Big City Parking

Who has parked in the free parking garage on Fourth Street because they couldn't find parking near let's say the library? Wells Fargo? Paines? the farmers market on Wednesdays?

Did you know you get a good view of downtown from the elevator?

Did it really cost the city several million dollars to build it? 

Have you ever thought of going up and down the garage stairs for exercise? The husband and I did it first time yesterday.

Loooking Out of San Benito Bene

The husband and I finally checked out the new store, San Benito Bene, last week. Kathina, the owner, is selling a variety of locally made products. The ones that stick in my mind are the Marich chocolates, orchids from Watsonville, and the goat milk products from Bell Hill. I like knowing that I can conveniently purchase the chocolates downtown.

San Benito Bene is located at 615 San Benito Street. Kathina says that she has plans to set up a station where you can make-your-own gift basket of local goodies. How cool is that! The shop is open Monday through Saturday. Stop in the next time you're downtown.

Nope, FTC, I wasn't paid to write about San Benito Bene. I just like to let people know that there is a central place in Hollister  (finally!) where we can find locally made products.  It's about time.

At the Corner of 7th and San Benito Streets

Doesn't it look like these two signs could be perched on someone's shoulder? One is the angel, while the other is the devil.

Everything Garlic

More than six hours later, I still have a distinct taste of garlic in my mouth. Garlic fries. Garlic ice cream. Shrimp, mushrooms, noodles, BBQ, and sausages laced with oodles of garlic.

Yesterday, the husband and I drove over to Gilroy (not in San Benito County) and sampled some of the garlicky foods for sale at its infamous Garlic Festival.  Consuming all that garlic was for a good cause. Really.

This was the first time I attended the event, which started in 1979. I didn't know until just now that the festival is a major annual fundraiser for Gilroy's many nonprofit organizations. Last year, the festival raised $270,000, according to its Web site. Wow! Okay, maybe I'll excuse it for having to pay $3 for a bottle of water.

The festival continues today and Sunday.

I thought the garlic fries were the best tasting thing I ate.
The potatoes were totally loaded with the stinking rose.

As the mama would say, "Lots of people there."

 Setting the pans on fire was part of the show of cooking in front of a crowd.

Postcards of the Old City Hall

First, everyone, please say a big "Thank you!" to Cindy Mackie. She sent me copies of these vintage postcards of the old City Hall, which many of you today may know as the vacant YMCA building that's located on Fifth Street.

Cindy wrote: "The postcard on one of the old City Hall dates the card to April 19, 1912. I think you could safely say that that building is at least 100 years old. The publisher is Edward H. Mitchell of San Francisco."

Okay, I won't detain you anymore. Check out the trio of postcards from Cindy.  Thank you very much, Cindy.

Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.

Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.

Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.