“Teachers and administrators have also invested time to educate the community about Common Core,” Betando said. “Not only how it works and what it means in terms of curriculum and class structure but also the fact that we have to submit our new high

school courses for state approval to be eligible for AP status and college credit. The University of California and California State university systems and other colleges not only support Common Core but promote its adoption.”

Preparing To LaunchThis year’s more than 500 graduates of Ann Sobrato, Live Oak and Central high schools won more than $3 million in scholarships and are headed to California state universities as well as Stanford, Cal Poly, east coast schools, community colleges, the job market, and every branch of the military. Graduation rates are up and dropout rates are down. The district is working with the County and justice system to pilot a foster youth tracking system with support services for students at risk of failing or dropping out.

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Photos courtesy of Morgan Hill Unified School District

At the high school level, beginning in the 9th Grade, students are expected to complete A-G coursework to graduate. By doing so, they will have met the curriculum requirements of the University of California for eligibility to apply to its schools. MHUSD was recognized this year by the Silicon Valley Education Foundation (Pioneers and Purpose Award) for its leadership in the bay area for development of high expectations for students and establishment of A-G curriculum.

“Every student should leave high school prepared for college,” Betando said, “but they should have a choice of alternatives to pursue. It’s not just an academic society we live in.” And this is true of Morgan Hill, where some students choose military service or enter the job market.

It Takes A Village“The Morgan Hill community is amazingly supportive of education,” Betando said. “City officials, the Chamber of Commerce, faith-based groups, community organizations are ready to collaborate – we just need to reach out. The City of Morgan Hill has as one of its goals to support youth in the community, and there’s Project Cornerstone, Community Solutions, United Way and YMCA, to name a few.

“We also have strong relationships with organizations such as the Rotary Club and the Lions Club. The Rotary Club put in a playground at one of our schools and provided all of our 3rd grade students with dictionaries.”

It Takes A Village

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1 Better Customer ExperienceAre you tired of being served by

a grumpy, miserable, or even downright

rude checkout operator? If you shop

locally you are more likely to be received

with a smile and have a very pleasant

customer experience. At your local shop

you are not just a faceless money carrier,

you are person. Building a friendly rela-

tionship with the local shop owner makes

for a much more relaxed atmosphere and

a nicer shopping experience all-around.

Rather than making your day worse,

shopping at a local store might just

brighten your day.

2 Helping to Maintain the Community Local stores are owned and

operated by local people. The very

same people as yourselves who care

about the neighborhood they live in.

Local businesses donate to local

charities and causes and improve

the surrounding area. Why? They

care about the area in which they

live, just like you. Support local

stores and you are supporting

your local community.

3 Local Economic Prosperity Money that you spend at local

shops and businesses is money

that is kept in your community, enriching

it for all. When you spend at a superstore

the profits are taken by the corporation,

whereas when you spend locally your

whole community indirectly benefits,

since that money will be reinvested

in your region.

4 Unique Community Character

Nothing destroys

a region’s character like

the imposition of

an all-purpose

megastore store. Local communities are

unique places that have their very own

culture, history and individual quality.

Local stores are a part of this rich history

and culture, having usually been around

for several decades serving as pillars

of the community. By supporting these

local businesses you are ensuring the

maintenance of the tradition and character

Top 10 Reasons to Shop at Local StoresYou may already shop locally because it is convenient, or perhaps you don’t shop locally at all. There are however, many excellent rea-sons why shopping at local stores is very beneficial to you and the community. Here are the top ten reasons why you should do more local shopping.

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of your area. A traditional diner or grocer is

part of a town’s identity, and you would do

well to support them with your custom.

5Unique Products and Quality Produce When you shop at a local store,

you get to buy unique, local products of

a diverse range that you would not find at

a superstore. The stock has been carefully

picked by the owner, rather than the dic-

tates of market research and profitability.

Especially when it comes to fruits

and vegetables, shopping locally

is superior to supermarket

shopping in every way. The

produce is fresher and

tastier than supermarket

goods, often picked

only a day or two

Top 10 Reasons to Shop at Local Stores

beforehand. Fresh, organic, locally-grown

food is also not only healthier for you, but

it is also healthier for your community, as

you are sustaining local agriculture.

6Local Competition

Using local businesses encourages

healthy competition. This

ultimately brings you, the customer, a

cheaper, wider range of goods. Multiple

companies competing in individual

markets is much better for everyone than

one huge conglomerate selling a narrow

range of every type of product.

7More Local Jobs Small local companies create a

wide variety of local jobs which

help sustain community economies. By

shopping at local stores and using local

businesses you are ultimately creating a

supply of jobs in your local area through

increasing demand for goods and

services.

8Supporting Regional Agriculture Through buying your fruit and

vegetables from local outlets there are

multiple positive effects. Aside from

cheaper food bills and fresh produce,

by supporting local farmers you are

reinvesting money into your community

and also helping the environment by

reducing transport pollution.

9Helping the Environment In the world today everyone

wants to do what they can to

help conserve the environment and the

planet’s natural resources. Shopping locally

serves this cause in several ways. Major

road congestion is reduced, as is general

transport pollution. Buying goods from

local stores also reduces fuel and energy

consumption by bypassing the need

to import from around the world. Local

shops require little infrastructure, further

decreasing our impact on the environment.

10 Local Decision Making Important decisions made

by local stores and businesses ought

not be harmful to the community since

the owners are part of the community

too- they have a vested interest and are

committed to the area’s future themselves.

Decisions affecting the community are

not made in a corporate board room

hundreds of miles away, they are made

by fellow members of the community who

appreciate their impact.

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 468

Your credit score is a three-

digit number that lenders

use to predict your credit-

worthiness. Credit reporting

companies calculate your

score based on your payment

history, how much you owe,

how long you’ve had credit

and how often you apply for

new credit. If your score is

lower than you’d like, here’s

how to raise it:

Six Ways To Improve

Your Credit Score

1 Check your credit report regularly. Request a copy of your report at least once a year from Experian, Equifax,

Innovis and/or TransUnion. Make sure your report agrees with your records. Correct any errors as soon as possible and watch for signs of identity theft.

2 Make sure your credit limits appear. If your credit card limits aren’t listed, your cards are assumed to be maxed out,

which damages your credit score. Ensure your limits are indicated, and stay well below them to maintain a higher score. Staying below 50% of your limit is best.

3 Pay past due accounts. Delinquent accounts reduce your score more than anything else. Pay these accounts first.

4 Pay new liens or charge-offs. These are your next priority. But once they’re older than 24 months, they’ve done all

the damage they can do. In that case, move them to the bottom of your payment priority pile.

5 Don’t close credit cards. Credit score software totals your available credit limits across all your cards. If you close

an old card, suddenly you have a lower total limit which means your credit-to-debt ratio is higher. This drives down your score. Only close old cards if you have no self-control.

6 Keep old credit cards active. The longer you’ve had an account open, the less likely you are to default on it, and the

higher your credit score. But it’s not enough to simply keep old accounts open; you have to use the card, even if it’s only once every six months.

So there you have it. We have just given you six helpful tips for improving your credit. However, we’ve just scratched the surface! You can learn all twelve of our proven strategies for ratcheting up your credit score in my new Credit Repair Guide titled, “12 Simple No-Cost Methods to Repair Your Credit.” It’s a MUST READ for anyone with a credit score under 650 who wants to qualify for a mortgage with the lowest rates possible.

For your free copy of this informative Credit Repair Guide, call 408.426.5875.

As the Retail Sales Area Manager for W.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital, LLC, Penny is responsible for implementing the strategies that go behind managing the day-to-day facilitation of both Sales and Operations in the Bay Area. Penny and her husband Scott have raised their three boys in Morgan Hill and understand the wonderful community that we live in.

www.wjbradley.com320 Digital Drive Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Penny Doubek The Doubek TeamW.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital, LLCNMLS# 203281

© 2014 W.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital, LLC. 6465 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Suite 500, Centennial, CO 80111 Phone #303-825-5670. NMLS ID 3233. Trade/service marks are the property of W.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital, LLC. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. Some products may not be available in all states. WJB is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD/FHA or the federal government. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act RML No. 4131002; NMLS consumer access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/3233.This material is for informative purposes only and is not to be taken as credit advice or counsel.

69 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

Our GoalIs YourSuccess!

Cynthia & Neil MacNaughton and Heather Griffin

NMLS#272771

If you are a first time homebuyer or an experienced investor, we have a full line of real estate loan programs to meet your needs.

office 800-538-9183 ext 103 cell 619-504-1278Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act

It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s

Kenny Chesney

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LOCAL ADVERTISING

IN GILROY AND MORGAN HILL

Low cost digital advertising at high traffic local locations will get your business noticed. Our internet based advertising billboards stream local advertisements to loyal customers every day.

www.ABDpromotions.com/ads

Designing websites and Ecommerce sites since 1998, we pride ourselves in providing complete online solutions for our customers.

www.ABDpromotions.com/website-design

WEBSITE DESIGN

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 470

Morgan Hill is an immeasurably better place thanks to the countless hours put in by many local people pursuing their vision for a better community

through volunteer efforts. Right now, for example, over 160 people are giving of their time and money in the effort to bring life back to the long dormant Granada Theater in Downtown Morgan Hill. By the time you read this magazine, movies and live performances should once again grace that stage. Only blocks north of the theater another long standing group of volunteers keeps history alive at Villa Mir Monte, the home of the Morgan Hill Historical Society. The Hiram Morgan Hill family which built that house literally gave our city its name (with a little help from the railroad).

Essentially all of the large summer outdoor entertainment events in Morgan Hill exist because volunteers make them happen. The season kicks off with Mushroom Mardis Gras by the organization of that same name, moves on to the kick off of the Chamber of Commerce’s Friday Night Music Series and then into the week long Freedom Fest Extravaganza by Independence Day Celebrations. Finally in September the season wraps up with the Chamber’s Taste of Morgan Hill. Just these major events draw well over 100,000 participants over the four months of summer and it takes many hundreds of volunteers to put them on.

One of the things newcomers, or the newly interested, find is that it is easy to get involved with the events mentioned above and/or the literally dozens of others which go on throughout the year. Anyone who plays well with others and wants to be part of making fun happen will find organizations eager to welcome a fresh perspective.

Although we normally think of the Chamber of Commerce as focused on for-profit businesses, in actuality we play a large information and support role with the many volunteer, non-profit and charitable organizations in our region. If you think you might want to get involved in something, but don’t know where to start – ask us! We can usually point people in the direction they are trying to go.

Volunteers Make It PossibleBy John Horner, President /CEOMorgan Hill Chamber of Commerce

Sonrisa Stables, run by Karen Topping, is a unique place. A place where wild mustags are tamed, stray dogs are rescued, and cowboy competitions are attended. All of this is done by children. Karen under-stands the incredible power of children to learn and be responsible for what many consider to be “wild” animals, and the kids really run the show. Under her careful supervision, the children in her program take on the projects they are interested in. This has included gentling and adopting out twenty-seven wild mustangs since 2010

But this isn’t all they do. The children at Sonrisa have participated in: barrel racing, horse camping, English shows, Western shows, trail rides, small children’s groups, puppy fostering, caring for a petting zoo full of smaller animals and more. The stables even have special mom’s group programs for those who decide they want a bit of horse-time fun.

So how did Karen get here, with this menagerie of amazing events? She’s been in the equine industry for 18 years, doing everything from hunter/jumper, western pleasure, barn management, starting colts, and more. She was born in New York, and traveled all across the country, where she learned from many different trainers before settling in California in 1999. This well-rounded back-ground has given her the insight needed to offer such a diverse set of activities for those enrolled in her program. She pulled together all of her experiences and started her own business, Sonrisa Stables, in 2002, excited to share her knowledge with people and horses of all ages, abilities, and disciplines.

If you’re interested in learning more about Sonrisa Stables, contact Karen Topping at (408) 644-JUMP, or visit sonrisastables.com.

BUSINESS NEWS

71 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

While the long term future of Morgan

Hill’s Granada Theater is up

in the air depending upon the plans of

whoever purchases the property, for the

rest of 2014 at least it is once again going

to be a happening place. A group of over

160 volunteers operating as the Granada

Preservation Society worked tirelessly for

months to bring the theater into compliance

with health codes in preparation for the July

2014 re-opening.

The Granada in the heart of Down-

town Morgan Hill is now a venue not only

for movies you can’t see on any other big

screen, but also for special events, cultural

happenings and more. Downtown Morgan

Hill has become a great place to go with

family and friends for food, beverages,

entertainment and camaraderie. Once upon

a time the Granada was a lynchpin in the

downtown entertainment scene, and now it is

again. For information, show times and ticket

purchases check out morganhillgranada.com.

Join us from 6 - 9 pm at the Downtown Amphitheater at the corner of Dunne and Monterey to have a good time.

Friday Night Music

August 8th Usual SuspectsAugust 15th EntourageAugust 22nd Super BadAugust 29th Sage

For more information about community events, visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/morganhillpresents

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 472 73 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

When Carol Sanford and

her family arrived from

Oregon nearly 50 years

ago, Morgan Hill was still

a sleepy little town. There was no freeway

back then. Not even that many traffic

lights. And the local phone book had a

slim set of White Pages indeed.

So why would Sanford remember these

particular details? As Morgan Hill’s official

Welcome Wagon hostess for a number of

years, Sanford made it her business to find

out when new residents moved into town.

Then she’d pay them a visit to personally

greet them with a gift basket filled with

goods and coupons from local vendors.

“I checked monthly at City Hall to find

out if any new residents had signed up for

water service,” Sanford said. “Then I’d call

and make an appointment to visit their

homes, say hello and see if they had any

questions about local activities or services.

People always had the most interesting

stories to tell about what brought them to

Morgan Hill. I should have written them

down!”

Sanford not only made Morgan Hill her

home, but she set down roots for what

would become three generations of family.

Once her three children, Trisha, Suzanne

and Harris were all in school, Sanford

began looking for full-time work.

“The Welcome Wagon was fun, but I

decided I’d better get a full time job,”

Sanford chuckled. “After working for a

dentist for six months, I landed a job with

the City of Gilroy to work in Records at the

Police Department. I loved that job and

stayed with it for nearly 22 years before

retiring in 1998.”

“Gilroy was growing and I was always

busy, working graveyard shift and dealing

with paperwork for the police and the

CHP,” Sanford said. “Every day was

different. We handled all sorts of things

from criminal arrests and bookings to

helping a mother track down her lost

daughter at the Garlic Festival. In fact,

the department made me employee of

the month for handling the lost daughter

situation with a cool and calm demeanor.”

“When the department got its first

canine officer, a Rottweiler named Zak, I

got into the habit of always carrying a dog

biscuit or two in my pocket. He soon won

us all over and kept us on our toes.”

Sanford was an avid gardener for many

years. During that time she joined the

Morgan Hill Flower Lover’s Club and

was elected to serve as the club’s vice

president and then its president.

“It’s a great club for gardening programs

and tips,” Sanford said, “The club donates

scholarship funds to students interested in

agricultural-related fields as well as schools

with hands-on gardening projects.”

In April of 1973 she received the

ultimate compliment for anyone with a

green thumb when her garden made the

cover of Sunset Magazine. 

“I had an acre of wonderful growing

ground to play with, and I filled it with

flowers and architectural elements. I had

entered a Sunset Magazine garden contest

and was pleasantly surprised to win an

honorable mention. The magazine’s art

director loved the look of my garden so

much that it made the cover.” 

In 1978, Sanford made headlines again,

but for a very different reason – one that

made her kids a little embarrassed.

“We were driving on Highway 280 when

we spotted what looked like a UFO heading

toward San Jose,” Sanford said. “The news

media picked up the story and a man from

one of the UFO tracking organizations

actually met with us to get the details of

our sighting. It turned out to be some type

of aircraft doing aerial advertising for an ad

agency. For some time afterward, the UFO

news clip ran in the pre-movie announce-

ments at the Granada theatre. Every time

they went to see a movie with friends, my

kids were mortified.”

Sanford’s eldest daughter Tricia lives

in Hawaii with her husband and children.

Daughter Suzanne (Suzi) Sellers is a

popular Morgan Hill fitness instructor and

son-in-law Greg Sellers is a VP at Clean

Power Finance and a former Morgan

Hill City Council member. Sanford’s son

Harris runs a local computer services

business and his wife Elizabeth works in the

Office of Santa Clara County Supervisor

Mike Wasserman.

Family holidays are busy and festive,

especially in the kitchen.

“I saved all of my mother’s recipes, and

one in particular is a favorite with my kids.

It’s ‘Grandma Carol’s Crazy Cake’. They

love it so much that one year they printed

a special picture of the recipe and framed

it. Greg and Harris love to cook so we

have amazing holiday meals. The kids even

created a family cookbook in 2011 so we

can all treasure the recipes.”

Sanford manages to keep tabs on her

nine grandchildren too.

“Oh, I babysat my four local grandkids

off and on,” Sanford said. “But I’ll be 80

in October, so I’ve settled for family get-

togethers and checking Facebook every

day to keep up with all of the grandkids’

activities.” 

Sanford is a long-time member of

Crossroads Christian Church, and twice

a month she serves as a volunteer in the

church’s food programs. She also frequents

the Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation

Center for lunch, bingo or John and Linda

Tarvin’s popular roadtrip slideshows.

“There’s always something going on there,

and I’ve never had any problem meeting

or talking to new people.”

That’s not surprising for the woman

who began her life in Morgan Hill as the

Welcome Wagon lady, gained acclaim as

a gardener, built a career with the Gilroy

PD and raised a family. You could say

that Carol Sanford is truly a woman for all

seasons.

APRIL 1973 SUNSET MAGAZINEA COMPLIMENT TO CAROL SANFORD’SGREEN THUMB

Carol Sanford – A Woman for all Seasons

By Robin Shepherd

73 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

When Carol Sanford and

her family arrived from

Oregon nearly 50 years

ago, Morgan Hill was still

a sleepy little town. There was no freeway

back then. Not even that many traffic

lights. And the local phone book had a

slim set of White Pages indeed.

So why would Sanford remember these

particular details? As Morgan Hill’s official

Welcome Wagon hostess for a number of

years, Sanford made it her business to find

out when new residents moved into town.

Then she’d pay them a visit to personally

greet them with a gift basket filled with

goods and coupons from local vendors.

“I checked monthly at City Hall to find

out if any new residents had signed up for

water service,” Sanford said. “Then I’d call

and make an appointment to visit their

homes, say hello and see if they had any

questions about local activities or services.

People always had the most interesting

stories to tell about what brought them to

Morgan Hill. I should have written them

down!”

Sanford not only made Morgan Hill her

home, but she set down roots for what

would become three generations of family.

Once her three children, Trisha, Suzanne

and Harris were all in school, Sanford

began looking for full-time work.

“The Welcome Wagon was fun, but I

decided I’d better get a full time job,”

Sanford chuckled. “After working for a

dentist for six months, I landed a job with

the City of Gilroy to work in Records at the

Police Department. I loved that job and

stayed with it for nearly 22 years before

retiring in 1998.”

“Gilroy was growing and I was always

busy, working graveyard shift and dealing

with paperwork for the police and the

CHP,” Sanford said. “Every day was

different. We handled all sorts of things

from criminal arrests and bookings to

helping a mother track down her lost

daughter at the Garlic Festival. In fact,

the department made me employee of

the month for handling the lost daughter

situation with a cool and calm demeanor.”

“When the department got its first

canine officer, a Rottweiler named Zak, I

got into the habit of always carrying a dog

biscuit or two in my pocket. He soon won

us all over and kept us on our toes.”

Sanford was an avid gardener for many

years. During that time she joined the

Morgan Hill Flower Lover’s Club and

was elected to serve as the club’s vice

president and then its president.

“It’s a great club for gardening programs

and tips,” Sanford said, “The club donates

scholarship funds to students interested in

agricultural-related fields as well as schools

with hands-on gardening projects.”

In April of 1973 she received the

ultimate compliment for anyone with a

green thumb when her garden made the

cover of Sunset Magazine. 

“I had an acre of wonderful growing

ground to play with, and I filled it with

flowers and architectural elements. I had

entered a Sunset Magazine garden contest

and was pleasantly surprised to win an

honorable mention. The magazine’s art

director loved the look of my garden so

much that it made the cover.” 

In 1978, Sanford made headlines again,

but for a very different reason – one that

made her kids a little embarrassed.

“We were driving on Highway 280 when

we spotted what looked like a UFO heading

toward San Jose,” Sanford said. “The news

media picked up the story and a man from

one of the UFO tracking organizations

actually met with us to get the details of

our sighting. It turned out to be some type

of aircraft doing aerial advertising for an ad

agency. For some time afterward, the UFO

news clip ran in the pre-movie announce-

ments at the Granada theatre. Every time

they went to see a movie with friends, my

kids were mortified.”

Sanford’s eldest daughter Tricia lives

in Hawaii with her husband and children.

Daughter Suzanne (Suzi) Sellers is a

popular Morgan Hill fitness instructor and

son-in-law Greg Sellers is a VP at Clean

Power Finance and a former Morgan

Hill City Council member. Sanford’s son

Harris runs a local computer services

business and his wife Elizabeth works in the

Office of Santa Clara County Supervisor

Mike Wasserman.

Family holidays are busy and festive,

especially in the kitchen.

“I saved all of my mother’s recipes, and

one in particular is a favorite with my kids.

It’s ‘Grandma Carol’s Crazy Cake’. They

love it so much that one year they printed

a special picture of the recipe and framed

it. Greg and Harris love to cook so we

have amazing holiday meals. The kids even

created a family cookbook in 2011 so we

can all treasure the recipes.”

Sanford manages to keep tabs on her

nine grandchildren too.

“Oh, I babysat my four local grandkids

off and on,” Sanford said. “But I’ll be 80

in October, so I’ve settled for family get-

togethers and checking Facebook every

day to keep up with all of the grandkids’

activities.” 

Sanford is a long-time member of

Crossroads Christian Church, and twice

a month she serves as a volunteer in the

church’s food programs. She also frequents

the Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation

Center for lunch, bingo or John and Linda

Tarvin’s popular roadtrip slideshows.

“There’s always something going on there,

and I’ve never had any problem meeting

or talking to new people.”

That’s not surprising for the woman

who began her life in Morgan Hill as the

Welcome Wagon lady, gained acclaim as

a gardener, built a career with the Gilroy

PD and raised a family. You could say

that Carol Sanford is truly a woman for all

seasons.

Carol Sanford – A Woman for all Seasons

M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 474

75 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y

http://www.cochranestorage.com