A Three-Door Door

Beauty and innovation is in the eye of the beholder. Isn't that how some saying goes? Well, this edifice might cause some to shudder. Not me. There's just something rather cool about it. I like how the builder managed to get practical use out of leftover doors. I wish I could remember which alley I saw this in.

Windows All in a Row

The windows of the Pendergrass Building, which used to be a hotel, fascinate me. Actually, it's more the side of the building that faces Fifth Street. That side reminds me of drawings of tall buildings that small kids do.

I wonder what it looks like inside up there. Don't you?

Another New Shop in Hollister

2nd Tyme Around recently opened in downtown Hollister. It's in that sweet space on Fifth and East Streets where French's Kitchen and Bath Collectibles and Gifts used to be. Go check it out the next time your downtown. The husband and I popped in during the street fair on Saturday. The one piece that really caught our eye was a beautiful, sturdy roll-top desk with card catalog type drawers. Okay, I was also taken by the Underwood manual typewriter sitting on the desk. Sigh.

San Benito Bene

San Benito Bene is a new boutique in downtown Hollister. How new is it?

It's opening today—July 18, 2011, for those of you who don't look at calendars.

I learned about it from its owner, Kathina, at the Downtown Street Festival on Saturday. Her booth displayed some of the samples of food, cosmetics, lotions, and other handcrafted items made by local artisans, crafts persons, and food makers, which she is selling in her store.

Finally, don't you agree? A local shop which carries many of the local items.

San Benito Bene is located at 615 San Benito Street, Suite B, near the Best of Times Cafe. The shop's hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

A note to FTC: Kathina gave me a sample-size bottle of olive oil, after I asked if I could take a photo of her and her booth  for my blog.

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.

From Wentz We Came

The husband and I like walking or pedaling our bicycles through the alleys of Hollister. Don't know why. This is looking west on Wentz Alley at Monterey Street.

Looks Like a Tight Squeeze Up There

How narrow does a person have to be to get up and down that fire escape?

I saw this fire escape as the husband and I were walking down Wentz Alley. From Google maps, it looks like this is either part of the Pendergrass Building or the brick building next to it on Fifth Street.

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.

The Music Man

Peeking into the Granada Theater

The San Benito Stage Company will be presenting the musical "The Music Man" at the Granada Theater. The first presentations will be this weekend. For more details, visit the San Benito Stage Company Web site. All proceeds will go to the Save the Hollister Public School Music Drive.

Look Up: The Old City Hall

I like the old City Hall of Hollister, which is a few buildings to the east of the current City Hall that used to be the library. I am amazed that in our land of earthquakes the old brick building is still standing. I don't know how  it is. Seems to me there is a placard on it that states the year it was built.

The other thing that amazes me about this building is the decoration you see in the photo. It's near the top. There are actually three of these figurines gracing the front of the building.  I'd never noticed them until the other day.  How about you?

I wonder who she is supposed to be or represent. And, what's with those three things that are extending downward from her?

44 Shore Road

The first address I remember is 44 Shore Road. Our house was white with red trim. It was one of four small houses that stood behind Dunneville Store (now called the Dunneville Restaurant, Market, and Deli). The house no longer exists. Where I stood in the Dunneville parking lot to take this photo is about where our house would've been.

Today, the field and the parking lot are the same level. I recall going down a long flight of stairs from the back porch to the back yard, and if I wanted to wander in the field, I had to climb up a short incline to crawl through the barbed wire.

Things look so much bigger and higher when you're five years old.

Gotta Sit Somewhere

St. Luke's Episcopal Church sits on the corner of Monterey and Seventh Streets. You can tell by its steeple that it's a cute building. What stopped me that afternoon was the bird. Do you see it?

Another Point of View: The Clock Tower

Yesterday, I was walking by the parking lot next to the Granada Theater on Fifth Street and happened to glance to the left. It took me several steps before the view registered in my head. I backtracked to see it again—a look at the Masonic Lodge Clock Tower from an angle I've never seen before.

By the way, I decided not to crop out the coca cola cup. For me, it adds to the photo. Can you find the cup? It's so obvious. Just like the beauty of the clock tower. 

Another Perspective of San Juan Bautista

Every now and then, the husband and I like to drive over to San Juan Bautista and have breakfast at the Mission Cafe. Whether inside or outside of that mission city, everything looks just so. . .quaint.

Give San Benito County

These new banners line San Benito Street in downtown Hollister. The "Give San Benito" is a fundraising campaign by the Community Foundation for San Benito County. For information, check out this link.

Coming Event: Class of 1971 Scholarship Fundraiser

"Reunions" combined with fundraising are loads of fun and heart. This photo was taken at last year's fundraiser for the Class of 1971 Scholarship, which is sponsored by the Hollister High (aka San Benito High) School Class of 1971. Scholarships are awarded to graduating Balers.

This year's BBQ and Silent Auction Fundraiser will take place on August 7, 2011 at the Betabel Event Center in San Juan Bautista, from 12 to 4 p.m. Lunch plate is $25. Lunch ticket purchases or reservations need to be made by July 20.  Click on the link below for details.

• Class of 1971 Scholarship BBQ and Silent Auction Fundraiser
• Class of 1971 Scholarship

All Balers and non Balers are welcome to join in the fun.

Note to all: I am a 1971 Baler and am involved in the fundraiser. So there, FTC, no hiding here.

The Bikers Came and They Went

Not being a biker (at least motorcycles), I have no idea how successful the unofficial Independence Motorcycle Rally went over the weekend. On Saturday, I happened to be downtown and saw many bikers parking and rolling in on San Benito Street. Late Sunday morning, main street was practically bare of motorcycles. Monday, not a sign. My 89-year old Mama thought it was an unhappy Fourth of July without the hundreds of visiting motorcyclists. She's not a biker, either.

Happy Fourth of July!!!!!

 

A copy of the Declaration of Independence is on permanent display at the San Benito County Free Library on Fifth and West Streets in downtown Hollister. Click here if you'd like to read the transcription of this most wonderful document.

Bikes, All in a Row

Just past noon on Saturday, both sides of San Benito Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, were nearly filled with bikes, all parked politely and carefully, rear end to the curb. That was just only the beginning of the day. A very large group of bikers doing the Hollister Rally Run from Southern California had planned to roll into town sometimes around 1:30 p.m.

Lots more activities going on today and Monday. For details, click here (Corbin) and here (Johnny's Bar and Grill).

Curtain of Cloud

On Tuesday, we came out of the Mission Cafe in San Juan Bautista to see this cloud curtain. And, of course, as you many of you know, it rained and rained later on that day.

2011 Hollister Motorcyle Rally

No. The City of Hollister has not sanctioned an official motorcycle rally this year.

BUT.

There are a whole lot of private motorcycle events going on this weekend to commemorate the 1947 event that many say is why Hollister is considered the Birthplace of the American Biker. All these events are open to the public. For details, check out these links:

• Hollister Rally Revival of Facebook
• Coming Event: Hollister "Birthplace of the American Biker" Independence Weekend

Art All Around

The swirly part of this sign always catches my eye when I'm traveling north on East Street, between South and Seventh Streets. The swirl reminds me of the yin-yang symbol. It also makes me think of 1960s pop art. So, where will you find this sign? In the yard of the McKinnon Lumber Company.

Looking Up: Lamp Posts

Doesn't it almost look like these lamp posts are dancing? And, right in front of the Veterans Memorial Building.

A June Rain!

It was raining when we came out of the movie theater in Hollister yesterday evening around 6:30. Not just a sprinkle, but a pouring. It was gently raining when we came out of La Villa de Jerez an hour later. The photo shows how much water was on the sidewalk and gutter by then. Amazing!

From the Gabilans to the Diablos

We really live in a mountainous area. This photo was taken from Fremont Peak, which is in the Gabilan range. The mountain range across the valley is the Diablo range.

A Penny-farthing

This week (June 20 to June 27), I will be posting photos that I took last Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.

That there bicycle skeleton leaning against the antique store is a penny-farthing. Sorry. I didn't take a really close look to see if it is an actual penny-farthing frame or a metal sculpture of the penny-farthing.

Penny-farthing. Sounds like a coin with a gas problem.

The San Juan Bautista Fiesta Rodeo Mural

This week (June 20 to June 27), I will be posting photos that I took last Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.

This fading mural sits in somebody's back yard. It depicts the San Juan Bautista Fiesta and Rodeo that used to take place every year since at least the early 1900s. The mural was done in the 1970s by artist Ernesto Valles, who also did the Hollister mural on Fifth Street.

Here's a closer look at a section of this San Juan mural.

Knock, Knock

This week (June 20 to June 27), I will be posting photos that I took last Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.

A fixture—a knocker, I believe—on the door of the Orient Express, the Chinese Restauarnt in town. The address is on Washington Street.

Heavy Metal Cock-a-Doodle-doo

This week (June 20 to June 27), I will be posting photos that I took last Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.

When is a chicken in San Juan Bautista not running wild?

When it is an item in a gift shop in that town.

Back Fence Gazing

This week (June 20 to June 27), I will be posting photos that I took last Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.

Peeking through the back fence on Fourth Street at the patio of Jardines de San Juan.

Chickies Running Wild

This week (June 20 to June 27), I will be posting photos that I took last Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.

San Juan Bautista is known for being home to one of the 21 California missions that were founded by the Franciscan friars of Spain. It is also known for the chickens that run wild through the downtown streets. Many tourists think the wild chickens are quaint. Many San Juan residents think otherwise. Check out this story about the Mission City's decision to hire a chicken wrangler to thin out the flocks.

¡Música!

This week (June 20 to June 27), I will be posting photos that I took last Sunday in downtown San Juan Bautista.

Last Sunday was the annual fiesta celebrating the 214th anniversary of the founding of Mission San Juan Bautista on June 24, 1797. A great band was playing that sunny afternoon. Wish I'd caught the band's name.

Hitchcock in San Juan Bautista?

I was wandering around downtown San Juan Bautista yesterday with the camera, of course. So, I think I shall do another week  (June 20 to June 27) of photos of the mission city. 

The arrow points to—what else—Vertigo Coffee Restaurant/Cafe at 81 Fourth Street.