Shop Locally: Market 25 on the Bolsa

Traffic karma was on our side and the Husband and I were able to safely pull into the parking lot of Market 25 on Bolsa Road (aka Highway 25) yesterday. Our first time there.  It was at the end of the day, so there wasn't much produce left. But, we did buy six ears of corn for a buck, as the sign along the highway stated. The corn was yummily sweet.

Market 25 is one of three produce stands owned by Uesugi Farms, of which the other two are in Morgan Hill and Saratoga. (By the way, Market 25 is located on the Gilroy portion of Highway 25.) The owners are not kidding when they say they sell local fruits and vegetables. Some produce, such as strawberries, corn, and peppers, are grown by Uesugi Farms. Others are from local farmers in Hollister, Gilroy, Castroville, and other nearby areas.

The stand also sells jams and juices from Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. We learned that every Thursday, around noon, Gizdich Ranch delivers a frozen assortment of their delicious pies. Whoo-hooo! Guess who will be stopping at Market 25 one of these Thursday afternoons.

To learn more about Market 25, check out its website.

Old Courthouse Sentinel

The old magnolia trees on Monterey Street next to the old courthouse make wonderful shade—delightful on very hot days like today. Look closely at the sturdy trunks of these handsome living things. See anything? This one, for example, looks like it might be a guard in stealth mode.

The Big Fish of Aromas

The next time you're in Aromas, about 18 miles to the west of Hollister, check out the huge, cheerful, colorful fish hanging out in the Aromas Town Square Park. It's bound to put a smile on your face. 

The mosaic fish made up of smaller fishes was created by over 200 Aromas residents and friends. The story goes that the Aromas Fraternal Order of Eagles thought it would be a great idea to have public art on display in the community park. So, naturally, the Eagles approached the Aromas Hills Artisans.  They brainstormed and brainstormed. Then, pop! Big Fish in a Small Town. 

The perfect idea was inspired from a trip Aromas artist and resident Tina Baine took to the Camcheon Culture Village in Busan, Korea where she saw an art display of a big fish made up of smaller fishes that looked like the big fish's scales.  The art project began in November, 2014. 

Residents gathered at community events, such as the Aromas Grange Breakfast, and at community venues, such as Aromas School, as well as at homes to paint little fishes. On April 12, 2015, the gorgeous Big Fish was installed in the Aromas Town Square Park, across from Aromas Library.

Very cool!

To see more photos of the Big Fish in a Small Town, check out this page at the Aromas Hills Artisans website.  Also, check out this interesting article by Tina Baine about the Big Fish project and the inspiration behind it.

Today, I'm linking up at Our World Tuesday. Come check out what bloggers are posting about their part of the world, by clicking here. 

Enjoy the Day!

Hope you're all having a great three days off from work! You deserve it.

See you tomorrow.

Shona Sculpture in Paicines

The beautiful sculptures shown today on this post are known as Shona Sculpture. They were created by artists of the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe.  And, these sculptures are three of several that are displayed at Paicines Ranch.

I took the photos at last year's Kinship Center fundraiser, which the ranch hosts every year.

By the way, the Kinship Center will hold its annual Gabilan Wine & Food Tasting on September 12, 2015 at Paicines Ranch. It'll run from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. For more information, click here.