Gaia's Cottage

Hollister finally has its own source for earth-friendly products and it's called Gaia's Cottage. For instance, you can purchase locally handcrafted lotions and creams made from organic and non-GMO ingredients, Young Living carrier oils, glass drinking and baby bottles, watches made from sustainable and biodegradable elements, and local art work.

Located at 200 Tres Pinos Road, across from Gold's Gym, Gaia's Cottage is also a natural wellness center that offers yoga, massage, nutritional consulting, and more.  To find out more, check out the Gaia's Cottage web site or its Facebook page.

By the way, do you know what Gaia means?  Gaia is the Greek word for Earth. In ancient Greek mythology, Gaia was Mother Earth. She was born from chaos, the nothingness of the universe, and gave birth to the mountains, the sea, and the sky.

Free Events -- Saturday, February 8, 2014

If you're looking for indoor things to do tomorrow (as it rains, hurrah!), check out these two events in town. And, they are absolutely free!

Super Hero Story Time  -- 11 AM

Ernie Reyes' West Coast World Martial Arts, at 351 Tres Pinos Road, is having a Super Hero Story Time featuring local storyteller Julie Engelhardt. Children and adults are invited to come in costume as Super Heroes.  Special hero guest will be Batman who will be available to take photos with folks. Also dropping by are McGruff the Crime Dog and the San Benito County Sheriff's Department.

To Find Out More
• Super Hero Story Time
• Ernie Reyes' West Coast World Martial Arts   Web site   or   Facebook page
• Story Time Adventures with Julie Engelhardt   Facebook page  or   Web page 

Chocolate Tasting -- 11 AM to 3 PM

That's right. It's a free Chocolate Tasting at San Benito Bene, 615 B San Benito Street, in historical downtown Hollister.

C-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e!  Dark chocolates, milk chocolates, chocolate caramel popcorn, chocolate olive oil, chocolate truffles, chocolate pecans, and more.  San Benito Bene will also be raffling a Chocolate Basket. Oooooh, yum.

To find out more, check out the San Benito Bene web site or its Facebook page.

Rain, Sweet Rain

Joy! Joy! Joy! Yes, even the local flamingos are frolicking in the rain.

Weather forecasters say rain for the next four days. Whooo-hooo!

Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast

Want a great place to stay while visiting Hollister, San Juan Bautista,  Pinnacles National Park, and the surrounding area?

Check out the Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast at 712 West Street in historical downtown Hollister, only two blocks from main street, aka San Benito Street.

Joshua Inn, owned by Tricia and Greg Harvey, opened last summer. It's a gorgeous, happy yellow Queen Anne built in 1902. It was designed by the infamous California coast architect William H. Weeks and constructed by local builder Edward J. Sparling, according to The Historic Downtown Walking Tour booklet by Sharlene Van Rooy. The original owner was Judson Hamilton, who owned a harness and saddle shop in town.

Right now, the B&B has four bedrooms available. Wouldn't you love to stay in that tower? For more information online, check out the inn's Facebook about page.

The Short Long Alley

How short is Long Alley?

It's half a block long!

It starts (or ends) at College Street and ends (or starts) at McClure Alley.

Still don't have a clue where Long Alley is? You know where the SDES Hall, aka Portuguese Hall, is on 7th Street. Long Alley runs behind it.

The Husband and I wouldn't have known about this possibly shortest alley in town, if it weren't for taking a walk.