So Worth Looking Up

The Husband and I went to the Hollister Airshow yesterday. Wowza! It was the first time I've ever sat at the flight line. It's totally a different perspective and far better than pulling off the side of the road and watching an airshow from afar.

Along with aerobatic performers, we watched stunt cyclists, skydivers, warbirds, and a 10,000 jet card do their thing. Various planes were also on display.

The airshow continues today. Gates open at 9 AM and the airshow begins at 11:15 AM. The tickets are $10 for children 6 through 12 and $15 for 13 years old and older. Parking is $5. Or, you can take the free shuttle in San Juan Bautista or from several bus stops around Hollister. Here's the link for the schedule.

Coming Up: The 2014 San Benito Olive Festival

Save the Date, Folks: Saturday, October 11, 2014!

That's the day of the second annual San Benito Olive Festival, which will be held at the Bolado Park Fairgrounds. The festival's board members and planners invite food lovers, fans of hometown festivals, and outdoor enthusiasts locally as well as far and wide to celebrate the rich agricultural bounty and rural beauty of San Benito County. This gourmet celebration will feature many local olive oil producers, wineries, artisanal food makers, restaurants, artists, craftspeople,  community groups, and more.  

Early bird tickets are already on sale online at Eventbrite. Here's the page link for ticket information.

If you are interested in volunteering with the planning or becoming a vendor, query to team@sanbenitoolivefestival.com

For more information and updates about the San Benito Olive Festival, check out its website and Facebook page. And, if you'd like to see photos of last year's event, check out the photos stream at Facebook.

The View through a Cemetery Gate

This is a view of San Juan Valley through the cemetery gate on the east side of Mission San Juan Bautista. More than 4,000 Native Americans and Spanish settlers and priests are buried in the mission cemetery.

The Hidden Beauty on Fifth Street

In 1912, the County of San Benito expanded the courthouse at that time by building the gorgeous Hall of Records. It's address was 420 Fifth Street.

The building is still there and used, but hidden by the old courthouse, which was built in 1962.

While I was in the Elections office recently, I noticed it through the office's break room. Wow, oh wow! What a shame more people can't see how gorgeous The Hall of Records is.

Downtown Hollister at Night

If I imagine the sidewalks full of people, going in and out of the brightly lit shops and restaurants on San Benito Street, I would think I was on Union Street in San Francisco. Seriously.