Who You Gonna Call?

Within Hollister?  That would be the Hollister Police Department.  Outside of city limits? That jurisdiction belongs to the San Benito County Sheriff's Office.

Hollister Neighborhood Watch Meeting
There will be a Hollister Neighborhood Watch Meeting with Police Chief David Westrick on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. It will be at held at the Hollister Police Department at 395 Apollo Court, which is in the Hollister Business Park, across from the Hollister Airport. The meeting is open to all.

Local Law Enforcement Web sites

Hollister Police Department
San Benito County Sheriff's Office
Nixle Wire: Local Police Alerts
Hollister Police Department Facebook page
Hollister Neigbhorhood Watch Group: Police Chief Westrick actually answers questions posted by group members. Holding the upcoming Neighborhood Watch Meeting was a result of the Chief posting back and forth with folks at the page.

204 Fourth Street

Here's a little bit more of Hollister for you.

2012 Memorial Day

Who says old gals can't learn new things. Here are some facts I just learned about Memorial Day:

• Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. First celebrated on May 30, 1868, the day was established to honor all Union and Confederate solders who died in Civil War. The day was chosen because it did not signify a day of any battle.
• Over time, Memorial Day became the day to commemorate the deaths of all U.S. military personnel who served in any U.S. skirmish, battle, war, and other military conflict.
• Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971.

Got you curious? Check out these links for more info:
Memorial Day (History Channel)
Memorial Day (Wikipedia)
Memorial Day History

As a kid, I remember the local American Legion and Vets organizations holding an annual Memorial Day commemoration at the cemetery on Hillcrest Road. I have no idea if it's still happening. If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

Weekend Events

Two big events are happening this weekend. There is the annual Hollister Air Show (May 26 and May 27) at the Hollister Airport. Lots of daring do's in the sky will be taking place.

And, there is the Portuguese Festival.  The crowning of the queen and her court will take place on Saturday evening (May 26). The following morning, the annual parade will start off Sunday's full day and evening of festivities.

To learn about other events going on this weekend (and later), check out San Benito Today's calendar.

The Annular Solar Eclipse

May 20, 2012: The Annular Solar Eclipse in Hollister, California

How many of you noticed the sky suddenly looking dark for a short while late Sunday afternoon?

Did anyone notice that the birds stopped chirping for a little bit?

And, how many of you went outside and watched the annular solar eclipse? Not directly, of course.

The Husband pricked a hole in a piece of notepaper and held it up to another piece of paper. I thought it was quite impressive, both the pin-hole viewer and the eclipse. So, I can just imagine how supercalifragilisticly magnificent it would have been to see the ring of fire. But then that would be the last thing I would see.

As the Husband gazed at the image of the eclipse on the paper, I poked my camera towards the sky. (No, I didn't look at the sun.) I was shooting in color but the image came out in black-and-white. I guess that's how dark it really was at that moment. By the way, if you want to know the scientific particulars about the annular solar eclipse last Sunday, check out this link at the National Geographic.

May 20, 2012: The Annular Solar Eclipse in Hollister, California

Be Part of the Cash Mob!

 A Cash Mob is happening this Saturday, May 19, at one lucky random business in downtown Hollister.

Cash Mob? you ask.

It's a new strategy that's going on nationwide to support local businesses. A "mob" of people choose one store and each person spends at least $20 there.  The store has no idea its going to be mobbed with customers. 

Hollister Downtown Association (HDA) is hosting Saturday's event. Interested? Show up at the parking lot on the corner of Sixth and East streets at 11 a.m.  with your 20 bucks. From there, you and the rest of the mob will head to the selected business. HDA isn't saying until then. For more details, check out this link.