We are in a Drought!

The hills surrounding San Juan Bautista ought to be green by now!

It is official.  Yesterday, Governor Brown declared the State of Emergency about our drought conditions. Bottom line: The Governor urges that everyone -- from individuals to farmers, small businesses, big corporations, public agencies, nonprofits, and others -- to use less water. Specifically, Governor Brown strongly suggests that everyone reduce their water usage by 20 percent. To read Governor Brown's State of Emergency drought proclamation, click here. For water conservation tips, check out Save Our Water.

Tomorrow, Sunday, January 19, at 9:30 AM, the San Juan Intertribal Council and San Juan Bautista community will hold a Sacred Rain Ceremony on the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park Plaza Green. The ceremony will be presented by Leynee and Sonny Reyna of the San Juan Intertribal Council. They ask that everyone bring a bottle of water and a cup. And, if your umbrella is handy, bring that as well.  You never know!

Drink & Eat Locally: Vertigo Coffee

These days I can only have coffee once in a long while, and when I do it needs to be the decaf stuff. I might as well go without rather than drink decaffeinated, right? Then Vertigo Coffee in San Juan Bautista made me a cup of decaf. Whoo-hooo! The taste.  The aroma. Sigh. I was in heaven.

Vertigo Coffee, at 81 Fourth Street, is now open until 7 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Check out their hours and more at their website. For those of you who haven't been to Vertigo yet, you can also order teas and chocolates as well as  pizzas, breakfast wraps, and other dishes.

Shop Locally: Muenzer's Keys & Teez

Muenzer's is alive and well, despite the rumors that it no longer exists. When the business closed its doors at 221 Fifth Street as Muenzer's Cyclery and Sports Center in 2012, it immediately began operating next door, 217 Fifth Street, as Muenzer's Locksmithing. Back in its original storefront, the family-run business has already expanded and now sells local apparel such as Baler sweatshirts, along with offering locksmith services. Today, the 103-year-old local business is formally known as Muenzer's Keys & Teez. Way to go, Muenzer's!

The Turret on Fifth Street

Don't you just love the old architectural styles of houses in downtown Hollister? Check out the turret of the Frankie Orr house across from the San Benito County Library, for example. Built in 1900, the house was designed by William H. Weeks, a well-known California architect who also designed the old brown-stoned City Hall (a few buildings to the east of the current City Hall), the Masonic Temple, and the original buildings of San Benito High School.

FYI: The links for the Masonic Temple and San Benito High School will lead you to the postcards I designed for Zazzle. FCC wants you to know that I receive a pittance of a royalty and referral fee for anyone who purchases the postcards.

Driving in a 1910 Model T

Can you imagine yourself behind the wheel of this Ford Model T Touring Car?

The car was built in 1910 in Michigan, which was the same year that Tiffany Motor Company opened for business. And, that is where this Model T was on display over the holiday season. (It may still be up.) According to the exhibit notes, Tiffany sold three of these 1910 Model T's. The notes also say that the car still runs!