It's the Wrong Way

Who or what went the wrong way? A bird? A flying squirrel?  A remote plane? A person's head?

Two Novels Featuring Hollister

The Octopus and There's Something in a Sunday are two novels that are connected to Hollister in some way.  Does anyone know of another fictional work that has part or all of its story based in our area?

The Octopus: A California Story by Frank Norris was the first title in his planned trilogy, The Epic of Wheat. Unfortunately, Norris died in 1902, a year after The Octopus was published. The story is about the conflict between California wheat growers and a railroad company. Norris based The Octopus on the events of a tragic dispute that took place between Hanford, California settlers and the Southern Pacific railroad in 1880.

Norris conducted research for his story in Hollister. One of the places in his fictional place was the Quien Sabe Rancho. For more about Norris, check out this 2006 article by Martin Cheek in the Gilroy Dispatch. 

There's Something in a Sunday, published in 1989, is part of the Sharon McCone series written by Marcia Muller, a thrilling storyteller. Sharon McCone is a private detective who works out of San Francisco. In this adventure, Sharon's case takes her to Hollister to investigate clues.

Unlike Norris' novel, Muller actually mentions Hollister and describes locations that many of you may recognize.

An Orchard Full of Yellow

One of the things I like about the winter rains is the beauty of the mustard that pops up all over the county. There's also nothing like the taste of wild mustard.

Maddux Jewelry

The Maddux Jewelry Store in downtown Hollister recently closed its doors forever. A long-time establishment in Hollister, it was started by Mel Maddux in 1947, who had bought the jewelry store, then known as John Sharp's Jewelers, from his father-in-law John Sharp. Mr. Maddux sold the store to his son, Rick, in the late 1980s.  The very best to you!

La Villa de Jerez

What's your choice for the best deal for a delicious steak meal in town? Okay, you can include Tres Pinos and San Juan Bautista in your deliberation.

My choice: La Villa de Jerez at the corner of Sally and East Streets!

That's where the husband and I were a few evenings ago. After a hike on Fremont Peak, we happily chowed down on a combo plate consisting of an 8-ounce New York steak, a chili relleno, a cheese enchilada, rice, beans, lettuce and tomato salad, and guacamole, with salsa and corn tortillas on the side. Yeah, a lot of food. Still, the husband ate it all without feeling outrageously stuffed. I got two additional lunches from my meal.

Everything on the plate was appealing to the eye and very delicious. The steak was tender and perfectly cooked medium rare. To top it all, the price of the combo plate was $14.95.  Hello!

For more reviews of the restaurant, head over to Yelp.

Looking Up: Pendergrass Hotel

The Pendergrass building stands on the corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets in downtown Hollister. The four story edifice was originally a hotel and office building, which was constructed in 1927 by J.R. Pendergrass, a former mayor of the town. 

A Reservoir Full of Fog

As the husband and I were driving by San Luis Reservoir last Sunday morning, tule fog was attempting to creep its way up and out of the artificial lake.  I wonder if the fog managed to break up and lift completely.

Welcome to Hollister

Have you seen the new welcome sign at the corner of Highway 25 (Bolsa Road) and San Felipe yet?

There are two sides to the sign. Drivers see this as

they drive south on  San Felipe Street.

Six other states have a place called Hollister. Which states can you name without looking them up?

Okay, now you can read the list at Wikipedia.

Haybaler Alumni Social

To read the flyer,
please click here.

Hey Balers, One and All! 

That is: To all you Haybaler alumni who are 21 years and older!

On Friday, February 11, 2011, the Haybaler Alumni Social will take place at the Vault Restaurant, from 6 p.m. to midnight, in Hollister. A reunion event for all former Haybalers, it is advertised as "a fun filled night of dining, drinking, dancing, and lots of memories!"

The social event is being sponsored by the Baler class of 2012 as a fundraiser for its class prom. But, remember, Haybalers, to be admitted to this event, you must be 21 years or older.

So how much are the tickets?
If you buy your ticket beforehand, the price will be that of your graduation year. For instance, all you 1948 Balers would pay $19.48, 1971 Balers, $19.71, 1989 Balers, $19.89, and so on and forth. You can also buy tickets at the door, but they will cost you $30.  To get your tickets now, rather than later, you can:

• purchase them at Drapoel and Teezers at 731 San Benito Street.
• buy them at the Student Payment Center in the main building at San Benito High School (1220 Monterey Street). 
• call the Student Payment Center, (831) 637-5831, and pay with a credit card. The tickets will be put on hold at the door.

Go Balers!

A Shaking Fremont Peak

Fremont Peak from Hollister (near the Hollister Airport)

Show of hands. Who was rocking and rolling with the earthquakes early this morning?

I thought it was pretty good ride. It made the books bounce on the shelves and a couple of things fall off it. How did it go with you?

There were at least six movements, the biggest (the first one) measured 4.5. According to the coordinates given by the U.S. Geological Study (USGS), the epicenter of the 4.5 quake was about half-mile north from the tippy-top of Fremont Peak in San Juan Bautista.  You can check it out yourself at Google Earth. The coordinates are: 36.770°N, 121.499°W

For more about the earthquake, visit this page produced by the USGS.

Birds on Fifth Street

Birds (pigeons, maybe) were hanging out on top of the old Pendergrass Hotel this afternoon. Flutter, flutter, flutter.

I watched them circle above the intersection of Fifth and San Benito Streets, then come back down to roost. So much for that plastic owl to scare them away. Boo!

Toot! Toot!

Waiting at Hilcrest and McCray.

I love that trains still stop traffic in Hollister. Almost every day. I have no idea what the freight trains are shipping in and out of town. Anybody?

January 2011 Happenings in and around Hollister

A glorious 2011, dear Take 25 Readers! I wish each and every one of you the best of bests as we move forward and upward. As Buzz Light Year said, "To infinity and beyond!"

Okay, then. As for own little corner on earth? Check out these January doings!

WEEKLY EVENTS

Monday mornings: Toddler Story Time for ages 0 to 3, San Benito County Free Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday evenings: Sleepy-Time Story Time for ages 3 to 5, San Benito County Free Library, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday mornings: Newborn Story Time for ages 0 to 3, San Benito County Free Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Friday evenings: Bingo, Sacred Heart Church, Hollister. It starts 6:30 p.m. at the O'Reilly Hall (670 College Street).  You must be 18 years old to play.

Saturday mornings: 

• Bike Ride with Off the Chain Bikes, 8 to 11 a.m.
• Book Sale, Friends of the Library,  San Benito County Free Library. From  9 a.m. to 12 p.m., behind the Wapple House Museum, 5th and West Streets. $3 per bag.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons: Wapple House Museum, Fifth and West Streets, open from 1 to 3 p.m. Free admission.

Sundays: Flea Market, Betabel Station and Outdoor Market, 9644 Betabel Road, San Juan Bautista. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, check out the market's Facebook page.

ONGOING EVENTS
January 8: San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk, San Juan Bautista, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

January 10: Research Room Open, Wapple House Museum. Fifth and West Streets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

January 14:  Pedro Card Party, San Juan Bautista. Sponsored by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, it will be held at 203 Fourth Street from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome.

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS
January 4 to 29: Gero Heine Exhibit, Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito Street, Hollister. Artist reception will be held on January 22, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

January 29: 28th Annual Mission 10 Race, San Juan Bautista. The event includes the 10 mile and 5K races as well as the Elliott Swank Memorial 1-mile Kids Fun Run.