Hollister Business Park

Have you ever wandered through the Hollister Business Park? It's an especially pleasant meander on a bicycle.

The ride from downtown to the business park, across from the Hollister Airport, is quite easy, even if the wind is not with you. The city (or county) recently paved the frontage road that runs alongside San Felipe Road, which makes the ride a smooth one. The government also put in a bike lane on the southern direction. Thank you very much.

It's surprising what you'll find in the Hollister Business Park. For example:
Orsetti Seeds
Mandego Apparel
Stargazer Packaging
Marich Confectionery
Corbin
West Marine Distribution Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center
Select Learning Techniques Academic Academy
Hollister Police Department

Through a Fence. Clearly.

The definition of picturesque: San Juan Bautista.

Seriously.

I am so thankful that digital cameras were invented. I could easily go through a roll—and more—of film each time I went to San Juan if I was still using a non-digital camera. Huh? What are those you say?

As for the photo. All I remember is that I was walking along the main street and happened to peep through a gap in a fence. The place: Jardines de San Juan.

View from Old Stagecoach Road

Looking down the trail on the San Juan Bautista side. As you can tell it was
a beautiful day. Late afternoon. Few hikers. One bicyclist heading down.
Three equestrians heading up.

Taking Old Stagecoach Road was one of the ways that people could get between San Juan Bautista and Salinas. Today, the three mile stretch from San Juan Bautista to the Salinas side is now known as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.

It's a wonderful hike. A bit (okay a lot) strenuous if you aren't used to walking steadily uphill for more than a mile. It's about another mile to the crest, although that climb isn't so harsh. Now, if you're in awesome shape, the hike up and down is nothing. Me, ouch, my aching knees on the way down. All worth it.

Looking Up from John Smith Road

The husband and I finally are in decent enough shape. Yay! The other day we successfully pedaled our  cruiser bikes up Sunnyslope Road and over to Best Road, via  John Smith Road, then back home by way of Airline Highway. It was a short distance, between 6 and 8 miles,  but mostly uphill.  The satisfaction of being out in the open was well worth the huff and puff of it all.

Hmmm. I believe I have a new category of posts: bicycle rides.

Looking Up: Mission San Juan Bautista

Up there on the cliff is Mission San Juan Bautista.  I took this photo from the original El Camino Real, which ran from Mission San Diego to Mission Sonoma. If I understood what I read, several feet below where I stood runs the San Andreas Fault. I am amazed that the mission has stayed up all these 200 years.

Do you see what looks like green benches below the fence? I was told that they are remnants of the bleachers for the once-upon-a-time annual San Juan Bautista Rodeo.

The Corner of Monterey and Fifth Streets

I did not realize that the San Benito County Administration Building and its setting are quite gorgeous until I saw the scene from this angle. Guess it's true what they say about not being able to see the forest for the trees.

Coming Up: An Afternoon of White Elephants and Champagne

On Friday, March 16, 2012, the White Elephant Silent Auction and Champagne Tea will take place at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. This annual fundraiser is sponsored by the Women's Club of Hollister and the  Friends of the San Benito County Free Library. It benefits both the Women's Club Girls' Scholarship and the Friends' Book Fund.

The cost is $30 per person, which includes a light buffet with champagne, tea, and coffee. And, of course, a chance to buy some interesting items.  If you donate an item for the White Elephant Auction, you will receive a free raffle ticket.

For more information or to purchase tickets, check out the flyer below.

Please click on the image for a larger version.

Industrial Art

One of the great things about walking for me is that I finally "see" things I've never noticed the millions of times I've passed by them before.  This window is an example. It's on one of those corrugated steel buildings on Hillcrest Road.

I wonder what I shall "discover" next time.

The Old Hollister Cold Storage Business Park

Hillcrest Road is one of the regular byways that I take to get from here to there. Over the last several years, I have watched the once-upon-a-time Hollister Ice and Cold Storage site near the northwest corner of Hillcrest and Highway 25  turn into a business park. I like how they maintained the look of the buildings that are now home to various auto repair shops and fitness programs. Here are just a few of them:

• Cold Storage CrossFit
• Hertz Local Edition Rent a Car
• Hollister Boxing and Fitness
• Hollister Collision Center
• Hollister Derby Girls   (Also, check out "Rolling Revolution" by Andrew Matheson, The Weekend Pinnacle)

A View to Walk With

The Husband and I have been walking again. The days have been beautiful for it, that's for sure. It's not until I'm walking that I'm reminded again that Hollister is not flat and we are surrounded by gorgeous mountain ranges.

So, what do you think? On which road do you think we were walking eastward:
a) Hillcrest    b) Meridian   c) Lone Tree   d) Santa Ana?

By the way, the mountains really aren't as close to those structures as they look in the photo.

See ya Thursday.

Rock and Rolling and Crushing

When the Husband and I drive around the county, I notice interesting cuts and gouges in the mountains. I always wonder how they were formed. In other words how Mother Nature did her work. The husband almost always tells me that what I'm looking at was created by a quarry.

How many quarries are (and were) in San Benito County? Quite a lot, it turns out. Check out this list of stone quarries compiled by Peggy B. Perazzo at Stone Quarries and Beyond. The list does not include sand or gravel quarries.

Local History

In the late 1860s, when Hollister was being formed, West, East, North, and South streets were the boundaries of town. This beautiful Queen Anne house at the corner of West and Seventh Streets stood at the growing town's western edge. The house, built in 1904 or 1906 (depending on the source), was originally the residence of someone who owned a harness and saddle shop.

Other local history tidbits. 
• San Benito County just turned 138 years old. The county was created on February 12, 1874.
• On March 26, Hollister will be celebrating its 140th year as an incorporated city.
• San Juan Bautista was incorporated in 1869, about 72 years after Mission San Juan Bautista was established.

History Links
To learn more about local history, check out these Web sites:

San Benito County Historical Society
About Our Town by Hollister Downtown Association
San Juan Bautista Historical Society
City of History by the City of San Juan Bautista
Vaquero Heritage Days
New Idria
Hollister and Bikers

P.S.  For those of you who were wondering about where I was on Tuesday's post, I was standing on Wright Road, between San Felipe Road and Highway 25 (or Bolsa Road).

Where am I?

I feel like a guessing game today. On what road am I standing when I snapped this scene? Yes, it's in Hollister.  I was a few miles from the center of town, but I'm not saying in which direction. That would make it too easy.

Here's a hint: What business sells its products in blue-colored tanks?  Hmm. Did I just make it too easy?

See ya on Thursday.

Green Tripe

Green Tripe is a local business that sells, yep, green tripe and other animal innards to dog owners.

Go ahead, say eewww, but the food is nutritious--and most likely delicious--for the dogs. According to the Web site, the company only uses raw material from animals that were grassfed and were inspected and certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as being organic. The tripe and et. al is safe for human consumption.

For more info about Green Tripe, check out its Web site.

Mike Rowe, the host of Dirty Jobs, a Discovery show, visited the factory in 2008. Here's some footage that was shown on TV.

Dinner Theater at Paine's

Tomorrow night (February 10) is the first of nine showings of Lend Me A Tenor, a comedy full of sophisticated craziness. The play was written by Ken Ludwig, and received several Tony nominations when it was performed on Broadway in 1989.

Hollister's production is presented by the San Benito Stage Company at Paine's Restaurant on 421 East Street. Evening performances starting at 7 p.m. will be on February 10, 11, 17,  18, 24,  and 25; and afternoon performances starting at 2 p.m. will be on February 12, 19, and 25.

Tickets include the cost of the meal. $35 at the door; $30, if bought beforehand. For more info, check out the San Benito Stage Company Web site. For the menu, check out Paine's Facebook page about the event.

Two More Saturday Events
Here are two other things happening on Saturday, February 11:

Community Volunteer Fair
Sweethearts and Memories, Dinner-Dance fundraiser for the local senior citizens center

Sightings In and Nearby Hollister

Dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers,

Hello, hello. I don't know about you, but I quite enjoyed the few weeks off the blog. Well, yeah, I was posting links about local events and  such over at the Facebook page, but that's quite different. And, for those of you who don't know, that's what I do almost everyday at the Take 25 Facebook page. So, if you'd like to know about local happenings, you can learn about some things there.

For now, I plan to post Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. That is, in case you're wondering how often and when I'll show up here.

For today I give you a few photos from the husband and my latest wanderings about the area.

We saw this amazing raptor on the greens at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club.
I caught him in the middle of his feasting on his prey.
This is just before he sighted me.

Mist lifting off Santa Ana Peak from Lone Tree Road.

The almost full moon far, far, far above the tanks on McCray Street.

My first sighting of pink blossoms yesterday afternoon in the neighborhood.
Whoo-hoo!

Get Red! in Hollister

It's GET RED month in Hollister. Go ahead, take the time to ponder:  Get red? Get angry...get commies...get those red-headed guys...get Red Skelton...anymore?

Seriously, February is American Heart Month, as in be kind to your heart and take very good care of it. So, to promote happy, healthy, heart awareness, the Hollister Downtown Association got together with the YMCA and the Hazel Hawkins Hospital to sponsor various events. In addition to special happenings, some of the participating businesses are offering discounts on their products or services. For example, Muenzer's has a 15% discount on all shoes in stock throughout the month.

For a schedule of events and updates of business offers, check out this Hollister Downtown Association page.

2012 Community Volunteer Fair

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?

Many opportunities are available in San Benito County in various areas. For instance, if you're into history, check out the San Benito County Historical Society or the SJB Plaza History Association. The arts? Mr. O's Academy of the Arts and the San Benito Stage Company are just two nonprofit groups that can use volunteers. And, if you would like to be a natures volunteer, think about being part of Pinnacles Partnership.

You can learn more about volunteer opportunities on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Community Volunteer Fair, which is sponsored by the Community Foundation for San Benito and the Sacred Heart Parish School. About 40 local nonprofit groups will be there. The event will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School Gymnasium at 670 College Street in Hollister. For more info, visit the Community Foundation Web site or call its office at 831-630-1924.

365 + 1 Days

Heading home on the Bolsa, aka Highway 25

With today's post, I have accomplished my personal goal: To post a daily photo of my hometown—Hollister—or county (San Benito) for one year and a day. Hurrah for me!

By the way, here's what I posted on the first day of my quest. 

So, what's next? At least a few days away from the blog.  See ya.

Once a 'Baler

Always a 'Baler! Hollister Haybalers. Go 'Balers!

The sign? From a classroom window in the main building of the high school.

Another View of the Spire

Yep. But, this time it's a close-up of the beautiful spire of Sacred Heart Church. Click here, here, and here for views of the church spire from afar.

Sacred Heart Church is one sturdy building. It was constructed in 1877, but not at its known location on the corner of Fifth and College Streets. That's right. According to Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a brochure by Sharlene Van Rooy, the church was originally built on the corner of West and Sixth Streets. That's where the Dunne Park Clubhouse is today. The Gothic church was moved to Fifth Street in 1939.

Looking Up: Gable Eyes

Hot-looking Mediterranean revival eyes, don't you think?

You'll find this red tile rooftop on the colorful building at 910 Monterey Street, which was once upon a time the original Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.

Dancing at the Veterans Memorial Building

One of the unique outdoor details of the Veterans Memorial Building

Here's something different and special to do in Hollister, come February: Listen and dance to the big band sound of Mark Russo and the Classy Cats with vocalist Mary Blaser.

Click to enlarge flyer

Jovenes de Antaño, the local senior citizens center, is holding a dinner and dance fundraiser on Saturday, February 12, 2012, 5 to 11 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Building. The tri-tip dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the band will perform from 8 to 11 p.m.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $45 per person. They can be purchased at the door or bought beforehand at:

Jovenes de Antaño, 300 West Street (cross street Third Street)
She's, 620 San Benito Street
Penny-Wise Drugs, 549 San Benito Street
Postal Graphics, 1760 Airline Highway

To hear Mark Russo and the Classy Cats in action, check out the band's sample song list on its Web site.

Looking Up: Courthouse Detail

This part of the San Benito County Courthouse can be seen from the driveway between the courthouse and the building that houses the San Benito County Office of Education. It's so different from the rest of the courthouse that I wonder if this is actually the old Hall of Records. Anyone know?

The Barn on Line Street

When I was a kid, many years ago, Line Street was the western boundary of downtown Hollister. Between South Street and Nash Road, orchards mostly lined Line Street. Today, this barn and the surrounding empty field, which was once full of trees, are the last remnants of that era.

Living in Town

When I was a kid, I thought it would be cool to live in town. I tell the husband that and he replies, "You do."

Technically, yes. We live within the city limits. But, my mind remembers when much of what is now city was county and the neighborhood where we live today was once part orchard and part chicken farm.

I still think it would be cool to live. . .uhm. . . in historical downtown Hollister. 

Rain, Rain, Come Our Way

January, 2011: Green hills and mountains (view from Fremont Peak)

The mountains and hillsides should be sporting some green by now. Let us hope that rain will be making its way soon. According to wunderground.com, our area has a slight chance of getting rain on Wednesday and maybe a better chance on Friday. But, that's it. I hope that changes. The sunny days have been nice. Some rainy days just would be nicer.

Is this Hollister, California?

It most certainly is.

The white building with the pinkish detail is Pat's Place at the corner of Sally and Fifth Streets.

Photo Opps in San Benito County

These horseshoes are embedded in the sidewalk across
from the Plaza Stables on Second Street in San Juan Bautista

Hollister. San Juan Bautista. All of San Benito County, for that matter.

I am talking photo opportunities—landscapes, fauna, flora, historical buildings, parades, events, people, and so forth and so on. I ought to know.  For the last 356 days (including today) I have been posting a daily photo. My personal goal is to do it for a year plus one day. So, almost there.

There are quite a few blogs and web sites where you'll find photos from around our sweet county. In fact, Take 25 reader Wanda G. sent me a link a couple of months ago that she thought would be of interest. It certainly is. (Wanda, I apologize for taking so long to post it.) Check it out: NoeHill Travels in California: Photographs of historic sites and points of interest in San Benito County.

Here are a few other links I've found that are interesting.
Travel: San Benito County by Nic Coury

Aerial Photograph Collection–San Benito County Index, University Library, UC Santa Cruz

Debi Shearwater's Journeys: San Benito County Birding

Hemming's Blog: Hollister, CA mid-1950s

Do you know of other cool sites? Please share the links in the comments section.

The Marentis House

The Marentis House in San Juan Bautista is designated a national historic building. A private residence, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The house was built in 1873 by the original owners, Pedro and Claudia Marentis. Their son, John Marentis, served as the city treasurer for 51 years. San Juan Bautista

Pat's Place

Lots of stuff here to check out. Don't be fooled when you first walk in. There is a lot more. Quite a lot more in the other room.

Pat's Place opened in 2009 for the specific purpose of raising money for the Community Food Bank of San Benito County. Check out this article from the Free Lance for the details.

Pat's Place is at the corner of Fifth and Sally Streets. For older locals, it's the building that was once the Model French Laundry.

Quien Sabe

Yesterday, the view was from Union Road. Today, the sweet view is looking up Quien Sabe Road from the North side.  Yep.

A View from Union Road

One of the sweetest views in San Benito County is from Union Road, just pass the intersection at Airline Highway (aka Highway 25). This is just a bit of that view.

How Do You Enter the Parking Garage?

The four floor parking garage, as viewed from San Benito Street.

Parking at the Briggs Building parking garage on Fourth and San Benito Streets is free. There are yellow banners on the San Benito Street side of the building that shout Free Parking. You can read them when you're standing in front of the building, but not when you're driving your car and trying to figure how to get into it.

So, I ask again: How do you enter the parking garage?

Fourth Street view.

From Fourth Street?

No.

From San Benito Street?

Nope.

From Monterey Street?

Uh-uh.

From Fifth Street?

Kinda.

Briggs Alley?

Bingo!

You enter the parking garage via Briggs Alley, which you access by driving through the small public parking lot between the Vault and the Granada Theater that is on Fifth Street.

Huh?

Yeah.

So, if anyone says to you during the Farmer's Market season (May through September) that you can conveniently park in the parking garage, know this: Be sure you get there before the farmers and vendors set up their booths and tables.

Update: I forgot to mention that Briggs Alley is one-way. I have been told that on Farmer's Market Day, people are allowed to drive the reverse way on Briggs Alley so that they can enter the parking garage. Seems to me the powers-that-be ought to make that change permanently. 

That gap between the garage and the other building
(Granada Theater) is Briggs Alley.

Costumes?

They—the costumes—can probably be bought at Lost Treasures on 5th Street. (Cross street is Sally Street.) But, one never knows. They may be available at  Maverick Welding Supply. It's difficult to say which building the sign post is on. That's how it looked last week.

Things to Watch for at the Airport

One of my favorite "caution" signs is over at the airport. It's an essential sign, no doubt about it. It also brings up silly thoughts as well. You can find the sign near the new dog park.

Skateboard Dancer

This photo was luckily clicked as the skateboarder, unaware, gracefully zoomed down the sidewalk.

A Traditional Barber Shop

The B&R Barber Shop is a very old-time establishment in Hollister. You'll find it on Fifth Street, between East and San Benito Streets.

A Good Reason to Close on Sunday

I like the store hours of Second Tyme Around, the vintage furniture store at the corner of Fifth and East Streets. The store opened last summer.

New Fire Station Going Up

Until construction of the downtown fire station at the corner of Sally and Fifth Streets is complete, the Hollister Fire Department is temporarily located in the vacant lot on Fourth Street, behind the west end Briggs Building Garage.

The old station was demolished earlier this year. Being built is a two-story facility with twice the space of the old station, which was a converted tractor garage. According to this local news article, the station should be completed within one year's time.

Evening Approaches

Above Sunnyslope Road

You never know what you may see while walking just before sunset.

Onward and Forward Through 2012

Whoo-hoo! 2012! Here we are heading north on Union Road, crossing the bridge.

Salud! to you, dear Take 25 Readers. May we each forge confidently forward through another year.

Happy New Year! ~ Su-sieee! Mac