Tuesday in Hollister: What Was There?

Dear Friendly Readers,

It's time to try something new here at Take 25 to Hollister. Yep, indeed. Every Tuesday, I'll post a photo of a place in Hollister. Try to guess what it is and/or where it is before I give you the answer. If you have sweet memories of the place, I welcome you to share it with us, either in the comments section or at the Facebook page.

So, here we go. . .

What business used to stand in this empty lot?

This is all that remains of that happy and fun place.

The building stood at the corner of San Benito and Seventh. It was damaged by the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, but it was an arson fire that brought it down a few years later.  Do you know what business it was?

If you didn't guess it by now, this clue should do it: The building held 1,194 seats, according to the Cinema Treasures Web site.

Yep, you got it. Click here to see the State Theater in its full splendor.

What happy memories do you have about going to the movies there?

Hey Muenzer's! Happy 100th to You!!

Muenzer's Cyclery and Sports Center, most affectionately known as Muenzer's, is 100 years and 1 day old today! Whoo-hooo!!!!

Muenzer's was opened in 1910 by Joseph A. Muenzer, who had bought a second hand store on Fifth Street and chucked everything but the bicycles. The store has evolved to meet the needs of the community. At one time, the store sold Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles. Today, the store is owned by Muenzer's grandchildren, Jan and Jerry. They offer locksmith services as well as sell sports equipment and clothing, local school athletic gear and gym clothes, Scouts badges and supplies, and much more.

No doubt many of you, dear Hollister readers, have fond memories of purchasing bicycles, baseball mitts, tennis shoes, Baler sweatshirts, fishing poles, and other fun stuff that came from Muenzer's. My first bicycle was a blue Schwinn that my parents bought from Muenzer's. It was heaven. I pedaled it to places I was not supposed to go and got home before the parents knew about it. When the husband and I moved to Hollister seven summers ago, guess what was the first thing we did. Yep. We headed down to Muenzer's and bought ourselves a couple of bicycles. Very cool ones, indeed. We have pedaled those bicycles all about town and then some.

Any of you Hollister readers have memories you want to share?

Muenzer's is located at Fifth Street, between San Benito and East streets. Check out these links, for more info about the store:

• Muenzer's Cyclery and Sports Center
• Muenzer's Photo Album
• "100 Years and Still Counting," by Kollin Kosmicki, Hollister Free Lance

Summer Farmer's Market

Tomorrow is Wednesday.  You know what that means. The Farmer's Market!

Haven't been there yet? It's on Fifth Street, between San Benito and Monterey streets. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, milk, chicken, and meat are there for the buying. Honey, oils, jams, flowers, dried fruits, and various prepared food and non-food items are also available.  Click here for a list of vendors. Please note that some vendors may no longer be there, and that new vendors, such as Claravale Farm (fresh milk!) and Douglas Ranch (beef, pork, and lamb) are not listed.

Have kids? Come earlier for Story Time with Julie Engelhardt at Mars Hill Coffeehouse. That's just around the corner. It starts at 1:30 p.m. Theme is Let's GO! Cars, Planes, Trucks and Trains.  "Kids can bring their favorite vehicles--boats, airplanes, cars, etc., and they can dress up like an engineer, race car driver, fireman, policeman...anything they like!" says Julie.

Talking about kids, are you ready to hear a very talented group of young ladies? The Sledge Grits Band will be performing tomorrow at the Farmer's Market. Ages 7 through 14, these rocking gals have already been featured on the CBS Early Morning Show. Here's the link to their website. Check out the video of their CBS performance before heading over.

August Happenings in and around San Benito County

August is just around the corner. Before you know it, the San Benito County Fair will be here. The first weekend in October, by the way. So, if you're planning to enter sweets, jellies, home-grown veggies, crafts, photographs, or other items into the fair, you have all of August to send in your entry forms and fees. Click over to the San Benito County Fair Web site for more details, after checking out all the fun happenings around the county in August. 

WEEKLY EVENTS

Wednesday afternoons: Farmers Market, Hollister. From 3 to 7 p.m., on 5th Street, between San Benito and Monterey Streets.

Friday evenings: Bingo, Sacred Heart Church, Hollister. It starts 6:30 p.m. at the O'Reilly Hall (670 College Street).  You must be 18 years old to play.

Saturday mornings: Bike Ride with Off the Chain Bikes, from 8 to 11 a.m.

Book Sale, Friends of the Library, Hollister. From  9 a.m. to 12 p.m., behind the San Benito County Free Library, 5th and West Streets. $2 per bag.

Saturdays and Sundays: Flea Market, Betabel Station and Outdoor Market, 9644 Betabel Road, San Juan Bautista. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ONGOING EVENTS

August 7 and 14: Fremont Peak Observatory Evening Public Program, Fremont Peak State Park.

August 21-22, 27-29, and September 4-6: Popl Vuh: The Story of the Seven Macaw, El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista.

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS

August 1: Corridos!,  El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista.

August 3: National Night Out, San Benito High School Football Field, Hollister, from 5 to 8 p.m. A nationwide crime and drug prevention event, which will be hosted locally by the San Benito County Sheriff's Department. 

August 4

Annual "Kids at the Park", Dunne Park, Hollister, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A safety and health fair for children and families.  

Story Time with Julie Engelhardt, Mars Hill Coffeehouse, 1:30 p.m. Theme is Let's GO! Cars, Planes, Trucks and Trains.  "Kids can bring their favorite vehicles--boats, airplanes, cars, etc., and they can dress up like an engineer, race car driver, fireman, policeman...anything they like!" says Julie.

August 5: The Lines Tour featuring Colton Saylor and Every Atlas, Mars Hill Coffeehouse, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

August 7: Living History in the Park, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

August 8: Annual Antiques and Collectibles Flea Market, San Juan Bautista.

August 13 to 15: 17th Annual Good Old-Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, Bolado Park (San Benito County Fairgrounds).

August 13: Pedro Card Party, San Juan Bautista. Sponsored by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, it will be held at 203 Fourth Street from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome.

August 14

Fremont Peak Observatory Solar Program, Fremont Peak State Park, 12 noon to 3 p.m.

San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk, San Juan Bautista, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

August 15: Music at the Mission: In Aeternam, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Performances will be at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Mission San Juan Bautista.

August 20 to 21: Vaquero Heritage Days, Mission San Juan Bautista Grounds (Casa Maria).

August 21

Monthly Antique and Collectibles Fair, San Juan Bautista, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Shane Dwight and Extra Large Concert, Guerra Cellars Summer Concerts, Hollister. 6 to 10 p.m.

August 27: "Shane," Movies in the Park series, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. 

August 28

Live Jazz with Luis Lenzi, The Knife and Fork Cafe. 6 to 9 p.m.  

"Glamour Hollywood," 3rd Annual Baler Summer Nights Fundraiser, San Juan Oaks. Dinner, dance, and silent auction. 6 p.m. to midnight.

August 29: Aromas Day: A Day in the Country, Aromas.

A Hollister Biker Rally in 2011?

Do you know where this mural is in downtown Hollister?

Yep. It's in Wentz Alley on the wall of Johnny's Bar and Grill. Originally painted in 1996, it was repainted in 2007 by artist (and biker) Ronald Rocha from San Antonio.

The mural depicts Hollister's part in the American biker history.  Some say the American biker tradition began in our sweet agricultural haven on the July 4th weekend of 1947.  For years, an annual motorcycle event took place at Bolado Park on the Fourth of July. In 1947, some bikers went into town for drinks and got frisky and loud. Somehow, the media learned about the ruckus and spun the rowdiness into wild and destructive abandonment. You know how that goes with some media guys. They spin things out of context, especially if they can make money out of it.

Have you ever seen the movie "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando?  That's  loosely-goosely based on the 1947 incident. 

In 1997, the City of Hollister decided to hold a Fourth of July Independence Motorcycle Rally downtown to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that event. It turned into an annual happening that brought thousands of bikers into town. Although it was cancelled in 2009, many bikers continue to visit the area to check out July 4 events held by local motorcycle groups and Johnny's Bar and Grill.

There's talk of holding the rally in 2011. Some members of the community plan to address the issue at the open session part of the Hollister City Council meeting on Monday, August 2.  The meeting will be held at City Hall, with the open session beginning around 6:30 p.m.

Folks can express their opinions, whether for or against the rally, during the "Public Comment" segment. According to one of the council members, the "Public Comment" segment normally starts early in the meeting. Speakers are limited to three minutes to present their opinions. Council members do not discuss, debate, or take action on any presentations made during "Public Comment." However, they may choose to put the issue on the agenda at a future Council meeting.

If you're interested in making a statement about the rally, here is your chance.

In the meanwhile, here are some links that may interest you:

• Johnny's Bar and Grill
• Hollister and Bikers (You can also see a clip of The Wild One there)  
• "A New Look at the 'Wild One'" by Anthony Ha, Hollister Free Lance (about the repainting of the mural)