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An oil truck caught on fire at a south Morgan Hill business Tuesday morning, but crews extinguished the blaze before anyone was injured, according to authorities.Firefighters from Morgan Hill Fire Department and CalFire responded to Pacific Northwest Oil, 16490 Vineyard Boulevard, about 10 a.m. June 7, according to CalFire Battalion Chief Pete Gallegos.A 1,000-gallon asphalt oil truck caught on fire while an employee was filling the vessel with heated oil, Gallegos said.Using several fire engine trucks and a ladder truck, fire crews knocked down the blaze by about 10:30 a.m., according to authorities.After the blaze was extinguished, crews then had to contain the runoff of oil into the storm drain system, Gallegos added. Santa Clara County Environmental Health and City of Morgan Hill officials were notified of the potential hazardous material spill into the ground.No injuries were reported, and the Pacific Northwest Oil building was not damaged.Pacific Northwest Oil stores and sells roadway oils, emulsions and “geosynthetic” materials, according to property owner Janet Simas. She arrived at the scene of the fire while crews were starting to contain the spill of oil into the ground.Simas owns and sells the products, but does not own Pacific Northwest’s equipment and trucks. “They take the product to wherever I’ve sold it,” Simas said.Among the company’s regular clients are cities, counties and other public jurisdictions that enter into road building contracts, Simas said. Pacific Northwest Oil has been at the Vineyard Boulevard site since 2005.Simas added she was relieved that nobody was injured and the building was not damaged due to the fire. The truck that caught fire was a total loss, and was worth about $200,000, she added.

Check out any of your local nurseries, and you’ll find lots of choices right now for colorful perennials that bloom in summer. There are some great options for South Valley gardens that are low water users once established.

Summer Reading ChallengeThere’s still time to “Read for the Win” in the Santa Clara County’s Summer Reading Challenge. Participants can enjoy the many activities scheduled throughout the summer at their local library. All teens and adults enrolled in the program will receive a free tote bag and children 12 and under receive book prizes. All participants will receive free passes to Children’s Discovery Museum. All are welcome to participate in the challenge of reading five books from now until July 31. For complete instructions go to sccl.org/summer2016. Splash 2 DashKids ages 5-13 years old are welcome to join in on the ninth Annual Splash 2 Dash Youth Triathlon. Emphasis is placed on accomplishment rather than results in a “funpetitive” spirit, guaranteed to help build confidence. There are four Swim Bike Run Divisions depending on the age group. Bring a swimsuit, good running shoes and bike with helmet. Participants need to check in at least 20 minutes before the race. The big day is Saturday, June 11 starting at 6:30 a.m. at Sobrato High School, located at 401 Burnett Ave, Morgan Hill. For course maps and registration go to mhreconline.com. On the ProwlLearn about the lifestyles and characteristic of two wild animals, Mountain Lions and Bobcats, living in and around our rural communities. Leave with a better understanding of why it’s important to co-exist with these felines as we encroach upon their natural habitats. Meet with Santa Clara County Staff on Monday, June 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Casa Grande and the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museums are located at 21350 Almaden Rd., in San Jose. Reservations are required. Call (408) 355-2201 or go to parkhere.org. A Day at the RanchDreamor Ranch will open their gates for the Annual Day of Miracles, free for children and their families who struggle with special needs. Dreamor Ranch supports horse rescue and rehabilitation programs along with providing lessons and riding programs. Kids will get a chance to meet and ride these beautiful animals. The day will also include games, singing and visits with other animals such as turkeys, cats, dogs and ducks and enjoy a lunch of Hot Dogs and ice cream. There is no parking on the ranch, but shuttles will be provided. There will be no shortage of smiles on Sunday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 80 Brown Road, San Juan Bautista. For more information and directions call (408) 799-4052 or visit dreamorranch.net.Father’s Day adventureYou can take Dad back in time without using a time machine at San Juan Bautista’s Annual Early Days event. The San Juan Bautista State Historic Park and the Plaza History Association will take you back to the 1800’s to early California Mountain Men encampments. Discover history through clothing, crafts and cooking demonstrations. Enjoy an old-fashioned soda at the Plaza Hotel Saloon or take a horse-drawn wagon ride and experience the transportation of the day. Workers will be dressed in period costume and ready to greet you Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Historic Park. Admission to the park is $3 for adults and free for kids 15 and under. For more information call (831) 623-4881 or visit sanjuanbautistaca.com.

Summer plans haven been made, tickets are purchased and luggage is being brought down from the rafters in the garage. None of it by me. I’m not a plan maker, ticket purchaser or luggage-bringer-downer.

It was a baby shower, but there was no baby.

South Valley Civic Theatre opens its production of Mary Poppins this week, with 13 performances through June 25 at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. The cast features Heidi Oliphant as Mary and Zack Goller as Bert. Based on the Disney Broadway musical, the play will include not just actual flying of several of the characters, but also unique special effects and illusions. For more information, go to svct.org/2016_poppins/. For tickets, go to brownpapertickets.com/event/2547650.

Although summer isn’t here yet, local residents are already working up a sweat at Bikram Yoga in downtown Gilroy and its sister location on Cochrane Road in Morgan Hill.

School’s out

When I stepped out of the car at the Mount Diablo summit parking lot, my heart sunk. In a thicket of clouds dense with drizzle, the racing wind ripped my just-opened car door from my hand. The wind chill must have been in the low 30s; a brisk morning for mid-May.

In 2009 a group of Morgan Hill friends and cigar aficionados so loved the ritual of smoking their cigars that when they heard their local hangout was closing, they pulled together to start their own cigar lounge—a brand new establishment that would satisfy their need for camaraderie and their shared passion for fine cigars.