Partake Locally

How many of you dear readers remember when this storefront at the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets was a gift shop?

Okay, how many of you recall when it was Schipper's, a rather cool clothing store? When did we become so old.

Today, this corner is home to the Mars Hill Coffeehouse. Along with offering customers a place to rest and chat with friends and family, while sipping coffee and eating snacks, it provides a venue for various activities and entertainment.

One of the coffeehouse's regular events is Story Time for children and their parents which features professional storyteller Julie Engelhardt.  This coming Monday, April 18, Julie will present "Hop into Spring, featuring stories about spring and easter. The free event starts at 11 a.m.

Walking the Fault

Looking down Sixth Street towards
Sacred Heart School. The Calaveras Fault
crosses the street, I do believe.

Want to learn more about the Calaveras Fault up close? This Saturday morning, April 16, geologists from Pacific Geotechnical Engineering will lead a walk tracing the fault through downtown Hollister. The one-hour walk starts at 9 a.m. at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce office at 650 San Benito Street. The walk is free. For more information, call the Chamber at (831) 637-5315.

The Wild Mustard Calls to Thee

"I ate a flower and two tiny leaves," said the husband. "They were hot!"

That's what happens when your ride your bicycle down a country road on a beautiful day. You just gotta stop, get off, and taste the wild mustard.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter M. To check out other M posts, please click here.

Coming Up: A Crab Feast!

I couldn't resist cropping. Could you? Would you?

The Hollister Exchange Club is hosting its annual crab feed and dance this coming Saturday evening, April 16, at Bolado Park. The fundraiser also includes a raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $40 per person. The proceeds help fund youth activities in San Benito County. For more information, call (831)637-8941 or (831)637-7449.

The Back Alleys of Hollister: Brown Alley

This is the Knife and Fork's patio on Brown Alley. It faces a gorgeous mural that honors the agricultural industry. Imagine dining here on a sunny day or a warm summer evening.

The Flowing San Benito River

These days it is rare to see standing water in the San Benito River. But, joyous joy, the river is flowing right now. It's rather cool!

Shop Locally: Bill's Bullpen Baseball Cards and Comics

"Superman looks like Elvis," said the husband.  Kinda. What do you think?

We wandered into Bill's Bullpen Baseball Cards and Comics on a whim. We were glad we did. It was fun talking with the proprietor about the comics of yore and the 1980s Giants.  As we were leaving, he said to the husband, "I know where I've seen you."

It turned out that he was at the Emergency Room at the same time that we were. I wonder if the hospital's "ears" were buzzing as we commiserated about our experiences that night. We could've all used a Superman then.

Follow the Red Brick Path

The other day we followed most of the red brick path in downtown Hollister. From north to south, it went from Third Street to Hawkins Street. We had a lot of fun peeking into storefront windows along the way. The brick work was installed several years ago as part of the overall plan to bring more people--locals and tourists--into downtown, specifically, and the area, in general.

Presently, the Hollister Downtown Association (HDA) is working on a marketing and branding plan. This Monday, April 11, the HDA will be holding public meetings in Room 218 at the Veterans Memorial Building for members of the community to give their input about how to best market Hollister to the world. For a list of meeting times, check out this article from The Pinnacle.

Weekend Fun for the Save the Music Drive

Last December, the  Hollister School District board voted to eliminate the elementary school music program after this school year because of lack of funds.  To address this problem, the Rancho-Maze Middle School Band Boosters and the San Benito High School Band Boosters established the Mr. Ostenson's Save the Music Drive. Its goal is to raise $156,000 to fund the elementary school music program for two years.

This Saturday, you can contribute to the fundraiser by stopping at their table or booth at the following events:

• Cerra Vista Elementary School Rummage Sale  (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• R.O. Hardin School Carnival (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Zumba! at the Marguerite Maze Middle School Gym (2 to 4 p.m.)

Hey, Look Up!

Is that a decorative lintel I spy?

Yep. You can find it on the 1931 building on Fifth and San Benito Streets that is now home to the Vault. It was originally built for the Bank of America.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter L. To check out other L posts, please click here.

Another Glimpse of Tres Pinos

This was my view from Flapjack's Country Cafe as I was sipping my big mug of coffee and eating my Hawaiian omelet and flapjacks. Soooo happy was I.

Tweet. What Shall I Have?

That's what I imagine this cutie bird is saying at Ella's Italian Restaurant.

The Back Alleys of Hollister: Fremont Way

Show of hands: How many of you know where Fremont Way is? That's where you'll find these palm trees.

Looking Down From Cienega Road

One of my favorite back roads to take in San Benito County is Cienega Road. It doesn't matter what time of year. The road is now part of the Wine Trail. So, be careful out there.

Whiskey Creek Mural

This is part of the mural that's on the side of Whiskey Creek Saloon at the corner of Fifth and East Streets. On April 17, the annual Bike Blessing event will take place at the bar. Donations will benefit the San Benito High School Scholarship Fund.

The Birdhouses at She's

Last week, the husband and I checked out the bird house display in She's windows. The very cool birdhouses were built  by local David Guttirez. Also, cool was the fact that the ladies at the shop let us step into the window so I could take a photo.

A Kooky Glimpse of Main Street

Or, maybe it's just an image taken by a kooky photographer. It's all how you look at things, no? This is the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets in downtown Hollister.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter K. To check out other K posts, please click here.

Wandering in Tres Pinos

A side street on the north side of downtown Tres Pinos.

Tres Pinos is the fourth biggest town in San Benito County. The population is 500, more or less. Highway 25 runs right through it. For a small community, it has several eateries. So, it's a great place to stop and grab a bite or wet your whistle when you're touring the back roads of the county.

Where to Walk in Hollister?

Downtown Hollister is a nice place for walking, alone or with a friend or two.

The YMCA hosts walks on Friday mornings. For more about the walks, click over to this page at the Hollister Downtown Association. You can also download a brochure of suggested short walks, such as  the 1.3 mile Historic District Walk, which you can do on your own.

Popul Vuh Auditions

A performance of  Popol Vuh: Story of Seven Macaw (part 2)
at the San Juan Bautista Mission Plaza in September 2010.

El Teatro Campesiño, in San Juan Bautista, will be holding auditions in April for its summer production of Popol Vuh: A Cosmic Pageant. The epic play is based on the creation story of the Maya. For more information about the auditions, click over to this page at the theater group's Web site.

Buena Vista

Looking south at the Gavilan Mountains from . . . you'll never guess. Buena Vista Road. Who ever named that road definitely got it right!

Eat Locally: Dreamy Buffet

"What do you want to eat?" I asked the husband, the other day, as we drove back into Hollister.

"Something tasty," said the husband.

After some consideration, we decided to check out Dreamy Buffet on McCray Street, next to the movie theaters. The husband was wary, even though I said the restaurant was under new ownership. Neither of us were impressed with the food or the service of the former owners.

Hello, hello. Things have definitely changed with the new owners. The restaurant is inviting and relaxing. The all-you-can-eat buffet of Chinese and Japanese food was yummy. And, the staff was friendly.

I'm ready to go back and check out the things I didn't try. Or, maybe just enjoy more of the sushi, the spicy fried chicken, and the Chinese dishes with the veggies. Yummmm.

Coming Up: Benefit Concert for the Elementary School Music Program

Mr. Joe Ostenson, a member of the Pacific Brass Band
This photo was taken at last year's concert.

On Monday, March 28, the Pacific Brass Band will hold a benefit concert for the  Mr. Ostenson's Save the Music Drive at Marguerite Maze Middle School on Meridian Street. (Memorial Drive is the cross street.)  The performance will start at 7 p.m.

According to its Web site, the Pacific Brass Band is one of a very few British brass bands that exist on the Pacific Coast, not including the Salvation Army bands. The band is composed of musicians from Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Clara counties. For more information about the band and the spring concerts, click over to its Web site.

The Mr. Ostenson's Save the Music Drive is sponsored by the  Rancho-Maze Middle School Band Boosters and the San Benito High School Band Boosters. Its goal is to raise $156,000 to fund the elementary school music program in the Hollister School District for two years. In December 2010, the The Hollister School District board voted to eliminate the elementary school music program after this school year because of lack of funds. For more information about the fundraising drive, click over to its Web site.

Just Hanging Out

This week's letter is J.
Click here
for more J posts.

The other day I took a jaunt down Riverside Road in search of the Japanese Temple Garden. Could not find it.

But.

I spied a truly jolly guy jauntily perched in a tree. Of course, I had to backtrack so you all can see the bjorn, too.

Tying One On

Long ago, cowboys would tie their horses to hitching posts before going into the saloon to get wasted. Just saying.

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.

Looking Up: Dancing Trees

I saw these dancing trees while the husband and I were heading south (or was it east?) on Union Road. Of course, I wasn't driving.

Happy First Day of Spring!

Burp. Gas.

Sigh. 

Want to get an idea of gas prices around town before you get in your car to fuel up? Check out these two sites:

• CaliforniaGasPrices.com
• FuelMeUp.com

Ahoooooga

That's right. It's a 1926 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup. It was on display at Tiffany Motor Company a week or so ago. According to the sign, it was assembled on October 1, 1926 in San San Francisco. The original price was $381. Ahoooga.

A Momentary Reflection

Beauty is everywhere. Recognize the road-most-often-taken that this large puddle is beside?

inevitably

Click on the photo for the full size.

The other day I woke up thinking that I gotta take photos of the fields at the end of Hillcrest Road. Before they are no more. One thousand plus homes will be going in and beyond what you see in the photo. Santana Ranch. The development was approved last November. Anyone know when the building will commence?

I will miss the open space.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter I. To check out other I posts, please click here.

Shop Locally: Trés Jolie Vintage

Yes! Another shop will be opening in downtown Hollister soon. Birdies say that Trés Jolie Vintage, a boutique, will be opening on April 1. Check out the shop's Facebook page for the latest news. The store is located at 748 San Benito Street, a door or two down from the new butcher and market.

Do you know the Savvy Seconds Boutique in Morgan Hill? Trés Jolie Vintage is its sister store.  Whoo-hoo!

Bump!

Bump, bump, bump! I just like the look and sound of that word. Bump. 

By the way, how do you get to the other side of the tracks, if you're walking? The sign says you can't walk in that patch there. So, for that matter, why put up a crosswalk then. Just wondering.