Opinion

You feel you are sitting on a rainbow and are fascinated with the edgy Tandy Beal’s take on The Nutcracker, in Nuts Re-Mixed! Here is entertainment that sits outside the box that gives a uniquely serendipitous experience.

I think this is the third year that you get to wake up to one of my columns from your tryptophan-induced coma (it is obligatory to use that line every year) and reach for your coffee in a daze.I feel like I’m already in a daze recently with the elections, attending meetings for great things to come and celebrating people and accomplishments. In that daze, I swing back and forth between a dream and a nightmare; but I think it’s very much a net positive.Sometimes I feel like I’m in a dream when I think about how the Granada Theater was saved and is being transformed. Honestly, I never thought there was even the slimmest chance it would ever open for business again. Not only is it going to be open, but soon it will be so cool that it sends the accomplishment needle off the dial.It will have terraced dinner seating around a stage, like you see in those old movies where someone like Benny Goodman’s big band is playing and everybody’s dancing and enjoying fancy dining and drinks.All this in our old theater that had succumbed to the smell of mold and tobacco smoke and probably not the best place to be in an earthquake.Newly renovated, the smell of food and wine has replaced the mold and smoke and I’d rather be there than in one of my home’s doorways during a major temblor.Many of us had dreamed of a boutique hotel downtown. “Long shot,” we mused. Now even that dream comes true.We will have a new three-story hotel with lots of retail space. But get this—the building comes pre-loaded with shops! The owner/developer will base his wedding planning business there with supporting shops like a florist, as well as places to get your wine and dinner. Many of the key ingredients in these shops will come from packages with “Leal” on the label.Frank Leal’s constellation of symbiotic businesses make the theater and boutique hotel feasible, where other developers crunched numbers and walked away shaking their heads.I fully realize that this is not a dream and this is all happening. Two things never dreamed possible became reality; not only will I see them in my lifetime but I will see them soon.Not only am I not dreaming, but I also don’t have to wait for the next nugget. Prova, the new restaurant headed up by Chef Sal Calisi (of Odeum), should be open as you read this.For those familiar with Chef Calisi’s work at Odeum, Prova—located on Monterey Road where Slim’s used to be—will represent a journey down a slightly different path but with no change in creativity or quality at the destination.The food will be of the small plate variety with interesting items from around the world, with unique beers and wines with craft cocktails the house specialty. Like so many other fine restaurants, most of what comes out of the kitchen will not be liberated from a package but made right there.So wake up now and go out and do some shopping and more dining where we live.Please shop and dine locally, and do it often.John McKay is a Morgan Hill resident, president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, city planning commissioner and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance.

There is a rising interest in animal husbandry and agriculture, and the government run organization 4-H is partly responsible for this rising interest.4-H is a youth development and leadership program that encourages youth to pursue their interests and to step up and lead fun events where other youth get to connect and share experiences. Our country needs a strong generation of youth who are able leaders, and 4-H is doing just that, creating youth who are passionate about what they do and helps them develop the skills to lead.4-H clubs are everywhere, and a local club is the San Martin 4-H club.This club has started up for its 2016-17 year. The club has grown and plans to participate in more local events.We have many projects that help grow experience and provide an outlet for members to socialize with people who have similar interests. One of things that makes San Martin 4-H unique is it is the only club in the county that currently has a dog training project. Some other projects are sheep, goat, leadership, public speaking, cavies, veterinary science, equine-horse, poultry, sewing, swine, arts and crafts, gardening, rabbits, livestock judging, robotics, beginning 4-H (which is for clovers) and cooking.If you want to check out the club, they meet the first Thursday of every month at the Lions Club in San Martin (12415 Murphy Ave.) or check out their website at  sanmartin4h.clubStuart BettencourtSan Martin

The City of Morgan Hill asked residents for questions and comments on the California High Speed Rail Authority’s plans to build the 200-mph-plus train through or around the city. Below are some of those comments and questions, which city staff presented to the Morgan Hill City Council at the Nov. 16 meeting and are available to view on the city’s website. The council plans to submit a comprehensive list of questions about the HSR’s potential impact on Morgan Hill, in hopes of influencing the state agency’s choice on its preferred route alignment. Concerned residents can still submit questions and comments to the city by visiting morganhill.ca.gov and searching for High Speed Rail, which will bring users to a page with information and forms for submitting input. See related story for more information on the HSRA’s four alignment alternatives. Comments below are edited for length and clarity.Has there been consideration of tourism and quality-of-life impact when considering a final alignment choice, or is it purely economic? An HSR alignment through downtown Morgan Hill would destroy the character of this unique area.Andrew SterianWhy would the alignment not occur in the most obvious location—along with the existing railroad line?? The home value and quality of living in the Diana neighborhood will be severely impacted should the rail be put in along the west side of 101. My house will not be one purchased in eminent domain but would be in the first row of houses adjacent to the planned location on the west side of 101. The rail will without a doubt create a negative impact on my home’s value. Please consider what will happen to home values in the entire Diana neighborhood should the west side (alignment) be chosen. Why would you add a rail line in a neighborhood instead of in a downtown area where it makes sense. The community should share the burden of the rail's addition, not the homeowners, who already live next to 101 to begin with! Please do what you can to prevent loss of the investment we made when purchasing a home in Morgan Hill.Dana MortonWill there be any tall redwood trees planted to on both sides of the raised viaduct to mitigate noise and visual impact?William CarlsonWhat can the city of Morgan Hill do to stop this huge boondoggle?Mark HinkleHow will the HSR determine which properties need to be taken? How will the HSR ensure that there is no loss to the residential properties that are not strictly needed for right of way access but would be close to the proposed route? Will the HSR purchase enough residential properties alongside the track to ensure that there is a cushion of green space and thereby ensure that the remaining home's property values are not impacted? Will anything be done to beautify the space between the HSR and the residential areas around it? Will homeowners who wish to move for no other reason but that the HSR will be constructed in their neighborhood be reimbursed realty fees and any loss in property value due to the HSR being present or the need to disclose its future presence? Will the HSR work with the City to make sure that no resident is financially hurt?Susan EassaHow many trains will be scheduled to travel through Morgan Hill on a daily basis?Lauri QuigleyWhy wouldn't the money be spent on widening and fixing our freeways. We can hardly move around on the freeway. We keep being told there’s no money but you can build this and it won’t even be used for many people.Traci ValdezIf the East or West 101 routes through Morgan Hill are chosen, how will you mitigate impact on Coyote Creek Park and Trail including impacts to wildlife, waterfowl, and birds that call that area home? In addition, how will you maintain the current quiet and peaceful rural environment for hikers, walkers and bicyclists?Debra UllmannAre there plans or intentions to provide bus service to the San Jose and Gilroy terminals? If so, will fares be included in the cost of HSR tickets? Will the residents of Morgan Hill be provided with lower ticket rates? Will VTA bus schedules be aligned with train schedules? Will VTA and HSR offer interchangeable tickets? How about with BART, ACE and Caltrain? Will HSR work with local companies and schools to provide lower ticket rates?Yudhvir SidhuWill there be a study about noise pollution effects in Morgan Hill?Pravin LathigaraI am concerned about the increased traffic downtown and safety if the high speed train goes along Monterey highway and through downtown Morgan Hill. How will pedestrian traffic be protected? How often are these trains projected to run?Jeanne Wise

MH is grateful for veteransThank You, Thank You, Thank You!I would like to thank our community, our young families, Eddie Bowers, and our veterans for the gift of our annual Veterans Day and Memorial Day Ceremonies.Our community, with the support of our local police, gathers in the median of Monterey Road at First Street to honor our local military and to express our thanks for their service and sacrifice. Young families bring children to experience what Veterans Day and Memorial Day represent—not just a sale at the mall, but a tribute to the members of our Armed Forces.Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts proudly wear their uniforms to show their respect and patriotism.Eddie Bowers, whose idea it was to build and retain our Veterans Wall at the intersection of First and Monterey, deservedly was recognized as the "Veteran of the Year" by the California State Assembly. He graciously shared his recognition with the veterans of our audience who were greeted with applause and cheers.We live in an amazing community. Morgan Hill represents a community standing together in its grateful thanks to our veterans. We are passing our traditions into the future through our children. These children are learning to honor those who serve and to love this great country of ours.Karen Ann CraneMorgan Hill Columnist should offer more dialogueIn response to John McKay’s opinion regarding social media dialogue in the Nov. 11 Times, I agree more of an effort is needed to bring civility to discussions. But Mr. McKay is hardly the spokesperson for “honest and civil” digital dialogues.Mr. McKay contributed to the divisiveness in Measure S conversations and perpetuated dissent by suggesting residents with differing opinions weren’t talking to the “experts” or reading the facts, and were therefore misinformed. I felt insulted that my attempts to understand the facts weren’t good enough, my conclusions were wrong, and my ability to make up my own mind was impaired.Mr. McKay’s participation in social media discussions, in my experience, serves his purpose of expressing his opinion and providing information he feels is beneficial to the community. I respect his right to do that, and I have gained insight from him that I probably wouldn’t by dismissing his views as contrary and one-sided. However, I did not see similar consideration in return.As Mr. McKay speaks of cyber bullying, he forgets his own criticism targeted toward those attempting to share differing opinions. Just prior to the election, Mr. McKay attacked Councilmember-elect Rene Spring on the Jackson Oaks Nextdoor site, stating Mr. Spring, who helped develop Measure S, “did not show any concern that the wording had been changed” regarding open space protection and “support for him will suffer by definition.” He also called into question Mr. Spring’s Planning Commission vote on Oak Meadow (in west Morgan Hill) that contributed to the loss of 80 acres of open space protection—a protection that Mr. McKay also voted against. Mr. Spring did not have the access to the Jackson Oaks site and had no opportunity to defend himself.As for Mr. McKay’s suggestion that he is a target of planning commission protests, I’d like to know who those groups are so I can distance myself from them. To date, I have not read one word on social media indicating any planned protests. If these threats are being sent to Mr. McKay personally, he is doing a disservice to his point by including them to support his view of a social media problem.Yes, there can be problem with social media as the language and intent can be misinterpreted. Mr. McKay sees this contributing to an “unpleasant shift in the spirit and culture within the digital realm of Morgan Hill.”One way to adjust that shift is by reaching out personally. I’d like to remind Commissioner McKay that what also comes “with the territory of being a city official” is availability to the community. He has never once responded to my emails to the commission, nor has he offered to speak with me in person, which is something other members of the commission and city council have done to clarify their messages.To me, that makes him an addition to the problem more than the solution he seeks.Chris MonackMorgan Hill

The theatre department of Foothill College with director Bruce McLeod at the helm has taken on Thornton Wilder’s second Pulitzer prize play, Our Town, a sweet simple story of life as it really is in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners in the early 1900s. Using a plain set with just a table and some chairs and a ladder, the story covers childhood, courtship, marriage and death in three acts. The story brings the folly, foibles, happiness and tragedy of everyday life to the top of the rim of existence and touches the imagination.

Disney took the delightful fairytale of Beauty and the Beast and created a beautiful animated movie that transported children and adults to another time and place. Broadway by the Bay has taken the Broadway show with the divine music of Alan Menken and clever lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and brought a delightful presentation to the stage in Redwood City.Everyone knows the engaging tale in which Belle finds herself in an enchanted castle where the beast and all the inhabitants are trapped in an animated state because of a witches’ cruel curse which only Belle (unbeknownst to her) can break. Of course, as in all fairy tales, everyone lives happily ever after. But getting there is the fun part.The multiple Tony Award production recreates all the characters from the movie from Lumiere the living candlestick, to the clock, teapot, chest of drawers and delightful rug. Wrapped up in Kelly James Tighe’s fine direction with Adam Elsberry’s creative choreography is a fast moving production that will keep everyone’s attention throughout.A talented cast with Anya Absten as the spunky Belle, John Melis as the obnoxious Gaston, Warren Wernick as Lefeu, Maureen Duffey Frentz as Mrs. Potts, Ray D’ambrosio as Cogsworth, Brendon North as the lovable Lumiere and Daniel Barrington Rubio as the Beast perform as a huge ensemble with great delivery and resilient voices.The impressive orchestra brings in a tight, crisp version of this beloved story. Alan Menken’s music and Howard Ashman, (who died during the making of the original production) and Tim Rice’s lyrics ran away with Academy Awards for the movie and Tonys for the Broadway version with “Be Our Guest,” “Beauty and The Beast,” and “Something There.”The outstanding 18-piece orchestra under the baton of Sean Kana gives the show the professional touch.The the crew backstage also performs heroically. Technical and sound designer Jon Hayward impressively gets his crew to move scenes with absolute ease. Lighting designer Aaron Spivey is always on cue. Costumes by Angela F. Lazear and Leandra Watson are pleasing and colorful.Grab the kids and go and be enchanted. ‘Disney’s Beauty and The Beast’Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway St, Redwood CityPerformances through Nov. 20Information: (650) 579-5565Or visit: www.broadwaybythebay.org

So much divisiveness was brought out locally during the 2016 election. The influence of the digital news media and social media was especially highlighted, which reflected an ongoing concern of mine.In digital news media, we now have the ability to post a comment with no fact checking or filtering for maliciousness, and thousands can see it instantly. Social media seems to be used effectively on the national stage, but we don’t yet understand the reach of it locally; I certainly believe in its potential. But again, there is no checking for facts or malicious intent.One thing that has been pointed out in many contentious public digital conversations is the lack of participation by our local elected and appointed officials, and city staff. This is generally a true statement.Until just a few days ago I rarely participated in public digital conversations. The reason was, early on I was misquoted and the piling on began; I didn’t step in to defend myself and it seemed to take on a life of its own. I then tried to defend my comments and that incited an even greater response. As much as I may not like being misquoted—it comes with the territory of being a city official—what I don’t like is the piling on and mean-spirited dialog that can so quickly ensue.So I refrain from engaging in public digital conversations because I feel no matter what I say there is no effective way of participating. I am tired of it, and now there is the cyber bullying.I have now been the suggested target for groups to protest at planning commission meetings when the issue did not include my commission work and there were efforts to disrupt my other community efforts.Cyber bullying is not just for children (do a search on adult cyber bullying).“Cyber bullying, like traditional bullying, involves an imbalance of power, aggression, and a negative action that is often repeated.”– Violence Prevention Works.How do we end rampant propagation of misinformation and hostile attacks in the digital realm? Participate yourself and support others in a civil manner. If attacked, provide support and remember to continue to use facts and remain civil. Remember that it’s not just about getting your point across; it’s also about how you do it.Let’s shine a light on those places where cyber bullying takes place. Take a screenshot of inappropriate behavior, particularly when you think that your post might be deleted by a biased moderator. Send those screen shots to: [email protected]. A website may be available to post these screenshots soon.So much has been said about the physical Morgan Hill, but what about the spirit and culture?I am confident the concerns of many issues in this election will be alleviated over time. What I am sure of right now is there has been an unpleasant shift in the spirit and culture within the digital realm in Morgan Hill.Isn’t how we treat each other just as important as issues like the concerns about how our community develops? Isn’t honesty and civil treatment more important than some focused issue?If we can get back to more honest and civil dialogues in our public digital conversations, I will certainly engage more. I hope others will too.John McKay is a Morgan Hill resident, city planning commissioner, president of the Downtown Association and co-founder of the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance. 

Last August, I had the opportunity to speak at a Hitachi conference for Chief Information Officers from companies in Vietnam. This conference was held in Danang, Vietnam, which was in the area of operations during my tour in Vietnam. I took this opportunity to visit some of the battle sites I was engaged in 50 years ago.One of the areas that I visited was Tinh Binh near Quang Nhai. This was the site of Operation Utah where my unit, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, engaged two regiments of the North Vietnamese Army. After a day-long battle, we were overrun and had to call air strikes down on our position to survive.I found a villager that lived in the area who was a 16-year-old Viet Cong at the time. He did not participate in the fighting, but he helped the North Vietnamese Army dig their fortifications. He later became an officer, and he and his wife were honored by Ho Chi Minh and General Giap. We walked the battlefield together using my old military map and later he invited me to his home for tea where he and his wife showed me their many citations from Ho Chi Minh.My best friend in the Marine Corps was the executive officer of G Company when he was shot through the chest on the first day of Operation Utah. He survived Operation Utah and we both joined IBM after we left the Marine Corps.Over the past 50 years, he has sent me a Christmas card every year, with which he encloses a picture of his family. I have seen his family grow with kids, marriages, grandkids and now their wives and husbands. All this would not exist if the bullet had hit him a few millimeters either way or the helicopter had not evacuated him in time.Operation Utah was a success for the Marines in the way they kept score in that war. There were 98 Marines killed in action versus an estimated 600 North Vietnamese. If you visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., you will see the names of these Marines on the wall in the time period, March 4 to 6, 1966.When I visited the area of Operation Utah this August, there was a large military cemetery where hundreds of Vietnamese soldiers were interred. These were North Vietnamese soldiers who had travelled from their homes in North Vietnam to fight and die and be buried in this area so far from their family homes. I said a prayer for them as I prayed also for our Marines.Now 50 years after that war, I wonder at the loss we all suffered and the senseless waste. I work with my Vietnamese colleagues in Hitachi, whose fathers and grandfathers fought against us in the same war. There is no hatred or distrust—only a shared sense of vision and cooperation in our work.Thomas J. Watson, the founder of IBM, made many speeches on “World Peace Through World Trade.” I am hopeful for that vision. In Hitachi, our corporate strategy is Social Innovation, developing solutions to make society healthier, smarter, and safe. That means a world without war.Hubert Yoshida is a Morgan Hill resident.

The Lion King’s National Touring Company roared into San Francisco with all the creativity, color  and excitement the show has always given audiences. A big part of its success is Julie Taymor’s genius direction, which won her Tony Awards in 1998 for direction and costume design. She also was the mask/puppet co-designer and composer of additional music and lyrics.