Community

Trail Dust BBQ will take part in Silicon Valley Beer Week from July 24-Aug. 1 by hosting a BBQ and Barrel Aged Beer event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 29 at its 17240 Monterey Road restaurant.

The Daughters of Charity Health System Board of Directors has selected BlueMountain Capital Management, a private investment company, to recapitalize its operations, including Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, the hospital system announced today in a press release.

As the founder of the Mushroom Mardi Gras festival, an innovative fire chief, former mentor for at-risk youth and a family man respected by colleagues and friends alike, Brad Spencer’s impact on Morgan Hill is likely to last for generations.Spencer died July 2 at his west Morgan Hill home of a sudden heart attack, according to his wife of 42 years, Rene Spencer. He was 72.“He’s going to be missed by the community,” Brad’s son Devin Spencer, 41, said days after his father’s death.Brad Spencer is also survived by his daughter Brynne Spencer, 38, grandson (Devin’s son) Aiden Spencer, 9, both of Morgan Hill. His brother Robert Spencer, as well as his sister and brother-in-law Susan and Richard Moore live in Vancouver, Wash., and his father and mother-in-law Ray and Dorean Miller live in Lindon, Utah.Originally from Mountain View and the descendant of two Santa Clara Valley pioneer families, Brad Spencer moved to Morgan Hill in 1965 where he worked at Sterling Lumber Company, Rene explained while sharing stories and photographs in the couple’s longtime living room.That same year, Spencer joined the Morgan Hill Fire Department, where he served as chief from 1974 to 1994. Former colleagues noted his devotion to the safety of his crew, a passion for innovative efficiencies and his easy-going demeanor as a leader.Devin recounted how one year in the 1980s, before communications and records systems were computerized anywhere in California, his father went to Toys R Us to purchase Commodore 64 computers for the Morgan Hill Fire Department in order to store data and implement administrative programs.He also led the effort—started in 1974 and ongoing to this day—to restore the city’s 1927 Seagrave fire engine, in which Spencer rode in many consecutive Fourth of July parades. The engine, still owned by the city, remains a staple of the annual parade, driven by retired MHFD Capt. Jim Xavier.Although Spencer knew how to delegate department tasks and hold his men accountable, he was “a really easy guy to work for,” said Xavier, who has known Spencer since they both started working for MHFD in 1965.Retired MHFD Capt. Mike Sanders started working for the department in 1974, on the day that Spencer became chief. He added that Spencer spearheaded local advances in technology and equipment that improved safety, not only for the community but also his staff. Simple things like upgrading fire hoses and painting fire engines lime green for better visibility illustrated this commitment.“Brad was a mover and a forward thinker,” Sanders said.Most of all, even when on the job, Spencer was devoted to family, Xavier said.“For the big earthquakes (including the 1989 Loma Prieta quake) he would tell us, ‘Make sure your family is safe first, because you can’t do your job not knowing if your family is safe.’ That always stuck in my mind. He was a very strong, family first type of guy,” Xavier said.He was also an enthusiastic grandfather up until his last days, not only to grandson Aiden but also to Devin’s girlfriend’s 8-year-old daughter Maggie, who he treated like one of his own, Devin said.“Being grandpa was one of his last proud moments in life,” Devin said, describing Brad’s love of magic tricks and practical jokes. He enjoyed taking the family on vacations and day trips, which he organized meticulously, laughed Devin’s girlfriend Audra Stoneking.Rene recalled that when she first met Brad, he had been involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which connects at-risk youth with adult mentors. “He had already had at least three ‘little brothers,’” Rene recalled.By the time of his death, Brad Spencer was also involved for decades with the Knights of Columbus and the Morgan Hill Historical Society, Rene added as she listed some of his community activities over the years. He worked for the American Red Cross in Hollister at one time, and volunteered as a poll worker for elections in Morgan Hill.Brad helped save the Acton House, an historical abode which is now preserved at the MHHS museum, Rene added.He was also a partner, with Rene, in the couple’s antique business, which occupies a space at Collective Past in downtown Gilroy.“He did repairs and restoration. He loved working with tools,” Rene said.Perhaps Brad Spencer’s biggest legacy is one enjoyed by countless locals and visitors, many who never even knew him. Spencer thought up the Mushroom Mardi Gras food, wine and art festival as a fundraiser to buy fire equipment at a time when the city was struggling financially, according to family and colleagues.In the early days, the festival was held off Foothill Avenue in southeast Morgan Hill. As the MMG grew, it moved to more spacious accommodations. And as the city’s finances improved, the festival’s beneficiaries changed. It is now a fundraiser for scholarships and grants for local high school students, and over the years has raised nearly $1 million for that cause, Rene said.In May, the festival celebrated its 36th year on Depot Street and the grounds of the Community and Cultural Center. It is now run by a nonprofit organization that works year-round to organize the two-day event, for which Brad served as a board member until his death.“There was something in my dad’s makeup,” Devin said, attempting to put in words what motivated Brad to help others so generously. “He had a loving heart.”

A local couple who have devoted their careers to educating children and young adults are now on a mission to bring a playground for children with special needs to Morgan Hill.Ron Locicero and his wife Shirlee started this effort about 18 months ago, and they continue to push forth in the planning and fundraising effort to provide a park within the city limits designed specifically for developmentally disabled kids. They don’t expect significant public funding for the project, but they are eyeing a section of the city’s Community Park on West Edmundson Avenue as the future site for an inclusive playground.“My wife and I are both former teachers. We both believed this was one of the things we would like to see done in Morgan Hill for the children,” Ron Locicero said. He taught high school and junior college for 41 years, while Shirlee taught elementary school for 30 years—starting out with special education classes. Ron also holds his Master’s degree in education. The couple have lived in Morgan Hill for about 34 years.“We’ve come across quite a few people in Morgan Hill that have an interest in making this successful,” Ron said.The couple and a small group of volunteers they have solicited have researched inclusive playgrounds throughout the state, Ron said.Along with specially designed play equipment, Ron would like to see the inclusive playground host more interactive amenities at a Morgan Hill site, such as an arts and crafts area where volunteers could help the kids with their creations, musical instruments, a children’s garden, sand and water features and even a petting zoo.City and Morgan Hill Unified School District officials have voiced their support for the effort, said Ron, who is now a real estate agent and a Morgan Hill Parks and Recreation Commissioner. He and other volunteers hope to go to the city and formally request a site and begin the planning process by the end of September.Morgan Hill resident Claudia Rossi, who has been a persistent advocate for special needs education programs while serving as an elected board of education trustee, said she is excited to hear the push for an inclusive playground is gaining ground.Rossi’s son was diagnosed with autism in second grade. She said one of his challenges as a youngster was discovering activities and places to play like other kids his age.“As a parent (you’re) trying to find a place in the world for them where they are comfortable being themselves and feel welcome. I am delighted and deeply moved that there would be an effort around this part of a child’s life, which is ‘How do I play, (and) how do I interact with others?’ I think it’s wonderful,” said Rossi, who is a Santa Clara County Office of Education trustee.The Lociceros and a core group of about 15 volunteers are holding regular community meetings to discuss and plan the playground, every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will take place 6:30 p.m. July 22 at the Community Park. Anyone from the public who wants to help out or volunteer their expertise can attend.For more information about the effort to bring an inclusive playground to Morgan Hill, call or email Ron Locicero at [email protected] or (408) 710-0570, or visit the website morganhillplayground.org.

Local law enforcement and first responders invited members of the public to join them from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 in downtown Morgan Hill for the 2015 National Night Out event.

Sourcewise, a community resource solutions nonprofit organization that helps with coordinating services and support systems for adults in Santa Clara County, will host 10 workshops in Morgan Hill beginning next month.

The 10th annual Youth Leadership Morgan Hill’s Youth Action Council has opened recruitment which will continue through July 17 at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center (17000 Monterey Road).

One Thursday evening in 2014 after working construction with his father, Felix Canales Jr. sprung an idea on his parents: With their blessing and support, he wanted to start his own food truck business.

Downtown Morgan Hill’s own Trail Dust BBQ was the recipient of a popular radio station’s listener-driven contest to determine who has the best barbecue in the South Bay.

I LOVE Morgan Hill members will host a free backpack giveaway for local children from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center (17000 Monterey Road).