Tuesday in Hollister: Where Are You Standing?

Let's say you're taking this photo. Where are you? What would you want to order?

Hint: Down the street from where you're standing (as you take this photo) is another long-standing company. It spits forth a lot of steam and aroma 24/7 during the summer. 

Was this too easy for you? Okay, across the street is a pile of blue things. What establishment stores and sells those things?

Come back on Thursday for the answers.

Coming Up in September in San Benito County

September!

The Farmers Market ends this month. High school Haybaler football games begin. Three concerts to check out at the Pepper Tree Ranch and two plays by El Teatro Campesiño to watch. The annual Mexican Independence Parade in Hollister and the annual Chicken Festival in San Juan Bautista take place this month. As do several yearly charity events such as the Kinship Center's wine and food tasting fundraiser at the Paicines Ranch. And so much more.

September. Enjoy!

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, 8 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.

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

ONGOING EVENTS
September 1 to 29: Our Piece of Heaven Exhibit, featuring art works of Carole Belliveau, The Blak Sage Gallery of Fine Art (727 San Benito Street), Hollister.  Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Artist's reception on September 3, from 5 to 7 p.m.

September 4 and 11: Fremont Peak Observatory Evening Public Program, Fremont Peak State Park.

September 10:  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.

September 10: Open Mic Night, San Benito County Free Library, Hollister.

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS

September 3:  Justine McBride and Second Wind Band Concert, Guerra Cellars Summer Concerts,  Hollister. 6 to 10 p.m.

September 4: Hollister Professional Bull Riding, San Benito County Fairgrounds (Bolado Park).

September 4, 5, and 6: Popl Vuh The Story of the Seven Macaw presented by El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista. Different location location each day at 2 p.m. Free!

September 5: Living History in the Park, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park,
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

September 11

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.

54th Annual Wine and Food Tasting, sponsored by the Gabilan Chapter of the Kinship Center, Paicines Ranch, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 

The Shanks Concert, Guerra Cellars Summer Concerts, Hollister. 7 to 10 p.m.

September 12: Mexican Independence Day Parade, Hollister. 

September 16 to October 17: Corridos!,  El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista.

September 16, 17, 23, 24: Hollister Haybalers Football Home Games, Andy Hardin Stadium.

September 17 to 19: Civil War Days, San Benito County Historic Park, Tres Pinos.

September 17

12th Annual YMCA Charity Golf Tournament, San Juan Oaks. 

A Beatles Musical Tribute, The Vault, Hollister.

September 18

Downtown Fall Clean-up, Hollister.

Little Texas and Kelly McDonald Concert, Guerra Cellars Summer Concerts, Hollister. 6 to 10 p.m. 

September 18 and 19: Fourth Annual Chicken Festival and Parade, San Juan Bautista

September 18 to October 17 (weekends): Northern California Renaissance Faire, Casa de Fruta.

September 24: "Vertigo," Movies in the Park series,  San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. The movie will be shown on the San Juan Bautista State Historical Park Plaza Lawn at sunset. Refreshments will be available for sale.

September 24 to 30: San Benito County Fair Horse Show Judging, San Benito County Fairgrounds (Bolado Park).

Tuesday in Hollister: Where is This?

This week, I present you a photo of a photo of past times in downtown Hollister. Be forewarned that the image is distorted. The buildings in the photo look like they are happily and crazily leaning as they might in a 1930s cartoon. The image is part of a longer one in a display case at the Wapple House Museum, run by the San Benito County Historical Society.

That said, take a look at the photo, circa 1900s. Where do you think this is?

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Do you know which street that is between the two buildings?

Here are a couple of hints for you: School bells. Order in the court.

Okay, one more: The photographer would be looking down from a grand vista in town.

Go ahead, leave a comment with your guess below or at the Facebook page. I double dare you.

Shop Locally: The Market Place

The husband and I have been wandering around San Juan Bautista a lot lately. There are always new things to discover. A couple weeks ago,  we wandered into a new shop called The Market Place. The first item that caught my eye was a cute tiny tot tutu. "They're like the ones at Dolce Baby (and Mommy Too) in Hollister," I pointed out to the husband.

"They are," called the woman at the counter. "She makes them custom-made for me."

It turns out that The Market Place features local crafts, jewelry, food products, and other handcrafted items. I felt pretty darn awestruck looking about the shop and realizing that they were made by various artists, crafts persons, farmers, candy makers, and businesses who live in the San Benito County area.

The Market Place itself is owned and run by two locals, Sharon Shelton and Claire Del Curto. In fact, the enthusiastic woman behind the counter was Claire, who told us that they are always looking for more local items for the shop.

So, there you go. Now you know where to go whenever you want to buy local items for gifts or for yourselves.

The Market Place is located at 209 Third Street, between the Daisy Saloon and Mom and Pop Saloon. You can also check them out on their Facebook page. 

Among the local food items being sold at the shop were
Mansmith's BBQ spices, candy from Marich Confectionery,
and honey produced by Brays Apiaries.

Coming Up: The San BenitoCounty Fair

Autumn is around the corner. And, that means it'll soon be time to take Highway 25 down to Bolado Park for the county fair. This year, our fair county will be celebrating its 87th county fair. Whoo-hoo!

October 1 to October 3 are the dates. Mark 'em now on your calendar, before you forget.

If you want to enter your baked goods, crafts, photographs, paintings, flowers, or other items in the fair, you still have time. The deadline for entries is September 3, 2010.  You can send your entry form and fees to the fairgrounds office or take them directly there.

For entry forms and details, head over to the San Benito County Fair Web site.

The baker definitely deserved top prize!