Sunday, July 31, 2011

At the Corner of 7th and San Benito Streets


Doesn't it look like these two signs could be perched on someone's shoulder? One is the angel, while the other is the devil.


Saturday, July 30, 2011

Everything Garlic


More than six hours later, I still have a distinct taste of garlic in my mouth. Garlic fries. Garlic ice cream. Shrimp, mushrooms, noodles, BBQ, and sausages laced with oodles of garlic.

Yesterday, the husband and I drove over to Gilroy (not in San Benito County) and sampled some of the garlicky foods for sale at its infamous Garlic Festival.  Consuming all that garlic was for a good cause. Really.

This was the first time I attended the event, which started in 1979. I didn't know until just now that the festival is a major annual fundraiser for Gilroy's many nonprofit organizations. Last year, the festival raised $270,000, according to its Web site. Wow! Okay, maybe I'll excuse it for having to pay $3 for a bottle of water.

The festival continues today and Sunday.

I thought the garlic fries were the best tasting thing I ate.
The potatoes were totally loaded with the stinking rose.


As the mama would say, "Lots of people there."



 Setting the pans on fire was part of the show of cooking in front of a crowd.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Postcards of the Old City Hall

First, everyone, please say a big "Thank you!" to Cindy Mackie. She sent me copies of these vintage postcards of the old City Hall, which many of you today may know as the vacant YMCA building that's located on Fifth Street.

Cindy wrote: "The postcard on one of the old City Hall dates the card to April 19, 1912. I think you could safely say that that building is at least 100 years old. The publisher is Edward H. Mitchell of San Francisco."

Okay, I won't detain you anymore. Check out the trio of postcards from Cindy.  Thank you very much, Cindy.

Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.


Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.


Postcard image courtesy of Cindy Mackie.

A Victorian Beauty in Downtown Hollister



Your vision is okay.

I took the photo through the dirty car window as the husband was driving south on San Benito Street. Even through a dirty window, the red brick Victorian building looks gorgeous.

The building was constructed in the 1870s. I think it was in the late 1980s or early 1990s that it was restored. William Palmtag, one of the founders of Hollister, was the original owner. In 1891, the Farmers and Merchants Bank was based in the building. Supposedly, the vaults are still there.

Mr. Palmtag was an interesting man who hailed from Germany. In his time, he was known as an astute businessman and an award winning winemaker. He also served as a county supervisor and the mayor of Hollister.  Check out these links for more details about him.





Thursday, July 28, 2011

A Different View on Fifth Street


I'm short; the husband is tall. So, why is that important?

The other day, we got out of our car on Fifth Street and right away the husband suggested that I take a shot of the line of bay windows of the brick building. You know the one that's on the corner of San Benito Street and Fifth Streets.  So, I did. I took several snaps. But, my results were duds. That's when I realized if I was just a foot taller, I'd have a bunch of lovely photos of what the husband was viewing. Maybe I should carry a ladder around with me.

Anyway, being short, I did see an angle of this lamp post on Fifth Street that I liked.


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