Creative Escapes

Local artist  Shannon Grissom opens her studio in downtown Hollister every Thursday afternoon for Creative Escapes. For a flat admission fee and a fee per project, children and grownups are welcome to use her art supplies . . .

to draw. . .

to paint . . .

 to paint. . .

to paint . . .

or to make collages, masks, or greeting cards

Last Thursday, a bunch of friends and I spent a few fun hours in Shannon's studio. None of us really had an idea what we wanted to do other than to play with art. Although game about the adventure, a few of us were wary about the whole idea. I, for instance, have been chipping away at my fear of art ever since my first grade teacher told me, "Susie, draw your cows on the ground."  An afternoon with Shannon put a lot of my apprehension in the trash bag.  If you'd like to see what I ended up creating, you can view it here at Don't Be a Hippie.

For more about Shannon and her Creative Escapes, check out these sites:

• Shannon Grissom—Artist, Author, Television Host, Producer, and Songwriter
• Shannon Grissom (Facebook)
• "Creative Escapes" with Shannon

A Christmas Celebration

Nothing says a Filipino feast than a roast pig. And, that is what the Mama, the Husband, and I enjoyed on Saturday night at the 36th annual Christmas ball held by the Filipino American Community of San Benito County at the Veterans Memorial Building.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

An Evening of Joy and Fun

The 2012 Lights On Celebration Parade was last Saturday (November 24). It was a perfect evening—just enough crispness and bite in the air to think yep, the holiday season is upon us. Thank you, Hollister Downtown Association, for another wonderful job planning, organizing, and making the parade happen for us all.

My most favorite parts in the parade were the kiddies pumping away on their tricycles decorated with lights. It made me wish I was just as young as them so I could pedal a tricycle along the parade route. I thought one of the coolest-of-cool floats was Save Mart's entry—a gigantic shopping cart. What was your favorite float or part of the parade?

Maybe next year, the Husband and I will think about getting down there early enough to put up some chairs. We drove down San Benito Street earlier in the day and saw chairs set up along the curb all the way down to Hawkins Street.

And, maybe next year, I'll have a camera that can take clean, crisp photos at night.  I've put together an album at the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page of my better shots of the parade. Here's the link. Enjoy. 

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.

2012 Veterans Day Parade

Yesterday (Sunday) was the annual Veterans Day Parade through downtown Hollister. It was a beautiful day to pay tribute to the brave and generous men and women who served in the U.S. military forces.

To see more photos of the parade, click here to go to the album at Take 25 to Hollister's Facebook page.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

November 10–11 2012 Weekend

Just in case you haven't heard, here are three events taking place this weekend.

Mommy and Me, Art and Tea

On Saturday afternoon, November 10, children and their parents (Moms and/or Dads) can participate in a hands-on art project event at the Blak Sage Gallery (727 San Benito Street). The free event is from noon to 5 p.m. Cookies and tea will be served. The fun family affair fete is sponsored by the San Benito County Arts Council. For more info, call 831-636-2787 or check out this Facebook link.

Sounds of Brass Concert

The Pacific Brass Band will hold its 12th annual benefit concert this Saturday, November 10, 2 p.m., at Rancho San Justo Middle School (1201 Rancho Drive). This British-style brass band is composed of musicians from San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. The concert is sponsored by the local YMCA  and Mr. O's Save the Music Drive.

Proceeds of the concert will benefit the Hollister elementary school music program and the Hollister middle school sports program.

Admission tickets: $25 per family (up to to persons), $5 for seniors, and $5 for students. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by paid adults. Tickets may be purchased before the concert at the YMCA of San Benito County, Mr. O’s Academy, Postal Graphics,  and Ace Hardware.

Veterans Day Parade

This year's Veterans Day Parade will take place in downtown Hollister on Sunday November 11 at  1:30 p.m.

The Veterans Day celebration will begin at 11:11 a.m.  at the Veterans Memorial Building with  a moment-of-silence observation for our deceased Veterans. A BBQ lunch will be available at noon. The day's event will also have a resource fair for Veterans. A military flyover is slated to take place before the parade.

Scheduled earlier on Sunday is the annual Veterans Day Breakfast,  hosted by San Benito County LULAC, at the  San Benito High School Cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from  7 a.m. to noon. State Assembly member Luis Alejo will be a guest speaker at the breakfast.

Breakfast is $8, with proceeds benefiting the 2013 LULAC scholarship fund. For further information, call  831-673-1977.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

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.

Skateboard Dancer

This photo was luckily clicked as the skateboarder, unaware, gracefully zoomed down the sidewalk.

Glancing into Back Yards

I turn away from the historical hoosegow in the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Voila! An enormous-looking barrel is in my sight. Of course, I had to click the camera.

100 Things I Like: Christmas Lights

Of all the houses decorated with Christmas lights, Santa Clauses, and nativity signs, this one was my favorite.

My wish to each and every one of you is Peace, Joy, Love, and Happiness.  Merry Christmas!

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

100 Things I Like: The Filipino American Community Christmas Ball

The Buffet Line

Last night was the annual Christmas Ball of the Filipino American Community of San Benito County. The social club has been around since 1976.

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

100 Things I Like: Penny Wise Drug Store

My five top reasons for shopping at Penny Wise Drug in downtown Hollister (east side of San Benito Street, between 5th and 6th Streets):

5. Every time I enter Penny Wise, I remember the aroma of the hot popcorn that was available for sale when the store used to be Roscoe,  one of the five & dime stores in Hollister when I was a kid hundreds of years ago. The other one was Cornet, which is now Muenzer's on Fifth Street. I used to go out the back door of one shop, cross Wentz Alley, and enter the back door of the other shop.

4. I can usually find fun, creative, and unique gift items at the drug store, from scarves to jewelry to singing bears to jigsaw puzzles to glass giftware to baby clothes.

3. Penny Wise Drug is a local business run by the Rosati family since 1948. It's the only independent pharmacy in San Benito County. I like to shop locally as much as possible.

2. Customer service! One Wednesday, I went in to buy over-the-counter iron pills, but the kind I wanted had run out. Joan told her brother, Stephen, the pharmacist, to order them. I came back the following Monday to buy the pills. As I was walking towards the counter, Joan asked, "Did you remember to get the iron pills?" I went in for something else on Tuesday, and just before I walked out,  pharmacist sister Jeanne called out, "Did you get your iron pills?"

1. Joan, Jeanne, Stephen, and Marie Rosati!!!!

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

Note to FCC: I wasn't paid or given anything to write what I just wrote. So, move along.

100 Things I Like: The Burger Factory

The Burger Factory at 125 San Benito Street is almost (if not already) two years old. All I know is that Julie and Jin Hyun, the owners, opened it two autumns ago. Obviously, I like the food. My favorite keeps changing. Right now, it's the teriyaki bowl. Yummm.  What I also like about the Burger Factory is the smiling and friendly manners of Julie and Jin.

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

100 Things I Like: Local Products

Kathina, the owner of San Benito Bene—
the local place to buy local products!

We really have a lot of wonderful goods created and produced by local foodies, artists, craftspeople,  farmers, and others. I'll name a few:
Bell Hill Goat Milk Lotion
San Benito Gold Honey
Sons of Sicily Olive Oil
Pinnacle Apple Juice (Organic)
Vista Notes
Marich Confectionary
Art of Shannon Grissom

And, you know what, you can now go to this one shop in Hollister to buy these products and other local goods, Monday through Friday. San Benito Bene is the place!

Today, Saturday, San Benito Bene continues its grand opening, starting at noon. You'll have a chance to taste some of the local foods that are available in the shop. Check it out, if you can. The shop is located at 615 San Benito Street, the same side of the block as Heavenly Bakery and Best of Times Cafe.

Christmas shopping is going to be so easy for me this year.

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

Coming Events: How to Find Out

Are you like me, and you find out about events after the fact, especially in Hollister and San Benito County? Or, you learned about happenings to be several weeks before the date, only to forget when the day arrives?

Okay, then. Here's an online source for you to bookmark for kid and family friendly events and activities in our community: Hollister Macaroni Kid

This Web site is also a free e-newsletter that suggests activities for families to do together. It is edited and published by local Valerie Silva, who has been at it since May 2010. Being a mom, she says her mission is "for families to engage in quality time together, whether it be outside the home with events listed in the newsletter, or by enjoying crafts, cooking and other projects that might be listed in that week's posting."

Valerie posts every week, usually on Thursday.  She invites both organizations and individuals to post their events and activities on Hollister Macaroni Kid.  Businesses are also welcome to advertise at her site as well. Currently, Hollister Macaroni Kid has over 5200 views per month. It is is also on Facebook and Twitter. You can contact Valerie at valeries at macaronikid dot com.

One again, that's Hollister Macaroni Kid at www.hollister.macaronikid.com.

Disclosure: Valerie asked me if I would post something about Hollister Macaroni Kid. I was very glad to write about her Web site since I've used it as a source for some of of my past posts, which was way before she contacted me. So, to FCC and anyone else who cares, I did not receive any money, gifts, or threats to write this post.

Coming Up: 2011 San Benito County Fair

This year's San Benito County Fair will be September 30 to October 2.  Cock-a-doodle-doo! 

If you're still thinking about entering a photo, cake, quilt, or something else in the fair, you have until September 2 to send your entry form. For all the details of the fair, as well as to download an entry form, head over to this page at the San Benito County Fairgrounds Web site.

Setting Up for the Farmers Market

The Downtown Hollister Farmers Market is every Wednesday, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Fifth Street, between San Benito and Monterey Streets.  Lots of local food, crafts, wares, and joy are there.

Loooking Out of San Benito Bene

The husband and I finally checked out the new store, San Benito Bene, last week. Kathina, the owner, is selling a variety of locally made products. The ones that stick in my mind are the Marich chocolates, orchids from Watsonville, and the goat milk products from Bell Hill. I like knowing that I can conveniently purchase the chocolates downtown.

San Benito Bene is located at 615 San Benito Street. Kathina says that she has plans to set up a station where you can make-your-own gift basket of local goodies. How cool is that! The shop is open Monday through Saturday. Stop in the next time you're downtown.

Nope, FTC, I wasn't paid to write about San Benito Bene. I just like to let people know that there is a central place in Hollister  (finally!) where we can find locally made products.  It's about time.

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