THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN
A supplement to the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times
JULY 20, 2018
Healing Touch Local practitioner Jeannie David helps people heal
Alternative healing in Gilroy
SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Hollister color toMorgan the $1 • Friday, JulyRecreation 20, 2018 • Vol. 124, No. 29 brings • morganhilltimes.com • Serving Hillcity since 1894
SAN BENITO MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
WINE P16 | FARM-TO-TABLE P17
THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY
JULY 20, 2018
Hollister Recreation brightens the streets
A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance
Islamic center debate flares Clouds of Color WINE P16 | FARM-TO-TABLE P17
DRAFT EIR DOES LITTLE TO EASE TENSIONS IN SAN MARTIN By Jaqueline McCool Reporter
➝ Cordoba Center, 5
Robert Eliason
South Valley Islamic families are beginning to see their long-awaited plans to build a mosque and community center in San Martin come together, but some vocal San Martin residents continue to oppose the project. The pros and cons of building the proposed Cordoba Center were discussed July 11 at a special meeting of the Santa Clara County Planning Commission to hear comments on a draft environmental impact report. Many of the comments reflected the continuing culture clash in this unincorporated community of 7,000 along U.S. 101 between Gilroy and Morgan Hill, rather than the specifics of the EIR. The 200-page report identified few negative impacts of the construction project. The South Valley
KIDS’ MUSIC Sean Mendelson of Sean’s Music Factory entertains kids and parents at the Morgan Hill Library.
Jamming in July SUMMER FUN AT MORGAN HILL LIBRARY By Debra Eskinazi Magazine and Features Editor
More than 150 kids and parents rocked out with Sean’s Music Factory Thursday, July 12 at the Morgan Hill Library on Main Avenue. The event, July Jams, says Jennifer Weeks, is part of the Santa Clara
County Library District (SCCDL) summer programming for children. Weeks, the SCCDL Library Services Manager said July Jams is focused on building family engagement and opportunities for kids to learn and “most certainly about having fun.” Weeks said this kind of play allows for endless skill building from listening, which helps with learning new words and
dancing, which works on their motor skills. Weeks, who’s worked with Sean Mendelson of Sean’s Music Factory before, says his shows are fun and engaging. “He is a music teacher by trade, and he gets everyone playing along,” she said. “They were actively listening to the cues in the music to control their actions and develop motor skills. And the fun and original songs
helped children learn the rhythms and rhymes of spoken language.” The simple games, said Weeks, prepare children for reading. “Children need to sing, play, read, write and talk to build early literacy skills and the library provides space, resources and classes all for free,” Weeks adds. The library offers weekly summer programming and classes that differ from its programming
throughout the year, including free lunch and activities for kids. “Vacation can be a time when kids slide and lose skills, but with STEM classes, art camps and the opportunity to keep reading to earn cool prizes,” said Weeks. For the rest of July Jams lineup, visit sccl.org/ Kids/Early-Learning. ➝ More photos, 13
Women charged with felonies in July 7 fight TWO SUSPECTS TOLD POLICE THEY WERE DEFENDING SELVES FROM THREE MEN Michael Moore Editor
Two women accused of stabbing three men in downtown Morgan Hill July 7 told officers that they were defending themselves from the men,
who had been harassing them earlier in the evening. However, the alleged victims told police the attacks were unprovoked after a late night of drinking at local bars. The three men were treated at San Jose Regional Hospital’s trauma center for multiple stab wounds. Morgan Hill police confirmed that, as of July 16, two of the men had been released from the hospital, but were unsure if
the third victim had been released yet. All three are expected to survive the stabbings. The suspects, Tori Sanchez, 22, of Freedom, and Alexandria Campos, 23, of Morgan Hill, were arraigned at the Morgan Hill Courthouse July 11 on three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon in relation to the early-morning July 7 incident. The maximum sentence for a single count of assault with a deadly
weapon is four years in prison. Sanchez and Campos have been in custody at the Santa Clara County Jail since their arrest by Morgan Hill police, and appeared July 11 in jailissued attire. Campos had a bandage on her right hand, which she suffered during the altercation that preceded her arrest. Attorney Micael Estremera of the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office argued
for the defendants to be released from custody, with supervision, while awaiting further court proceedings. Estremera noted that neither defendant had ever been arrested or convicted of a crime. Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Phong Banh argued Sanchez’ and Campos’ bail should be set “based on the viscous nature of the attacks” of July 7. ➝ Stabbing, 11