October 17: Immaculate Conception BBQ Fundraiser

Are you heading down Highway 25 this Sunday to check out the Wine Trail, hike the Pinnacles, drive the back roads of San Benito County, or do another adventure?  You're bound to get hungry and wonder what to eat and where to eat.

How about some BBQ in Tres Pinos?

On October 17, the  Immaculate Conception Church will be holding its annual BBQ fundraiser.  The BBQ meal includes chicken (half chicken for adult; quarter for child), pasta, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. Cost is $12 per adult and $6 per child.  You can eat there on the breathtaking grounds or take your plates with you for when you're ready to chow down. Adults who eat on the premise may receive a glass of wine with their meal.

The Immaculate Conception Church is on the south side of Tres Pinos, right off Highway 25. It was built in 1892 and originally was situated across the highway. In 1925, the parish became part of the Sacred Heart Church in Hollister because of lack of funds. Ten years later, the Immaculate Conception parish was able reestablish itself. To help raise funds for the church, the parishioners put on a BBQ fundraiser. This Sunday will be the church's 72nd annual BBQ fundraiser.

The fundraiser will also feature children's games and a cake walk, in which you get a chance of winning a homemade cake. There will also be a white elephant booth which will have knick-knacks, books, holiday decorations, and other items for sale. Most, if not all, items are donated. As one organizer said, "it could be 'junk' to someone and 'treasure' to someone else."

For more information about the Immaculate Conception Church, check out these links:

• Immaculate Conception Catholic Community 
• The Church in Tres Pinos

For info about some of the fun adventures that are available on and about Highway 25, check out these sites:

• Coming Up in October in San Benito County
• Pinnacles National Monument
• San Benito County Wine Trail
• Skydive Hollister
• Swank Farms Corn Maze, Haunted Ranch, and Pumpkin Patch Farm
• Watchable Wildlife
• Highway 25 Motorcycle Ride

Pinnacles National Monument

Attention: Female Self-Pay Patients in San Benito County

Clip art copyrighted
by Bobbie Peachey,
http://webclipart.about.com

Here's a bit of good news for all you women who are self-pay patients: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And, that means during this month of October, many medical facilities nationwide are offering mammogram screenings for $75 to self-pay patients.

You read that right! In San Benito County, self-pay patients can get a mammogram at this special rate at the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Radiology Department. All you need is a physician's order to make an appointment. The phone number is 636-2650.

If you don't have a physician, you can get the necessary breast exam and doctor's referral at one of the three community clinics in the county: Hollister Clinic, Hazel Hawkins Hospital Mabie Health Care Center, or San Juan Bautista Clinic. The cost for the exam is $25 if you pay at the time of your visit. For addresses and phone numbers for the clinics, click here.

There are only a few weeks left in October. So, go to it! The Radiology Department has extended evening and weekend hours.

Please pass the message to all your friends and relatives who need to take advantage of this offer.

For more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, click here.

Outstanding in Their Field: Cattle

 

Last month, the husband and I were driving down Highway 25 towards the Pinnacles. I looked to the left at one point and just had to stop to click my camera. If you want a better view, click on the photo.

Cattle has been raised in San Benito County for hundreds of years. According to the San Benito County 2008 Annual Crop Report, 38,700 head of cattle were raised in the county. The production value was nearly $13.5 million dollars.

Local cattle ranchers follow traditional or sustainable practices.  If you're interested in buying grass fed beef produced on local ranches, check out these ranchers:

• Morris Grassfed Beef
• Paicines Ranch

Want to know more about San Benito County agriculture, check out these sites:

• San Benito County Farm Bureau
• San Benito Agricultural Land Trust
• San Benito County Agricultural Commissioner

Coming Up in October in San Benito County

October!  Last weekend was hopping with the County Fair at Bolado Park and the Live History Event at the San Juan Bautista Historical Park. So, what's up for the rest of the month in San Benito County?

Before getting to the events, I need to identify the department stores that occupied the building at the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets, which was featured on this week's Tuesday in Hollister. There were three of them—J.C. Penney, Baughman's Department Store, and Ford Department Store. Yep.

Okay, now on with the October events!

WEEKLY EVENTS
Monday mornings: Toddler Story Time, San Benito County Free Library (Fifth and West Streets), 11:30 a.m. For children, ages 0 to 3 years old, and their parents.

Tuesday evenings: Sleepytime Story Time, San Benito County Free Library, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For children, ages 3 to 5 years old, and their parents.

Wednesday mornings: Preschool Story Time, San Benito County Free Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For children, ages 3 to 5 years old, and their parents.

Friday mornings: Newborn Story Time, San Benito County Free Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For children, ages 0 to 3 year old, and their parents.

Friday evenings: Bingo, Sacred Heart Church, Hollister. It starts at 6:30 p.m. in the O'Reilly Hall (670 College Street). You must be 18 years old to play.

Saturday mornings:

Bike Ride with Off the Chain Bikes, 8 a.m.

Book Sale, Friends of the Library,  9 a.m. to 12 p.m., behind the San Benito County Free Library. $2 per bag.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons: Wapple House Museum (Fifth and West streets), 1 to 3 p.m. Free admission.

Sundays: Flea Market, Betabel Station and Outdoor Market (9644 Betabel Road, San Juan Bautista), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ONGOING EVENTS
Daily until October 31: Swank Farms 11th Annual Corn Maze. 10 a.m. to 6. p.m.

October 8:

Pedro Card Party, San Juan Bautista. Sponsored by the Native Daughters of the Golden West, it will be held at 203 Fourth Street from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome.

Open Mic Night, San Benito County Free Library, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

October 9: San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk, San Juan Bautista, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

October 9 and 16: Fremont Peak Observatory Evening Public Program,  Fremont Peak State Park.


ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS
October 7 to October 17: Corridos!, El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista.

October 8: Harlem Starz.  Renowned basketball team  play against local players at the Marguerite Maze Middle School Gym, Meridian Street and Memorial Drive. (Host: YMCA) Tickets are $8 at the door. Bring exact change. More details at Macaroni Kid! Hollister.

October 9 to October 17 (weekends): Northern California Renaissance Faire, Casa de Fruta.

October 9:

Bill Staines Concert, Aromas Community Grange, 7 p.m.

October 9:  An Autumn Prelude, South Valley Symphony, Gavilan College Theater, 7:30 p.m.

October 15: Flor Y Canto 2010 "Vinyl Verses" Fundraiser, Centro Ollin, 405 Monterey Street, Suite G, Hollister.

October 16:

Work Day at the San Benito County Historic Park, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers welcome!

Flor Y Canto 2010 "Vinyl Verses" Fundraiser, Centro Ollin, 405 Monterey Street, Suite G, Hollister.  Special Guest: Country Joe McDonald, of Country Joe and the Fish.

2010 Costume Ball, Habitat for Humanity, San Juan Oaks Golf and Country Club. Dinner, dance, and live and silent auction, 

October 17: Annual BBQ Fundraiser, Immaculate Conception Church, Tres Pinos, 12 to 5 p.m. $6 for children, $12 for adults.

October 20: 30th Anniversary, Friends of the Library, San Benito County Free Library, 6 to 8 p.m. More details at Macaroni Kid! Hollister.

October 22:

San Benito High School Homecoming Parade, Downtown Hollister.

Haybalers vs. North Salinas Homecoming Game, Andy Hardin Stadium. JV game at 5:30 p.m. and Varsity game at 7:30 p.m.

October 22 to November 6: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, San Benito Stage Company, Granada Theater, Hollister.

October 23: Three of a Kind Comedy Night, Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, Hollister.

October 24: Aromas Special Contra Dance and Potluck, Aromas Community Grange, 4 to 7 p.m.

October 29, 30, and 31: Dia de los Muertos, El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista.

October 30:

21st Red Ribbon 5K and 1 Mile Walk, San Benito County Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program, San Juan Bautista State Park, 9:30 a.m.

Warrior Dash, Casa de Fruta.

Happy Halloween! Story Time with Julie Engelhardt, Mars Hill Coffeehouse, Hollister, 2 to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to wear costumes, as long as they are not scary or bloody costumes or include weapons.

October 31:

Monster Mash, Betabel Station and Outdoor Market, San Juan Bautista, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Autumn Art Workshops and Raffle, sponsored by the Aromas Hills Artisans at the Aromas Grange. Free art classes are being offered. (Materials fee may be required.)

Tuesday in Hollister: Where Did You Shop?

This building stands on the northwest corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets. It has been home to three department stores, at least. How many can you name? If you have no memory of any department stores, because you're just too young, then what shops do you recall being in this building?

Come back on Thursday to compare your answers with mine.