September Music in the Park

This afternoon is another Music in the Park concert in Dunne Park, at the corner of Seventh and West Streets. The free event, sponsored by Mr. O's Academy of Music, is from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring your own low-back chairs or blankets. Snacks, too. No alcohol is permitted in the park.

The Moondance Band, a 60s rock & roll band featuring Rich Haggett, performs from 4 to 5 p.m. Folklorico Juvenil,  a children’s mariachi dance group featuring Lucy Rodriguez, performs from 5 to 6 p.m.

A Hitching Post

On the north side of Hawkins Street, between Monterey and San Benito Streets, is this concrete hitching post from a long time ago. Perhaps as far back as the early 1900s. If anyone knows more about this hitching post, please leave a comment.

Under the Shade of Pinks

On the Husband's and my walk the other day, we stopped under a towering bush of pink flowers on Hawkins Street. Because the flowers were a brilliant pink and oh so pretty. Because the bush casted delightful shade to rest beneath for a bit. Because it was a nice view of Washington Street.

See you tomorrow.

Brewery Twenty Five

Yesterday morning, the Husband and I read on Facebook that Brewery Twenty Five delivered a freshly brewed keg of stout beer in Hollister. Our quest was on to get a taste of the beer handcrafted by local brewers Sean and Fran Fitzharris. We knew it could only be deliciously out of this world. And, if we didn't act fast, we would miss out yet again on tasting their brew.

Although the young couple established Brewery Twenty Five a couple of years ago, it has only been in the last few months that they have started selling their beer to retail outlets. Because the beer is brewed in small amounts, Brewery Twenty Five is not at the point yet to have a regular delivery schedule. When you hear that so-and-so has it on tap, be sure to get there tout de suite. It won't be available for long.

So, where can you find Brewery Twenty Five on tap from time to time? Running Rooster in Hollister and Bear's Hideaway in San Juan Bautista. And, soon, Vertigo Coffee in San Juan Bautista will be serving it.

Yesterday evening, the Husband and I did end up drinking a pint of the brewery's Many Moons Stout. It was absolutely amazing and very smooth. After a couple of sips, I was no longer in a grouchy mood. I think it tastes better than Guinness, and at one point the stout reminded me of Courvesier.

The delightful Sean and Fran happened to be at the Running Rooster bar last night. They told us that beer was made with an expresso blend from Vertigo Coffee and cacao nibs from TCHO, a chocolate company in the SF Bay area. I can imagine making an ice cream float with Many Moons Stout. Yummm!

2015 Mexican Independence Day Parade

Last Sunday was the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Downtown Hollister. It was a fun, lively parade that honored the anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain. The parade featured Mexican brass bands, caballeros, señoritas, traditional Aztec dancers, cute children, and more.  Here are a few photos from Sunday's parade.

If you would like to see more photos, check out my Facebook album. You don't need to log on or be a member to access it.

Today I'm linking this post at Our World Tuesday. To see what bloggers from around the world are sharing, please click here.

Time for Another Fun Parade

Tomorrow is the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Downtown Hollister. The parade celebrates the day—September 16, 1810—that Mexico declared independence from Spain.  The parade will start at 11:30 a.m., according to online sources. It will march down San Benito Street, turning at Fifth Street.

Old Courthouse Sentinel

The old magnolia trees on Monterey Street next to the old courthouse make wonderful shade—delightful on very hot days like today. Look closely at the sturdy trunks of these handsome living things. See anything? This one, for example, looks like it might be a guard in stealth mode.

Enjoy the Day!

Hope you're all having a great three days off from work! You deserve it.

See you tomorrow.

The Dunne Park Rose Garden

Many communities throughout the United States have a public rose garden. Hollister is no different. Our rose garden is located in Dunne Park, at the east end near West Street. It's small, but beautiful, whether tended or not.

The garden has nice paths to walk among the roses. And, if you feel like relaxing in the garden, you can sit on one of the two benches there. Both benches are dedicated to special people in the community.

The rock bench is a memorial to Philip Paz (1913–1991) who helped in the design of the rose garden.  I like the last line of the dedication in particular, ". . . May the perpetual blooms of this garden remind us of those who have given so much and taken so little."

Friends of Janet Graham put in the other bench to honor the late public health nurse and community activist who was very involved in advocating the safety, health, and fitness of the children of San Benito County. Ms. Graham's work continues today through The Janet Graham Memorial Fund.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

Looking Upward on East Street

We've had some beautiful skies this summer. Hoping for r-a-i-n.

Beers and Garlic Fries

Garlic fries go great with beer at Running Rooster, at the corner of San Benito and South Streets. The restaurant has so many great choices on tap that the Husband and I sometimes like to get a beer sampler. Yup.

Morning on Sixth Street

You're looking east on Sixth Street, across from Dunne Park. See how the rock wall bends. That's the work of the Calaveras Fault. Amazing, huh?

This scene reminds me of the verse from the Simon & Garfunkel song, "Feeling Groovy":

Got no deeds to do, no promises to keep   

I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep 

Let the morning time drop all its petals on me 

Life, I love you all is groovy

Happy Monday to you all!

Beneath the Trees

Mmmm, I enjoy the shade of the lovely trees on Monterey Street, near Fifth Street.

Granite Sculpture by Richard Deutsch

The abstract sculptures in front of the San Benito County Administration Building on the corner of Fourth and West Streets were created by award-winning Davenport sculptor Richard Deutsch.

Deutsch designed the pieces as a two-part sculpture out of five tons of granite from Graniterock's quarry in Aromas, according to Santa Cruz Sentinel (December 3, 1993 issue). Graniterock donated the material for the public art piece.

Fremont Memorial Tunnel

A long time ago, a tunnel was built beneath Fourth Street so that schoolchildren could safely cross the busy street to go to and from Fremont School, which used to be where the present-day courthouse stands.



Recently, a mural honoring the memory of Fremont School and the schoolchildren was painted on the Fourth Street underpass. It's an amazing mural, full of life and brilliant colors.

The designer, Arturo Rosette, the Fine Arts Chair at Gavilan College, based the mural on photos he found in the San Benito County Historical Society's archives. The silhouettes are of children who went to Fremont School, including the mural's painter, Roy Darr II.

For more about the mural, check out this story by John Chadwell at BenitoLink.com. And, to check out another Downtown Hollister mural designed by Arturo Rosette, click here.

Today is the Monday Mural meme, hosted by Oakland Daily Photo. Click here to check out other murals from around the world.