Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Old Hollister Cold Storage Business Park


Hillcrest Road is one of the regular byways that I take to get from here to there. Over the last several years, I have watched the once-upon-a-time Hollister Ice and Cold Storage site near the northwest corner of Hillcrest and Highway 25  turn into a business park. I like how they maintained the look of the buildings that are now home to various auto repair shops and fitness programs. Here are just a few of them:

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A View to Walk With


The Husband and I have been walking again. The days have been beautiful for it, that's for sure. It's not until I'm walking that I'm reminded again that Hollister is not flat and we are surrounded by gorgeous mountain ranges.

So, what do you think? On which road do you think we were walking eastward:
a) Hillcrest    b) Meridian   c) Lone Tree   d) Santa Ana?

By the way, the mountains really aren't as close to those structures as they look in the photo.

See ya Thursday.


Sunday, February 19, 2012

Rock and Rolling and Crushing


When the Husband and I drive around the county, I notice interesting cuts and gouges in the mountains. I always wonder how they were formed. In other words how Mother Nature did her work. The husband almost always tells me that what I'm looking at was created by a quarry.

How many quarries are (and were) in San Benito County? Quite a lot, it turns out. Check out this list of stone quarries compiled by Peggy B. Perazzo at Stone Quarries and Beyond. The list does not include sand or gravel quarries.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Local History


In the late 1860s, when Hollister was being formed, West, East, North, and South streets were the boundaries of town. This beautiful Queen Anne house at the corner of West and Seventh Streets stood at the growing town's western edge. The house, built in 1904 or 1906 (depending on the source), was originally the residence of someone who owned a harness and saddle shop.

Other local history tidbits. 
• San Benito County just turned 138 years old. The county was created on February 12, 1874.
• On March 26, Hollister will be celebrating its 140th year as an incorporated city.
• San Juan Bautista was incorporated in 1869, about 72 years after Mission San Juan Bautista was established.

History Links
To learn more about local history, check out these Web sites:
San Benito County Historical Society
About Our Town by Hollister Downtown Association
San Juan Bautista Historical Society
City of History by the City of San Juan Bautista
Vaquero Heritage Days
New Idria
Hollister and Bikers
P.S.  For those of you who were wondering about where I was on Tuesday's post, I was standing on Wright Road, between San Felipe Road and Highway 25 (or Bolsa Road).

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Where am I?


I feel like a guessing game today. On what road am I standing when I snapped this scene? Yes, it's in Hollister.  I was a few miles from the center of town, but I'm not saying in which direction. That would make it too easy.

Here's a hint: What business sells its products in blue-colored tanks?  Hmm. Did I just make it too easy?

See ya on Thursday.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Green Tripe


Green Tripe is a local business that sells, yep, green tripe and other animal innards to dog owners.

Go ahead, say eewww, but the food is nutritious--and most likely delicious--for the dogs. According to the Web site, the company only uses raw material from animals that were grassfed and were inspected and certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as being organic. The tripe and et. al is safe for human consumption.

For more info about Green Tripe, check out its Web site.

Mike Rowe, the host of Dirty Jobs, a Discovery show, visited the factory in 2008. Here's some footage that was shown on TV.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

Dinner Theater at Paine's


Tomorrow night (February 10) is the first of nine showings of Lend Me A Tenor, a comedy full of sophisticated craziness. The play was written by Ken Ludwig, and received several Tony nominations when it was performed on Broadway in 1989.

Hollister's production is presented by the San Benito Stage Company at Paine's Restaurant on 421 East Street. Evening performances starting at 7 p.m. will be on February 10, 11, 17,  18, 24,  and 25; and afternoon performances starting at 2 p.m. will be on February 12, 19, and 25.

Tickets include the cost of the meal. $35 at the door; $30, if bought beforehand. For more info, check out the San Benito Stage Company Web site. For the menu, check out Paine's Facebook page about the event.

Two More Saturday Events
Here are two other things happening on Saturday, February 11:
Community Volunteer Fair
Sweethearts and Memories, Dinner-Dance fundraiser for the local senior citizens center

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Sightings In and Nearby Hollister

Dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers,

Hello, hello. I don't know about you, but I quite enjoyed the few weeks off the blog. Well, yeah, I was posting links about local events and  such over at the Facebook page, but that's quite different. And, for those of you who don't know, that's what I do almost everyday at the Take 25 Facebook page. So, if you'd like to know about local happenings, you can learn about some things there.

For now, I plan to post Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. That is, in case you're wondering how often and when I'll show up here.

For today I give you a few photos from the husband and my latest wanderings about the area.


We saw this amazing raptor on the greens at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club.
I caught him in the middle of his feasting on his prey.
This is just before he sighted me.


Mist lifting off Santa Ana Peak from Lone Tree Road.


The almost full moon far, far, far above the tanks on McCray Street.


My first sighting of pink blossoms yesterday afternoon in the neighborhood.
Whoo-hoo!


Sunday, February 5, 2012

Get Red! in Hollister


It's GET RED month in Hollister. Go ahead, take the time to ponder:  Get red? Get angry...get commies...get those red-headed guys...get Red Skelton...anymore?

Seriously, February is American Heart Month, as in be kind to your heart and take very good care of it. So, to promote happy, healthy, heart awareness, the Hollister Downtown Association got together with the YMCA and the Hazel Hawkins Hospital to sponsor various events. In addition to special happenings, some of the participating businesses are offering discounts on their products or services. For example, Muenzer's has a 15% discount on all shoes in stock throughout the month.

For a schedule of events and updates of business offers, check out this Hollister Downtown Association page.


Friday, January 27, 2012

2012 Community Volunteer Fair

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?

Many opportunities are available in San Benito County in various areas. For instance, if you're into history, check out the San Benito County Historical Society or the SJB Plaza History Association. The arts? Mr. O's Academy of the Arts and the San Benito Stage Company are just two nonprofit groups that can use volunteers. And, if you would like to be a natures volunteer, think about being part of Pinnacles Partnership.

You can learn more about volunteer opportunities on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Community Volunteer Fair, which is sponsored by the Community Foundation for San Benito and the Sacred Heart Parish School. About 40 local nonprofit groups will be there. The event will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School Gymnasium at 670 College Street in Hollister. For more info, visit the Community Foundation Web site or call its office at 831-630-1924.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

365 + 1 Days

Heading home on the Bolsa, aka Highway 25
With today's post, I have accomplished my personal goal: To post a daily photo of my hometown—Hollister—or county (San Benito) for one year and a day. Hurrah for me!

By the way, here's what I posted on the first day of my quest. 

So, what's next? At least a few days away from the blog.  See ya.


Monday, January 23, 2012

Once a 'Baler


Always a 'Baler! Hollister Haybalers. Go 'Balers!

The sign? From a classroom window in the main building of the high school.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Another View of the Spire


Yep. But, this time it's a close-up of the beautiful spire of Sacred Heart Church. Click here, here, and here for views of the church spire from afar.

Sacred Heart Church is one sturdy building. It was constructed in 1877, but not at its known location on the corner of Fifth and College Streets. That's right. According to Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a brochure by Sharlene Van Rooy, the church was originally built on the corner of West and Sixth Streets. That's where the Dunne Park Clubhouse is today. The Gothic church was moved to Fifth Street in 1939.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Looking Up: Gable Eyes


Hot-looking Mediterranean revival eyes, don't you think?

You'll find this red tile rooftop on the colorful building at 910 Monterey Street, which was once upon a time the original Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.


Friday, January 20, 2012

Dancing at the Veterans Memorial Building

One of the unique outdoor details of the Veterans Memorial Building
Here's something different and special to do in Hollister, come February: Listen and dance to the big band sound of Mark Russo and the Classy Cats with vocalist Mary Blaser.

Click to enlarge flyer
Jovenes de Antaño, the local senior citizens center, is holding a dinner and dance fundraiser on Saturday, February 12, 2012, 5 to 11 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Building. The tri-tip dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the band will perform from 8 to 11 p.m.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $45 per person. They can be purchased at the door or bought beforehand at:
Jovenes de Antaño, 300 West Street (cross street Third Street)
She's, 620 San Benito Street
Penny-Wise Drugs, 549 San Benito Street
Postal Graphics, 1760 Airline Highway
To hear Mark Russo and the Classy Cats in action, check out the band's sample song list on its Web site.


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Looking Up: Courthouse Detail


This part of the San Benito County Courthouse can be seen from the driveway between the courthouse and the building that houses the San Benito County Office of Education. It's so different from the rest of the courthouse that I wonder if this is actually the old Hall of Records. Anyone know?



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Barn on Line Street


When I was a kid, many years ago, Line Street was the western boundary of downtown Hollister. Between South Street and Nash Road, orchards mostly lined Line Street. Today, this barn and the surrounding empty field, which was once full of trees, are the last remnants of that era.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Living in Town


When I was a kid, I thought it would be cool to live in town. I tell the husband that and he replies, "You do."

Technically, yes. We live within the city limits. But, my mind remembers when much of what is now city was county and the neighborhood where we live today was once part orchard and part chicken farm.

I still think it would be cool to live. . .uhm. . . in historical downtown Hollister. 

Monday, January 16, 2012

Rain, Rain, Come Our Way

January, 2011: Green hills and mountains (view from Fremont Peak)

The mountains and hillsides should be sporting some green by now. Let us hope that rain will be making its way soon. According to wunderground.com, our area has a slight chance of getting rain on Wednesday and maybe a better chance on Friday. But, that's it. I hope that changes. The sunny days have been nice. Some rainy days just would be nicer.


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Is this Hollister, California?


It most certainly is.

The white building with the pinkish detail is Pat's Place at the corner of Sally and Fifth Streets.




Saturday, January 14, 2012

Photo Opps in San Benito County

These horseshoes are embedded in the sidewalk across
from the Plaza Stables on Second Street in San Juan Bautista

Hollister. San Juan Bautista. All of San Benito County, for that matter.

I am talking photo opportunities—landscapes, fauna, flora, historical buildings, parades, events, people, and so forth and so on. I ought to know.  For the last 356 days (including today) I have been posting a daily photo. My personal goal is to do it for a year plus one day. So, almost there.

There are quite a few blogs and web sites where you'll find photos from around our sweet county. In fact, Take 25 reader Wanda G. sent me a link a couple of months ago that she thought would be of interest. It certainly is. (Wanda, I apologize for taking so long to post it.) Check it out: NoeHill Travels in California: Photographs of historic sites and points of interest in San Benito County.

Here are a few other links I've found that are interesting.
Travel: San Benito County by Nic Coury

Aerial Photograph Collection–San Benito County Index, University Library, UC Santa Cruz

Debi Shearwater's Journeys: San Benito County Birding

Hemming's Blog: Hollister, CA mid-1950s

Do you know of other cool sites? Please share the links in the comments section.

Friday, January 13, 2012

The Marentis House


The Marentis House in San Juan Bautista is designated a national historic building. A private residence, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The house was built in 1873 by the original owners, Pedro and Claudia Marentis. Their son, John Marentis, served as the city treasurer for 51 years. San Juan Bautista

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Pat's Place


Lots of stuff here to check out. Don't be fooled when you first walk in. There is a lot more. Quite a lot more in the other room.

Pat's Place opened in 2009 for the specific purpose of raising money for the Community Food Bank of San Benito County. Check out this article from the Free Lance for the details.

Pat's Place is at the corner of Fifth and Sally Streets. For older locals, it's the building that was once the Model French Laundry.


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Quien Sabe


Yesterday, the view was from Union Road. Today, the sweet view is looking up Quien Sabe Road from the North side.  Yep.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A View from Union Road


One of the sweetest views in San Benito County is from Union Road, just pass the intersection at Airline Highway (aka Highway 25). This is just a bit of that view.


Monday, January 9, 2012

How Do You Enter the Parking Garage?

The four floor parking garage, as viewed from San Benito Street.
Parking at the Briggs Building parking garage on Fourth and San Benito Streets is free. There are yellow banners on the San Benito Street side of the building that shout Free Parking. You can read them when you're standing in front of the building, but not when you're driving your car and trying to figure how to get into it.

So, I ask again: How do you enter the parking garage?

Fourth Street view.
From Fourth Street?

No.

From San Benito Street?

Nope.

From Monterey Street?

Uh-uh.

From Fifth Street?

Kinda.

Briggs Alley?

Bingo!

You enter the parking garage via Briggs Alley, which you access by driving through the small public parking lot between the Vault and the Granada Theater that is on Fifth Street.

Huh?

Yeah.

So, if anyone says to you during the Farmer's Market season (May through September) that you can conveniently park in the parking garage, know this: Be sure you get there before the farmers and vendors set up their booths and tables.

Update: I forgot to mention that Briggs Alley is one-way. I have been told that on Farmer's Market Day, people are allowed to drive the reverse way on Briggs Alley so that they can enter the parking garage. Seems to me the powers-that-be ought to make that change permanently. 


That gap between the garage and the other building
(Granada Theater) is Briggs Alley.


Sunday, January 8, 2012

Costumes?


They—the costumes—can probably be bought at Lost Treasures on 5th Street. (Cross street is Sally Street.) But, one never knows. They may be available at  Maverick Welding Supply. It's difficult to say which building the sign post is on. That's how it looked last week.


Saturday, January 7, 2012

Things to Watch for at the Airport

One of my favorite "caution" signs is over at the airport. It's an essential sign, no doubt about it. It also brings up silly thoughts as well. You can find the sign near the new dog park.


Friday, January 6, 2012

Skateboard Dancer


This photo was luckily clicked as the skateboarder, unaware, gracefully zoomed down the sidewalk.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

A Traditional Barber Shop


The B&R Barber Shop is a very old-time establishment in Hollister. You'll find it on Fifth Street, between East and San Benito Streets.


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

A Good Reason to Close on Sunday



I like the store hours of Second Tyme Around, the vintage furniture store at the corner of Fifth and East Streets. The store opened last summer.


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

New Fire Station Going Up



Until construction of the downtown fire station at the corner of Sally and Fifth Streets is complete, the Hollister Fire Department is temporarily located in the vacant lot on Fourth Street, behind the west end Briggs Building Garage.

The old station was demolished earlier this year. Being built is a two-story facility with twice the space of the old station, which was a converted tractor garage. According to this local news article, the station should be completed within one year's time.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Evening Approaches

Above Sunnyslope Road

You never know what you may see while walking just before sunset.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Onward and Forward Through 2012


Whoo-hoo! 2012! Here we are heading north on Union Road, crossing the bridge.

Salud! to you, dear Take 25 Readers. May we each forge confidently forward through another year.

Happy New Year! ~ Su-sieee! Mac

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Glancing into Back Yards


I turn away from the historical hoosegow in the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Voila! An enormous-looking barrel is in my sight. Of course, I had to click the camera.


Friday, December 30, 2011

Christmas Decor in San Juan Bautista


This is one of the beautiful panels that are part of the Christmas decorations that line the main drag of San Juan Bautista. I think most, if not all, of the panels of of the saints for which the California missions are named.


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Fancy Brickwork Leads to Burritos


You'll find this patch of brick pavement in front of La Villa de Jerez Taqueria at 512 San Benito Street in downtown Hollister. The taqueria serves yummy burritos by the way.

The year 1924 must mean when the pavers were laid. I've wondered whether this shop was the only one with a brick entry way.  Anyone know what business was there then? I think the storefront was a shoe store during the 1960s. But, I could be confusing it with a shop in Salinas.

The name "Simons" may refer to the Simons Brick Company, which was a Los Angeles company that manufactured bricks during the 1920s.


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Looking Up: Just Hanging


Birds like hanging out at coffee shops too. These birds were sitting above Mars Hill Coffeehouse. The drivers who made sure not to hit me as I was taking their photo from the street most likely thought I was nuts. Thanks for not hitting me. :-)

By the way, cool building work. 


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

100 Things I Like: Hollister!


Today's post is my last of the 100 things that I like about living in Hollister. There are more than 100 things, of course. Much more.

I was born in Hollister at the old Hazel Hawkins Hospital on Monterey Street. I went to the local schools and after several decades continue to be friends with many of the kids I grew up with. In fact, the 1971 Balers offer a scholarship to graduating seniors. At 19, I moved to San Francisco to attend college and, except for a couple short moves back to Hollister, I lived in SF and the East Bay for about 30 years. I've visited my family regularly through the years, but I honestly never thought I'd move back.

When the husband and I moved to Hollister  8 or 9 years ago, I did not realize how much I missed the area—the open spaces, the expansive sky, the surrounding mountains, the farm lands, the back roads, and the cute downtown. As a kid, other than school stuff, I took part in few of the local activities, including the San Benito County Fair. That has changed. For instance, one of my goals has been to win a ribbon in something at the fair. Checked!

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

Monday, December 26, 2011

100 Things I Like: Veterans Memorial Auditorium


The Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street and Seventh Street was built in 1927 in honor of the Veterans of World War I. For more details about the history, click here.  Today, the building is rented for both public and private events.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

100 Things I Like: Walking the St. Francis Retreat Grounds


The St. Francis Retreat was part of San Justo Rancho, the Mexican land grant that eventually was divided and became San Juan Bautista and Hollister. The retreat is up in the hills above San Juan Bautista. Originally the grounds was home to the Flint and Bixby families who bought the land grant with Colonel Hollister. There is a lot of history about the place. Click here to read about it.

Happy Christmas, dear readers!

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

100 Things I Like: Christmas Lights


Of all the houses decorated with Christmas lights, Santa Clauses, and nativity signs, this one was my favorite.

My wish to each and every one of you is Peace, Joy, Love, and Happiness.  Merry Christmas!

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.


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