San Benito County Fair: Sept. 28, 29, and 30, 2012

"Saddle your pony, here we go. . ." Oh wait, that's the ditty to sing to go down to the Mickey Mouse Talent Rodeo. Hmmm. How about, "Get in your car, here we go, down to the County Fair."

Yep, it's that time of year again to head over to Bolado Park and enjoy the day (or days) checking out the county's agricultural bounty, the livestock that the 4-H and FFA kids have raised year round, our neighbors' and friends' food, crafts, quilts, and gardening entries. And, then  there are the carnival rides, the fair food, the vendors' booths (Will "See the Strange Thing" be there again?), the live music, the truck pulls. . . .And, of course, the bumping into and gabbing with friends we haven't seen in years or just saw the other day.

All fun at the San Benito County Fair. Just like the poster says.

Here are some photos from last year's County Fair.

From Dough to Dough and Back to Dough

The Pendergrass Restaurant is now open for business!

The new restaurant sits at the bottom of the old Pendergrass Building on the corner of Fifth & San Benito Streets. Being "old", I still remember when that space was the California-something Bank where I had my first not-a-Bank-of-America savings account. I have no idea whether that was the first bank there. And, I can't recall when the last bank left that spot. The Pendergrass was built in 1927 as both a hotel and office building. If I'm remembering correctly, the building also had a restaurant. Ah, see, the benefits of being "old".

Buena fortuna, Pendergrass Restaurant!

The 19th Hole

Martini coins? Jalapeno coins? Popper rounds? 

I just can't remember the name of the delicious deep-fried coin-shaped jalapenos that the 19th Hole Booze & Food serves in a martini glass, topped with an olive. I could just eat that with a green salad and a glass of beer. Yummm. 

The 19th Hole in Tres Pinos has been around since 1883. It's yet another fun place to stop for lunch (Thursday through Sunday) in the small village after a cruise through the back roads of San Benito County, a drop from a plane, a hike at the Pinnacles, a movie in Hollister, or whatever else you've been doing. Dinner, too, I bet. 

For photos, menus, and other stuff about the local watering hole, check out these links: 

• The 19th Hole Booze & Food
• Yelp reviews 
• Melissa Good Taste: 19th Hole

Art All Around

These PG&E thingies are on the sidewalk in front of Heavenly Bakery on the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets.

Toot! Toot!

Slowly, but surely, the train rumbles towards Second Street on it way out of town.

Break Time

From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, my dad irrigated many of the farm fields in San Benito County, including some off Bolsa Road, aka Highway 25. He and the fields were my babysitter when I was a small kid.  Sometimes at the end of the day he would let my tiny chubby hands turn off that cartoon-looking pump that somehow fed water to all those irrigation pipes.

To this day I love the lay of the fields as they sprawl towards the hills. The quietness that I remember of the fields still translates whenever I look at them. And, yes, there are days when I drive the Bolsa that I can see me, the little girl playing alongside the irrigation ditches as her father does his work.

Okay, enough of the sentimentality. This here blogger is taking a rest from posting on Take 25 for a a week, maybe two.  Enjoy the summer days and nights.

Until later, dear readers,
Su-sieee! Mac

Who You Gonna Call?

Within Hollister?  That would be the Hollister Police Department.  Outside of city limits? That jurisdiction belongs to the San Benito County Sheriff's Office.

Hollister Neighborhood Watch Meeting
There will be a Hollister Neighborhood Watch Meeting with Police Chief David Westrick on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. It will be at held at the Hollister Police Department at 395 Apollo Court, which is in the Hollister Business Park, across from the Hollister Airport. The meeting is open to all.

Local Law Enforcement Web sites

Hollister Police Department
San Benito County Sheriff's Office
Nixle Wire: Local Police Alerts
Hollister Police Department Facebook page
Hollister Neigbhorhood Watch Group: Police Chief Westrick actually answers questions posted by group members. Holding the upcoming Neighborhood Watch Meeting was a result of the Chief posting back and forth with folks at the page.

204 Fourth Street

Here's a little bit more of Hollister for you.

2012 Memorial Day

Who says old gals can't learn new things. Here are some facts I just learned about Memorial Day:

• Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. First celebrated on May 30, 1868, the day was established to honor all Union and Confederate solders who died in Civil War. The day was chosen because it did not signify a day of any battle.
• Over time, Memorial Day became the day to commemorate the deaths of all U.S. military personnel who served in any U.S. skirmish, battle, war, and other military conflict.
• Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971.

Got you curious? Check out these links for more info:
Memorial Day (History Channel)
Memorial Day (Wikipedia)
Memorial Day History

As a kid, I remember the local American Legion and Vets organizations holding an annual Memorial Day commemoration at the cemetery on Hillcrest Road. I have no idea if it's still happening. If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

Weekend Events

Two big events are happening this weekend. There is the annual Hollister Air Show (May 26 and May 27) at the Hollister Airport. Lots of daring do's in the sky will be taking place.

And, there is the Portuguese Festival.  The crowning of the queen and her court will take place on Saturday evening (May 26). The following morning, the annual parade will start off Sunday's full day and evening of festivities.

To learn about other events going on this weekend (and later), check out San Benito Today's calendar.

The Annular Solar Eclipse

May 20, 2012: The Annular Solar Eclipse in Hollister, California

How many of you noticed the sky suddenly looking dark for a short while late Sunday afternoon?

Did anyone notice that the birds stopped chirping for a little bit?

And, how many of you went outside and watched the annular solar eclipse? Not directly, of course.

The Husband pricked a hole in a piece of notepaper and held it up to another piece of paper. I thought it was quite impressive, both the pin-hole viewer and the eclipse. So, I can just imagine how supercalifragilisticly magnificent it would have been to see the ring of fire. But then that would be the last thing I would see.

As the Husband gazed at the image of the eclipse on the paper, I poked my camera towards the sky. (No, I didn't look at the sun.) I was shooting in color but the image came out in black-and-white. I guess that's how dark it really was at that moment. By the way, if you want to know the scientific particulars about the annular solar eclipse last Sunday, check out this link at the National Geographic.

May 20, 2012: The Annular Solar Eclipse in Hollister, California

Be Part of the Cash Mob!

 A Cash Mob is happening this Saturday, May 19, at one lucky random business in downtown Hollister.

Cash Mob? you ask.

It's a new strategy that's going on nationwide to support local businesses. A "mob" of people choose one store and each person spends at least $20 there.  The store has no idea its going to be mobbed with customers. 

Hollister Downtown Association (HDA) is hosting Saturday's event. Interested? Show up at the parking lot on the corner of Sixth and East streets at 11 a.m.  with your 20 bucks. From there, you and the rest of the mob will head to the selected business. HDA isn't saying until then. For more details, check out this link.

Cute—and Yummy—Eggs

I was not even thinking taste when I saw these small eggs. They were just so cute! I was thinking about a way to remove the insides so I could have the shells intact for. . . Sigh! Crafting will have to wait for another day.

Eggs from the Hain Ranch Organics are always top quality, as far as I'm concerned. (So are its chickens, by the way.) But, that afternoon at the first Hollister Farmers Market, I didn't need any yummy eggs. So, I took a photo of the cute eggs and bought myself a pound of the local family farm's delicious organic walnuts.

Hain Ranch Organics is one of the several local farmers who sell their wares every Wednesday afternoon (3 to 7 p.m.) at the Hollister Farmers Market. Have you had a chance to check the market out yet?  Click here to see the market's photo album of its 2012 opening day.

A Touch of Green Expo

Smiling cactus behind Jardines de San Juan

Are you interested in checking out the latest green products?

Then head on over to the streets of San Juan Bautista for the Touch of Green Expo this weekend. According to the flyer, it will be: "A two day family event — with activities, vendors, children's playground, food, entertainment, displays, information, a 'Touch of Green' and more."

The Touch of Green Expo will take place on Saturday May 12 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday May 13 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). It will be free.

Boxing fans: Robert The Ghost Guerrero will be there to sign autographs.

Music lovers: There will be a Touch of Green concert on both days at Abbe Park. The cost of that is not free. Check out this page for more details.

For more details about the weekend, head over to the Touch of Green Expo Web site or Facebook page.

2012 Arts Out Loud

Hey Balers!

Hey former Balers!

Hey Baler supporters and lovers!

Check out the current Baler artists at the Arts Out Loud celebration!

This 5th annual event is sponsored by the SBHS Department of Visual and Performing Arts. It showcases artwork, music, and live performances by more than 500 budding artists, musicians, and performers.

Arts Out Loud will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. this Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13. It will be held at the SBHS Cafeteria.  For more details, check out this link. To see a campus map, click here.

Another Perspective of Hollister

Looking south from the corner of Industrial and Gibbs Drives. See the wall. That runs along Highway 25 between Hillcrest and Sunnyslope.

The 2012 San Benito County Spring Shop Hop

They are HUGE!

What am I talking about?

The generous gift baskets that will be given to 15 lucky customers who check out the second annual San Benito Spring Shop Hop this Saturday, May 5. The baskets include local products (such as wines and chocolates) and gift certificates to local restaurants, shops, and services) that were donated by over 60 businesses and nonprofits in San Benito County.  The cost of the entry fee is free. Yep, you read that right. Free! You enter the raffle at participating businesses on Saturday.

Not that we need an incentive to check out and support the local businesses. Right, folks? Still, I appreciate the chance of sampling local products and services for free.

So, here you go. The list of local restaurants, shops, and organizations that will be opening their doors  at this year's Spring Shop Hop. By, the way, some of the businesses will also have their own raffle baskets for customers.

Kathina, owner of San Benito Bene

Aromas
Kathyrn Aguras Real Estate
Dragonfly Gallery
Marshall's Market

Hollister
2nd Tyme Around
A.J. Sushi
Bel Amour Pet Spa & Boutique
Best of Times Cafe
Cheung Sheng Chinese Restaurant
Country Groomers
Delux Hair Salon
DeRose Winery
Drapoel/Teezerz
Hazel's Thrift Shop
Heavenly Bakery
Irma's Fashion
Knife and Fork Cafe
Mars Hill Coffee
M & M Garden Mart
McKinnon Lumber
Muenzer's Sporting Goods
Off the Chain Bikes
Pallacio Day Spa
Penny Wise Drug Store
Postal Graphics
San Benito Bene
Serendipity Gifts
She's Women's Apparel
Vitality Skin Care and Massage
YMCA of San Benito County

Livin' the Green Dream

San Juan Bautista
Attic Angels
Galeria Tonantzin
GeoZeum
Livin' the Green Dream
Margot's Ice Cream Parlor
Nichola Cruise
Nooks N Crannies
Posh Hair
San Juan Bakery
The Glass Connection
Vintage Corner
Vision of Christmas

Tres Pinos
The 19th Hole

To get a list of all the local businesses that are participating, check out the San Benito Spring Shop Hop  page at Facebook. You can also find more info about the Spring Hop there.

This A Way, Folks!

That's the Swank Farms sign on San Felipe Road. It's pointing the way to its produce stand, which, unfortunately, is still closed.

However, I like to think that right now the sign is pointing to downtown Hollister. Yep, 'cause tomorrow, May 2, starts the Hollister Farmers Market, and you'll certainly find the Swank Farms there with their yummy produce.

The Hollister Farmers Market runs every Wednesday, from 3 to 7 p.m. all the way up to September 26.  Same place: Fifth Street, between San Benito and Monterey streets.

Hurrah for farmers markets!

Natural Wonders

"It's open," said the Husband.

Fortunately, a parking space was available right in front of Natural Wonders, the new health food store and deli in San Juan Bautista.  Ever since we saw its sign go up months ago, we were looking forward to its opening. And just like that, the business was up and running.

The lovely owner, Alma Paulk, happened to be in the store and told us they'd been open for a couple of weeks. She's gradually adding inventory to the beautiful tall and narrow shelves. What she already has stocked is awesome. Manuka honey and organic emu oil, for instance, are what I bought. Both items I would have had to go online or drive to the outer world to purchase. The convenience of Natural Wonders will be nice. Not to say Alma's knowledge about the products.

Along with natural and organic ointments, lotions, supplements, and such, Natural Wonders sells teas, flours,  spices, chips, and other packaged food items. It also offers coffee, juices, freshly baked goods, soup, and sandwiches. The store was grilling organic chicken on their deck for enchiladas. Speaking of the deck. It looks like a great place to hang out. The breeze through the redwood tree branches was very refreshing.

Natural Wonders is located at 215 Third Street, between the Mission Clocks and Watches and the Daisy Saloon. 

A note to the FTC: I was not paid or received anything for free to write about this neat new business. Nope, not at all. Unless, you want to count the information Alma gave me about Manuka honey and emu oil.

Fences

Old fence. New fence.

That's the view from the parking lot of Pacific Harvest Seafoods in San Juan Bautista.

How Green is Our Valley

Did anyone else think it took quite a long while for the hills and mountains surrounding Hollister to turn really, really green? I'm glad it finally did. As they say, better late, than never.

Perspective

This is another view from the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. If you can repeat that several times as you climb up the trail, without breathing too awful hard, you're in pretty good shape, I say.

I also say that every day is Earth Day.

Vertigo

Alfred Hitchcock filmed some scenes of his film Vertigo in San Juan Bautista. The movie came out in 1958 and starred James Stewart and Kim Novak. What I liked most about the movie was seeing how places looked in San Francisco and Monterey back then. Check out this link for a clip of Vertigo.

If you happen to go through the museum  of Mission San Juan Bautista, you'll find that display of Hitchcock in the room shown below.  By the way, if you want a place to rest your feet as you sip a cup of tea or coffee in San Juan Bautista, check out Vertigo Coffee.

The Cat's Meow

Nothing like hanging out on a sunny Spring day. Purrrrrrr.

Splish! Splash!

At this particular moment (last Friday afternoon), it was more like the end of Hail, hail, the hail is done! Once the moment was snapped, it was then a mad hop over the raging gutter and a grinning dash to The Heavenly Bakery for some yummy carrot cake cupcakes, which went directly to my hips, thank you very much.

For you non-locals, the photo shows Mars Hill Coffeehouse where you can see patrons participating in a wonderful rainy-day sport—sipping coffee and conversing with friends.

Coming Up: A Spring Weekend of Fun

Lots of things going on this weekend in and around Hollister, if you're looking to distract yourself from doing taxes or to celebrate having done them.  Or, just to take part in the local fun. Here are some of the happenings:

Friday Evening, April 13
Charming Chairs Silent Auction at the Blak Sage Gallery. This is a fundraiser for the Hollister Downtown Association. At the same time, the gallery will host an artist reception for artists who will be participating in the Open Studios later this month. 

Narnia—The Magic Begins at the Granada Theatre. This spring musical production is presented by the San Benito Stage Company and features many young actors. The play opens Friday night, with performances also on Saturday and Sunday and the following two weekends. 

Saturday, April 14
Earthquake Walk and Talk. This walk starts at 9 a.m. at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce (650 San Benito Street).  Geologists will lead folks on a tour of the Calaveras fault that runs through downtown Hollister. 

Spring Arts and Crafts Festival. This annual event will take place on both Saturday and Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.  

2012 Crab Crack. The annual dinner-dance fundraiser by the Hollister Exchange Club will be at Bolado Park.


Sunday, April 15
San Benito County 4-H Pancake Breakfast. This annual fundraiser will take place on Sunday morning at the Hollister Elks Lodge at the Hollister Airport.

Hollister Derby Girls vs. SINtral Valley Derby Girls.  The junior team will be going at it on Sunday afternoon at Bolado Park.

Family Pizza Day

Julie Engelhardt at a 2010 Story Time
at Mars Hill Coffeehouse.

Photo courtesy of Mars Hill Coffeehouse

Stories and pizza. Pizza and stories. Now, that's a winning combination for a fun time, don't you think?

You may want to check out Family Day at Neighborhood Pizza  then. For the next three Sundays, the local pizza restaurant will hold a  family fun time from 1 to 3 p.m, featuring local story teller Julie Engelhardt. Many of you know may know her as Mrs. Santa during the Christmas season.

Each Family Day will have a specific theme, and also include games and crafts:
• April 15: Pizza Party!
• April 22: Prince and Princess Pizza Party!
• April 29: Pirate Pizza Party!  (A face painter will also be there.)

All children are invited to come dressed in costume.

Neighborhood Pizza is located at 580 Tres Pinos Road in the Goodwill shopping center. The restaurant is next to the Dollar Tree.

Coming Up: The 95th Anniversary!

On Thursday, April 12, 2012, the San Benito County Free Library will be celebrating its 95th year of providing services to the City of Hollister, as well as to the whole county.  Whoo-hooo! 

Quite a lot of fun will be going on between 12 and 8 p.m. at 470 5th Street. There will be local history displays and children's activities in addition to:

12 to 4: Customer Appreciation and Technology Demonstration
5:30 to 6: Family Story Time (with readings by Sheriff Darren Thompson and Firefighter Josh Buzzetta)
6:30 to 7:30: Musical Entertainment
7 to 7:30: Unveiling of the new library logo (with Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz)

By the way, check out the Library Use Value Calculator. It gives you an idea of the value of the free services you personally receive from our local library. It was certainly an eye opener for me!

Be sure to check out the cool display about the library's history in the lobby.

Pacific Harvest Seafoods

As you drive east on Highway 156, you may see this sign as you come to the traffic light outside of San Juan Bautista. On Fridays and Saturdays, that is.

You may also see the sign (or one similar) as you're turning left from San Juan Bautista onto Highway 156. If you're like the Husband and me, you see the sign too late and head home wondering what the sign is all about.

Well, it took several weeks before the Husband and I remembered to be in the correct lane to cross Highway 156. We followed additional signs and just past the fork to the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic National Trail, we found Pacific Harvest Seafoods.

Yep. You read correctly. A seafood distributor in San Juan Bautista! Pacific Harvest Seafoods processes and delivers fresh and frozen fish and shellfish  to restaurants and markets throughout San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. They sell both wild-caught and farmed fish.

Every Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the fish place sells directly to the public. Cash only. The other week, we bought fresh snapper. And, I mean fresh! Yummmmm.

Note to FTC: Nope, I was not given any money or free fish to write about this company. I'm just happy there's a source for fresh, wild-caught seafood in my neck of the woods. I'm sure others would be happy to know, too.

Hello Art!

You never know when you'll meet or see Art as you take a walk on San Benito Street in downtown Hollister.

Here. . .

Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art

 And Here. . .

Hollister Muffler

A View from Sunset Drive

I usually think of Sunset Drive in Hollister as the street where Hazel Hawkins Hospital and various medical offices are located. So, I'm always surprised at the sights when I'm walking or pedaling my bicycle on the eastern end of Sunset Drive. For example:

The view of St. Benedict Church from Sunset Drive.

How Far is the Ocean?

See the white sailboat.

See the mountain peak above it. That's Fremont Peak in San Benito County. The peak stands 3,169 feet high, according to the Fremont Peak State Park Web site.

For all you Hollister, California clothing fans, the real (inland) Hollister, California is the county seat of San Benito County, which is several miles east of Fremont Peak.

 I've taken this photo from West Cliff Drive, next to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum in Santa Cruz. Between where I stood and Fremont Peak is about 32 miles. That is, as the crow flies.

Orchards in Bloom

I was craving for a taste of wild mustard last Saturday. So, on our way home from the Pinnacle Farmstand, the Husband humored me and pulled over at an apple orchard. I happily traipsed through the orchard to gather a few handfuls of young mustard leaves.

The mustard leaves were first parboiled, then sauteed in olive oil, lots of garlic, and a couple of splashes of soy sauce. The result: The mustard was disappointingly quite mild. Oh, well.

I'm still craving a taste of wild mustard.

What I Am All About

Dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers,

I'm a bit early for my Sunday's post, but what's time when something needs to be said pronto.

Some of you have been with me since I began this blog, way back in 2008. I truly appreciate each and every one of you for your return visits.

Some of you have just discovered me today, whether it be today, the date of this post, or some time in the future. Hmm, sounds strange, but I think you understand what I mean. To you, I say: Welcome! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you go check out other pages after reading this lengthy, wordy post.

Here goes: It was brought to my attention that a person has been upset because I had posted my photo of a public display she had created for a public institution a couple of years ago. Because she had not contacted me directly about her concern, I have no idea what her exact issues are. Please know, everyone, that I am approachable. I don't bite. I was told though that she did not understand how I can sell copies of my photo of her public display. And there, dear readers, popped my dumbfounded "Huh?"

So, because of this, it's important that I let you all know:

1. I write this blog for fun. Take 25 to Hollister is my own creation, my baby. The blog is not connected to any organization. I do this blog alone.
2. Sometimes I get suggestions for topics, which I appreciate. Every so often, a person will ask me if I could do a post about a future event his or her organization has planned, and usually I will.
3. I don't get paid for writing Take 25 to Hollister. In other words, I receive neither money nor gifts from restaurants, shops, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or individuals about events, products, or services that I write about. Should I receive some form of compensation, I would post that information because FCC requires that I do.
4. Once, I received $5 in my virtual tip jar. Thank you, ocean girl!
5. Unless otherwise stated, the photos on Take 25 to Hollister are mine. I took them. Yep. So, that means I own the copyrights to all my photographs, just as each of you own the copyrights to your photos. Unless I've misinterpreted copyright law, a photograph that one takes of a building, a display, or, even of a picture is the intellectual property of the photographer who took the photograph.
6. I don't sell my photos—the ones that I post on Take 25 to Hollister. One day, I would like to sell my photos. But that day is not here. Besides, if I did sell my photos, I would advertise it quite openly on my blog.
   
   If someone has bought a photo that comes from Take 25 to Hollister, please email me immediately: susieeemac at gmail dot com. Someone is pretending to be me! I hope I don't hear from anyone, because I don't want to have to deal with such a problem. So, maybe don't tell me. But, let the person from whom you bought the photo know that a) you know that she isn't the real Su-sieee! Mac and b) she owes me money now!
7. As many of you know, it is quite easy for unscrupulous people to "steal" photographs and words from Web sites and pretend those photos and words are theirs. So, I've made it a habit to put a watermark on each photo that I post on Take 25 to Hollister. The watermark may be my copyright, www.take25tohollister.com, or both. I place the watermark in a spot where it would most likely ruin the image if a thief tried to erase it.

There you have it, dear readers.  This is what I'm all about, as I write about and photograph my hometown and surrounding area.  I hope that the person who is upset has read this and is no longer upset. Whatever she thought I had done to wrong her—whatever it may be—was inadvertently done. And, to ensure that everything is put to rest for her, I have removed both my photos of the public display from the Web.

Thank you, dear readers, for your support over the years.

Sincerely,
Su-sieee! Mac


Post Script

I am writing this about 15 hours after having published this post. I learned a big something about myself today. My short-term memory is shot! Is this what comes from growing older?

It turns out that somewhere near the beginning of this blog's time I created a copyright alert that pops up whenever someone right clicks on one of my photos. The alert reminds you not to "steal" my photo. There was also a message about sending me an e-mail if you would like to purchase the photo. When I started producing Take 25 to Hollister,  I thought I would sell my photos. I forgot about that. I also forgot about the copyright alert. I deprogrammed (or whatever the correct term is) the right-click feature on my mouse because I find it a nuisance. In short, out of my sight, out of my mind.

So, today, after much protesting that I don't know about any copyright alert message, the husband calmly showed it to me. It took awhile to find the gadget that produces the message, and in so doing, I finally recalled that it was me who put up that notice about selling photos. Way back when. Hmmm, that could be why someone asked to purchase a photo last year. I had declined because I wasn't set up to sell photos. Hahahahah. Is this what growing older is all about? Oh, I already asked that, didn't I?

As for the copyright alert, it's still there. I just revised the message.

Roaming Peacocks

Casa de Fruta is a fun place to walk around. Both in its various shops and on the grounds. Old farm machinery and equipment are on display, as are roaming ducks and peacocks.