Free Story Time in Hollister

Photo courtesy of Mars Hill Coffeehouse

What child doesn't love story time? Or, grown-ups, for that matter. I still like listening to stories being read to me or listening to a storyteller spin her tales, which transport me to magical places.

Well, guess what, Hollister friends? Story Time is going on in town!

This Wednesday, July 28, Julie Engelhardt will be presenting a Story Time at the Mars Hill Coffeehouse on the corner of San Benito and Sixth streets in downtown Hollister. The free event will start at 11 a.m, and it will last between 45 and 60 minutes. Everyone is invited.

Next Wednesday's event will be the second Story Time hosted by Mars Hill. Another is planned for August 4 at 1:30 p.m.

A mother and a professional writer, Story Time presenter Julie enjoys reading to children. Says Julie, "I have two children and I've always volunteered at their schools, primarily to read. My older son is now 17 and attends San Benito High School so that's out, and my younger son is heading towards 3rd grade, so he's kind of aging out of that, too. But, I wanted to continue reading to children, so I began to think of this. Also, there are so few things for families and children in this area, especially things that are free, so I wanted to offer a fun activity for families, daycare providers, or anyone who loves to hear stories!"

Julie acts out stories, sings songs, and does finger plays to bring the children's books that she reads alive for her audience. She centers each Story Time around a theme. As you can see in the photos, the theme for her first Story Time was Buccaneer Bay-Pirates. (Arrrgh, Mateys. Julie read books such as That's Not My Pirate by Fiona Watts and Bubble Bath Pirates by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. She also took favorite songs like "The Wheels on the Bus" and changed the lyrics to "The Pirates on the Ship."

The theme for the July 28 Story Time will be WILD for Animals! Julie invites children and grown-ups to come dressed up as their favorite animal.

Photo courtesy of Mars Hill Coffeehouse

Ooooooooooooklahoma! in Hollister

Show of hands. How many of you thought of Oklahoma!,  the musical, right away?

Good for you.  But, did you know there is a Hollister, Oklahoma? I didn't know it existed until I did a google search for Oklahoma + Hollister. Hollister, OK is located in the southeast part of the state. But, that's something to talk about another day.

Remember the film version of Oklahoma! with Gordon MacRae as Curly, Rod Steiger as Jud, and Shirley Jones as the girl those two guys wanted. Originally, it was a Rodgers and Hammerstein's production, which played on Broadway. This coming weekend, you can see that play in Hollister!

For the past two weekends, the San Benito Stage Company has been presenting Oklahoma! at the Granada Theater. This weekend will be the company's last performances.

Oklahoma! will be presented at 7 p.m. on  Friday (July 23) and Saturday (July 24). On Sunday (July 25), you can see a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The Granada Theater is located on Fifth Street across from the City Hall.  A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the San Benito County Historical Society Garcia House Visitors Center.

For more details, check out the San Benito Stage Company Web site.  And, to read about the production, check out "'Oklahoma' comes sweeping into Granada" by Melissa Flores at Weekend Pinnacle Online.

The cast of Oklahoma! at the
2010 San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade.

Hollister Street Festival's Schedule of Bands

Among the ads in Tuesday's Hollister Freelance was an insert about the 24th Annual Street Festival this Saturday, July 17. Yes, I know I wrote about it yesterday. Just thought you'd like a few more details.

San Benito Street will be closed between South and Fourth Streets.  Classic cars will be on display up and down the street. According to the map, food vendors are by the Veterans Building and Vendor Row is on Fifth Street.

Three stages have been set up for various types of performances. Too much to list here. Just show up, eh! But, I will tell you the schedule of bands on the Main Stage at San Benito and Sixth streets:

10 to 10:45 am: Sound On
11 to 11:30 am: Donald Elvis and the Hound Dogs
11:30 am to 12 pm: Sound On
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm: Fender Benderz
2 to 3 .m.: Bornia Boys
3:30 to 4:30 pm: Red House

For more details, check out these links:

Street Festival and Car Show, Hollister Downtown Association
Hollister Street Festival 2009 

Be sure to get your free slice of watermelon when you're there!

Downtown Hollister Street Festival

I like it when San Benito Street closes through downtown Hollister. For one, that means something fun is going on. For another, that means I can stroll down the street. After a parade, it's right down the middle. Same thing with the Farmers Market, even though it's only one block and it's a side street.  Yes, cheap thrills, indeed.

This Saturday, July 17, you can stroll  San Benito Street, from South to possibly Fourth, at the annual Downtown Hollister Street Festival. Number 24!

You can ogle at snazzy vintage automobiles and the latest new ones, listen to live bands, watch live performances, take part in a raffle, eat, buy stuff, and so on.  The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. For more details, check out this page at the Hollister Downtown Association Web site. 


P.S. Saturday is a very busy day and night around the area. Several events and activities are going on. If you're into it, you can combine a silent auction, an evening concert, a play, or other activities with the street fair. For a list of events, please click over to Goings On in July.

Dolce Baby and Mommy Too

One of the fun things about the Hollister Downtown Association Scavenger Hunt was learning about new businesses in town. Well, they were new to the husband and me.

Dolce Baby and Mommy Too is one such store.  That store is just cute, cute, cute!

Cute is what that store is all about. Have I said that already? All those cute kiddie clothes in bright happy colors. I just smile thinking about the joy bounding through that store.

Aren't those tutus sooo cute?
Veronica makes them special for customers.

Our scavenger hunt card was checked by the lovely owner Veronica Fontanez, who is a Baler graduate. Go Balers!

Veronica and her husband opened the shop in May. They were inspired by the birth of their own child. The Pinnacle News wrote a story about the opening. Click here ("New Store Dresses Young Kids in Style") to read it.

The next time your downtown, check out Dolce Baby and Mommy Too. It's on 748 San Benito Street, near the corner of South Street. The place was formerly the Thyme Deli and if I'm recalling rightly, way before that—during days gone by, it was a travel agency.