The Hollister Mural

Really? You haven't seen this mural in person?

What are you waiting for? If you want an idea of what downtown Hollister was like during the 1950s and 1960s, go check out this beautiful mural. You'll find it in the small public parking lot on Fifth Street, between the Vault and the Granada Theater.  The mural was painted by Ernie Valles, a local artist.

Here's a closer look of part of the mural. Click the photo for a larger image.

Tuesday in Hollister

How many of you figured out what is now standing where the Hartmann Hotel (later the Dabo Hotel) was?

The hotel once stood at the northeast corner of 6th and San Benito Streets. It was torn down after being damaged by a 5.6 earthquake in 1961.

Standing on that corner today is the Wells Fargo Bank. The previous occupant was the Wachovia Bank. Before that, the World Savings Bank occupied the building. And, according to Marie at the "Take 25" Facebook page, the Monterey Savings Bank was there before that bank.

Tuesday in Hollister: What is There Now?

Photo is courtesy of the Wapple House Museum Research Room,
San Benito County Historical Society.

This photo shows the Hartmann Hotel around 1922. Several decades later it became the Dabo Hotel. According to the California Tourist Guide and Handbook by Wells and Aubrey Drury, which was published in 1913, lodging at the Hartmann Hotel was $2.50 A.P. (a person?). We'll never see those kind of lodging prices again!

The Hartmann Hotel was located on San Benito Street. Do you know what business is on that corner today? Can you bank on it?

For a sharper view of the Hartmann Hotel in the 1920s, click here.

Click here to see how the hotel, now known as Dabo Hotel, looked in 1961.

October 17: Immaculate Conception BBQ Fundraiser

Are you heading down Highway 25 this Sunday to check out the Wine Trail, hike the Pinnacles, drive the back roads of San Benito County, or do another adventure?  You're bound to get hungry and wonder what to eat and where to eat.

How about some BBQ in Tres Pinos?

On October 17, the  Immaculate Conception Church will be holding its annual BBQ fundraiser.  The BBQ meal includes chicken (half chicken for adult; quarter for child), pasta, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. Cost is $12 per adult and $6 per child.  You can eat there on the breathtaking grounds or take your plates with you for when you're ready to chow down. Adults who eat on the premise may receive a glass of wine with their meal.

The Immaculate Conception Church is on the south side of Tres Pinos, right off Highway 25. It was built in 1892 and originally was situated across the highway. In 1925, the parish became part of the Sacred Heart Church in Hollister because of lack of funds. Ten years later, the Immaculate Conception parish was able reestablish itself. To help raise funds for the church, the parishioners put on a BBQ fundraiser. This Sunday will be the church's 72nd annual BBQ fundraiser.

The fundraiser will also feature children's games and a cake walk, in which you get a chance of winning a homemade cake. There will also be a white elephant booth which will have knick-knacks, books, holiday decorations, and other items for sale. Most, if not all, items are donated. As one organizer said, "it could be 'junk' to someone and 'treasure' to someone else."

For more information about the Immaculate Conception Church, check out these links:

• Immaculate Conception Catholic Community 
• The Church in Tres Pinos

For info about some of the fun adventures that are available on and about Highway 25, check out these sites:

• Coming Up in October in San Benito County
• Pinnacles National Monument
• San Benito County Wine Trail
• Skydive Hollister
• Swank Farms Corn Maze, Haunted Ranch, and Pumpkin Patch Farm
• Watchable Wildlife
• Highway 25 Motorcycle Ride

Pinnacles National Monument

Attention: Female Self-Pay Patients in San Benito County

Clip art copyrighted
by Bobbie Peachey,
http://webclipart.about.com

Here's a bit of good news for all you women who are self-pay patients: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And, that means during this month of October, many medical facilities nationwide are offering mammogram screenings for $75 to self-pay patients.

You read that right! In San Benito County, self-pay patients can get a mammogram at this special rate at the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Radiology Department. All you need is a physician's order to make an appointment. The phone number is 636-2650.

If you don't have a physician, you can get the necessary breast exam and doctor's referral at one of the three community clinics in the county: Hollister Clinic, Hazel Hawkins Hospital Mabie Health Care Center, or San Juan Bautista Clinic. The cost for the exam is $25 if you pay at the time of your visit. For addresses and phone numbers for the clinics, click here.

There are only a few weeks left in October. So, go to it! The Radiology Department has extended evening and weekend hours.

Please pass the message to all your friends and relatives who need to take advantage of this offer.

For more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, click here.

Outstanding in Their Field: Cattle

 

Last month, the husband and I were driving down Highway 25 towards the Pinnacles. I looked to the left at one point and just had to stop to click my camera. If you want a better view, click on the photo.

Cattle has been raised in San Benito County for hundreds of years. According to the San Benito County 2008 Annual Crop Report, 38,700 head of cattle were raised in the county. The production value was nearly $13.5 million dollars.

Local cattle ranchers follow traditional or sustainable practices.  If you're interested in buying grass fed beef produced on local ranches, check out these ranchers:

• Morris Grassfed Beef
• Paicines Ranch

Want to know more about San Benito County agriculture, check out these sites:

• San Benito County Farm Bureau
• San Benito Agricultural Land Trust
• San Benito County Agricultural Commissioner