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Making Morgan Hill
After decades of fits and starts, Morgan Hill is on the rise again.
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Monday 25 August 2008
Many San Jose citizens act like they've crossed the Mason-Dixon Line when they drive 101 through South County. Crossing through the wide expanses of Coyote Valley and through Morgan Hill and Gilroy on their way to posher destinations like Monterey and Pacific Grove, most have little inclination to get off the freeway to explore one of the small cities along the way.
But those who do venture into Morgan Hill will be surprised to see a downtown on its way up. Come to downtown Morgan Hill on a Friday night, and the place is jumping, the sidewalks busy with people enjoying live music and the eclectic dining scene that has slowly been gaining momentum.
Morgan Hill has visions of a thriving downtown similar to Los Gatos. After a history of false starts and failed efforts, the city of Morgan Hill is finally reaching for the next level.
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Dining in Morgan Hill
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Monday 25 August 2008
Poppy's Fish, Poultry & More...
OF ALL the places to visit in downtown Morgan Hill, the mix of hometown hospitality and quality food is most evident at Poppy's Fish, Poultry & More. A meat and seafood market as well as a restaurant, Poppy's has a very regular, decidedly unpretentious clientele. The place consists of inside and outside patio dining areas, and the décor reflects owners Michael and Jana Castelan's Parrot Head leanings. With a family that has been involved in West Coast commercial fishing since 1895, the Castelans know seafood. Michael Castelan, who with his ponytail and scruffy beard looks like a cross between a Hell's Angel and Mr. Gibbs from Pirates of the Caribbean, treks up to Pier 35 in San Francisco three times a week to pick up fresh seafood for his market.
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Getting Active at CRC
The Centennial Recreation Center offers many kinds of fun.
Posted by Nick Owen on Thursday 21 August 2008
The Centennial Recreation Center in Morgan Hill has a teen center and computer lab -- great for kids who want to play a game of ping pong with their friends in between homework assignments. They also have an X-Box that teens can use instead of annoying their parents at home by taking up the TV.
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The 'Mouse Lady' of Morgan Hill
Kid Friendly Salon Welcomes the Young, and the Young at Heart
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Friday 15 August 2008
Though she’s never had children of her own, there is something maternal about Beatriz Hernandez. With an open, kind face and dark curly hair piled on top of her head, she always wears a black smock while on the job. Hernandez is in the business of cutting children’s hair.
As the owner and sole stylist at Mouse Mania Children’s Hair Salon in Morgan Hill, Hernandez gets her fair share of shear-shy kids, from the well-behaved princesses to the criers and tantrum-throwers. As anybody who’s ever tried to get a 2-year-old to sit still for more then five minutes might well imagine, for some, just getting their hair cut can be a trying task.
“I get a lot of screamers,” Hernandez says with a grin. “I try and make them comfortable. The sound the clippers make; that scares them sometimes. I try and show them the comb and the clippers, let them hold it first so they know it’s not going to hurt them.”
With candy, cartoons and a kid-friendly environment, Hernandez’s salon has been able to stay in business in Morgan Hill for over 11 years. She has gained a word-of-mouth reputation as the “Mouse Lady,” one of the best salons in Morgan Hill to bring kids for a cut. Many of her repeat customers recommend her to other parents with potentially difficult children. Continue reading "The 'Mouse Lady' of Morgan Hill" / View comments -
Rotary Golf Tournament Debuts Wine Tasting Event
Showcase Will Feature Celebrity-Signed Bottles of Wine for Charity
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Thursday 14 August 2008
Rotary Club of Morgan Hill Golf Classic, a major charity tournament in its 15th year in the South Valley, will debut a post-event “Vintners Showcase.” The Showcase includes dinner and will feature wine tasting and an opportunity to win dozens of fine wines signed by celebrities such as Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Alex Smith. Both events will be held Friday, Sept. 12 at San Juan Oaks Golf Club in Hollister. Continue reading "Rotary Golf Tournament Debuts Wine Tasting Event" / View comments
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From the Blotter
Armed Robbery at Tattoo Shop
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Tuesday 12 August 2008
Cooperation and communication between the Morgan Hill, San Jose and Hollister Police Departments led to the arrest of two suspects within three hours of their alleged armed robbery of the Fine Line Ink tattoo shop in Morgan Hill.
The robbery occurred at approximately 4:30pm on August 8 at the tattoo shop located at 17865 Monterey Road. One suspect had entered the shop and simulated a handgun, while the other stood by the door as a lookout. When officers responded to the call, they learned two Hispanic male suspects had fled the area in a light colored Hyundai after obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. After witnesses provided Morgan Hill Police with detailed descriptions of the suspects, the information was broadcast to all surrounding police agencies. Continue reading "From the Blotter" / View comments -
Morgan Hill Observer Launches Reader Comments
Morgan Hill Observer invites reader comments. Post thoughts and share observations with newly launched collaborative communication tool.
Posted by Eric Johnson on Thursday 31 July 2008
When we launched the Morgan Hill Observer just over a month ago, we welcomed community members “to participate in this civic journalism initiative, because none of us are as smart as all of us.” A June 26 posting contains the following invitation: “Please join us in building an informative, community-spirited resource that's reflects the spirit of Morgan Hill.” Starting now, it will be a lot easier to do that. Continue reading "Morgan Hill Observer Launches Reader Comments" / View comments
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Police Move Rescued Cats to Shelter
Foster Homes Still Needed
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Wednesday 30 July 2008
The 31 cats that were rescued from a hoarder house in Morgan Hill yesterday are now safe and being cared for by Town Cats no-kill cat shelter. Though many of the animals have already been placed in temporary homes, the shelter is still looking for volunteer foster homes to help deal with the influx of felines.
On July 29, Police and Animal Control officers clad in biohazard suits entered a home on Black Walnut Way and proceeded to catch masses of cats by hand. Officers estimated that about a dozen more animals evaded capture and are probably still inside the residence owned by Gene and Gilbert Medina.
About two weeks ago, an anonymous tipster called Morgan Hill Police about the strong odor of cat feces coming from the home. On a warm day, the foul smell could be detected from across the street, and dust covers the homes windows. The tipster indicated that as many as 100 cats were likely living at the house in unsanitary conditions. Continue reading "Police Move Rescued Cats to Shelter" / View comments
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Cat Shelter Urgently Needs Foster Homes
No-kill Cat Shelter Founder Rosi Mirko Scrambling to Accommodate Deluge of Confiscated Cats in Morgan Hill
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Monday 28 July 2008
It’s kitten season at Town Cats of Morgan Hill, and as usual, founder Rosi Mirko is up to her ears in activity. With over 30 new cats recently confiscated from a hoarder house in Morgan Hill, Town Cats is about to be flooded with felines. Mirko and her volunteers need urgent help.
Town Cats of Morgan Hill adopts out more than 900 cats and kittens a year, and takes in felines from all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Last week, the shelter was asked by Animal Control to foster an additional 31 cats that were discovered and removed on July 29 from a Morgan Hill residence.
“We’re in lockdown because it’s kitten season,” she said. Kitten season is the primary time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters with unwanted litters. Town Cats is already to capacity, and Mirko isn’t hesitant to say that they are in dire need of foster homes for the new cats, most of them kittens.
“No other groups helped, they called everyone,” said Mirko. “The Humane Society said they would help, but they wanted to charge $190 each and put them to sleep. It was somebody’s home, a residence, and they just had a ton of cats. They never spayed them and they all had kittens. Most of them are kittens. We really want to be a temporary holding spot, and then have fosters pick them up.” Continue reading "Cat Shelter Urgently Needs Foster Homes" / View comments
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One Nation Under Garlic
How Gilroy turned a potent Italian bulb into a culinary staple and the country's biggest and smelliest food festival
Posted by Stett Holbrook on Friday 25 July 2008
THIRTY YEARS AGO, a group of American food writers trooped into a packing shed at Gilroy's Christopher Ranch off Highway 101. Greeted by the pungent aroma of millions of garlic cloves being processed in the building, the journalists sat down for a garlic-laced lunch that included scampi, calamari, pasta and pepper steak.
Together with the Fresh Garlic Producers Association, an industry trade group, Christopher Ranch founder and former president Don Christopher hosted the journalists to showcase Gilroy garlic. Gilroy was then the world's largest producer and processor of the odiferous vegetable.
The event proved to be more than another press junket. The luncheon set Gilroy on a course no one could have imagined. Along the way, it helped solidify a culinary revolution already bubbling in the kitchens of America. Continue reading "One Nation Under Garlic" / View comments
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Smells Like the End
A proud and odorous era wanes as economic woes force mushroom farms out of Morgan Hill
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Friday 25 July 2008
CHRISTINE Kubogamell's grandparents started farming mushrooms around Morgan Hill in the 1960s, when the land was cheap and the price was sky-high. Running South Valley Mushroom Farm, just off what is now Condit Road, the Kubo family has become one of the oldest names in Morgan Hill's once booming mushroom industry.But after more than 35 years, she and her family have decided to cash in.
Christine Kubogamell remembers when Highway 101 didn't exist, and Morgan Hill's population numbered less then 10,000. Fields, farmland and orchards prevailed, and small, family-owned mushroom growing operations were numerous. Times have changed. With the golden age of Santa Clara County agriculture long over and development slowly creeping up on all sides, it looks like the end for the South Valley Mushroom Farm.
"It's pretty difficult, even in the best of times, just because there's a lot of factors in mushroom growing and competing in the mushroom industry," Kubogamell says. "As a farmer, we all are barely making it as it is, especially with the gas prices going up. Everything that gets shipped into us, everything we have delivered out to customers—that has gone up. Yet, our prices are still fixed by market costs, which are so low. So, we're caught in the middle." Continue reading "Smells Like the End" / View comments
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Morgan Hill Downtown Association Presents First Annual Street Fair Series
Enjoy live music and dancing in Downtown Morgan Hill
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Thursday 17 July 2008
The Morgan Hill Downtown Association is presenting their first ever Morgan Hill Street Fair Series on July 19 and August 16. The Fair Series aims to bring Morgan Hill residents and visitors together for a fun outdoor event that features dancing and live musical performances from local musicians. East Second Street in downtown will be closed off to traffic for the fairs, both scheduled from 10am until 2pm. Also consider heading over to the Morgan Hill Farmers Market, located at the Third and Depot Street train station from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, to pick up some fresh produce. Continue reading "Morgan Hill Downtown Association Presents First Annual Street Fair Series" / View comments
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From the Blotter
Attempted robbery in Morgan Hill
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Tuesday 8 July 2008
On July 8, 2008, at 1:52am a strong armed robbery occurred at Monterey Rd. near Spring Ave. in Morgan Hill. A 58 year old male victim riding his bicycle on Monterey Rd. was approached by two males demanding money. When he refused, the victim was thrown off his bicycle and assaulted. The victim escaped, and the suspects ran away from the scene. Continue reading "From the Blotter" / View comments
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Two Arrested in Morgan Hill Lottery Fraud Sting
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Tuesday 8 July 2008
The California Lottery announced that two people have been arrested in connection with Lottery fraud in Morgan Hill. A Morgan Hill Lottery retailer and a second person were arrested in an undercover sting aimed at catching dishonest vendors who cheat lottery winners out of their prizes. Continue reading "Two Arrested in Morgan Hill Lottery Fraud Sting" / View comments
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From the Blotter
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Monday 7 July 2008
Thursday July 3, 2008—$3,000 Worth of Cocaine Seized During Traffic Stop
At approximately 3:30pm on July 3, a Morgan Hill Police officer made a vehicle code violation stop off of Highway 101 in Morgan Hill. During the stop, the officer smelled marijuana and initiated a search of the vehicle and its two occupants. During the search, arresting officer Steve Pennington located three ounces of cocaine under one of the car’s seats, as well as a small amount of marijuana.
Sunday July 6, 2008—Three Arrested in Gang Fight at Morgan Hill Aquatics Center
At approximately 4pm July 6, police officers responded to a report of a gang fight at the Aquatics Center on Condit Road in Morgan Hill. Several gang members had forced their way through the Aquatics Center’s turnstiles without paying, and proceeded to launch an attack on other gang members already inside the center. Continue reading "From the Blotter" / View comments
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Celebrating the Many Faces of America
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Monday 14 July 2008
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Council Discusses Two Big Issues
Posted by Editor on Thursday 3 July 2008
The Morgan Hill City Council voted Wednesday to approve a measure for the November ballot that would create a utility tax to generate money for the Morgan Hill Police Department (MHPD). Continue reading "Council Discusses Two Big Issues" / View comments
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Morgan Hill 4th of July Festivities
Posted by Editor on Wednesday 2 July 2008
Morgan Hill is one of only two cities left in the Bay Area that still celebrates the 4th of July. The City’s biggest event, the annual Fourth of July parade, is one of a series of all-day events. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Many Faces of America."
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Morgan Hill 4th of July Festivities
Monday June 23, 2008—Possession of a Controlled Substance
Posted by Editor on Wednesday 2 July 2008
At approximately 2:40am, a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Deputy made a vehicle enforcement stop on Monterey Highway near Cosmo Avenue in Morgan Hill. The driver was on parole and was subject to search and seizure. During a search of the driver, the deputy located a small plastic baggie tied to his leg. The baggie contained a white crystalline substance that later tested positive as methamphetamine. The driver was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and booked into the Main Jail in San Jose without incident. Continue reading "Morgan Hill 4th of July Festivities" / View comments
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Observe... and Participate
Posted by Editor on Thursday 26 June 2008
We've been testing the systems out here at the Morgan Hill Observer for a few days now and everything seems to be working well. We have been quietly launching what is sure to be an exciting adventure in civic journalism on the Internet. Underneath this simple page sits powerful new technology that will empower the Morgan Hill community with cutting-edge collaborative communication tools not found elsewhere. A lot of what is under the hood hasn't been rolled out yet but will become apparent as the Observer evolves. Continue reading "Observe... and Participate" / View comments
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Cooling Stations Open
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Monday 23 June 2008
With temperatures in Morgan Hill reaching an unseasonable high 103 degrees last Friday, residents needed places to cool off from the heat this summer. Though the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center and local movie theaters are obvious locations for citizens to flock to, few people know that Morgan Hill also has two established Cooling Stations open to the public. Continue reading "Cooling Stations Open" / View comments
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Deadliest Catch Captain at Poppy's
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Monday 23 June 2008
Discovery Channel star Phil Harris, captain of the crab boat Cornelia Marie on the reality TV show Deadliest Catch, packed over 100 people into Poppy's Fish, Poultry & More in Morgan Hill during a Friday evening visit. With Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaretville” blaring from the patio stereo, Deadliest Catch fans yelled “Hey Big Phil” and “Go Phil” as the Captain made the rounds on Poppy’s patio. With his omnipresent cigarette and Red Bull in hand, Harris signed autographs and took photos with fans and well-wishers, including Mayor Steve Tate. Continue reading "Deadliest Catch Captain at Poppy's" / View comments
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Everyone’s an Architecture Critic
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Friday 20 June 2008
At a baby shower recently, primarily attended by longtime Morgan Hill and Gilroy townies, the biggest topics of conversation (between the nauseating oohs and ahhs over hypoallergenic one-sy sets and organic diapers) was “OMG, did you hear that people think the new library is ugly?”
Oh, Morgan Hill. Growing up in the Mo-Hizzle, I learned early on that news travels fast in a community as big as the Shire. The rumor that, (gasp), not everyone is in love with the architecture of the new Morgan Hill Library has spread through town like wildfire over the past few months. Continue reading "Everyone’s an Architecture Critic" / View comments
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Mythbusters and Smash Mouth at ARTTEC
Posted by Jessica Fromm on Friday 20 June 2008
The ARTTEC Festival of the Arts looked like the biggest entertainment event to hit Morgan Hill in years. Not that the various Hawaiian-shirt-clad oldster cover bands and stoner teenage rockers that make up the area’s live entertainment aren’t utterly thrilling, but now we actually had some real nationally recognized talent coming to town. Continue reading "Mythbusters and Smash Mouth at ARTTEC" / View comments
