Chasing Clouds

Tuesday afternoon, after voting, I spied the tippy-top of what looked like growing thunderheads over the Rancho San Justo Gym. Very strange since it was a clear day. Of course I needed a photo of them. The clouds weren't as nearby as I thought they were. The further we drove up Airline (Highway 25), the farther away they were. Here's a close-up of them from Best Road. 

Coming Event: Jazz Under the Stars

The Homeless Coalition of San Benito County will be holding its sixth annual Jazz Under the Stars on July 23, 2011 at St. Benedicts Hall (1200 Fairview Road) in Hollister. The outdoor event will feature the Magnolia Jazz Band.

According to Doug Emerson, a board member of the Homeless Coalition, "This is the major fundraising event for the Homeless Coalition of San Benito County. The Coalition's primary source of revenue for the past years has been CDBG grants (Community Development Block Grant); we have received $100,000 – $110,00 yearly. However, due to changes at the Federal and State levels, there will be no CDBG grants in 2011. As a result, it will be a struggle to keep the shelter open next winter. Attending Jazz or making a monetary donation will go a long way towards keeping our shelter open."

For information about the Homeless Coalition of San Benito County, click over to its Web site. For more details about the fundraiser, click here. You can also click on the poster image below to enlarge it for easier reading.

Coming Event: Hollister "Birthplace of the American Biker" Independence Weekend

Yes, there will be no Hollister Independence Rally this year. More than likely the one in 2008 was the last one.

No city-sanctioned bike rally. Got it. But, that doesn't matter.

The Hollister "Birthplace of the American Biker" Independence Weekend will be going on. So, from Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3, we, locals, should expect to see and hear a lot of bikers coming through town.

In fact, on Saturday, July 2, bikers will be riding in from Southern California. They will start in San Dimas at 6 a.m., rocking their way up through the valley, down Pacheco Pass, and rolling into Hollister around 1:20 p.m. To learn more about the ride, head over to the 2011 Southern California Hollister Rally Run Web site.

To learn about local events that will take place that weekend, check out these Web sites:

• Johnny's Bar and Grill
• Corbin Open House and Rider Appreciation Day
• Motorcross Racing at the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area
• Great Freedom Concert, Guerra Cellars Summer Concert Series

For a complete list of events, click here.

P.S. If you'd like to know about the July 4, 1947 event that lead to Hollister being called "Birthplace of the American Biker," click here.

Coming Event: 2011 Street Festival and Car Show

The 2010 Street Festival and Car Show

Yes, it's another local summer event to put on your calendar. Why not? It's summer! Yes it is. Don't let that weather fool you.

This event is the 25th Annual Street Festival and Car Show. The city closes down San Benito Street between South and Fourth Streets. The old cars are lined up at the south end. There will be food vendors, booths, demonstrations, and five bands. Free watermelon, too. For more detail, check out this link.

Coming Event: 2011 Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo

2010 Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade. Click here for more photos.

The 78th Annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo will be held June 24 to June 26, 2011 at the Bolado Park Fairgrounds. As usual, it will kick off with a parade through downtown Hollister on Thursday, June 23,  around 6 p.m. For more details, click over to the rodeo's Web site.