Shop and Play Locally

The theme this week, February 11 to 17,  is Red in Downtown Hollister. Today, we'll see the red in  eating, shopping, and playing locally. Yep, indeed.

A sign in the window of DLG Printing at 435 San Benito Street.

Breakfast at the Pendergrass Restaurant, 500 San Benito Street.

The signature shopping bags of San Benito Bene at 615B San Benito Street.

The musical Spamalot will start this week at the Granada Theater.

A Model Railroad

Did you happen to see the elaborate model railroad at the San Benito County Fair this year? Or, last year? Or, maybe the year before? The San Juan Pacific Model Railroaders lay out their miniature world of fun in a large room.  It's so worth a visit to the fair just to see the model trains at work. Toot! Toot!

2012 Lights On Celebration

The 2011 Lights On Celebration Parade

This year's Lights On Celebration is this Saturday, November 24, in downtown Hollister. Are you ready to have some fun?

The event starts at 10 a.m. and goes on until 8 p.m.  Activities are planned at the Veterans Memorial Building and at the North Pole (the lawn at the corner of San Benito and Fourth Streets). There'll be a variety of performances throughout the day by bell ringers, dancers, bands, and others. 

The Jaime's Toy & Canned Food Drive Car Show is on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entrance is at Brown Alley and Monterey Street. Cost of admission is a new toy (unwrapped) or canned food.

At 5:30 p.m., the Lights on Celebration Parade will make its way down San Benito Street. Whoo-hoo.

To download a schedule of events, head over to this Hollister Downtown Association page. If you'd like to see photos from the 2010 and 2011 parades, head over to the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page and click on the albums.

San Benito County Fair: Sept. 28, 29, and 30, 2012

"Saddle your pony, here we go. . ." Oh wait, that's the ditty to sing to go down to the Mickey Mouse Talent Rodeo. Hmmm. How about, "Get in your car, here we go, down to the County Fair."

Yep, it's that time of year again to head over to Bolado Park and enjoy the day (or days) checking out the county's agricultural bounty, the livestock that the 4-H and FFA kids have raised year round, our neighbors' and friends' food, crafts, quilts, and gardening entries. And, then  there are the carnival rides, the fair food, the vendors' booths (Will "See the Strange Thing" be there again?), the live music, the truck pulls. . . .And, of course, the bumping into and gabbing with friends we haven't seen in years or just saw the other day.

All fun at the San Benito County Fair. Just like the poster says.

Here are some photos from last year's County Fair.

2012 Memorial Day

Who says old gals can't learn new things. Here are some facts I just learned about Memorial Day:

• Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. First celebrated on May 30, 1868, the day was established to honor all Union and Confederate solders who died in Civil War. The day was chosen because it did not signify a day of any battle.
• Over time, Memorial Day became the day to commemorate the deaths of all U.S. military personnel who served in any U.S. skirmish, battle, war, and other military conflict.
• Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971.

Got you curious? Check out these links for more info:
Memorial Day (History Channel)
Memorial Day (Wikipedia)
Memorial Day History

As a kid, I remember the local American Legion and Vets organizations holding an annual Memorial Day commemoration at the cemetery on Hillcrest Road. I have no idea if it's still happening. If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

Weekend Events

Two big events are happening this weekend. There is the annual Hollister Air Show (May 26 and May 27) at the Hollister Airport. Lots of daring do's in the sky will be taking place.

And, there is the Portuguese Festival.  The crowning of the queen and her court will take place on Saturday evening (May 26). The following morning, the annual parade will start off Sunday's full day and evening of festivities.

To learn about other events going on this weekend (and later), check out San Benito Today's calendar.

2012 Arts Out Loud

Hey Balers!

Hey former Balers!

Hey Baler supporters and lovers!

Check out the current Baler artists at the Arts Out Loud celebration!

This 5th annual event is sponsored by the SBHS Department of Visual and Performing Arts. It showcases artwork, music, and live performances by more than 500 budding artists, musicians, and performers.

Arts Out Loud will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. this Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13. It will be held at the SBHS Cafeteria.  For more details, check out this link. To see a campus map, click here.

Family Pizza Day

Julie Engelhardt at a 2010 Story Time
at Mars Hill Coffeehouse.

Photo courtesy of Mars Hill Coffeehouse

Stories and pizza. Pizza and stories. Now, that's a winning combination for a fun time, don't you think?

You may want to check out Family Day at Neighborhood Pizza  then. For the next three Sundays, the local pizza restaurant will hold a  family fun time from 1 to 3 p.m, featuring local story teller Julie Engelhardt. Many of you know may know her as Mrs. Santa during the Christmas season.

Each Family Day will have a specific theme, and also include games and crafts:
• April 15: Pizza Party!
• April 22: Prince and Princess Pizza Party!
• April 29: Pirate Pizza Party!  (A face painter will also be there.)

All children are invited to come dressed in costume.

Neighborhood Pizza is located at 580 Tres Pinos Road in the Goodwill shopping center. The restaurant is next to the Dollar Tree.

100 Things I Like: The Street Festival & Car Show

It's chilly. That's a good enough reason to mention a Hollister event that takes place in the summer. Memories of heat to warm things up, you know.

The Annual Street Festival and Car Show is sponsored by the Hollister Downtown Association. Click here to check out its photos of this past summer's event.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

Coming Up: Live Music at Mars Hill

Just got word that Bluegrass Duets from the Bay Area, as well as local musician Rich Mortela playing at Mars Hill (San Benito and Sixth Streets) this Saturday evening, November 5.

100 Things I Like: The Community Band Concerts

2010 Pacific Brass Band Concert

It'll soon be that time of the year again when we'll have a chance to listen to the Pacific Brass Band  and the Watsonville Community Band. Both bands are composed of  musicians from San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties.

The Pacific Brass Band will perform a concert on Sunday, November 13, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. This is a fundraiser for the local YMCA.

The Watsonville Community Band will perform its Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 11, 2011,  at 2 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Swank Farms

If you're heading south on San Felipe Road, just look for this sign
that points to the Swank Produce Stand.

If you shop at farmers markets in the Monterey, San Jose, or San Francisco areas, you've probably stopped by the Swank Farms booth. It's the one with the delicious heirloom tomato salsa. The owners, Dick and Bonnie Swank, also have a produce stand next to the Hollister Airport. It's one of my sources for fresh eggs, which come straight from the hens on the grounds.

The Swanks have made visiting the produce stand a family fun adventure, with a farm corral, pedal carts, gigantic jumping pillow, mining sluice, and other activities. And, every fall, the Swanks create an elaborate corn maze and haunted ranch that lasts until October 31. 

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

The 2011 San Benito County Fair

It's always fun wandering the county fair.  As you know, it's one of the 100 things I like about living in Hollister. Tomorrow is the final day of the fair. Click here for more details.

The Two Horsemen

Fair Fare

The Hypnotist

What did one chicken say to the other?

Food Art

The Best of Show Cake

Bustle included!

Local Bounty

It was a great day for the fair!

Music and Theater in the Park

2010: Hollister's first Music in the Park. Click on the photo for an enlarged version.

This Saturday, August 20, the San Benito County Arts Council and Hollister Youth Alliance will host the second Music and Theater in the Park at Dunne Park on Seventh Street (between West and Powell Streets). From 1 to 7 p.m., this event will showcase local musicians, performers, and artists. Bring your picnic blankets, chairs, picnic fare, and joy and just hang out. You deserve it.

Watching Night Fall

Last year, I attended the Dave Mason Concert on the Green at the Peppertree Ranch. The concert was awesome as was the unfolding of day into night on the eastern foothills and the Diablo range beyond them.

As the sun began setting behind us. . .

Then later as the sun crept towards the horizon. . .

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 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.

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.

Coming Event: 2011 Street Festival and Car Show

The 2010 Street Festival and Car Show

Yes, it's another local summer event to put on your calendar. Why not? It's summer! Yes it is. Don't let that weather fool you.

This event is the 25th Annual Street Festival and Car Show. The city closes down San Benito Street between South and Fourth Streets. The old cars are lined up at the south end. There will be food vendors, booths, demonstrations, and five bands. Free watermelon, too. For more detail, check out this link.

Summer Music

Guerra Cellars recently announced the schedule for its 2011 Summer Concert series. Check it out by clicking here.

Coming Up: Spring Concert

The Watsonville Community Band
at the 2010
San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade

This Wednesday, March 23, the Watsonville Community Band will be presenting its annual Spring Concert in Hollister. It will take place at the Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito and 7th Streets at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Donations will be asked at the door to support the Mr. Ostenson's Save the Music Drive, which is seeking to raise $156,000 to fund the Hollister School District elementary school music program. For more info about the fundraising drive, please click here.

The Watsonville Community Band is composed of musicians from Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Clara counties, The Hollister concert is the third of the four concerts in its 63rd Spring Concert Series. For more information about the band and the spring concerts, click over to its Web site.