Community

PG&E will host another round of public outreach meetings this month on the South County Power Connect project, a proposal to enhance electrical infrastructure in the area with a new electricity substation and two transmission lines.At three upcoming open house meetings in Morgan Hill and Gilroy, PG&E staff will seek additional input from the public on potential project locations and design options, according to a press release from PG&E.The meetings will take place 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Gilroy Library Community Room, 350 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Morgan Hill Unified School District board room, 15600 Concord Circle.The input PG&E received during the first phase of outreach contributed to the selection of a substation study area and potential transmission line corridors, according to PG&E staff. PG&E will share these results with the community during the upcoming open houses and gather feedback to further refine the project and select a preferred site, routes and alternatives.The purpose of the South County Power Connect project is to improve electrical system reliability for 43,000 PG&E customers in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin and surrounding communities, according to PG&E. The project will ensure the electric system can accommodate the region’s planned growth.The new substation will connect to the existing Morgan Hill-Llagas 115 kV line and one of the Metcalf-Moss Landing 230 kV lines, the press release added. The proposed project will also include upgrades to a portion of the existing 115 kV transmission line that will connect the new substation to the existing Morgan Hill substation on West Main Avenue.“The proposed South County Power Connect project is a key component of our efforts to meet the needs of the region’s growing population and economy. We gained valuable insight from the community during our first round of outreach, and we are looking look forward to hearing their additional thoughts on the potential sites and designs we will present in order to develop the best project possible for customers in the area,” said Teresa Davies, senior manager of PG&E’s San Jose Division.The upcoming open houses represent the second phase of PG&E’s three-part outreach program. PG&E will use the feedback gathered during this process to design a project with the least overall impact.Based on the current timeline, it is anticipated that the project will be submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in June 2017, according to the press release. The CPUC, the state agency with jurisdiction over transmission projects of this type, will conduct additional environmental review and provide opportunities for continued public comment. The CPUC has final approval over the project, including the location of the substation. It is anticipated the CPUC will issue its decision in early 2019.

Local Relay for Life co-chairs Valeri Renggli and Jill Davis are always thinking of new ways to generate more community involvement and help fill the donation bucket—which grows bigger and deeper every year—when it comes to the American Cancer Society’s annual event.

Local hoteliers this week have not seen the windfall that many hoped for as Super Bowl 50 approaches in Santa Clara Feb. 7.

With 25 years of tournament experience and more than 3,000 fights in armor to his credit, Morgan Hill master swordsman Steaphen Fick has been passing along his vast knowledge of 15th Century dueling to his students for nearly two decades.

Visit local wineries the day before the big game and sample wine straight of the barrel on Super Barrel Saturday Feb. 6.

The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill recognized 10 outstanding Morgan Hill Unified School District elementary and middle school students Jan. 20 during a special luncheon ceremony.

Rocca’s was San Martin’s first grocer and 80 years later, it’s proving that everything old is new again.

Charles Weston and Paul Rakitin—two local businessmen, veterans and runners—presented the proceeds of their Nov. 8 inaugural Morgan Hill Veterans Day Run last week to three nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting American combat vets and their families. Weston, co-owner of Weston Miles Architects and a Vietnam veteran, and Rakitin, the owner of The Running Shop who served in Afghanistan in 2010-11, presented a check for $2,550 to representatives of three nonprofits. Pictured in the attached photo are (left to right) Rakitin; Ken Frickle of Team Red, White and Blue; Thaddeus Dickens of Mission Continues; Frank Keffer of Operation Care and Comfort; and Weston. Also receiving proceeds from the Veterans Run was The Muddy Patriot. The Nov. 8 Veterans Day run took a 5K route through Morgan Hill. They organized the event, which they hope will recur annually, not only to raise money for organizations that support their fellow veterans; they also wanted to raise exposure of these groups and people so that struggling vets know there is support available for them.

The San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce announced that Morgan Hill’s Guglielmo Winery will be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame at their Annual Membership and Distinguished Awards Dinner Feb. 25.Each year the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses for their longtime and significant contributions to the economic and civic growth and well-being of the community, according to Cindy Adams, Guglielmo Winery’s Director of Marketing. The Business Hall of Fame recipients are companies that have made the Silicon Valley region their choice for business operations for more than 50 years. Previous recipients have included Hewlett Packard, Santa Clara University and Lockheed Martin.In a joint statement, the Guglielmo brothers George E., Gene and Gary said, "We’re honored and humbled to be recognized. It’s a true testament to the hard work and commitment of our family and employees for the last 90 years not only to produce the best wines possible but to also be a positive contributor to our local communities. Having been born and raised here and being part of the rich history of agriculture and winemaking in the Santa Clara Valley makes this honor truly special.”Guglielmo Winery, located at 1480 E. Main Ave. is the oldest continuously family owned and operated winery in Santa Clara Valley, Adams added. In addition to producing a variety of award-winning wines, the winery hosts weddings and events in their Villa Emile Event Center, and welcomes many guests in their Tasting Room and Gift Shop.Visit guglielmowinery.com for additional information.

A talented and charismatic 13-year-old teen with a passion for singing and entertaining advanced to the semifinal round of the South Bay Teen Idol 2016 competition after her performance Jan. 10 in Los Gatos.