At the Corner of 7th and San Benito Streets

Doesn't it look like these two signs could be perched on someone's shoulder? One is the angel, while the other is the devil.

Everything Garlic

More than six hours later, I still have a distinct taste of garlic in my mouth. Garlic fries. Garlic ice cream. Shrimp, mushrooms, noodles, BBQ, and sausages laced with oodles of garlic.

Yesterday, the husband and I drove over to Gilroy (not in San Benito County) and sampled some of the garlicky foods for sale at its infamous Garlic Festival.  Consuming all that garlic was for a good cause. Really.

This was the first time I attended the event, which started in 1979. I didn't know until just now that the festival is a major annual fundraiser for Gilroy's many nonprofit organizations. Last year, the festival raised $270,000, according to its Web site. Wow! Okay, maybe I'll excuse it for having to pay $3 for a bottle of water.

The festival continues today and Sunday.

I thought the garlic fries were the best tasting thing I ate.
The potatoes were totally loaded with the stinking rose.

As the mama would say, "Lots of people there."

 Setting the pans on fire was part of the show of cooking in front of a crowd.

Postcards of the Old City Hall

First, everyone, please say a big "Thank you!" to Cindy Mackie. She sent me copies of these vintage postcards of the old City Hall, which many of you today may know as the vacant YMCA building that's located on Fifth Street.

Cindy wrote: "The postcard on one of the old City Hall dates the card to April 19, 1912. I think you could safely say that that building is at least 100 years old. The publisher is Edward H. Mitchell of San Francisco."

Okay, I won't detain you anymore. Check out the trio of postcards from Cindy.  Thank you very much, Cindy.

Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.

Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.

Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.

A Victorian Beauty in Downtown Hollister

Your vision is okay.

I took the photo through the dirty car window as the husband was driving south on San Benito Street. Even through a dirty window, the red brick Victorian building looks gorgeous.

The building was constructed in the 1870s. I think it was in the late 1980s or early 1990s that it was restored. William Palmtag, one of the founders of Hollister, was the original owner. In 1891, the Farmers and Merchants Bank was based in the building. Supposedly, the vaults are still there.

Mr. Palmtag was an interesting man who hailed from Germany. In his time, he was known as an astute businessman and an award winning winemaker. He also served as a county supervisor and the mayor of Hollister.  Check out these links for more details about him.

• William Palmtag Biography
•  "A Pioneer of the Local Wine Industry", Gilroy Dispatch

A Different View on Fifth Street

I'm short; the husband is tall. So, why is that important?

The other day, we got out of our car on Fifth Street and right away the husband suggested that I take a shot of the line of bay windows of the brick building. You know the one that's on the corner of San Benito Street and Fifth Streets.  So, I did. I took several snaps. But, my results were duds. That's when I realized if I was just a foot taller, I'd have a bunch of lovely photos of what the husband was viewing. Maybe I should carry a ladder around with me.

Anyway, being short, I did see an angle of this lamp post on Fifth Street that I liked.

Veronica's Art of Dance

The sign in the window of Veronica's Art of Dance was just too cute to not take a photo of it. Veronica's is another new business that recently opened downtown. The dance studio is located at 750 San Benito Street. According to the business's Web site, Hollister is its second location. Its first is in San Jose.

Another Face Up High

I can't help it. Too many long hours working makes a person loopy and, in my case, seeing faces in buildings. Do you think this is what's meant by the face of a building?

This is the building on Fifth and San Benito Streets that "shouts" Mitchell Law Firm from the side facing San Benito Street. I think this building was once home to the Elks Lodge. Doesn't that look like an Elk's head above the middle window? It makes for a good nose to the face.

Sparkle, Sparkle

 

 

Beautiful, isn't it? You'll find this sparkle-sparkle window on San Benito Street in downtown Hollister . Take a walk downtown to see it in person. Also, check out the Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art while you're down there. You vintage car lovers ought to enjoy the current exhibit.

More Peeking Into Windows

After drinking a beer and sharing garlic fries at Cheap Seats Pub & Grub yesterday afternoon, the husband and I took a stroll on San Benito Street to work them both off. A slow, happy saunter which included stopping into the new San Benito Bene and the Blak Sage Gallery. I wish we had started earlier in the day, as many of the stores had closed or were about to close. Still, we enjoyed ourselves by peeking into closed stores and empty storefronts.

The Smiling Pendergrass

Yep. I'm still looking upwardly. Now, tell me. Doesn't the Pendergrass building look like it's smiling? Do you see its two "eyes" underneath the eaves? Its rather short and abrupt nose? The mouth full of window panes?

What Are You Looking Through?

Hint 1: You'll find this thing on Fifth Street, across from the City Hall.

Hint 2: If a person was sitting in it, she or he would sell you something so you can go in to see the Music Man, which is playing this weekend.

A Three-Door Door

Beauty and innovation is in the eye of the beholder. Isn't that how some saying goes? Well, this edifice might cause some to shudder. Not me. There's just something rather cool about it. I like how the builder managed to get practical use out of leftover doors. I wish I could remember which alley I saw this in.

Windows All in a Row

The windows of the Pendergrass Building, which used to be a hotel, fascinate me. Actually, it's more the side of the building that faces Fifth Street. That side reminds me of drawings of tall buildings that small kids do.

I wonder what it looks like inside up there. Don't you?

Another New Shop in Hollister

2nd Tyme Around recently opened in downtown Hollister. It's in that sweet space on Fifth and East Streets where French's Kitchen and Bath Collectibles and Gifts used to be. Go check it out the next time your downtown. The husband and I popped in during the street fair on Saturday. The one piece that really caught our eye was a beautiful, sturdy roll-top desk with card catalog type drawers. Okay, I was also taken by the Underwood manual typewriter sitting on the desk. Sigh.

San Benito Bene

San Benito Bene is a new boutique in downtown Hollister. How new is it?

It's opening today—July 18, 2011, for those of you who don't look at calendars.

I learned about it from its owner, Kathina, at the Downtown Street Festival on Saturday. Her booth displayed some of the samples of food, cosmetics, lotions, and other handcrafted items made by local artisans, crafts persons, and food makers, which she is selling in her store.

Finally, don't you agree? A local shop which carries many of the local items.

San Benito Bene is located at 615 San Benito Street, Suite B, near the Best of Times Cafe. The shop's hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

A note to FTC: Kathina gave me a sample-size bottle of olive oil, after I asked if I could take a photo of her and her booth  for my blog.

A Great Day for a Street Fair

The husband and I managed to get ourselves down to the Downtown Hollister Street Festival and Car Show before it was over. Kinda wished we had gotten there earlier. So many old cars we didn't see, bands  we didn't hear, booths at which we didn't dawdle,  and stores that we didn't venture into to check their sales.

But, we did get our free slice of watermelon. And, we got to walk down the middle of the street. I always like that.

From Wentz We Came

The husband and I like walking or pedaling our bicycles through the alleys of Hollister. Don't know why. This is looking west on Wentz Alley at Monterey Street.

Looks Like a Tight Squeeze Up There

How narrow does a person have to be to get up and down that fire escape?

I saw this fire escape as the husband and I were walking down Wentz Alley. From Google maps, it looks like this is either part of the Pendergrass Building or the brick building next to it on Fifth Street.

25th Annual Street Festival and Car Show

The 2010 Street Festival and Car Show

Okay, folks, the Hollister Street Festival and Car Show will be happening this Saturday, July 16, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. San Benito Street, between South and Fourth Streets, in downtown Hollister will be closed. Vintage, specialty, and new cars will be displayed on the main street as well as side streets. Three stages of entertainment will be going on throughout the day. And, downtown shops will hold special sales for the day. For more details about the event, click here to read "Hollister Street Festival Set for Saturday" at Hollister Freelance.com.

The Music Man

Peeking into the Granada Theater

The San Benito Stage Company will be presenting the musical "The Music Man" at the Granada Theater. The first presentations will be this weekend. For more details, visit the San Benito Stage Company Web site. All proceeds will go to the Save the Hollister Public School Music Drive.

Look Up: The Old City Hall

I like the old City Hall of Hollister, which is a few buildings to the east of the current City Hall that used to be the library. I am amazed that in our land of earthquakes the old brick building is still standing. I don't know how  it is. Seems to me there is a placard on it that states the year it was built.

The other thing that amazes me about this building is the decoration you see in the photo. It's near the top. There are actually three of these figurines gracing the front of the building.  I'd never noticed them until the other day.  How about you?

I wonder who she is supposed to be or represent. And, what's with those three things that are extending downward from her?

44 Shore Road

The first address I remember is 44 Shore Road. Our house was white with red trim. It was one of four small houses that stood behind Dunneville Store (now called the Dunneville Restaurant, Market, and Deli). The house no longer exists. Where I stood in the Dunneville parking lot to take this photo is about where our house would've been.

Today, the field and the parking lot are the same level. I recall going down a long flight of stairs from the back porch to the back yard, and if I wanted to wander in the field, I had to climb up a short incline to crawl through the barbed wire.

Things look so much bigger and higher when you're five years old.

Gotta Sit Somewhere

St. Luke's Episcopal Church sits on the corner of Monterey and Seventh Streets. You can tell by its steeple that it's a cute building. What stopped me that afternoon was the bird. Do you see it?

Another Point of View: The Clock Tower

Yesterday, I was walking by the parking lot next to the Granada Theater on Fifth Street and happened to glance to the left. It took me several steps before the view registered in my head. I backtracked to see it again—a look at the Masonic Lodge Clock Tower from an angle I've never seen before.

By the way, I decided not to crop out the coca cola cup. For me, it adds to the photo. Can you find the cup? It's so obvious. Just like the beauty of the clock tower. 

Another Perspective of San Juan Bautista

Every now and then, the husband and I like to drive over to San Juan Bautista and have breakfast at the Mission Cafe. Whether inside or outside of that mission city, everything looks just so. . .quaint.

Give San Benito County

These new banners line San Benito Street in downtown Hollister. The "Give San Benito" is a fundraising campaign by the Community Foundation for San Benito County. For information, check out this link.

Coming Event: Class of 1971 Scholarship Fundraiser

"Reunions" combined with fundraising are loads of fun and heart. This photo was taken at last year's fundraiser for the Class of 1971 Scholarship, which is sponsored by the Hollister High (aka San Benito High) School Class of 1971. Scholarships are awarded to graduating Balers.

This year's BBQ and Silent Auction Fundraiser will take place on August 7, 2011 at the Betabel Event Center in San Juan Bautista, from 12 to 4 p.m. Lunch plate is $25. Lunch ticket purchases or reservations need to be made by July 20.  Click on the link below for details.

• Class of 1971 Scholarship BBQ and Silent Auction Fundraiser
• Class of 1971 Scholarship

All Balers and non Balers are welcome to join in the fun.

Note to all: I am a 1971 Baler and am involved in the fundraiser. So there, FTC, no hiding here.

The Bikers Came and They Went

Not being a biker (at least motorcycles), I have no idea how successful the unofficial Independence Motorcycle Rally went over the weekend. On Saturday, I happened to be downtown and saw many bikers parking and rolling in on San Benito Street. Late Sunday morning, main street was practically bare of motorcycles. Monday, not a sign. My 89-year old Mama thought it was an unhappy Fourth of July without the hundreds of visiting motorcyclists. She's not a biker, either.

Happy Fourth of July!!!!!

 

A copy of the Declaration of Independence is on permanent display at the San Benito County Free Library on Fifth and West Streets in downtown Hollister. Click here if you'd like to read the transcription of this most wonderful document.

Bikes, All in a Row

Just past noon on Saturday, both sides of San Benito Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, were nearly filled with bikes, all parked politely and carefully, rear end to the curb. That was just only the beginning of the day. A very large group of bikers doing the Hollister Rally Run from Southern California had planned to roll into town sometimes around 1:30 p.m.

Lots more activities going on today and Monday. For details, click here (Corbin) and here (Johnny's Bar and Grill).

Curtain of Cloud

On Tuesday, we came out of the Mission Cafe in San Juan Bautista to see this cloud curtain. And, of course, as you many of you know, it rained and rained later on that day.

2011 Hollister Motorcyle Rally

No. The City of Hollister has not sanctioned an official motorcycle rally this year.

BUT.

There are a whole lot of private motorcycle events going on this weekend to commemorate the 1947 event that many say is why Hollister is considered the Birthplace of the American Biker. All these events are open to the public. For details, check out these links:

• Hollister Rally Revival of Facebook
• Coming Event: Hollister "Birthplace of the American Biker" Independence Weekend

Art All Around

The swirly part of this sign always catches my eye when I'm traveling north on East Street, between South and Seventh Streets. The swirl reminds me of the yin-yang symbol. It also makes me think of 1960s pop art. So, where will you find this sign? In the yard of the McKinnon Lumber Company.