At Sunset

Where oh where am I? On a hill above the east end of Cienega Road. I'm looking southeast. Somewhere down there is Highway 25. Yes, I'm sure that's it.

2013 Downtown Hollister Street Festival and Car Show

Click. Click. Click.

Yes, there were lots of gorgeous cars at last week's annual Downtown Hollister Street Festival and Car Show. Also, lots of people of all ages enjoying the cars, the live music and performances, and free watermelon. What did you like most?

To see more photos of the event, head over to this photo album at the Take 25 to Hollister  Facebook wall.

Indian Canyon Storytelling and Indigenous Gathering

 

A couple of Saturdays ago, the Husband and I with the buddy Dave, spent a joyous afternoon at the 17th Annual Storytelling and Indigenous Gathering held in Indian Canyon, off of Cienega Road. Story tellers and artists of the Ohlone, Chumash, Cherokee, Aztec, and other indigenous communities came together that afternoon to tell traditional and new tales in words, music, and dance. Hosts for the event were Ann-Marie Sayers, the chairwoman of Indian Canyon, and artist and activist Kanyon Sayers-Roods. (By the way, did you know that Indian Canyon is the only recognized "Indian Country" along the central coast?)

One of the featured speakers was Eddie Madril, a member of the Pascua Yacqui tribe of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico, whose last story was the hoop dance. These photos only give you an inkling of the beauty and wonder of his story. Here's a Youtube video with Madril in which he talks about and performs the hoop dance.

A Cut-out Fence

I love how these people over on Riverside Road think!

Fun in the Sun in Downtown Hollister

This Saturday, July 20, 2013, is the 27th annual Hollister Street Festival, which includes a car show and a swap meet. San Benito Street will be closed from Fourth to South Streets. The swap meet, which is new this year, will take place on Sixth Street. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is freeeeeeeee!  You can't beat that.

The festival is brought to us each year by the Hollister Downtown Association (HDA). We truly appreciate their hard work. For more details about the festival, check out the HDA link.

The image of the Hollister Street Festival and Car Show poster is courtesy of the Hollister Downtown Association.  Thank you, Sharlene and the whole HDA crew. 

New Biz: One of a Kind Arts

Don't you just love the fact that new shops and restaurants have opened, or about to open, in Hollister?

Just before the Fourth of July, the Husband and I came across One of a Kind Arts, a new boutique on Fifth Street, next to the Granada Theater. It was the end of the day, so all we could do was peep in the windows.

According to the One of a Kind Arts website, the store is "A year round Arts and Crafts Fair that features handmade, unique, vintage and one of a kind items." Local artisans can sell directly to the public through the shop. How cool is that?

Check it out for yourself. Here are the links to the One of a Kind Arts website and its Facebook page.

Buena fortuna, One of a Kind Arts!

"Freedom, Rebellion and Adventure"

Who  else agrees that the Hollister bike rally was fun and well-run?

Congratulations to Mark Cresswell of Worldwide Dynamics for doing a wonderful job organizing and managing the 2013 Hollister Rally.  Much appreciation also goes to our new Hollister Police Chief David Westrick for such a great job leading law enforcement for the event.  And, many thanks to the thousands of visitors over the last few days to our city. Hope you enjoyed your visit.

The motorcycle rally may be over for this year, but the biker-inspired exhibit, Freedom, Rebellion & Adventure, continues at the Blak Sage Gallery until July 20, 2013. The exhibit includes works by Rob Campbell, creator of the "Keeping Up with Jones" comic strip, photographs by Michele Esposito, and  sculptures by Paul Loughridge. Take the time to enjoy it, the next time you're in downtown historical Hollister.

Loughridge inspires me to try my hand at putting together odds and ends of metal things to create something spectacular. Something I've never done before. My favorite Loughridge sculpture is called "Evolution (bone/wrench)", which he created out of a vintage bicycle tank, meat grinder handle, flex gas line, propane carb, toilet seat hinges, and a turkey baster. Brilliant! My second favorite is the red truck in the photo above.

The Blak Sage Gallery  is located at 727 San Benito Street (east side of the street between 7th and South Streets). The gallery is open Wednesday and Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Friday, 1 to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. For more info about the artists, check out San Benito County Arts Council Facebook page.

The 2013 Hollister Motorcycle Rally

The Hollister motorcycle rally is back. Big time! It started yesterday and continues until 9 pm. tonight in downtown Hollister.  San Benito Street is closed from Fourth to South Streets for bikers to park their beauties.  To check out the schedule, click over to the Official Hollister Rally Website.

If you want to know about the origins of the motorcycle rally, stop in at the San Benito County Historic Museum at the corner of 5th and West Streets.

By the way, if you want to get married or renew your vows, the opportunity is available in front of the Veterans Memorial Building.

Happy, Happy Fourth of July!

I saw the sweetest parade ever in Hollister. How sweet? I started crying as the last participants filed by me. I'm so glad I decided to pedal down to Memorial Drive for the Fourth of July Kiddie Parade.
 

Uncle Sam in all his  glory led a long line of kids and their parents along Memorial Drive, from the corner of Hillcrest Road to Marguerite Maze School on Meridian Street. A summer camp marching band brilliantly played. Parents pushed their babies in strollers and pulled their toddlers in wagons. Tiny and not-so-tiny kids pedaled their big wheels, tricycles, and bicycles and pushed  along on their scooters. And, of course, there were the parade marchers of all ages. It was just all so cute!

The parade was short. Ten minutes, if that. But, all that preciousness made my Fourth-of-July Day. Thank you, all parade participants, for putting the smile in my heart today.

Happy Independence Day to us all!

Prepping for the Fourth of July Weekend

At 8:30 this morning,  historical downtown Hollister was hopping. Excitement buzzed up and down the streets. A few vendors for the Hollister Rally were already putting up tents. From my vantage point in the bakery/coffee shop (whose name I can't remember) at 730 San Benito Street, I watched the parade of people, cars, and motorcycles pass back and forth.  The Fourth of July celebration has begun!

Free Fourth of July Events

10 a.m.: The Kiddie Parade, from the corner of Hillcrest and Memorial to Marguerite Maze School on Meridian.

Dusk (around 9:30 p.m.): Public Fireworks Display at Marguerite Maze School 

Streets Closed for the Hollister Rally
Starting at 8 p.m. tonight, the following downtown streets will be closed to traffic until Sunday, July 7, 5 p.m.

• 5th, 6th, and 7th Streets, between Monterey and East Streets
• East Street, between 4th and South Streets
• San Benito Street, between 4th and South Streets (closure starts July 4, 5 p.m.)

And, yes, the Hollister Farmers Market will be open today, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Be safe and careful out there while you're having fun celebrating the Spirit of Independence Day!

Vintage Bikes on Display

Hollister is gearing up for the motorcycle rally on July 5 and July 6. Are you ready?

Whether during the Hollister Rally or within the next few days, be sure to go by the Hollister Sign Company at 535 San Benito Street, and check out the vintage bikes on display. They are beautiful!

Head into the store while you're there, too. The store sells clothing, Tom shoes, skateboards, and other products along with offering such services as making signs, printing large formats, and custom-made apparel.  For more about the Hollister Sign Company online, visit its website or Facebook page.

Waiting for the Parade

The 2013 San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade last Thursday evening was a great one. Lots of beautiful horses clippity-clopped, as well as horseless carriages, old and new, tootled down San Benito Street. You can see some photos at the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Facebook page. Once I have a chance, I'll post some photos up.

Speaking of parades, the annual Fourth of July Kiddie Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday. The parade starts in the commuter parking lot at the corner of Memorial Drive and Hillcrest Road, and goes along Memorial Drive to Marguerite Maze Middle School on Meridian Street. Children of all ages are welcome to participate in the parade. Dogs or motorized vehicles are not allowed. The parade is co-sponsored by the City of Hollister and the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

And, before I forget, the annual Fourth of July fireworks display will take place at Marguerite Maze Middle School at dusk.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention (l shall blame this heat wave for memory lapses.) that Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6 will be the Hollister Rally in historical downtown Hollister.