Night Falling in Hollister

Anyone know what the story is about the five palm trees by the railroad tracks? Please share.

San Juan Grade Road

"Where does this road go?" asked the husband, as we kept straight rather than turn left towards the Anza Trail in San Juan Bautista.

"We've driven this before. It comes out on Highway 101 by the eucalyptus grove," I answered.

"I don't remember driving this," he said.

"We have," I said.

I was wrong, and so was the husband. We had driven it before. Just last year, in fact. It was the back road to Salinas. We didn't recognize it, I suppose, because of how green the hills were. It was so worth the drive forth and back on it that late afternoon.

Do Business Locally: Bel Amour Pet Spa and Boutique

I saw this cute pooch sitting patiently for its human mates who (I assumed) were in church. It was a church parking lot after all. Could you resist taking a photo if you were walking by?

By the way, do you want to spoil your pet even more? Check out the Bel Amour Pet Spa and Boutique on 730 B San Benito Street (between South and Seventh Streets). It opened a month ago.

The Opening

This empty storefront used to be a bar that I've only known as the Smokehouse.  I never thought about asking what it was really called. The other day, the husband and I were walking by the building and noticed an opening in the window. So, of course I had to peek.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter O. To check out other O posts, please click here.

Looking Up: What Is it?

And, do you know where you are?

Want a clue? It's in the photo. He-he.

Okay, here's your answer. For where you are, that is.

Shop Locally: The Locker Room

The Locker Room is located at 441 San Benito Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets. I just had to take a photo of its divine mannequin.

Way of the Cross

One of the Stations of the Cross plaques at  St. Benedict's Church on Fairview Road in Hollister.

May your day be joyful in every way today.

Fourth Street Mural

This mural is so obviously there that I tend to forget about it. I don't know why. It's a beautiful mural, rather magical and mystical.

How about you? How many times have you waited at the traffic light or driven by this mural and not noticed it? Did you know that it wraps around the building into the small parking lot behind it?

Shop Locally: Dassel's Petroleum, Inc.

Dassel's is at the corner of San Felipe and Wright Roads, about a mile north of downtown Hollister. You can't miss it. Huge white tanks full of gas on one side of the road, and multiple blue tanks of propane on the other side.

Dassel's has been in business since 1939.  Today, it offers propane, gasoline, and diesel fuel to residents, businesses, and agricultural growers.

The Back Alleys of Hollister: Wentz Alley

This is the backside of the building that was once upon a time the Lido Hotel. Hollister used to have quite a lot of hotels downtown. Today, there are only a handful.

N as in New Place to Eat Locally

Two days. In a row, too.

That's how many times I've gone to the newly-opened Heavenly Bakery on the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets. How long has this new bakery been open? Uhm, last Thursday was its first day, I believe.

They have very nourishing foods for the soul. The apricot danish. Yum. The pecan tart. Droool. The Franchesi bread. Just heavenly!

It's so nice to see Heavenly Bakery and other new businesses opening in downtown Hollister. Now, we gotta do our part and help them keep their doors open.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter N. To check out other N posts, please click here.

The Hawkins Estate

This Victorian home, located on South Street, behind R.O. Hardin School, was built in 1899. It's called the Hawkins Estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original owner may have been T.S. Hawkins, one of the founders of Hollister, or one of his sons.

A Sweet Smell of Joy

"It smells of happiness," said the woman standing in front of me in the PG&E office on East Street. She was referring to the sweet aroma of the floral vines hanging just outside the office.  Just a couple months of ago, there was no sign of the flowers (jasmine? honeysuckle?).  And, now, for awhile, there is no sign of any Sideshow Bob.

Looking Back

This is one of the many retired vehicles and farm machinery on display at Casa de Fruta.

Another View from Cienega Road

This is the view as you travel north on Cienega Road towards Highway 25.  See the trees at the foot of the mountain? That's Paicines Ranch. They sell great tasting grass-fed beef.

For a view at the other end of Cienega Road, click here.

Partake Locally

How many of you dear readers remember when this storefront at the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets was a gift shop?

Okay, how many of you recall when it was Schipper's, a rather cool clothing store? When did we become so old.

Today, this corner is home to the Mars Hill Coffeehouse. Along with offering customers a place to rest and chat with friends and family, while sipping coffee and eating snacks, it provides a venue for various activities and entertainment.

One of the coffeehouse's regular events is Story Time for children and their parents which features professional storyteller Julie Engelhardt.  This coming Monday, April 18, Julie will present "Hop into Spring, featuring stories about spring and easter. The free event starts at 11 a.m.

Walking the Fault

Looking down Sixth Street towards
Sacred Heart School. The Calaveras Fault
crosses the street, I do believe.

Want to learn more about the Calaveras Fault up close? This Saturday morning, April 16, geologists from Pacific Geotechnical Engineering will lead a walk tracing the fault through downtown Hollister. The one-hour walk starts at 9 a.m. at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce office at 650 San Benito Street. The walk is free. For more information, call the Chamber at (831) 637-5315.

The Wild Mustard Calls to Thee

"I ate a flower and two tiny leaves," said the husband. "They were hot!"

That's what happens when your ride your bicycle down a country road on a beautiful day. You just gotta stop, get off, and taste the wild mustard.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter M. To check out other M posts, please click here.

Coming Up: A Crab Feast!

I couldn't resist cropping. Could you? Would you?

The Hollister Exchange Club is hosting its annual crab feed and dance this coming Saturday evening, April 16, at Bolado Park. The fundraiser also includes a raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $40 per person. The proceeds help fund youth activities in San Benito County. For more information, call (831)637-8941 or (831)637-7449.

The Back Alleys of Hollister: Brown Alley

This is the Knife and Fork's patio on Brown Alley. It faces a gorgeous mural that honors the agricultural industry. Imagine dining here on a sunny day or a warm summer evening.

The Flowing San Benito River

These days it is rare to see standing water in the San Benito River. But, joyous joy, the river is flowing right now. It's rather cool!

Shop Locally: Bill's Bullpen Baseball Cards and Comics

"Superman looks like Elvis," said the husband.  Kinda. What do you think?

We wandered into Bill's Bullpen Baseball Cards and Comics on a whim. We were glad we did. It was fun talking with the proprietor about the comics of yore and the 1980s Giants.  As we were leaving, he said to the husband, "I know where I've seen you."

It turned out that he was at the Emergency Room at the same time that we were. I wonder if the hospital's "ears" were buzzing as we commiserated about our experiences that night. We could've all used a Superman then.

Follow the Red Brick Path

The other day we followed most of the red brick path in downtown Hollister. From north to south, it went from Third Street to Hawkins Street. We had a lot of fun peeking into storefront windows along the way. The brick work was installed several years ago as part of the overall plan to bring more people--locals and tourists--into downtown, specifically, and the area, in general.

Presently, the Hollister Downtown Association (HDA) is working on a marketing and branding plan. This Monday, April 11, the HDA will be holding public meetings in Room 218 at the Veterans Memorial Building for members of the community to give their input about how to best market Hollister to the world. For a list of meeting times, check out this article from The Pinnacle.

Weekend Fun for the Save the Music Drive

Last December, the  Hollister School District board voted to eliminate the elementary school music program after this school year because of lack of funds.  To address this problem, the Rancho-Maze Middle School Band Boosters and the San Benito High School Band Boosters established the Mr. Ostenson's Save the Music Drive. Its goal is to raise $156,000 to fund the elementary school music program for two years.

This Saturday, you can contribute to the fundraiser by stopping at their table or booth at the following events:

• Cerra Vista Elementary School Rummage Sale  (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• R.O. Hardin School Carnival (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Zumba! at the Marguerite Maze Middle School Gym (2 to 4 p.m.)

Hey, Look Up!

Is that a decorative lintel I spy?

Yep. You can find it on the 1931 building on Fifth and San Benito Streets that is now home to the Vault. It was originally built for the Bank of America.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter L. To check out other L posts, please click here.

Another Glimpse of Tres Pinos

This was my view from Flapjack's Country Cafe as I was sipping my big mug of coffee and eating my Hawaiian omelet and flapjacks. Soooo happy was I.

Tweet. What Shall I Have?

That's what I imagine this cutie bird is saying at Ella's Italian Restaurant.

The Back Alleys of Hollister: Fremont Way

Show of hands: How many of you know where Fremont Way is? That's where you'll find these palm trees.

Looking Down From Cienega Road

One of my favorite back roads to take in San Benito County is Cienega Road. It doesn't matter what time of year. The road is now part of the Wine Trail. So, be careful out there.

Whiskey Creek Mural

This is part of the mural that's on the side of Whiskey Creek Saloon at the corner of Fifth and East Streets. On April 17, the annual Bike Blessing event will take place at the bar. Donations will benefit the San Benito High School Scholarship Fund.