The Downside of War

You'll find this memorial plaque in front of the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister. It honors some of the local men who died while serving in the Vietnam and Korean Wars.

The Winged Victory in Tres Pinos

The plaque reads:
Tres Pinos Memorial of the Great War
December 7, 1941 – August 14, 1945
-----------------
For God and Country
For Freedom and Peace

This memorial was dedicated to the men and women of San Benito County who served in World War II. You'll find it on the grounds of Tres Pinos Church, just south of Tres Pinos, on Highway 25.

To learn about how this memorial came to be, click on this page: Tres Pinos, California WW2 Memorial.

Remembering the Veterans

The names on these granite titles are of deceased veterans who had lived in San Benito County or were members of San Benito County families. You'll find these remembrance tiles on the sidewalk in front of the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hollister.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hollister Post 9242 and the City of Hollister co-sponsor the San Benito County Deceased Veterans Remembrance Tile installation. If you're interested in purchasing a tile in memory of a Veteran, you can get an order form at the Hollister City Hall. For more details, click on this link.

2011 Hollister Airshow

I can't help it. I like to stop and read posters. It's one way of finding out what's happening in our area. So, whose up for the Hollister Airshow this weekend?

What's Around the Bend?

This road?

It leads into the eastern side of Henry Coe State Park, off of Pacheco Pass (or Highway 156). I want to see what's down there around that bend.

Henry Coe shall be closing soon due to the California state budget crisis. Even if the park was to stay open, the opportunity to head down that road is still limited. The park only allows visitors certain times of the year to wander down that road to see what's around the bend.

One day.

Click these links if you'd like to know more about Henry Coe State Park and its eastern entrance called Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center.

Lover's Leap

Heading down (west) on Pacheco Pass. That peak up ahead is Lover's Leap

That craggy peak on Pacheco Pass (Highway 156) just past Bell Station is called Lover's Leap. I just learned that a few months ago. Here's what else I learned.

• It's 1,096 feet high.
• The land form used to be a volcano under a sea millions of years ago.
• The peak is also called Hollenbeck's Rock. The Mr. Hollenbeck for whom the mountain was named had owned Bell Station, which was called Hollenbeck Stage Station.
• An Indian princess climbed up to the peak and leapt to her death, hence the name Lover's Leap. One story goes that she was in love with a man from another tribe, which was a big no no. Romeo and Juliet all over again. 
• Hiking up the mountain is possible. 

What do you know about Lover's Leap?

A Sign about Pacheco Pass

You'll find this sign near the east entrance to Henry Coe State Park on Pacheco Pass, or Highway 152. It's just above the old Bell Station, which was a stagecoach stop.

According to the sign, Pacheco Pass was an ancient trail connecting the coast to the "Central Valley's wild tule marshes and dense riverside forests".

New Life

May 16 to May 22 Theme:  The Little Details in Downtown Hollister

 Most, if not all, of the store fronts in downtown Hollister have been home to one or more businesses, nonprofit organizations, and/or churches. This store front with all the wonderful details is no different.

You'll find this building at the corner or Fourth and San Benito Streets. What's there now? If you know what used to be there before, please share.

Man in the Tree

May 16 to May 22 Theme: The Little Details in Downtown Hollister

Next time you park in the lot on Sixth and East Street, take a look at the tree across Wentz Alley. There's a figure hanging out in the tree. Do you see it?

Reflecting on San Benito Street

May 16 to May 22 Theme:  The Little Details in Downtown Hollister

It's amazing what details you can see in windows. That's the reflection of the rooftop of the Intero Real Estate Services in this window.

The Hollister Free Lancer

May 16 to May 22 Theme: The Little Details in Downtown Hollister

Once upon a time this used to be the icon for the Hollister Free Lance. Pretty cool, isn't it?

You can find this little plaque on the building on San Benito Street (near South) that's now home to Java Bagels. I'm guessing that the newspaper used to have offices there until it moved to Sixth Street. The local newspaper has been around since the late 1800s. Click here if you'd like to read the December 10, 1886 issue.

Look Up: Parking Signs

May 16 to May 22 Theme: The Little Details in Downtown Hollister

Be sure to read the parking signs. The City is now enforcing the parking regulations. 

Shop Locally: Penny Wise Drug Store

May 16 to May 22 Theme:  The Little Details in Downtown Hollister

Cute little dress, isn't it? You'll find it at the Penny Wise Drug Store on San Benito Street, near Sixth Street.

Penny Wise Drug Store is the last of the independent pharmacies in downtown Hollister. The Rosati family has run the business since the late 1940s. Talk about details. You'll find a lot at Penny Wise. Not only can you get your prescriptions filled, but you can find a little bit of everything in the store, from kids' clothing to jigsaw puzzles, jewelry, scarves, religious items, gift ware, musical stuffed animals, and much more.

The Alleys of Hollister: Swope Alley

I feel like doing another theme. So, for the next seven days: The Little Details in Downtown Hollister.

Does it look like a little building up on a ledge to you?

You'll find this little detail on the building at the corner of Swope Alley and San Benito Street.

Ahem. Today is day 115 for posting a photo consecutively on Take 25 to Hollister. Uh-huh. Those of you who have been following Take 25 via Facebook know that I'm attempting to post a daily photo for a year. As for the rest of you, dear readers, well, now you know. I have no reason for doing so other than because I can.

Stained Glass Art at St. Benedict Church

St. Benedict Church on Fairview Road is a beautiful structure, both in and out. Check out the stained glass work on its doors. Do you recognize the image on this part of St. Benedict's door?

Dragons in Hollister

You'll find these two red dragons over the doorway to Cheung Sheng, the Chinese restaurant at the corner of Sixth and East Streets.

The dragon is "a symbol of power, strength, and good luck" in China, among other things, according to this Wikipedia article. As for the color red? To many Chinese people, this color symbolizes good luck, wealth, and prosperity. The dragon is also one of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. 2012 is the year of the dragon.

Roaaaaaaar. Hmm, do dragons roar?

Perceptions

Suppose you were taking the photo above. Are you looking east or west, north or south?

I know the right answer, but, still I think I'm looking south.

Someone else I know thinks he's looking east, even though he knows the right answer.

Funny how our brains work.

Mountains Everywhere You Look

We are surrounded by mountains. No kidding, you say. Yep, no kidding. When I was a kid growing up in Hollister, I thought the Diablo range, which I could see from by back yard, were just high hills. I didn't even realize the Gabilans just to the south of town were even mountains. That was just the way to go to get to Cienega Road

Ever since I moved back here several years ago, I notice the mountains every day. From any point in this town, there they are. They are spectacular!

Seeking Work?

Looking east on Fifth Street (taken by the City Hall)

Tomorrow, May 12, 2011, the annual San Benito County Business Expo and Job Fair will be taking place at the Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito and Seventh Streets. Many of the local businesses will be there to talk about their products and services, as well as job opportunities. Time: 2 to 7 p.m.

For more details, check out the event Web site.

Shop Locally: 2011 Farmers Market

That's right! The Downtown Hollister Farmers Market will be starting tomorrow, May 11.

Same place as last year. Fifth Street, between San Benito and Monterey Streets.

Time:  3 p.m. to 7 p.m., every Wednesday until the end of September

For more info, check out this page at the Hollister Downtown Association Web site or the Hollister Farmers Market Facebook page.

Hurrah for local foods!

2011 San Benito County Bike Week

Straddle your bicycles, girls and boys, men and women! This week (May 9 to May 15) is the San Benito County Bike Week. 

On Thursday, May 12  are two special events.

• Bike to School Day. Participating schools will provide student bikers with a free breakfast.
• Bike to Work Day.  Free breakfast and coffee will be available to all biking commuters between 6:30 and 9 a.m. Stop by the Briggs Lawn (4th and San Benito) or Adams Square, next to Santa Barbara Bank and Trust (formerly San Benito Bank) on Tres Pinos Road.

For more details about San Benito County Bike Week, head over to this page at the Council of San Benito County Governments Web site.

Another Peek of San Juan Bautista

I enjoy wandering around San Juan Bautista and peeking at the gardens there. Don't you just like the feel of this garden?

Unbelievable. The week in San Juan Bautista is over and I hadn't even scratched the surface. Not to worry, I'll be posting photos of the quaint town more often. To see other spots shown this past week, click here.

Fremont Peak State Park

This week, I shall be taking you over to San Juan Bautista, which is just a short hop from Highway 25, heading west on Highway 156. 

That high peak is in Fremont Peak State Park. The peak, also known as Gavilan Peak, is over 3,100 feet high. From up there, you can see the San Benito Valley, the Salinas Valley, and Monterey Bay. On a very, very clear day, you might see the Sierra Nevadas.

The park offers hiking, picnicking, and camping fun. It's also a great place to see the stars. The Fremont Peak Observatory Association gives evening and solar programs to the public throughout the year. For more about them, check out this link.

For more info about Fremont Peak State Park, click here.

The Wild Chickens of San Juan Bautista

This week, I shall be taking you over to San Juan Bautista, which is just a short hop from Highway 25, heading west on Highway 156. 

The chickens run wild in San Juan Bautista. All over town. So be careful as you drive up and down the streets. And, if you happen to be eating outdoors at a picnic table or on a restaurant patio, don't be surprised if a chicken suddenly stands beside you. 

Plaza Hall

This week, I shall be taking you over to San Juan Bautista, which is just a short hop from Highway 25, heading west on Highway 156. 

San Juan Bautista was a bustling city in the 1800s. Several stage coach lines stopped in the city every day. The Plaza Hall, also known as the Zanetta House, is one of the original structures from that time. It is part of the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Several rooms in the building have displays showing furniture, clothing, and other items from the 1800s. To learn more about this historic park, click here.

On the first Saturday of every month, the park holds a Living History Day. Park visitors can talk with Victorian ladies, mountain men, and other characters from various days of yore, as they give craft and cooking demonstrations. To learn more, check out the Plaza History Association Web site.

Peace Rally

Sorry, no San Juan Bautista post today. I'll resume tomorrow.

A peace rally was held last night in front of the Briggs Building in downtown Hollister. I heard that about 200 of us had come down to show our concern about the sudden increase in violent crime and gang activity.

The most recent incident occurred over the weekend. Early Saturday morning, a 14-year-old girl was shot to death.  The local police say it was an accident.  Although, the shooting was not thought to be gang-related, the gun used in the incident belonged to a gang member. To learn more about recent events, check out this article published by the Hollister Free Lance.

The rally was an impromptu call to the community by our leaders in government, education, and law enforcement to stand together in unity against violence. Some people dismiss it as a photo opportunity for the politicians. All I can say is that in the dark it's tough to take great photos. I like to think the peace rally was organized for reasons of sincerity and love and commitment for our community.

Hollister, overall, is a safe and peaceful city. To maintain that status, however, every one of us needs to be proactive.  Mike Sanchez, the San Benito County Superintendent of Schools, said it the best for me last night, " One person can't do everything, but everyone can do something."

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

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

This week, I shall be taking you over to San Juan Bautista, which is just a short hop from Highway 25, heading west on Highway 156. 

A three-mile segment of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is a hiking trail in San Juan Bautista. The trail runs along the Old Stage Road, which is near the intersection of San Juan Canyon Road and San Juan Grade Road.

This national historic trail was the first overland trail from New Spain to San Francisco. It was named after Juan Bautista de Anza, of Spain, who led about 300 people—soldiers and their families—over 2,700 miles from Tubac, Sonora (now known as Nogales, Arizona) to San Francisco, California. Anza is also credited for choosing the sites for the Presidio of San Francisco  and Mission Dolores. The expedition started in October, 1775 and completed its journey in June, 1776.

For more information about this national historic trail, check out these Web sites:

 U.S. National Park Service Web page

The Trail Guide: San Benito County

Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail

Rally Against Crime

No one wants to hear about horrible events.

No one want to talk about them, either.

But, it is a reality.

And, in our community the increased activity in violence and crime is a reality. No doubt, many of you in Hollister have heard about the death of a fourteen year old girl who police believe was shot accidentally. For more about that, check out this article from the Hollister Free Lance.


Tomorrow night, at 8 p.m.,  there will be a Peace Rally on the grassy corner of San Benito and Fourth Streets. My understanding is that the purpose for the rally is to show community solidarity against crime, in particular gang activity.

Mission San Juan Bautista

This week, I shall be taking you over to San Juan Bautista, which is just a short hop from Highway 25, heading west on Highway 156. 

Mission San Juan Bautista is the 15th of the 21 California missions, which were founded by Spanish Franciscan friars. It was established in 1797. The mission lies on the San Andreas Fault in the middle of San Juan Valley.  To learn more about the mission, check out its Web site.
 

The City of San Juan Bautista

This week, I shall be taking you over to San Juan Bautista, which is just a short hop from Highway 25, heading west on Highway 156.

San Juan Bautista is about 7 miles west of Hollister. It is the second largest city in San Benito County with a population of about 1,400. The city was incorporated in 1869, but its history goes back to the founding of Mission San Juan Bautista  in 1797. Before the Spanish missionaries entered San Juan Valley, in 1769, the Amah Mutson  people lived in the area.




To learn more about San Juan Bautista, check out the city Web site.

Night Falling in Hollister

Anyone know what the story is about the five palm trees by the railroad tracks? Please share.

San Juan Grade Road

"Where does this road go?" asked the husband, as we kept straight rather than turn left towards the Anza Trail in San Juan Bautista.

"We've driven this before. It comes out on Highway 101 by the eucalyptus grove," I answered.

"I don't remember driving this," he said.

"We have," I said.

I was wrong, and so was the husband. We had driven it before. Just last year, in fact. It was the back road to Salinas. We didn't recognize it, I suppose, because of how green the hills were. It was so worth the drive forth and back on it that late afternoon.

Do Business Locally: Bel Amour Pet Spa and Boutique

I saw this cute pooch sitting patiently for its human mates who (I assumed) were in church. It was a church parking lot after all. Could you resist taking a photo if you were walking by?

By the way, do you want to spoil your pet even more? Check out the Bel Amour Pet Spa and Boutique on 730 B San Benito Street (between South and Seventh Streets). It opened a month ago.

The Opening

This empty storefront used to be a bar that I've only known as the Smokehouse.  I never thought about asking what it was really called. The other day, the husband and I were walking by the building and noticed an opening in the window. So, of course I had to peek.

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

Looking Up: What Is it?

And, do you know where you are?

Want a clue? It's in the photo. He-he.

Okay, here's your answer. For where you are, that is.

Shop Locally: The Locker Room

The Locker Room is located at 441 San Benito Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets. I just had to take a photo of its divine mannequin.

Way of the Cross

One of the Stations of the Cross plaques at  St. Benedict's Church on Fairview Road in Hollister.

May your day be joyful in every way today.

Fourth Street Mural

This mural is so obviously there that I tend to forget about it. I don't know why. It's a beautiful mural, rather magical and mystical.

How about you? How many times have you waited at the traffic light or driven by this mural and not noticed it? Did you know that it wraps around the building into the small parking lot behind it?

Shop Locally: Dassel's Petroleum, Inc.

Dassel's is at the corner of San Felipe and Wright Roads, about a mile north of downtown Hollister. You can't miss it. Huge white tanks full of gas on one side of the road, and multiple blue tanks of propane on the other side.

Dassel's has been in business since 1939.  Today, it offers propane, gasoline, and diesel fuel to residents, businesses, and agricultural growers.

The Back Alleys of Hollister: Wentz Alley

This is the backside of the building that was once upon a time the Lido Hotel. Hollister used to have quite a lot of hotels downtown. Today, there are only a handful.

N as in New Place to Eat Locally

Two days. In a row, too.

That's how many times I've gone to the newly-opened Heavenly Bakery on the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets. How long has this new bakery been open? Uhm, last Thursday was its first day, I believe.

They have very nourishing foods for the soul. The apricot danish. Yum. The pecan tart. Droool. The Franchesi bread. Just heavenly!

It's so nice to see Heavenly Bakery and other new businesses opening in downtown Hollister. Now, we gotta do our part and help them keep their doors open.

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

The Hawkins Estate

This Victorian home, located on South Street, behind R.O. Hardin School, was built in 1899. It's called the Hawkins Estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original owner may have been T.S. Hawkins, one of the founders of Hollister, or one of his sons.

A Sweet Smell of Joy

"It smells of happiness," said the woman standing in front of me in the PG&E office on East Street. She was referring to the sweet aroma of the floral vines hanging just outside the office.  Just a couple months of ago, there was no sign of the flowers (jasmine? honeysuckle?).  And, now, for awhile, there is no sign of any Sideshow Bob.

Looking Back

This is one of the many retired vehicles and farm machinery on display at Casa de Fruta.

Another View from Cienega Road

This is the view as you travel north on Cienega Road towards Highway 25.  See the trees at the foot of the mountain? That's Paicines Ranch. They sell great tasting grass-fed beef.

For a view at the other end of Cienega Road, click here.

Partake Locally

How many of you dear readers remember when this storefront at the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets was a gift shop?

Okay, how many of you recall when it was Schipper's, a rather cool clothing store? When did we become so old.

Today, this corner is home to the Mars Hill Coffeehouse. Along with offering customers a place to rest and chat with friends and family, while sipping coffee and eating snacks, it provides a venue for various activities and entertainment.

One of the coffeehouse's regular events is Story Time for children and their parents which features professional storyteller Julie Engelhardt.  This coming Monday, April 18, Julie will present "Hop into Spring, featuring stories about spring and easter. The free event starts at 11 a.m.

Walking the Fault

Looking down Sixth Street towards
Sacred Heart School. The Calaveras Fault
crosses the street, I do believe.

Want to learn more about the Calaveras Fault up close? This Saturday morning, April 16, geologists from Pacific Geotechnical Engineering will lead a walk tracing the fault through downtown Hollister. The one-hour walk starts at 9 a.m. at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce office at 650 San Benito Street. The walk is free. For more information, call the Chamber at (831) 637-5315.