A Hodgepodge of Announcements

Benito Link

Check out a new free source for local news. It's called Benito Link, an on-line web portal created by Vision San Benito. Already, I've learned that the new Hollister Mayor was sworn in on Monday; Immaculate Conception, the Catholic Church in Tres Pinos, celebrated 120 years; and the San Benito Homeless Shelter has been open since November 1. The site just recently went up, so give it time to develop and grow.  It's nice to have another source of news and coming events and such for our community. Buena fortuna, Benito Link.

Click here to go directly to Benito Link.
Click here to go to Benito Link's Facebook page.

Holiday Events

• December 11: Oriana Chorale Carols and Lullabies. 7:30 p.m. at San Juan Bautista Mission.
• December 15: Visions of San Juan—A Holiday Stroll Through Time. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., San Juan Bautista.
• December 15: Annual Filipino American Christmas Ball, 6 to 11 p.m, Veterans Memorial Building, Hollister.
• December 21: Winter Solstice at the Mission. About 6 a.m. at the San Juan Bautista Mission
• December 21: Annual Holiday Bonfire/Hayden Christmas Celebration  6 p.m., Community Hall, San Juan Bautista 

Support Local Businesses

The Holiday Arts and Crafts Boutique  is going on at Blak Sage Gallery until December 15, 2012.   It features arts, crafts, cards, and gifts made by local artists and craftspeople, including Shannon Grissom, Jane Rekedal, Carole Belliveau, Kent Child, and Kathleen Sheridan, among others.

Wednesday Night Lights
Several shops on the 600 block in downtown Hollister are doing a "Wednesday Night Lights". Tomorrow, December 12, and next Wednesday, December 19, the following shops will be open until 7:30 p.m.

• Heavenly Bakery
• San Benito Bene
• Serendipity Gifts
• She's Women's Apparel

Holiday Shopping Hours
Many local shops and businesses have holiday hours for our convenience. They're keeping their doors open later one or more days during the week. For example, Holliwood, a new shop in downtown Hollister (748 San Benito Street), has late hours. Some Hollister shops and most, if not all, San Juan Bautista shops are open on Sundays. So, if you haven't had a chance to check out local shops, here's your chance this year.

Don't know what shops, restaurants, businesses, and such are in our county? Check out these links:

• Downtown Hollister Association
• San Benito County Chamber of Commerce
• Shop San Juan!

You can also find a listing of some shops and restaurants at this Take 25 to Hollister post.

A note to FCC: Just so you know, no one has paid me to mention any of the above businesses. Just call me alturistic, I suppose.
 

Meandering on Comstock Road

On Saturday, the Husband and I did the Shop Hop. How about you? Which shops did you check out?

We only visited a few participating businesses, two of which were first times for us. On our way to M&M Garden Mart, we missed the Spring Grove Road turn so ended at the next road which was Comstock Road. Instead of turning around immediately, we decided to meander its full length. That is, to drive until we hit a dead end. It was probably only a few miles more after the houses, but it surely seemed like forever. A nice forever of wandering.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

150 Years of Celebration

The Hollister United Methodist Church is the familiar red brick edifice on the corner of Fifth and Monterey Streets. This weekend (December 1 and 2), it is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Wowza!

The husband and I visited its open house yesterday afternoon to see what the stained glass windows looked like. They are just as beautiful as we imagined they would be, just from looking at them from the outside. Reverend Ardyss Golden and another member of the church told us some interesting notes of both city and church history.
 
The church was started in 1862. It held its first services in Colonel Hollister's home, which is the site of new San Benito County courthouse. And, for us old timers, where Fremont School once stood.
 
Col. Hollister constructed a church building for the congregation in the middle of town. Where precisely, the Rev. Golden did not know. Nor did she know why it was moved to its current location.
 
The original church, built in 1872, was a wooden structure. Today's social hall was the first sanctuary. The brick building was constructed in 1910.  If I remember correctly what was said, the parsonage used to stand where the preschool is today. The parsonage was moved to Tres Pinos.
 

Many of you, dear readers, may remember the ivy that climbed the brick walls. The ivy had to be removed because it was eating into the grout and destroying the building.  The ivy, we learned, was a clipping of ivy from the University of Pacific in Stockton, and the college took its clipping from the Westminster Abbey in London.

At one time, there were two Methodist congregations in Hollister. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South was located at the current spot, while the Methodist Episcopal Church was a couple blocks away.

For more about the Hollister United Methodist Church, check out these pages:
• Hollister United Methodist Church Facebook page
• Web page at United Methodists of the California–Nevada Annual Conference 

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

The 2012 Holiday Cheer Shop Hop

The baskets from the 2011 shop hop.
Photo courtesy of San Benito Bene.

Psssssssst. Have you heard what's happening this Saturday, December 1?

It's the 2012 San Benito County Holiday Cheer Shop Hop. Whooo-hooo. Eighty-eight (88!) shops, restaurants, galleries, artisans, services, salons and spas, agriculturists, and nonprofit groups throughout the county are taking part in this second annual event. We're talking 88 local businesses from Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos, and Aromas.

These 88 local businesses have generously contributed items that shoppers have the opportunity of winning by entering their name at each business they visit on Saturday. The Holiday Cheer Shop Hop organizers are creating 15 (15!) lavish baskets that may include products such as chocolates, wine, olive oil, note cards, and lotions, as well as gift certificates to restaurants, shops, spas, financial services, and so on. Some businesses will also be raffling their own basket of goodies, so you never know what you may find.

By the way, did I say it is all free? Yep, it's free to enter for a chance for one of the 15 awesome baskets. No purchases necessary, but hey! you never know what you may want or need to buy for yourself and others. And, like wise mathematicians out there might say, your chances of winning increase with each additional business you visit.  So, here you go. The list of the many local businesses to hop to this Saturday. 

The Shops

Historical Downtown Hollister 
Going from north to south, these businesses are located between Fourth and South Streets.

Different Treasures Different Days, 443 San Benito Street
Country Groomers, 206 Fifth Street
Irma's Fashion, 230 Fifth Street
Hollister Sign Co., 535 San Benito Street
Penny Wise Drug Store, 549 San Benito Street
Pallacio Day Spa, and San Benito Bene are located at 615 San Benito Street.
Serendipity Gifts, 616 San Benito Street
She's Women's Apparel, 620 San Benito Street
Delux Hair Salon, 625 San Benito Street
McKinnon Lumber, 217 7th Street
Vitality Skin Care & Massage, 339 Seventh Street, Suite A  
Shannon Grissom, Artist, 719 San Benito Street, Suite A
San Benito County Arts Council Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito Street
Drapoel,  731 San Benito Street
Bel Amour Pet Spa & Boutique, 730 B San Benito Street
Paradiso Spa Salon,  750 San Benito Street 

These businesses are also located in downtown Hollister:

Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast Boutique,  712 West Street (by 7th Street)
Simply Skin, 581 McCray Street (by the theater)

These businesses are located south of downtown Hollister:

Salon Deja Vu Spa ,341 Tres Pinos Road, Suites 204-205
YMCA of the Central Coast, 351 Tres Pinos Road
The Farm Bertuccio's, 2410 Airline Highway (aka Highway 25, near Union Road)
DeRose Winery, 9970 Cienega Road  (The Car Museum should be open that day.)

These businesses are located north of downtown, in the Hollister Business Park across from the Hollister Airport:

Garlic Festival Foods, 1803 Shelton Drive, #104
Marich Premium Chocolates, 2101 Burt Drive

The following businesses are northeast of downtown. Both are near Fallon Road, which runs between Fairview Road and San Felipe Road (by Hollister Business Park).

B&R Farms,  5280 Fairview Road
M&M Garden Mart, 410 Spring Grove Road

San Juan Bautista
Some of the shops in San Juan Bautista share the same building. You might find info about some of the shops listed below at the Shop San Juan! Web site. The shops are listed in order from south to north. In other words, you're entering from Highway 156 at the traffic lights.  

The Alameda

Vintage Cottage Home and Garden, 103 The Alameda
Tresor Boutique  and The Last Stitch Quilting Design Studio and Gallery are at 107 The Alameda. 

Third Street  (The Alameda turns into Third Street at Franklin)

Shops on the east side (Think: Hollister is to the east.)
Mission Gallery, 106 Third Street
Rare Light Gallery  and Visions of Christmas are at 108 B Third Street.
Casa de Calores, 304 Third Street
These shops are located at 400 Third Street: Sweet Pea Antiques,  The Dreaming Tree, and Vintage Corner
San Juan Antiques and Collectibles, 406 Third Street
These shops are located at 410 Third Street: The Glass Connection, Attic Angels,  Frills (inside Attic Angels), and Nicola Cruise Fair Trade Gifts & Crafts 
3 Angels Antiques, 410 D Third Street

Shops on the west side (Think: Heading to Highway 101)
Paloma Paloma  and Season's Handcrafts are located at 203 Third Street.
Bear Flag Gallery Mall, 207 Third Street
Top Rock Shop, 209 Third Street
Mission Clocks and Watches, 217 Third Street
Treasure Chest de San Juan, 303 Third Street
It's Shabby and Chic, 311 Third Street
Bluebird Antiques and Collectibles, 401 Third Street
The Little Red Barn, 405 Third Street

Side streets
Livin' the Green Dream, 33 Washington Street
Aggie's Porch 37, Mariposa Street  (corner of 4th Street)
Fool's Gold Antiques, 34A Polk Street 

Aromas

Kathryn Aguras Real Estate, 376 Blohm Avenue
Dragonfly Gallery, 380 Blohm Avenue

Gotta Eat and Drink!

These local restaurants are participating in the Holiday Cheer Shop Hop, too. So, be sure to fill in an entry form for a chance at one of the 15 bountiful baskets of local goodies

Hollister

Pendergrass Restaurant, 500 San Benito Street (SW corner of 5th Street)
Heavenly Bakery, 601 San Benito Street (SE corner of 6th Street)
Best of Times Cafe, 615 San Benito Street (a few doors from Heavenly Bakery) 
Knife and Fork Cafe, 650 San Benito Street (by Brown Alley)
A.J. Sushi, 737 San Benito Street (near South Street)
Paine's Restaurant, 421 East Street (between 4th and 5th Streets)
Hollister Hills Taproom & Brewery, 401 McCray Street (in the Clocktower Plaza, near the pet store)

Tres Pinos

19th Hole Booze & Food, 7071 Airline Highway (Highway 25—about 5 miles south of Hollister) 

San Juan Bautista

Pizza Factory, 301 H The Alameda (in the Windmill Plaza)
Doña Esther Mexican Restaurant, 25 Franklin Street
La Casa Rosa Restaurant, 107 Third Street
Jardines de San Juan, 115 Third Street 
Orient Express, 35 Washington Street
Margot's Ice Cream Parlor, 211 Third Street
Mission Cafe, 300 Third Street
The Happy Rooster Restaurant, 313 Third Street
San Juan Bakery, 319 Third Street
Joan and Peter's German Restaurant, 322 Third Street
Basque Matxain Etxea Restaurant, 206 Fourth Street

Other Shop Hop Participants

The following artisans, businesses, and organizations have also contributed products and services to this year's Holiday Cheer Shop Hop:

Autoworks
Beauti Control
Bell Hill Goat Milk Soaps & Lotions (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene)
Calvista Insurance Agency Inc.
California Mutual Insurance Co.
H&R Block
MJM Computers
Oils of Paicines (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene)
San Benito County Cattle Women
San Benito Gold Raw Honey (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene and The Farm Bertuccio's)
Santa Barbara Bank and Trust
Vista Notes (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene, The Farm Bertuccio's, and Serendipity Gifts)

For more information, contact kathina@sanbenitobene.com or call her at 831-638-1188.

An Evening of Joy and Fun

The 2012 Lights On Celebration Parade was last Saturday (November 24). It was a perfect evening—just enough crispness and bite in the air to think yep, the holiday season is upon us. Thank you, Hollister Downtown Association, for another wonderful job planning, organizing, and making the parade happen for us all.

My most favorite parts in the parade were the kiddies pumping away on their tricycles decorated with lights. It made me wish I was just as young as them so I could pedal a tricycle along the parade route. I thought one of the coolest-of-cool floats was Save Mart's entry—a gigantic shopping cart. What was your favorite float or part of the parade?

Maybe next year, the Husband and I will think about getting down there early enough to put up some chairs. We drove down San Benito Street earlier in the day and saw chairs set up along the curb all the way down to Hawkins Street.

And, maybe next year, I'll have a camera that can take clean, crisp photos at night.  I've put together an album at the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page of my better shots of the parade. Here's the link. Enjoy. 

2012 Lights On Celebration

The 2011 Lights On Celebration Parade

This year's Lights On Celebration is this Saturday, November 24, in downtown Hollister. Are you ready to have some fun?

The event starts at 10 a.m. and goes on until 8 p.m.  Activities are planned at the Veterans Memorial Building and at the North Pole (the lawn at the corner of San Benito and Fourth Streets). There'll be a variety of performances throughout the day by bell ringers, dancers, bands, and others. 

The Jaime's Toy & Canned Food Drive Car Show is on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entrance is at Brown Alley and Monterey Street. Cost of admission is a new toy (unwrapped) or canned food.

At 5:30 p.m., the Lights on Celebration Parade will make its way down San Benito Street. Whoo-hoo.

To download a schedule of events, head over to this Hollister Downtown Association page. If you'd like to see photos from the 2010 and 2011 parades, head over to the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page and click on the albums.

2012 Veterans Day Parade

Yesterday (Sunday) was the annual Veterans Day Parade through downtown Hollister. It was a beautiful day to pay tribute to the brave and generous men and women who served in the U.S. military forces.

To see more photos of the parade, click here to go to the album at Take 25 to Hollister's Facebook page.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

November 10–11 2012 Weekend

Just in case you haven't heard, here are three events taking place this weekend.

Mommy and Me, Art and Tea

On Saturday afternoon, November 10, children and their parents (Moms and/or Dads) can participate in a hands-on art project event at the Blak Sage Gallery (727 San Benito Street). The free event is from noon to 5 p.m. Cookies and tea will be served. The fun family affair fete is sponsored by the San Benito County Arts Council. For more info, call 831-636-2787 or check out this Facebook link.

Sounds of Brass Concert

The Pacific Brass Band will hold its 12th annual benefit concert this Saturday, November 10, 2 p.m., at Rancho San Justo Middle School (1201 Rancho Drive). This British-style brass band is composed of musicians from San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. The concert is sponsored by the local YMCA  and Mr. O's Save the Music Drive.

Proceeds of the concert will benefit the Hollister elementary school music program and the Hollister middle school sports program.

Admission tickets: $25 per family (up to to persons), $5 for seniors, and $5 for students. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by paid adults. Tickets may be purchased before the concert at the YMCA of San Benito County, Mr. O’s Academy, Postal Graphics,  and Ace Hardware.

Veterans Day Parade

This year's Veterans Day Parade will take place in downtown Hollister on Sunday November 11 at  1:30 p.m.

The Veterans Day celebration will begin at 11:11 a.m.  at the Veterans Memorial Building with  a moment-of-silence observation for our deceased Veterans. A BBQ lunch will be available at noon. The day's event will also have a resource fair for Veterans. A military flyover is slated to take place before the parade.

Scheduled earlier on Sunday is the annual Veterans Day Breakfast,  hosted by San Benito County LULAC, at the  San Benito High School Cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from  7 a.m. to noon. State Assembly member Luis Alejo will be a guest speaker at the breakfast.

Breakfast is $8, with proceeds benefiting the 2013 LULAC scholarship fund. For further information, call  831-673-1977.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

Enjoying the Flowers

Whenever I walk down this part of Fourth Street in San Juan Bautista, I have to stop and gaze at this flower garden. I think it's part of the Jardines de San Juan restaurant.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

Are You Ready to Vote?

I'm still reading up on the candidates and propositions. It's not easy finding information that I can easily understand. Here are some links for local and state items that I've found useful. Maybe they'll come in handy for you, too. Remember, voting day is Tuesday, November 6.

General Information
~ San Benito County Registrar of Voters
~ San Benito County Election results
~San Benito County Ballot at Smart Voter

Local Candidates and Issues
You can view videotapes of mayoral candidates and a few other local candidates at Community Media Access Partnership (CMAP). Here's the link.

On 10/16 and 10/17 the Farm Bureau hosted a candidate forum. On Channel 17, you can watch the videotape of the two nights. You can find the schedule for its showing at this CMAP link. 

San Benito County Today is the Web site for the Hollister Free Lance. By registering (it's free), you can read articles about candidates and Measure E, as well as opinion pieces by the candidates and their supporters (or not supporters).

Measure E: Here are sites by the supporters and the opponents to the extension of the 1% sales tax in the City of Hollister
~ Measure E Fast Facts by Yes on E Committee
~ Vote No on Hollister Measure E

California Propositions
Here are three sites where you can get information about the state propositions. 
~ California Secretary of State Official Voter Information Guide
~ Ballotpedia
~ KQED 2012 California Proposition Guide

2012 SBHS Homecoming Parade

Some say Hollister High.

Others say San Benito High School.

In my day, it was San Benito Joint Union High School. Quite a mouthful, yep.

Yesterday afternoon was the Homecoming Parade. I don't recall the last time I saw one. Most likely my senior year. I have to say, I almost felt like crying. It must come with being older.

For more photos, check out the Homecoming Parade album at Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

More of the Tuesday Sunset

The moon was in its Waxing Gibbous phase on Tuesday (October 23). Of course, you know what building you're looking at and on what downtown street corner it stands. Sure you do.

Here's another view of San Benito Street as the sun set that day.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

Sunset Time on San Benito Street

 

No doubt it was a long, hard day for the bicycle food vendor. Hopefully, it was a good day of sales for him.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

"Half" a Rainbow

As the Husband and I were walking this morning, we spied "half" a rainbow. It was about to melt into the light of the day.

"I wonder where it's raining," said the Husband.

Ten minutes later, we heard what sounded like thunder, or, as the Husband put it, someone dropping some wooden planks. It had to be a humongous giant then with very, very thick slabs of wood.

But, looking ahead, we could see the clouds crying rain over the mountains that kept Cienega Valley within.

A Little Bit of Hawaii

There's this tree along Highway 25 in the hamlet of Tres Pinos that always makes me think of Hawaii. If I look at the tree from certain spots, I'm reminded of the ancient Hawaiian kings sporting their amazing helmets and feather capes. And, from other viewpoints, I can almost believe that beyond that tree is the ocean.

The Farm aka Bertuccio's Market

As you're heading south (towards Tres Pinos) on Highway 25, look  ahead for the pink house on the right, just before you get to Union Road. There's a driveway a bit beyond the house that will lead you down to a longtime local farm stand known as Bertuccio's Market, aka The Farm. Another landmark to tell you where the driveway is this old truck.

The Farm is a good source to buy fresh local eggs and milk, as well as fresh veggies and gourmet olive oils, pickled veggies, jams, pasta, and such.The Farm features their own goods as well as products made by local agriculturists and food companies.

Check out these links to learn more about Bertuccio's.

• Bertuccio's
• The Farm/Bertuccio's Market
• Bertuccio's on Facebook
• A Bit of History about Bertuccio's

Note to FCC: Nobody paid me or gave me free samples to write about this establishment. That's right!

Moon Rising Over Hollister

I like to imagine that the black bird, possibly a crow, sitting on the lamp post on Meridian Street was  enjoying the sight of the rising moon. I wonder if birds ever dream about one day going there.

Hollister Hills Taproom & Brewery

Two Sundays ago, after a hot day of hiking up and down the deAnza Trail  in San Juan Bautista, the Husband and I longed for an ice cold beer. But, we weren't in the mood for going to one of the bars in San Juan or to either of the two beer pubs in Hollister. Nor were we interested in going to the market to buy a six-pack. Yeah, I know, picky, picky.

As we drove back to Hollister, the Husband suddenly said, "Maybe the new brewery is open." So, we swung by. And, wouldn't you know it. Open!

The Hollister Hills Taproom and Brewery was exactly where we wanted to be. It is a small, intimate establishment that serves various microbrewery beers on tap, including its own brew. That Sunday, it was Red Beard.  (Last Saturday, it was Easy like Sunday Morning). Oh, did that beer hit the spot. (So did the one on Saturday after a hot day at the county fair.)

The brewery is owned by two couples—Sean and Fran, and Chuck and JoAnn (who own Relax! Grillin & Chillin). We met Sean, Chuck, and JoAnn. Very cool people.

Sean gave us a tour of their nanobrewery. Yes, that's what he called the small room where they do their magic. They only brew small amounts of a beer at a time. They started brewing beer a few years ago. We thought they had been doing it much longer because of the passionate and joyous vibes that Sean gave out as he spoke about all that goes into crafting beer, including the choice of hops and other ingredients. I should've taken notes, but by then I was already "happy" from sipping the Red Beard so my notes wouldn't have made sense later on anyway.

Hollister Hills serves non-alcoholic beverages (their own brewed root beer, for example) and artisan fare.  They try to use fresh, local ingredients. What I like is the choice of ordering full or half portions of a sandwich, which comes with a side of macaroni, potato, or green salad.  We tried the Rueben and the  French Pig—prosciutto, brie, and apple slices on ciabatta. The potato salad was yummy, but the macaroni salad reminded us of Hawaii. Yep, that tasty.

Hollister Hills is open daily. Monday to Friday, 11a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It's located in the Clock Tower Plaza on McCray Street. It's next to Subway Sandwiches and kitty corner from the pet store. Its exact address is 401 McCray Street, Suite B24. Click here to visit its Web site, and here to visit its  Facebook page.

Note to FCC: Nobody paid me or gave me free samples to write about this establishment. So, there.

San Benito County Fair: Sept. 28, 29, and 30, 2012

"Saddle your pony, here we go. . ." Oh wait, that's the ditty to sing to go down to the Mickey Mouse Talent Rodeo. Hmmm. How about, "Get in your car, here we go, down to the County Fair."

Yep, it's that time of year again to head over to Bolado Park and enjoy the day (or days) checking out the county's agricultural bounty, the livestock that the 4-H and FFA kids have raised year round, our neighbors' and friends' food, crafts, quilts, and gardening entries. And, then  there are the carnival rides, the fair food, the vendors' booths (Will "See the Strange Thing" be there again?), the live music, the truck pulls. . . .And, of course, the bumping into and gabbing with friends we haven't seen in years or just saw the other day.

All fun at the San Benito County Fair. Just like the poster says.

Here are some photos from last year's County Fair.

From Dough to Dough and Back to Dough

The Pendergrass Restaurant is now open for business!

The new restaurant sits at the bottom of the old Pendergrass Building on the corner of Fifth & San Benito Streets. Being "old", I still remember when that space was the California-something Bank where I had my first not-a-Bank-of-America savings account. I have no idea whether that was the first bank there. And, I can't recall when the last bank left that spot. The Pendergrass was built in 1927 as both a hotel and office building. If I'm remembering correctly, the building also had a restaurant. Ah, see, the benefits of being "old".

Buena fortuna, Pendergrass Restaurant!

The 19th Hole

Martini coins? Jalapeno coins? Popper rounds? 

I just can't remember the name of the delicious deep-fried coin-shaped jalapenos that the 19th Hole Booze & Food serves in a martini glass, topped with an olive. I could just eat that with a green salad and a glass of beer. Yummm. 

The 19th Hole in Tres Pinos has been around since 1883. It's yet another fun place to stop for lunch (Thursday through Sunday) in the small village after a cruise through the back roads of San Benito County, a drop from a plane, a hike at the Pinnacles, a movie in Hollister, or whatever else you've been doing. Dinner, too, I bet. 

For photos, menus, and other stuff about the local watering hole, check out these links: 

• The 19th Hole Booze & Food
• Yelp reviews 
• Melissa Good Taste: 19th Hole

Art All Around

These PG&E thingies are on the sidewalk in front of Heavenly Bakery on the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets.

Toot! Toot!

Slowly, but surely, the train rumbles towards Second Street on it way out of town.

Break Time

From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, my dad irrigated many of the farm fields in San Benito County, including some off Bolsa Road, aka Highway 25. He and the fields were my babysitter when I was a small kid.  Sometimes at the end of the day he would let my tiny chubby hands turn off that cartoon-looking pump that somehow fed water to all those irrigation pipes.

To this day I love the lay of the fields as they sprawl towards the hills. The quietness that I remember of the fields still translates whenever I look at them. And, yes, there are days when I drive the Bolsa that I can see me, the little girl playing alongside the irrigation ditches as her father does his work.

Okay, enough of the sentimentality. This here blogger is taking a rest from posting on Take 25 for a a week, maybe two.  Enjoy the summer days and nights.

Until later, dear readers,
Su-sieee! Mac

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.

Cute—and Yummy—Eggs

I was not even thinking taste when I saw these small eggs. They were just so cute! I was thinking about a way to remove the insides so I could have the shells intact for. . . Sigh! Crafting will have to wait for another day.

Eggs from the Hain Ranch Organics are always top quality, as far as I'm concerned. (So are its chickens, by the way.) But, that afternoon at the first Hollister Farmers Market, I didn't need any yummy eggs. So, I took a photo of the cute eggs and bought myself a pound of the local family farm's delicious organic walnuts.

Hain Ranch Organics is one of the several local farmers who sell their wares every Wednesday afternoon (3 to 7 p.m.) at the Hollister Farmers Market. Have you had a chance to check the market out yet?  Click here to see the market's photo album of its 2012 opening day.