The 2012 San Benito County Spring Shop Hop

They are HUGE!

What am I talking about?

The generous gift baskets that will be given to 15 lucky customers who check out the second annual San Benito Spring Shop Hop this Saturday, May 5. The baskets include local products (such as wines and chocolates) and gift certificates to local restaurants, shops, and services) that were donated by over 60 businesses and nonprofits in San Benito County.  The cost of the entry fee is free. Yep, you read that right. Free! You enter the raffle at participating businesses on Saturday.

Not that we need an incentive to check out and support the local businesses. Right, folks? Still, I appreciate the chance of sampling local products and services for free.

So, here you go. The list of local restaurants, shops, and organizations that will be opening their doors  at this year's Spring Shop Hop. By, the way, some of the businesses will also have their own raffle baskets for customers.

Kathina, owner of San Benito Bene

Aromas
Kathyrn Aguras Real Estate
Dragonfly Gallery
Marshall's Market

Hollister
2nd Tyme Around
A.J. Sushi
Bel Amour Pet Spa & Boutique
Best of Times Cafe
Cheung Sheng Chinese Restaurant
Country Groomers
Delux Hair Salon
DeRose Winery
Drapoel/Teezerz
Hazel's Thrift Shop
Heavenly Bakery
Irma's Fashion
Knife and Fork Cafe
Mars Hill Coffee
M & M Garden Mart
McKinnon Lumber
Muenzer's Sporting Goods
Off the Chain Bikes
Pallacio Day Spa
Penny Wise Drug Store
Postal Graphics
San Benito Bene
Serendipity Gifts
She's Women's Apparel
Vitality Skin Care and Massage
YMCA of San Benito County

Livin' the Green Dream

San Juan Bautista
Attic Angels
Galeria Tonantzin
GeoZeum
Livin' the Green Dream
Margot's Ice Cream Parlor
Nichola Cruise
Nooks N Crannies
Posh Hair
San Juan Bakery
The Glass Connection
Vintage Corner
Vision of Christmas

Tres Pinos
The 19th Hole

To get a list of all the local businesses that are participating, check out the San Benito Spring Shop Hop  page at Facebook. You can also find more info about the Spring Hop there.

This A Way, Folks!

That's the Swank Farms sign on San Felipe Road. It's pointing the way to its produce stand, which, unfortunately, is still closed.

However, I like to think that right now the sign is pointing to downtown Hollister. Yep, 'cause tomorrow, May 2, starts the Hollister Farmers Market, and you'll certainly find the Swank Farms there with their yummy produce.

The Hollister Farmers Market runs every Wednesday, from 3 to 7 p.m. all the way up to September 26.  Same place: Fifth Street, between San Benito and Monterey streets.

Hurrah for farmers markets!

Natural Wonders

"It's open," said the Husband.

Fortunately, a parking space was available right in front of Natural Wonders, the new health food store and deli in San Juan Bautista.  Ever since we saw its sign go up months ago, we were looking forward to its opening. And just like that, the business was up and running.

The lovely owner, Alma Paulk, happened to be in the store and told us they'd been open for a couple of weeks. She's gradually adding inventory to the beautiful tall and narrow shelves. What she already has stocked is awesome. Manuka honey and organic emu oil, for instance, are what I bought. Both items I would have had to go online or drive to the outer world to purchase. The convenience of Natural Wonders will be nice. Not to say Alma's knowledge about the products.

Along with natural and organic ointments, lotions, supplements, and such, Natural Wonders sells teas, flours,  spices, chips, and other packaged food items. It also offers coffee, juices, freshly baked goods, soup, and sandwiches. The store was grilling organic chicken on their deck for enchiladas. Speaking of the deck. It looks like a great place to hang out. The breeze through the redwood tree branches was very refreshing.

Natural Wonders is located at 215 Third Street, between the Mission Clocks and Watches and the Daisy Saloon. 

A note to the FTC: I was not paid or received anything for free to write about this neat new business. Nope, not at all. Unless, you want to count the information Alma gave me about Manuka honey and emu oil.

Fences

Old fence. New fence.

That's the view from the parking lot of Pacific Harvest Seafoods in San Juan Bautista.

How Green is Our Valley

Did anyone else think it took quite a long while for the hills and mountains surrounding Hollister to turn really, really green? I'm glad it finally did. As they say, better late, than never.