Looking Up on San Benito Street

I spy with my little camera eye these decorative elements up high on the building at 728 San Benito Street.  They're gorgeous. I wonder why the original owner decided to go with this design. For that matter, I wonder who that first owner was, how old the building is, and what the first shop was in that building. Anyone know?

Cleverly Repurposed

Pretty cool bike basket, don't you think?

At first I thought it was a drum without its skin. Nope. The basket was made from bicycle wheel rims and spokes. Clever!

The bicycle was sitting outside Off the Chain Bikes at 101 McCray Street, Suite 101. By the way, the shop not only sells bicycles and bicycle accessories, but also purses, shoulder bags, backpacks, and other things made from recycled inner tubes, all designed by Robin Lucas. Check them out, the next time you're there. Until then, you can see samples at this web page.

A Night of Drumming and Dance

The San Jose Taiko, from San Jose, celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.

Last night, the Husband and I had the pleasure to watch the stage come alive at the San Benito High School Auditorium with joyful precision Japanese Taiko drumming by the San Jose Taiko and African, jazz, modern, and hip-hop inspired-dancing performed by the Dimensions Dance Theater. The duo bill was presented by the San Benito County Arts Council, as part of its fundraising efforts for the Artists in the Schools Program.

Here are some links to learn more about last night's performers and the San Benito County Arts Council:

• San Jose Taiko
• Dimensions Dance Theater
• San Benito County Arts Council 
• Artists in the Schools Program, part of the Arts in Education Program 

The Dimensions Dance Theater, based in Oakland, is one of
the oldest African-American dance troupes in the United States.

Main Street Reflection

I like taking photos of window displays, partly to see what reflections may show in the photos. It's always a surprise for me. And, I usually find something I've never noticed about familiar scenes. For instance,  the red awnings on the second floor of the buildings across the street from the Blak Sage Gallery on San Benito Street.

Happy Hollister

How about a game of finding not-hidden things in a photo? Can you see: 

• 2 lamp posts with hanging baskets of flowers
• a very cool vintage truck
• a driver getting in (or out) of her car, possibly going to (or coming from) Country Rose Cafe
• 2 benches
• South Street sign