Columnists

Children’s story writer Roald Dahl wrote “Matilda” in 1988. This is a story turned into a musical about an abused child who is gifted and handles the terrible neglect with an abundance of charm and an ability to “always make things right.”

The next three months may prove to be a trying time for our downtown businesses. Much of Monterey Road from Main to Dunne Avenue will be the host to some form of construction over the next three months.The good news is that the construction will move at an accelerated pace and be done in those three months. The bad news is that it is still three months.In the beginning you will still be able to travel by auto in the traffic lane like we have it now. And so far in the first few days of lane and shoulder closures, bicyclists can still use the buffered lane established during the city’s complete streets trial. But as the road work progresses, bicyclists will have to find another way through downtown or share a lane with the rest of traffic because the current bike lane will be sacrificed for construction.Street parking will pretty much be eliminated so that construction vehicles can park next to their work.The sidewalks will remain open but you’d better watch your step because there will be plenty of work there too.The second phase will then take the current traffic lane, next to the median, and make it construction parking and move traffic into what had been the buffer lane (which held the bike lane). The good news is that we then get our street parking back.The complete streets pilot test has come to an end. Whether you are a proponent of making it permanent or never seeing it return again, it is over for now. Valuable data has been collected and soon we’ll see what the numbers look like. But I’m sure the sentiment of the community will also weigh heavily in any future decisions.It will be a trying time for any business in the downtown area. It’s time to embrace and support our downtown businesses like never before. Our downtown has never been an easy place for our businesses. Just a few years ago the economy made it downright hostile, so this is a time for them to prosper; and I believe they will.When all of the upcoming changes are complete, the downtown is going to be a nicer and friendlier place for visitors.There will be so many more comfortable areas to just sit and relax, which is what I’ll be doing gazing at the subtle landscaping and architectural touches and talking to my friends. At night I’ll hang out in the glow of lanterns in the trees and the light shining through wonderfully sculpted cut-outs in metal panels beneath the many seating areas.There are so many wonderful touches that I can’t even mention them all here, but the feel will definitely be Morgan Hill with a nod to much of our heritage. From the wood plank pattern of the concrete in some of the walkways to the wine barrel hoop lanterns in the trees, almost everything has a real connection to the Morgan Hill that we love.Physical changes can take place quickly. Getting the community used to the changes can take a little longer. But I believe that the changes to our downtown will help bring more people than ever to our shops and restaurants.We all just need to accept a little dust and noise and inconvenience and keep patronizing our businesses downtown. You will benefit from a good meal or shopping experience, and your businesses will be there to continue providing you with those experiences.John McKay is a city planning commissioner and a co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance.

“Triangle” melds 2 stories across two centuries in a moving and tragic love story that blends early 20th and 21st centuries people together in a beautiful musical with actors who deliver an intense story with humor, deep feelings and a beautiful, well done score.

The long awaited Mel Brooks zany, over the top, wonderfully tasteless comedy “The Producers” has arrived at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse courtesy of the South Valley Civic Theater. This is the most irreverent tribute to musical theatre ever produced. Just when you think it can’t get any more outrageous … it gets more outrageous. It hits on every race, creed, ethnic group and gender and no one is left out. You find yourself laughing hysterically at material you would never consider laughing at or even thinking about.

We have the good fortune to live in a region where trails into the peace and serenity of open space are just moments from home. When I am asked for my favorite, it's tough to choose. There are just too many. But the Arrowhead Loop at South County's newest open space preserve is a top candidate.

Once a year Morgan Hill gets to strut its stuff and the show the world how the Fourth of July should be celebrated, from parade to fireworks. This community has had 140 opportunities to get it right and I think you can safely say that they have done just that, and it continues to get better.I only recently started attending the parade because I’m not normally a huge fan of crowds. Much of our community shows up and we draw thousands of families from outside of Morgan Hill, many of whom have adopted our parade as theirs too. I’ve come to appreciate this crowd now.But the celebration really starts on July 3 with the Patriotic Sing and the Family Street Dance.I attended the Family Street Dance and I can tell you that moving it back downtown this year added a lot of effort for the Independence Day Celebration crew, but it was worthwhile. Just about every type of person could be seen strolling the streets having a good time. There was lots of energy with the music and the buzz of the crowd yet it was so calm that security had a relaxing evening.This year I was offered a seat in the parade on the Leadership Morgan Hill float and accepted. The parade was a lot of fun from this perspective.  First thing you notice is that there are a lot of people watching this parade. Next thing you notice is everyone huddles around every bit of shade available or tries to make some, with lots of parasols and pop-up canopies.If I were a business trying to do some advertising I would hand out those little fans that everyone seemed to be using as we rolled by (note to self: bring fan next year…).Another thing I noticed is that anyone with a home on the parade route probably just acquired a few dozen new friends. So many homes were having their own private parties that staying seated on the float was a challenge at times. Liquid refreshments seemed to be flowing and likely contributed to the many smiles to be found.I decided that if I ever come into a windfall I’m going shopping for a house downtown. Being on the float really opened my eyes to what is on the route and that included some nice homes. I’ve now got my eye on a couple because, God knows, you buy a home for location, location, location—one of those “locations” being on this parade route.We spent a lot of time on the float waving and yelling back at family members of those on the float. This is truly a family oriented event.Hopefully most parade spectators occupied themselves in town and went on to witness one of the best fireworks displays in the county to cap off the Fourth of July celebration—Morgan Hill style.Something I hear over and over again is that Morgan Hill embodies small town America. I think that what happens in this town around the Fourth of July cements that description with a lot of pride.We throw a heck of a birthday party.John McKay is a longtime Morgan Hill resident, city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance.

Bring dinner and a bottle of your favorite wine and be treated to a delightful evening with the French farce “Boeing Boeing” at Limelight Actors Theater through July 18.

A couple columns ago, I wrote about the Aquila Loop Trail, a short loop near the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve parking area. In that column, I promised to return to walk the longer loop that reaches deeper into the preserve.