Another Time and Place

The Husband and I both agree that stepping into some alleys in Hollister is like going to another time and place. This is Briggs Alley, between Powell and West streets. Take out that modern lamp post, the covered car, and the electric wires from the scene; voila, early 20th century, perhaps.

A Sign Thou Shouldst Heed

I sighted this sign at the site of the original Hazel Hawkins Hospital on Monterey Street in historical downtown Hollister.

I'm hooking up at Signs, Signs today. Come check out signs from other parts of the world by clicking here.

Q is for Quite Quaintly

Here's a look of another bit of quaintness that the Husband and I experienced as we walked along Monterey Street the other day in historical downtown Hollister. If you'd like to see a quaint contrast, check out yesterday's post.

Today is Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Check out what other bloggers have posted about the featured letter Q by clicking here.

Huge, Old Gorgeous Trees

The trees in front of the old Hazel Hawkins Hospital are sooooo big, I couldn't fit them in the photo. Well, I could've stepped back a couple more feet or put the camera setting on panorama. Maybe next time the Husband and I walk this way on Monterey Street in historical downtown Hollister.

We have no idea what kind of trees they are. The Husband thinks they're more than a 100 years old. Perhaps they were planted at the same time the former hospital was built, which would've been around 1907.

Today is Our World Tuesday. Come check out what other bloggers around the world are posting by clicking here.  See you tomorrow.

A Sunday Concert

Yesterday, the Rancho-Maze Band and the Pacific Brass Band joined together to give an enjoyable afternoon concert at the Rancho San Justo gymnasium.  It was a fundraiser for the Hollister middle school band composed of student musicians from Rancho San Justo and Marguerite Maze Middle School.

Performing first was the Pacific Brass Band . It's an authentic British-style brass band, one of a few in the western United States. The band plays traditional brass band songs, as well as marches, rags, American folk songs, and songs from musicals.  The band is composed of musicians from San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Monterey counties.

My favorite piece of the seven songs they played yesterday was The Old Grumbly Bear (Der Alte Brummbar), which featured the tuba. If the smoothness of butter could have a sound, it would be the loveliness that comes out of the tuba.

The Rancho-Maze Band performed four songs under the direction of Mr. Ruben Morales. The student musicians held their own alongside the Pacific Brass Band. The clarinet section had me wanting to learn the instrument. And, I really dug the spirit of the Cymbal Girl.

America the Beautiful was the last piece of the afternoon, performed joyously by both the Rancho-Maze Band and the Pacific Brass Band.

December Fundraisers

Mark your calendar for two awesome fundraisers in December for the Rancho-Maze Band.

On December 6 and 7, the Rancho-Maze Band will be taking part in the Barnes & Noble Book Fair in Gilroy, as well as the Barnes & Noble Online Book Fair through December 12. A percentage of your purchases made at the store or online will go to the band. For more details, click here. 

On December 10, at 7 p.m., the Rancho Maze Holiday Concert will take place at the Rancho San Justo gymnasium. The band will hold a raffle for such items as a candy basket, Kendamas, golf passes, tickets to the Monterey County Symphony, Happy Hollow passes, and much, much more. The Grand Prize is worth $600: four one-day hopper passes to Disneyland.  You must be present to win. For more details, click here.