Guest View

Veterans Day Proclamation, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Oct.8, 1954 Whereas, it has long been our custom to commemorate Nov. 11, the anniversary of the ending of World War I, by paying tribute to the heroes of that tragic struggle and by rededicating ourselves to...

Aug. 26 has been designated as National Women’s Equality Day to honor the women who fought tirelessly for the commissioning of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The day also stands as a strong reminder that we need to continue to advocate for equality for all women.

Farmers’ markets represent a unique bridge between urban and rural communities that provide an opportunity to support the local economy, as well as access to fresh, nutritious foods. Aug. 5-11 is National Farmers’ Market Week. This designation seeks to increase the public’s awareness of the role local farmers’ markets play in creating healthy communities and in building prosperity among farmers and small businesses.Farmers’ markets support California’s small and diversified farms, and return money to our local economies. At a farmers’ market, 100 percent of your food dollar goes to your local farmer, while a farmer only receives 15 cents of every food dollar that consumers spend at traditional food outlets. Studies have shown that all farms, regardless of scale, are significantly more likely to survive if they have local food sales as a part of their marketing portfolio.Local markets also provide low-barrier entry points for new farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs, allowing them to start small and test new products.In 2017, 7,377 markets and direct-marketing farmers accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefit transfers, resulting in $22 million in SNAP spent at farmers markets. This provides access to fresh, local produce and enables SNAP recipients to purchase the nutritious foods their families need to stay healthy.  A growing number of farmers’ markets also offer incentive programs to low-income seniors and WIC (Women, Infants and Children Program) customers.Unlike many supermarkets, farmers markets put fruits and vegetables front and center and create a shopping environment where nutritious foods are not only affordable, they are celebrated.Visit your local farmers’ market this week and enjoy the bountiful crops that are grown close to you.Sen. Bill Monning represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Monterey and Santa Clara counties. The weekly Morgan Hill Farmers Market takes place year-round 9am to 1pm Saturday, at the Caltrain parking lot on Depot Street in the city’s downtown.

When the early settlers came out West, the first thing they did was build a church with an adjacent cemetery. That was their commitment to their new abode, then as well as in the Hereafter. Those quaint churches and cemeteries now dot our countryside, each with its own rich history and interesting stories to tell.

As part of a nationwide protest through Families Belong Together, we, the members of SURJ South County (Showing Up for Racial Justice) are hosting a rally, march and day of action on Saturday, June 30, 9 to 11am along with local civic leaders, community organizers, activists and concerned citizens, at the Community and Cultural Center (17000 Monterey Road) in Morgan Hill.This movement is to let the Trump administration know that we do not agree with their policies and efforts to separate families at our borders. We also want to let immigrant members of our community know that we stand behind them and will do whatever we can to support them.This president believes that our country can inflict the trauma of separation on children without recourse. We need him to know that we stand with all families in America. Our members are rallying and marching until we no longer have a President Trump because we believe every child is a gift to this world with limitless possibilities.We are appalled by the actions taken by our government. These families have been through so much to reach our borders. They deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion. As a country we need to do better than this.Our members intend to speak up as much as possible about what we see as the unraveling of America right now. Among our group are immigrants who came to this country and were welcomed and made to feel at home. We want that hand extended to others, especially those in need of a safe harbor. Isolating children from adults who care for them is the worst torture we can imagine.We feel it’s important that voices from communities both small and large—rural and urban—will be joining with those across the United States who are also protesting the federal government’s atrocities against families along our borders.We will also be registering voters, because we want to remind people that America is supposed to be a democracy and we all need to use our voting voice.Many of us are parents of children as young as those being ripped apart at our borders. We can’t and won’t stop thinking of the more than 2,000 children separated from their families by the Trump administration. We are horrified at the lack of plans in place to reunite the children with their parents. This all happened on our watch. History has its eyes on all of us.Our rally is a start to ask: What are we going to do to correct this injustice? What can we as a community do to fight against centuries of injustice and to prevent further injustices from occurring? Our families will stand together with the families affected to say “¡Ya basta!. Enough!'Join us.This guest view was written by SURJ members Katie McGinty Ruiz, Gemma Abels and Jenny Kirchoff. For more information about the June 30 rally, visit facebook.com/events/445428659203124

We are fast approaching another Fourth of July. In Morgan Hill, we celebrate July 4 over two days with six events, together known as Freedom Fest.Many people are not aware that Independence Day Celebration, Inc., (IDCI) produces the events. A 501c3 nonprofit corporation, IDCI is staffed entirely by volunteer, community-minded individuals. With more than 500 volunteers led by more than 50 dedicated team leaders, six event chairs and a five-member board of directors, our team works much of the year to bring you these events. Freedom Fest is not produced by the city or Chamber of Commerce, although both work closely with us.The six Freedom Fest events have a little something for everyone. Our Patriotic Sing on July 3 features local children singing patriotic songs, Blue Star moms and much more. Immediately after, the Family Music Fest held downtown includes live music and a DJ for dancing, food and drinks featuring wine from local wineries.Runners and walkers can start the day on July 4 with a quick tour around the parade route, then enjoy the car cruise and historic parade. Following the parade, car enthusiasts can stop by our Car Show at the Community and Cultural Center. The Fireworks on the Green at the Outdoor Sports Center is the perfect way to end the day with live music, food, drinks and crafts to go with our world-class fireworks show.All volunteer community organizations face annual challenges in the areas of financial and volunteer support. Freedom Fest is a perfect example. Despite the growth surge that Morgan Hill is experiencing, we have funding challenges this year. Morgan Hill businesses and residents have given us tremendous support over the years. We hope it will continue, and even grow. Without your support, there can be no Freedom Fest.We always try to find new ways to reach out to sponsors and communicate with Morgan Hill residents. One new way we will do so this year is to mail our award-winning program to every household and business in Morgan Hill. In past years, we have increased our Facebook and web presence.On behalf of the Freedom Fest team, I want to thank the community for always showing up. It is your participation and support that makes Freedom Fest events a pleasure to produce. We are proud to serve our community in this way.Please go to mhfreedomfest.com to donate, volunteer or learn more about us.Jeff Dixon is a Morgan Hill resident and President of Independence Day Celebrations, Inc. He can be reached at [email protected].