Community

“We would love to have you come back to Morgan Hill,” Mayor Steve Tate exclaimed to Amgen Tour of California organizers on the finish line stage—at Fourth Street and Monterey Road in the city’s downtown—at the conclusion of the competition’s May 16 individual time trial. “Thank you!”

Long-time Gilroy resident and author Deanne Deaville will be facilitating a discussion titled, “Manage the Stress Before it Manages You” at Booksmart in Morgan Hill from 6:30pm to 7:30pm May 31.

Parents, are you nervous about how your children and teens will spend their time in an active, productive and challenging way when school gets out this summer?If so,  the YMCA of Silicon Valley’s Summer Day Camps might assuage your concerns. Camps are available at YMCA facilities throughout Santa Clara County, including in Morgan Hill. Children can register for “traditional day camps,” which offer a variety of fitness, arts, life skills and educational (yet fun) activities for youth, according to the YMCA’s website at ymcasv.org.In addition to the traditional day camps, the youth organization also offers arts camps, specialty camps, sports camps, STEM camps, teen day camps and overnight camps. The YMCA even offers a “High Five Camp” for children who are too young for other options.More information about all of the YMCA’s summer youth camp and activity offerings is available on the organization’s website.Summer is a crucial time for children to remain active and continue learning when school and seasonal sports are not in session, according to YMCA staff. Spending the time indoors glued to technology can waste valuable developmental time for children. Kids and teens left at home throughout the summer can become bored and disengaged.“Connecting with friends and staying physically active are the backbone of an amazing summer,” YMCA of Silicon Valley spokeswoman Rachel Basso said in a press release. “Engaging and interactive programs allow kids and teens the opportunity to embrace the exciting potential of the summer months. Campers discover a passion for learning that leaves them confidently seeking new experiences and striving for success.”YMCA’s day camps and overnight camps help ensure children’s summer is “filled with adventure, friendship and discovery,” the press release states.The YMCA offers five clear benefits of summer camp:• Adventure: cooking, singing, dancing, solving, creating, running, playing and more;• Healthy fun: Summer camps set the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and staying active;• Personal growth: developing skills, making friends and exploring the unknown helps kids build confidence, establish independence and find a lifelong love of learning;• Friendship: Campers can make new friends and strengthen existing relationships. The confidence built at summer camp helps youth flourish throughout the year;• Memories: Summer camp offers an unforgettable experience, as campers return to school with a renewed spirit and stories of summertime adventures.There are more than 300 varieties of affordable day camps and other summer programs offered by the YMCA of Silicon Valley. Financial assistance and reduced member pricing is available to ensure all youth have access to these programs, reads the press release.

Morgan Hill’s Lisa Aragon, a 13-year cancer survivor and chair of the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group, was selected to fire the starting gun at the May 16 Amgen Tour of California time trial.Aragon was chosen by Amgen to participate in the official start on behalf of the company’s “Breakaway from Cancer” initiative, which aims to increase awareness of resources available to people impacted by cancer, from prevention through survivorship.Aragon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, at the age of 41. Now an avid angler and occasional recreational cyclist, Aragon has become increasingly active in the community since she became cancer-free.She said her nomination by Morgan Hill city staff to be the official starter for the Tour of California Stage 4 Time Trial—which was to start and end in the city’s downtown—was a surprise.“It’s an honor,” Aragon said. “I found I needed to really consider accepting it because it’s a personal journey, but then again, I needed to share I am here. I did experience (cancer), and I’m doing well. That’s why I went ahead and agreed to do this.”Aragon’s cancer diagnosis was not the first or last health struggle in her family’s life. She was diagnosed with cancer just six months after she lost both her parents—to a heart attack and colon cancer.Six years after Aragon successfully completed treatment for diagnosis, she lost her husband John to colon cancer at the age of 48.Throughout this time, Aragon, who has worked at Morgan Hill-based Anritsu for 25 years, became acutely aware of the importance of having a support system. Her treatment and recovery were possible because of her husband, son Joey, close-knit extended family and friends, and her supportive employer and co-workers, she said in a recent press release from Amgen.Through this support team, Aragon learned to take care of herself and do whatever was needed to be able to obtain the best treatment and heal. Toward the end of her treatment, Aragon joined Leadership Morgan Hill, an experience that “gave me a greater connection to the community than I had before,” she said.She later joined Rotary Club of Morgan Hill, which strengthened that connection and her support network. “They were so supportive of me during my husband’s illness,” Aragon said of the Rotarians.“I have experience as a caregiver, and losing loved ones that way. You certainly do need a strong team,” Aragon added.Aragon, 54, offered a list of advice for anyone facing cancer:• Identify a few people in your life who you can lean on;• Identify someone to be your medical advocate (perhaps a spouse, sibling or friend) who can join you at doctor’s appointments, take notes and ask questions you might be afraid to ask. “What is being said and what you hear could be two different things. You need to be reminded of all that was said. Have your advocate keep a notebook. It is extremely helpful to have an extra set of ears,” Aragon said;• Keep your mind and heart open to special people who might enter your world just when you need them;• Don’t be afraid of modern medicine, technology and treatments;• Early detection is crucial so don’t neglect your health.Aragon and her family moved to Morgan Hill in 1983. Her son was in the first graduating class of Sobrato High School. In addition to her work on the city’s BPAG, she also served on the recent General Plan Advisory Committee and volunteers planting flowers in public downtown plots.She rides her bicycle to run errands or go to the farmers market, but she’s not a diehard cyclist. Still, she remains a advocate for recreation in Morgan Hill.“I feel very strongly about our trails and biking and facilities, and needs,” Aragon said.The May 16 Tour of California time trial will start at East Dunne Avenue and Monterey Road in downtown Morgan Hill. The individual time trial—in which competitors start out one at a time rather than in a group—will take cyclists and their crews southwest from the starting line, into the unincorporated rural roads west and north of Morgan Hill. The 21.6-mile loop will end at Monterey Road and Fourth Street.As part of the tour’s Breakaway from Cancer activities, cancer survivors like Aragon will not only participate in the race start activities, but also take part in the jersey presentations at the stage finishes and other activities throughout the race.The men’s Amgen Tour is a seven-stage race covering 645 miles of California roadways from Long Beach to Sacramento May 13-19. The women’s Amgen Tour of California was scheduled for May 17-19, covering 187 miles in three stages.

The Britton Home & School Club is close to reaching its $15,000 goal in a community-wide effort to recoup valuable funds lost in the shocking carnival chaos of several weeks ago.

Many individuals who have had a loved one stricken with cancer are left with a feeling of helplessness—not being able to physically help through the life-threatening battle.

The Morgan Hill Community Foundation is accepting applications for its annual grant cycle, which disburses awards to local, qualifying nonprofit organizations, according to a May 2 announcement.

The Amgen Tour of California and its local partners are preparing a week full of community cycling-related events leading up to the tour’s May 16 time trial stage, which starts and ends in downtown Morgan Hill.

Morgan Hill resident Jose Perez was simply hoping he could “help somebody out” when he stopped on the side of a busy highway in January 2017 to check on the victims of a fiery traffic accident that happened right before his eyes.

With poppies and other wildflowers in bloom, Bear Gulch filled with water and California condors soaring above volcanic peaks, Pinnacles National Park is in its peak season.Park rangers say that April is the most popular month for hikers of all ages to enjoy one of the newest jewels in the National Park system, located at the southwest corner of San Benito County.The new year saw the opening of a new hiking trail from the western entrance to the park, east of Soledad, and another increase in vehicle entrance fees.A seven-day vehicle pass now costs $25—five times greater than when the new park opened five years ago—and another $5 increase is expected later this year.Drastic cuts to national park staffing that had been included in last year’s budget proposed by President Donald Trump’s administration are on hold, but loom in the new budget year.In the meantime, the parking is enjoying a bright spring, says Park Ranger Beth Hudick.She said there are hiking trails that serve the most novice and the most experienced hiker, meandering among jutting volcanic spires, cliffs, and peaks in the dense chaparral country of the Gabilan Range. She also advised that weekday visits may be a better time for locals, avoiding heavier weekend traffic. She is one of 40 staff that provide seven-day assistance to visitors.Pinnacles offers 32 miles of trails, accessible from two entrances. There is no road that stretches across the width of the 41-square mile park, connecting east and west entrances. It’s a 7-mile hike from one side to the other.Geologists say the spectacular rock formations at Pinnacles were formed about 23 million years ago, when the region was all volcanoes.The east side of the park is located off Highway 25, about 30 miles south of Hollister. The west side of Pinnacles is 12 miles east of Soledad, off Highway 101. Both entrances to the monument are located on Highway 146, which is obstructed within the park boundary by the Pinnacles rock formations.The Pinnacles Visitor Center, Bear Gulch Nature Center, Park Headquarters, the Pinnacles Campground, along with the Bear Gulch Cave and Reservoir are located on the east side.The West Visitor Contact Station is on the West side.Hudick notes that Pinnacles National Park is primarily a hiking park. The shorter trails are more accessible on the west side of Pinnacles. Park rules allow pets only in the paved areas of the park, including parking lots, picnic areas, and the campground, but are prohibited on all hiking trails. Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and be attended to at all times.Pinnacles National Park is a protected habitat for many sensitive and even endangered plants and animals, and strictly prohibits pets on all hiking trails.Hudick said “flat, easy trails”—one a mile and another 1.7 miles— are accessible from the west side parking lot and visitor center.President Trump’s proposed Interior Department budget for the 2018 fiscal year —still under review—would increase funding for energy development on public lands while cutting virtually everything else, including the National Park Service. Overall the budget would cut the Department of the Interior’s spending by roughly 12 percent.Last month the National Park Service released its budget justification, explaining the requested funding levels and their impacts. The National Park Service would lose 1,242 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, leading to significant challenges at almost every park, if Congress endorses the President’s cuts.At these levels, visitors to Pinnacles, Yosemite and other parks would experience service reductions, and remaining employees will face heavier workloads. At this funding level, it was estimated that nearly 90 percent of parks would reduce their current staffing levels, leading to a reduction in services to the public. Likewise, support programs would also experience staffing and service level reductions, which further impacts parks.Environmentalists fear that not only would cuts impact the visitor experience, they would hamper the National Park Service’s ability to preserve natural resources.