Dandy, Delightful, and Delish!

Here's a dandy field of yellow mustard, near the corner of Union and Valley View Roads. A delight to the eye and nose. Also, delish to eat, sauteed in garlic, soy sauce, and olive oil. 

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter D. To check out other posts, please click here.

What Represents Us?

This plaque stands outside of the San Benito County government building at the corner of Fifth and Monterey Streets. I assume it represents the various aspects of our county. If you had the opportunity to create a plaque, what five scenes would you create?

House For Sale!

According to this web page, it's a contractor special. The one bedroom, 600 square feet, single family unit on Lucy Brown Road is selling for $699,000. Huh?

Casa de Que?

Answer: Casa de Fruta.

Looking East on Sunnyslope

How many of you remember when Sunnyslope Road was a two lane road all the way to Fairview Road? Do you remember how it was mostly orchards that lined the way?

Outstanding in their Work

Workers are harvesting organic crops at the Pinnacle Farm, owned by Phil and Katherine Foster, in San Juan Bautista. The farm's produce stand is open every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  It's well worth a trip out to San Juan Valley for fresh, quality vegetables.

February Events in and around Hollister

February is the American Heart Month. So, to help raise awareness of heart disease, the Hollister Downtown Association, the YMCA, and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital have put together various special events throughout Hollister for the month. Those events will be listed in red below.

WEEKLY EVENTS
Tuesday afternoons: Healthy Hearts, Storytime with Miss Carole, San Benito County Free Library, 4 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday afternoons: Walk for Your Health, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Starts at Veterans Memorial Plaza. Cancelled, if it's raining.

Thursdays: Blood Pressure Check-up, sponsored by Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, at Penny Wise Drug (549 San Benito Street), 11:30 to 1 p.m. Free.

Thursday evenings: Walk for Your Health,  5:15 to 6 p.m. Starts at Veterans Memorial Plaza. Cancelled, if it's raining.

Friday evenings: Bingo, Sacred Heart Church, Hollister. It starts 6:30 p.m. at 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 to 11 a.m. 

Book Sale, Friends of the Library,  Hollister. From  9 a.m. to 12 p.m., behind the San Benito County Free Library, 5th and West Streets.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons: Wapple House Museum, Fifth and West Streets, open from 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.  For info, check its Facebook page.

ONGOING EVENTS
February 11:  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.

February 12: San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk, San Juan Bautista, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

February 14: Research Room Open, Wapple House Museum. Fifth and West Streets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS
February 3: Laughter is Good for the Heart, presented by Robin Pollard, Mars Hill Coffeehouse (610 San Benito Street), 12 to 12:30 p.m. Free.

February 4: Fashion Show, The Knife and Fork Cafe, 12 to 1 p.m.  Free (with paid lunch).

February 5

Living History Day, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children who are 16 or younger.

An Evening in Tuscany, Bolado Park Pavilion. A dinner/dance fundraiser for Sacred Heart Parish School. 5 p.m. to midnight. Must be 21 years old. For info, call 637-4157.

February 10: Chinese Love Character, a craft project by Miss Kayoka, San Benito County Free Library, 4 to 5 p.m. Free.

February 11

Haybaler Alumni Social, The Vault (425 Fifth Street), Hollister. 6 p.m. to midnight. Must be at least 21 years. 

Open Mic Night, Blak Sage Gallery (727 San Benito Street), Hollister. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free. 

The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 7 p.m. Cost is $30, which includes dinner and show. Must purchase tickets in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill).

Febuary 12

CPR Classes for the General Public, American Red Cross, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $70. For more info, call 636-2100. 

The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 7 p.m. Cost is $30, includes dinner and show. Must purchase tickets in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill). 

The Vagina Monologues, Gavilan College Theatre, Gilroy, 8 p.m. Adults, $15; students and seniors, $10. Proceeds benefit the Emmaus House (Hollister) and Community Solutions.

February 13

Community Volunteer Fair, Sacred Heart School Gymnasium (670 College Street) Hollister. Noon to 4 p.m. Free. 

The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 2 p.m. Cost is $30, includes dinner and show. Must purchase tickets in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill).

February 15: Have a Healthy Heart at Any Age, featuring Dr. Clapper, Cardiologist, YMCA of San Benito County (351 Tres Pinos Road), 7 p.m. Free.

February 16: Making Sense of Retirement, YMCA. 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Free (includes lunch), reservations required.  For more info, call 634-0694.

February 18: The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 7 p.m. Cost is $30, includes dinner and show. Must purchase tickets in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill).

February 19

Historic Walking Tour, San Benito Historical Society, 9 a.m. Cost is $5. Reservations required. For more info, call 524-2292. 

The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 7 p.m. Cost is $30, includes dinner and show. Must purchase tickets in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill).

February 20: The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 2 p.m. Cost is $30, includes dinner and show. Must purchase ticket in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill).

February 24: Red Healthy Hearts, a craft project by Miss Rose. San Benito County Free Library, 4 to 5 p.m. Free.

February 25: The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 7 p.m. Cost is $30, includes dinner and show. Must purchase tickets in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill).

February 26

CPR Classes for Professionals, American Red Cross, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $70. For more info, call 636-2100. 

Marian Filice Piano Competition and Music Festival, Gavilan College Theatre, Gilroy. Competition at 10 a.m. and Music Festival at 3 p.m.  Free. 

Mardi Gras Dinner Dance and Silent Auction, San Juan Oaks. A fundraiser for the Community Food Bank. 6 to 11 p.m. 

The Foreigner, Dinner Theater at the Vault (425 Fifth Street), presented by the San Benito Stage Company. 7 p.m. Cost is $30, includes dinner and show. Must purchase tickets in advance at Postal Graphics (by Nob Hill).

Cutting Across the Field

There's nothing liking than taking a shortcut across a wet field. This is near the intersection of East Park Street and Highway 25. I saw mustard plants sprouting through the grass. Shouldn't be too long before yellow flowers will be blooming here.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter C. To check out other posts, please click here.

Veterans Memorial Building

The Veterans Memorial Building stands on San Benito and Seventh Streets.  How has that building figured in your life so far? Here are at least three for me:

• Long ago, I used to donate to the Red Cross blood drives that were held there.
• I have attended the annual Christmas balls hosted by the Filipino American Community of San Benito County.
• The husband and I have listened to the Christmas concerts given by the Watsonville Band.

It's the Wrong Way

Who or what went the wrong way? A bird? A flying squirrel?  A remote plane? A person's head?

Two Novels Featuring Hollister

The Octopus and There's Something in a Sunday are two novels that are connected to Hollister in some way.  Does anyone know of another fictional work that has part or all of its story based in our area?

The Octopus: A California Story by Frank Norris was the first title in his planned trilogy, The Epic of Wheat. Unfortunately, Norris died in 1902, a year after The Octopus was published. The story is about the conflict between California wheat growers and a railroad company. Norris based The Octopus on the events of a tragic dispute that took place between Hanford, California settlers and the Southern Pacific railroad in 1880.

Norris conducted research for his story in Hollister. One of the places in his fictional place was the Quien Sabe Rancho. For more about Norris, check out this 2006 article by Martin Cheek in the Gilroy Dispatch. 

There's Something in a Sunday, published in 1989, is part of the Sharon McCone series written by Marcia Muller, a thrilling storyteller. Sharon McCone is a private detective who works out of San Francisco. In this adventure, Sharon's case takes her to Hollister to investigate clues.

Unlike Norris' novel, Muller actually mentions Hollister and describes locations that many of you may recognize.

An Orchard Full of Yellow

One of the things I like about the winter rains is the beauty of the mustard that pops up all over the county. There's also nothing like the taste of wild mustard.

Maddux Jewelry

The Maddux Jewelry Store in downtown Hollister recently closed its doors forever. A long-time establishment in Hollister, it was started by Mel Maddux in 1947, who had bought the jewelry store, then known as John Sharp's Jewelers, from his father-in-law John Sharp. Mr. Maddux sold the store to his son, Rick, in the late 1980s.  The very best to you!

La Villa de Jerez

What's your choice for the best deal for a delicious steak meal in town? Okay, you can include Tres Pinos and San Juan Bautista in your deliberation.

My choice: La Villa de Jerez at the corner of Sally and East Streets!

That's where the husband and I were a few evenings ago. After a hike on Fremont Peak, we happily chowed down on a combo plate consisting of an 8-ounce New York steak, a chili relleno, a cheese enchilada, rice, beans, lettuce and tomato salad, and guacamole, with salsa and corn tortillas on the side. Yeah, a lot of food. Still, the husband ate it all without feeling outrageously stuffed. I got two additional lunches from my meal.

Everything on the plate was appealing to the eye and very delicious. The steak was tender and perfectly cooked medium rare. To top it all, the price of the combo plate was $14.95.  Hello!

For more reviews of the restaurant, head over to Yelp.

Looking Up: Pendergrass Hotel

The Pendergrass building stands on the corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets in downtown Hollister. The four story edifice was originally a hotel and office building, which was constructed in 1927 by J.R. Pendergrass, a former mayor of the town. 

A Reservoir Full of Fog

As the husband and I were driving by San Luis Reservoir last Sunday morning, tule fog was attempting to creep its way up and out of the artificial lake.  I wonder if the fog managed to break up and lift completely.

Welcome to Hollister

Have you seen the new welcome sign at the corner of Highway 25 (Bolsa Road) and San Felipe yet?

There are two sides to the sign. Drivers see this as

they drive south on  San Felipe Street.

Six other states have a place called Hollister. Which states can you name without looking them up?

Okay, now you can read the list at Wikipedia.

Haybaler Alumni Social

To read the flyer,
please click here.

Hey Balers, One and All! 

That is: To all you Haybaler alumni who are 21 years and older!

On Friday, February 11, 2011, the Haybaler Alumni Social will take place at the Vault Restaurant, from 6 p.m. to midnight, in Hollister. A reunion event for all former Haybalers, it is advertised as "a fun filled night of dining, drinking, dancing, and lots of memories!"

The social event is being sponsored by the Baler class of 2012 as a fundraiser for its class prom. But, remember, Haybalers, to be admitted to this event, you must be 21 years or older.

So how much are the tickets?
If you buy your ticket beforehand, the price will be that of your graduation year. For instance, all you 1948 Balers would pay $19.48, 1971 Balers, $19.71, 1989 Balers, $19.89, and so on and forth. You can also buy tickets at the door, but they will cost you $30.  To get your tickets now, rather than later, you can:

• purchase them at Drapoel and Teezers at 731 San Benito Street.
• buy them at the Student Payment Center in the main building at San Benito High School (1220 Monterey Street). 
• call the Student Payment Center, (831) 637-5831, and pay with a credit card. The tickets will be put on hold at the door.

Go Balers!

A Shaking Fremont Peak

Fremont Peak from Hollister (near the Hollister Airport)

Show of hands. Who was rocking and rolling with the earthquakes early this morning?

I thought it was pretty good ride. It made the books bounce on the shelves and a couple of things fall off it. How did it go with you?

There were at least six movements, the biggest (the first one) measured 4.5. According to the coordinates given by the U.S. Geological Study (USGS), the epicenter of the 4.5 quake was about half-mile north from the tippy-top of Fremont Peak in San Juan Bautista.  You can check it out yourself at Google Earth. The coordinates are: 36.770°N, 121.499°W

For more about the earthquake, visit this page produced by the USGS.

Birds on Fifth Street

Birds (pigeons, maybe) were hanging out on top of the old Pendergrass Hotel this afternoon. Flutter, flutter, flutter.

I watched them circle above the intersection of Fifth and San Benito Streets, then come back down to roost. So much for that plastic owl to scare them away. Boo!

Toot! Toot!

Waiting at Hilcrest and McCray.

I love that trains still stop traffic in Hollister. Almost every day. I have no idea what the freight trains are shipping in and out of town. Anybody?

January 2011 Happenings in and around Hollister

A glorious 2011, dear Take 25 Readers! I wish each and every one of you the best of bests as we move forward and upward. As Buzz Light Year said, "To infinity and beyond!"

Okay, then. As for own little corner on earth? Check out these January doings!

WEEKLY EVENTS

Monday mornings: Toddler Story Time for ages 0 to 3, San Benito County Free Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday evenings: Sleepy-Time Story Time for ages 3 to 5, San Benito County Free Library, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday mornings: Newborn Story Time for ages 0 to 3, San Benito County Free Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Friday evenings: Bingo, Sacred Heart Church, Hollister. It starts 6:30 p.m. at 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 to 11 a.m.
• Book Sale, Friends of the Library,  San Benito County Free Library. From  9 a.m. to 12 p.m., behind the Wapple House Museum, 5th and West Streets. $3 per bag.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons: Wapple House Museum, Fifth and West Streets, open from 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. For more details, check out the market's Facebook page.

ONGOING EVENTS
January 8: San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk, San Juan Bautista, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

January 10: Research Room Open, Wapple House Museum. Fifth and West Streets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

January 14:  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.

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS
January 4 to 29: Gero Heine Exhibit, Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito Street, Hollister. Artist reception will be held on January 22, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

January 29: 28th Annual Mission 10 Race, San Juan Bautista. The event includes the 10 mile and 5K races as well as the Elliott Swank Memorial 1-mile Kids Fun Run.

Sun setting from Fairview Road

I wish you all dear Take 25 readers a very wonderful and wondrous holiday season. Merry Christmas! Happy Festivus! Joyful Boxing Day! and Happy Kwanzaa! And, for all you grumpys out there, may you have a Merry Bah, Humbug!

See ya next year!

Ding-a-Ling Jingle. . .

If you had a camera, could you resist taking this sign as you came out of Ace Hardware Store?

Okay, you ancient ones out there: Was Brown and Chappell a hardware store? And, before it moved to Cushman Street, where was it downtown?  No, I don't have the answers. I just want to know because I'm driving myself nuts trying to remember.

Shop Locally: Marich Confectionery

Christmas is a few days away. Still stumped about what to give as presents. How about chocolates and jelly beans that are made within our own county?

If you haven't tried any of Marich Confectionery's goodies yet, what are you waiting for? Truffles, yum. Malt balls, yum. Chocolate-dipped nuts, yum. Jelly beans, yum....Excuse me, for drooling.

You can buy online, but at this late date, you might want to go down to the factory. Marich has a small shop to the right of the lobby. It is located at 2101 Bert Drive, which is off of Fallon Road across from the Hollister Municipal Airport.

Here's a fascinating fact about the company, which was established in 1983. The founder was Marinus Van Dam, who was the creator of the Jelly Belly beans. Yes, I'm talking about the infamous jelly beans manufactured in Fairfield, California.  It was Mr. Van Dam, an employee of the Jelly Belly who had the know-how to come up with the why-to's, how-to's, and where-for's for mass producing the tasty, high quality jelly beans that are sold around the world.

Here are some links to learn more about Marich Confectionery.

• The Marich Confectionery Web site
• Marich Confectionery, Wikipedia
• Marinus Van Dam, Wikpedia

And, no, dear Take 25 readers, I was not paid nor given freebies to write about Marich Confectionery.  Chocolates, yum. Drooooooool.

Saturday Nightlife

The Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister is used for public and private events throughout the year. Last Saturday, for instance, the Filipino American Community of San Benito County held its annual Christmas Ball there. 

Mrs. Santa Claus in Hollister

Have you heard? Mrs. Santa Claus is coming to town.

She'll be reading Christmas stories and leading Christmas carols this Tuesday, December 21, at the Mars Hill Coffeehouse on San Benito and Sixth Streets. Story time begins at 11 a.m.  The event is free. Kids of all ages are invited.

Disclaimer: The real Mrs. Santa Claus will not be able to make it on Tuesday. She's very busy helping Mr. Claus get ready for his big trip this coming Saturday. To represent her is a very nice local helper by the name of Julie Engelhardt. For more on our own Hollister "Mrs. Santa Claus," please click here.

Christmas Lights in the City

Sparkle, sparkle. Sprinkle, sprinkle. Swissssh, swissssh.  Saturday evening in downtown Hollister.

Shop Locally: She's

 

Unfortunately, we don't have that many clothing stores in town. But, the few independent shops that are in town offer quality goods. She's on San Benito Street, across from the Veterans Memorial Building, is such a one. The shop sells women's clothing, jewelry, shoes, and other accessories. As the the sign says on the store awning, there is a men's corner, and it is just that.

She's resides in what was once Ladd Hardware. I'm sure many of you baby boomers and older folks who grew up in the area remember the store.

Traffic Lights on Main Street

No, you're not crazy. The Christmas decorations are still hanging over the main street of downtown Hollister. This photo was taken in April of this year.  Anyone  remember when the only traffic lights in town was at the intersection of Fourth and San Benito Streets?

Sideshow Bob in Hollister?

Doesn't this palm tree on San Benito Street look like Sideshow Bob on the Simpsons?

The Eastern Star Masonic Temple Building

Here's a different view of a familiar local site on San Benito Street.  This archway leads into the hall of the San Benito Lodge #12 of the Free and Accepted Masons (F. & A.M.).

Shop Locally: Cinderella Dresses

Beautiful dress, don't you think?

Whether I'm driving, walking, or pedaling my bicycle, I like to peek in the windows of Novias La Princesa whenever I go by it. I'm bound to see new formal dresses which look like ones that Cinderella might wear to the Prince's Ball.

You can't miss this dress shop It's the store beneath the tower clock, at the corner of Fourth and San Benito Streets.

Shop Locally: Hollister Downtown Club

Do you like a discount on merchandise, service, or a meal?

Thought so.

Would you like exclusive discounts to Hollister shops, restaurants, and other businesses?

Well, then, apply for a  Downtown Club card, sponsored by the Hollister Downtown Association. Using the card allows you to get discounts from businesses that are members of the association. There are new discounts every month. For example, during the month of December you could get a 15 percent discount on your paint purchase at the Hollister Paint Store, 10 percent off your meal at Knife and Fork, and take a free trial dance or music class at the West Coast Music and Dance FX.

The Downtown Club card is free, and it is good for a year.  But, there is a catch. Only 1,000 cards are available.  It's first come, first served. So, don't be a procrastinator.

For further details, go to this page at the Hollister Downtown Association Web site.

New Deal Art in Town

This wooden mural hangs in the Hollister Post Office near the counters. It is called the "History of San Juan Bautista Mission" and was created by Vladimir Nemkoff, along with his assistants Joseph Stone and Avis Zeigler, in 1936. The mural was commissioned for the old post office building on Fifth and East Streets.

I always thought the mural was done by artists working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Nope. The piece was part of the U.S. Post Office New Deal artwork, which was funded through the Section of Painting and Sculpture of the U.S. Department of Treasury. It's nice to learn something new.

For more about U.S. Post Office New Deal artwork, check out "Off the Wall: New Deal Post Office Murals" by Patricia Raynor.

A closer look at a segment of the mural. See the mission in the background.

Eat Locally: Cheap Seats Pub and Grub

 

This photo was taken from inside Cheap Seats Pub and Grub on San Benito Street back in November. A happy, friendly place to drink a beer and eat some jalapeño poppers. Check out the reviews of the establish at Yelp.

A Mural of San Juan Valley

Hanging in the patio at Doña Esther, a Mexican restaurant in San Juan Bautista, is this beautiful mural that depicts how San Juan Valley looked during the mission days. Take a look at the mural, the next time you're in the mission city.

Shop Locally: Serendipity

Serendipity is a new gift shop in town. It is located at 616 San Benito Street, between She's and the coffee house. I took the photo of Serendipity's display window on the night of the Lights On Celebration parade.

Free Christmas Concert Tonight

The 2010 San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade

Tonight the Watsonville Band will be performing its annual Christmas concert at the Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street. It will start at 7:30 p.m. And, it will be free!

The Watsonville Band is composed of musicians from San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. For more about the band, click here.

To read about a past Christmas concert of the band, please click here.

Santa Ana Mountain

Santa Ana Mountain from the corner of
Meridian Street and Memorial Drive.

Here's how the range looks from San Juan Valley.
The peak on the right is Santa Ana Mountain.

San Benito County is bordered to the east by the Diablo mountain range. The 3,000+ feet peak Santa Ana Mountain overlooks downtown Hollister. The views up there are awesome at anytime of the year, as is the drive on Lone Tree Road to get up there. Unfortunately, no public trails are available.

Birdhouse Display

This photo was taken on the night of Lights On Parade. I can't remember where, other than it was on San Benito Street. A cute display, don't you think?

If you're in the mood for some Jingle Bells as performed by Glenn Miller, click here.  If you're not in the mood for reading (though I don't see why not), just scroll on down to the bottom.