This time each year a convergence of sorts happens: practicing random acts of kindness and Veterans Day which is Monday, Nov. 11. It reminds me that as Americans we have the opportunity to deliver random acts of kindness because of the noble sacrifices made by those who have or are serving in the armed forces. They have delivered us our freedoms. When you see a soldier or a veteran, thank them for their great service. Buy them a cup of coffee, breakfast or a beer in the airport if the opportunity arises. And remember, those random acts of kindness. They’re good karma, and they will come back to you.
A kind act from the good folks at the Elks Lodge which serves Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy, for the vets. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, veterans can enjoy a delicious meal for $5. Salad, bread, dessert and a choice of calamari in a simmering red sauce or roasted chicken. Yep, that’s $5 for a vet and only $10 for non-veteran members and guests. Two speakers will recount their combat service. Open bar at 5 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. RSVP before Nov. 11 at 408-842-9397 so superb Chef Dave Bozzo can order the right amount of food. If you know a vet, this would be a great way to say thanks.
Thankful I got to spend the weekend with daughter Mariah in beautiful Corvallis, Oregon in and around the campus of Oregon State University. The Beavers, unfortunately, played their worst football game of the year Friday night under the lights at rocking Reser Stadium against the Tommy Trojans. But there’s something about the loyal OSU fans, the campus vibe and that postcard stadium that breathes college football which transcends the W-L column. Long after Mariah graduates this June, I’ll be a Beaver fan. Rooting for the underdog is in my nature, anyway. But throw in a stunning campus, a can-do educational attitude and, most importantly, a fantastic college experience for my rugby-playing daughter and I’m over the moon on OSU. My sweatshirt collection is going to last a while, too.
Far longer lasting apparently than the hollow promises of Obamacare – keep your health plan, no rate increases and insurance for all. What a crock. Has been since Day One. It’s Rule One: If you want to pay more for less, add costs and bureaucracy, get the government involved. Unless we reverse course now, everything about American health care is going to be a whole lot worse than it’s ever been.
Never been yet to the Thursday eve farmers market downtown, but the dust-up pitting the Saturday farmers market operators against the Thursday night farmers market operators seems a trifle silly – and the quotes that adding a Thursday farmers market takes money from Saturday farmers seems like a load of stale bread. Also, what’s the difference if the Thursday market is a block away from the Saturday market? Would it be OK if the Thursday market was six blocks away? How about 10 blocks? It’s about building a destination downtown, and that’s what the Morgan Hill Downtown Association is trying to do. Instead of plowing up negative energy, how about some creative cross marketing to bolster both? And let’s not assume that everyone who goes Thursday won’t go Saturday or vice versa. Consumer convenience and choice are good things and the MHDA should be patted on the back for its efforts.
A good effort by the Morgan Hill Police Department – think it’s Sgt. Carson Thomas who gets the credit – at headline writing on a press release: “Funny Money Maker Buys Trip To County Jail” … wowza, alliteration and so much more. Anyway, the police nabbed a wanted felon staying at the Morgan Hill Inn who was printing up $20 bills. What’s next $1 bills? Shopkeepers beware, check the $20 bills this holiday season and stay on the lookout for shady characters. Common sense profiling hasn’t been outlawed entirely yet.
“Profiles in Innuendo” is what I’d call the Morgan Hill School District administration’s calculated attack on both Navigator and Rocketship charter school applications. We should have a public “presidential” debate in the Community and Cultural Center between Superintendent Steve Betando and James Dent of Navigator schools. Tape it for MHAT, invite the public and serve cookies. Agree upon a set of rules and have a fair debate. The Board meetings have been nothing but a strategic hatchet job bolstered by misled board members who have been whipped into a frenzy and fed a ghastly number of Powerpoint slides.
Sliding into ever more building regs are those fabled governors of Santa Clara County – the staff, not the elected. Here’s the staff memo (note the capital “O” on Ordinance): “Planning Staff is currently preparing a proposed Ordinance that would require either pre-wiring or charging systems for Plug in Electric Vehicles in new buildings in the unincorporated areas. The purpose … is to increase the availability of PEV charging system infrastructure throughout the County, encouraging the increased ownership of plug in electric vehicles.” Hey Supes, stay out of my car and let the free market work.
Reach Editor Mark Derry at ed****@mo*************.com
