Your neighbors

It was a good month for winning at tennis, being a junior golfer, marking the journey from kindergarten to high school, writing a winning essay and planning a garlicky event. Catch up with your neighbors here.  Read more »

Saturday night wrapped up the chilliest Summerfest so far, but that really didn’t matter if you won a giant frog.  Or maybe it's a dinosaur?  Click the "Read more" link to see the entire 2010 Summerfest weekend -- including more than 150 photos -- and to learn just how chilly this Summerfest was.  (Answer: Summerfest is indeed always a hot day, but this one sure wasn’t.)  Read more »

Photo gallery of the game (41 photos): Click here

The shot heard 'round Murieta: Darrin "Cookie" Kitchen crosses home plate after hitting a two-out home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Rancho Murieta Bandits a 4-3 win over the Sierra Highlanders Sunday afternoon at Stonehouse Park. They were playing for the California Cup -- the championship for vintage baseballers here. Coverage of Saturday's Bandits' game is here. Sunday's first game, the California Cup consolation game, also ended with a walk-off home run, this one in the 10th inning, as the New Almaden Quicksilvers topped the Santa Clara Stogies 10-7.  Read more »

Photo gallery of fun at the game (18 photos): Click here

The Rancho Murieta Bandits, our community's old-time baseballers, topped the New Almaden Quicksilvers 8-5 Saturday at Stonehouse Park, moving on to the California Cup championship game Sunday.  Read more »

The Rancho Murieta Bandits, our town’s entry in the Gold Country Vintage Base Ball League, will compete this weekend for the California Cup. They play 1 p.m. Saturday at Stonehouse Park to qualify for the championship game, which follows on Sunday. In addition to seeing fun baseball, you’ll be able to buy a barbecue lunch at the games.  Read more »

It wasn’t just another soccer game when the Cyclones and Chaos girls teams tangled Wednesday evening at Stonehouse Park. It was the first soccer game under the new lights funded and installed through volunteer work. Sam Somers, one of the leaders of the effort, explained the lights cover three fields and the energy-efficient bulbs carry a 25-year maintenance guarantee. The community’s Parks Committee contributed $100,000 to help fund the lights and, Somers said, the Summerfest event kicked in $50,000. He has a long list of thank-yous to people who donated money, time or professional services.

The community blood drive sponsored by the Rancho Murieta Women's Club takes place Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Cantova Way. The new hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Participants will receive a coupon for a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream.  Read more »

40 photos of friends and neighbors at the event Saturday. Click here
24 photos of friends and neighbors at Sunday's ceremonies. Click here

The community's second Relay for Life concluded with the Fight Back Ceremony Sunday morning at Stonehouse Park. The volunteer effort netted $96,301 for the American Cancer Society, almost doubling last year's $52,000 contribution. "This has far exceeded our expectations," chair Brenda Carmichael told the crowd. Allison's Angels, Cutting for a Cure and ART, Inc. were recognized as top fund-raising teams in several categories. Cutting for a Cure, captained by Bonnie Burberry, took first place for the second year in the team category by raising $18,314 for the cause. Team HOPE was recognized for its contribution to skin cancer awareness. The team provided information and sun protection at its booth along the relay route.  Read more »

In a special summertime edition of Your Neighbors, we meet Rancho Murieta's new Eagle Scout, join a "farmer" on his tomato harvest, see a hero through a small boy's eyes, and walk the wilderness with our local Boy Scouts.  Read more »

There's more in the Forums.