Community

Preparations for this weekend’s 40th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival began in earnest on Monday, July 23, as hundreds of volunteers once again begin creating a white-tent city at Christmas Hill Park, days before the tangy fragrances of garlic and associated culinary creations would begin entertaining up to 100,000 visitors to the Garlic City. The festival set-up crews struggled in temperatures in the mid-90s, but forecasters say conditions this weekend should be garlic-perfect, sunny and in the low 80s. For Garlic Fest history, festival map and more, plus a regional Visitor Guide, see our magazine inside this week's edition of the Morgan Hill Times.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District received a first-place award for Excellence in Communications from the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, according to a July 17 announcement.

South Valley Islamic families are beginning to see their long-awaited plans to build a mosque and community center in San Martin come together, but some vocal San Martin residents continue to oppose the project.

The Morgan Hill Community Foundation is once again on the lookout for nonprofit organizations wanting to highlight some of their top volunteers at the 13th annual philanthropy celebration.

Santa Clara County education leader Mary Ann Dewan sent a July 2 letter to the Office of the President of the United States, asking for the reunification of divided families, according to staff.

The 142nd annual Morgan Hill Independence Day parade took place the morning of July 4 in the city's downtown. The Freedom Fest festivities were sponsored by local nonprofit Independence Day Celebrations.

Since May 10, eight children in Santa Clara County have been treated for drowning, and three of these young victims have died as a result of their injuries—including a 2-year-old Morgan Hill resident.

Technicians at Honda of Morgan Hill made sure the smiles of more than three dozen children would last well after the dealership’s second annual “Christmas in June” event, held June 29 in the auto dealership’s Laurel Road showroom.

“It can be seen. It can be heard. The community is here. We are here for families. We are here for immigrants. The children should not be separated from their parents.”