Monday, August 31, 2015

Aromas Day!


Aromas Day was a blast! I could not ever have imagined what it would be like. It had a little of everything for everyone—live music, fine arts and crafts, food, fresh produce, classic cars, and pony and carnival rides for the kids. And, many of the residents held yard sales. 


Too bad the Husband and I got there towards the end of the day. Next time, we'll be there earlier to see all the booths as well as hear the various bands and check out the many, many yard sales. Well, I'll do the sales, while the Husband enjoys the bands under the shade.


One of my favorite things of the day was riding the shuttle from the big field of a parking lot by the school to the center of town. We could've easily walked the short distance, but once we saw the shuttle, we hopped on. It was a trailer hooked up to a tractor. We slowly rumbled our way up the street amidst the walkers who were stopping now and then to look at stuff for sale in people's front yards.


I noticed golf carts and a hay wagon pulled by a tractor were also used as shuttles. I liked ours the best because it reminded us of a San Francisco cable car. I also liked that I sat next to a woman  with a lovely English accent who reminded me of Kate Winslet. She was quite friendly and magical. Talking with her and waving at the walkers got me into the spirit of fun. 


I loved the whimsy of the amazing handcrafted items that the artists had on display and for sale, which was another favorite aspect about Aromas Day for me. That art piece of a garment in the above photo was made by Aromas artist Susan Shirley of Mosshollow. The dress, made of natural fibers, including wool that she spun, also has a bustle.  Very cool!


Until last year, I had driven through Aromas a few times while meandering the back roads. When a friend and I checked out several of the artists during last year's Open Studios Art Tour, I kinda fell in love with the town. Aromas is a non-incorporated city with nearly 2,700 residents. The town has the distinction of sitting on the border between San Benito and Monterey counties, which means some residents technically live in San Benito County and others in Monterey County. 


One more favorite thing of mine about Aromas Day: We purchased three fresh ears of corn for $1 from the Aromas 4-H booth. Here are a few more random photos of Aromas Day. Come back tomorrow for photos of the Aromas Day Parade.













Sunday, August 30, 2015

Saturday in the Park


It was a perfect lazy afternoon at Dunne Park yesterday. Just as Saturday ought to be—relaxing on the lawn, eating, watching kids play, chatting with friends, and listening to the music of our local bands.


Dave Huboi & the Architecturals performed the first hour of the Music in the Park concert, while Mr. O's Jazz Bank played the second hour. We are fortunate to have wonderfully talented local musicians.


The free Music in the Park concerts in Dunne Park were organized by Greg Harvey of the Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast and Mr. O's Academy of the Arts. Last Saturday afternoon was the first of three concerts. The next two will be September 26 and October 24.  They'll be both Saturday afternoon, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Here are few more photos from Saturday.









Saturday, August 29, 2015

The Library Bookmobile


Driving a bookmobile is one of my dream jobs. It would be so fun and satisfying. It would be like bringing Christmas gifts to people everyday.

For more about the San Benito County Library Bookmobile, click here.

Friday, August 28, 2015

A Garden of Delight


Should you take the nature trail from the parking lot to the Visitor's Center at the San Benito County Historic Village, you'd come across the caretaker's delightful back garden. Flying among the flowers, vines, bushes, and assorted statues and knick-knacks are various butterflies. I saw small brown ones, which slightly resemble Monarch butterflies, that I haven't seen since I was a kid. The caretaker's front garden is equally magical.


Thursday, August 27, 2015

Up Close — The Five Palms


From nearly everywhere you look in Downtown Hollister, you can see the five palm trees that mark the once-upon-a-time baseball field. It wasn't until the other day that I checked them out at their home base by the old train depot on Prospect Avenue.



Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Another Interesting Sky


This was late afternoon while walking in the neighborhood across from Sunnyslope School. Amazing sky, don't you think?


Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Other Clock Tower


Clock tower in Hollister?

I immediately think of the 106-year old clock tower on the corner of Fourth and San Benito Streets. But, that may not be the one that someone is seeking, especially if a person is looking for the pet store, car wash, or ale house that's by the clock tower.

Yup. That clock tower in the picture, which is in the Clocktower Plaza on McCray Street, near Meridian Street.


Monday, August 24, 2015

One of My Favorite Hollister Things


The trees lining Monterey Street make that street one of my favorite ones in Downtown Hollister. This scene is in front of the original Hazel Hawkins Hospital at the corner of Monterey and Hawkins Streets. Do you have a favorite Hollister street to walk, bicycle, or drive?


Sunday, August 23, 2015

The Rock-Eating Monster


The Husband says this huge monstrous system grinds up gravel. I've never gone by it when it's working. Be kinda cool to see the monster in action. It's near McCray Street, south of Hillcrest Road.


Saturday, August 22, 2015

Aromas Day 2015


This year I plan on going to Aromas Day on Sunday, August 30, 2015. It's an annual event celebrating the cute little town of Aromas, California, which is in both San Benito County and Monterey County. Everyone is invited to this free community event, which runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the Aromas Day website, the day will start at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Aromas Grange. The breakfast will be offered until 11 a.m. The food and vendor booths will open at 9 a.m.  Lots of live music with different artists every hour will perform every hour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration will also feature a parade, a classic car display, artwork by local artists and artisans, a book sale at Aromas Library, and much, much more. Check out this link for details.

I'm looking forward to Aromas Day.  See you there!


Friday, August 21, 2015

Music in the Park


Saturday, August 29, 2015, is the date for the first of three upcoming free Music in the Park concerts in Downtown Hollister. Everyone is invited—young and old, singles and families. 

The concert will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Dunne Memorial Park on Seventh Street, between West and Powell Streets. 

The performers will be Mr. O's Jazz Band and David Huboi and the Architecturals.

Mr. O's Jazz Band at the 2014 San Benito County Fair

The concerts will be held near the tennis courts. Planners say to bring a blanket and/or low-back chairs to sit on. And, yes, we can also bring a picnic or refreshments. Reminder: No wine, beer, or any other kind of alcohol is allowed in the city park. 

The next concerts will be September 26, 2015 and October 24, 2015. Both Saturdays.

Mr. O's Academy of the Arts is sponsoring the free concerts. 
If any musicians and bands would like to perform at future concerts, contact Mr. O. (Contact details are on Mr. O's Academy's website.)

For more details on this Saturday's event, check out this Facebook page

David Huboi & The Architecturals at the 2013 San Benito Olive Festival


Thursday, August 20, 2015

The Corner of Sixth & Monterey Streets


I like that big old palm tree on the northwest corner of Sixth and Monterey Streets, the one in front of the Porter House. It's a great place to pause for shade while walking.

Across the street is Hoyle Plaza. Ever wonder who Hoyle was?

Longtime locals remember Millard Hoyle, Jr., the owner and publisher of the Free Lance from 1941 to 1986. He took it over when his father died, who purchased the paper in 1917. The building on Sixth Street that houses Mr. O's Academy used to be the headquarters of the once-upon-a-time daily newspaper.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Beautiful Countryside


On Southside Road, near Enterprise Road, someone recently planted several Italian cypress trees. That's going to be an even more amazing scene when they get bigger.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Streets of San Juan Bautista


It's fun to walk around San Juan Bautista to see the Mission San Juan Bautista and other various historic sites and buildings, as well the shops, galleries, gardens, trees, valley views, and more. I'm glad I live nearby so I don't have to see it all in one day.

A good source to have on hand as your stroll through town is the San Juan Bautista Historic District Walking Tour Pamphlet. You can download a copy from this link.

Here are a few more random street scenes of San Juan Bautista.










Sunday, August 16, 2015

Trees of San Juan Bautista


How does that poem by Joyce Kilmer start?

"I think I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree."

San Juan Bautista has many lovely trees of all sorts up and down its sweet, quaint streets.












To read the rest of Joyce Kilmer's poem about trees, please click here.


Saturday, August 15, 2015

More Photos of San Juan Bautista


This past week I've been posting photos of San Juan Bautista, the second biggest city in San Benito County. The biggest? Hollister, of course.

Here are a few more random look-sees around this grand old town of San Juan.














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