A Hollister Biker Rally in 2011?

Do you know where this mural is in downtown Hollister?

Yep. It's in Wentz Alley on the wall of Johnny's Bar and Grill. Originally painted in 1996, it was repainted in 2007 by artist (and biker) Ronald Rocha from San Antonio.

The mural depicts Hollister's part in the American biker history.  Some say the American biker tradition began in our sweet agricultural haven on the July 4th weekend of 1947.  For years, an annual motorcycle event took place at Bolado Park on the Fourth of July. In 1947, some bikers went into town for drinks and got frisky and loud. Somehow, the media learned about the ruckus and spun the rowdiness into wild and destructive abandonment. You know how that goes with some media guys. They spin things out of context, especially if they can make money out of it.

Have you ever seen the movie "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando?  That's  loosely-goosely based on the 1947 incident. 

In 1997, the City of Hollister decided to hold a Fourth of July Independence Motorcycle Rally downtown to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that event. It turned into an annual happening that brought thousands of bikers into town. Although it was cancelled in 2009, many bikers continue to visit the area to check out July 4 events held by local motorcycle groups and Johnny's Bar and Grill.

There's talk of holding the rally in 2011. Some members of the community plan to address the issue at the open session part of the Hollister City Council meeting on Monday, August 2.  The meeting will be held at City Hall, with the open session beginning around 6:30 p.m.

Folks can express their opinions, whether for or against the rally, during the "Public Comment" segment. According to one of the council members, the "Public Comment" segment normally starts early in the meeting. Speakers are limited to three minutes to present their opinions. Council members do not discuss, debate, or take action on any presentations made during "Public Comment." However, they may choose to put the issue on the agenda at a future Council meeting.

If you're interested in making a statement about the rally, here is your chance.

In the meanwhile, here are some links that may interest you:

• Johnny's Bar and Grill
• Hollister and Bikers (You can also see a clip of The Wild One there)  
• "A New Look at the 'Wild One'" by Anthony Ha, Hollister Free Lance (about the repainting of the mural)

Help Win a Dog Park in Hollister!

Click to Head over
to the contest page
to vote for Tammy's Entry

Hey Hollister Dog Owners!  Want to help Hollister get half a million dollars to give a local dog park a makeover?

Tammy Ballew, a member of the Hollister Dog Owners Group, does. Evidently so much that she entered the Dream Dog Park Contest, which is jointly sponsored by Beneful, a dog food brand made by Purina, and WagWorld.com. The sponsors recently chose Tammy as one of the contest's top 10 finalists.  

Whoo-hoo! Way to go, Tammy!

If Tammy wins the contest, she will receive an in-kind donation of $500,000 to renovate the dog park next to the Hollister Airport. Now, here's where all you dog owners and dog lovers can make Tammy be the grand prize winner!

The finalist who gets the most public votes for her or his entry will receive 10% of the final score. The other 90 percent of the score will be based on what the judges say. From today until August 11, the public can vote once a day at the Dream Dog Park Contest Web site.

So, dear Hollister Readers, let's show Tammy our support. Head over to Tammy's page at the contest Web site to cast you vote. There, you can also see Tammy's winning essay and video for becoming a finalist. 

For local news reports about Tammy and the contest, check out these links:

•   "Dog Park Competes for $500K," by Melissa Flores, The Weekend Pinnacle Online
• "Possible New Dog Park in Hollister," KSBW.com

To learn more about the Hollister Dog Owners Group, click over to its Web site.

Thanks, Tammy!

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!