Saddle Horse Parade applications and Rodeo entries open
HOLLISTER
– This year’s Saddle Horse Parade application are available at
the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce office, 650 San Benito
St. #130, or on the chamber’s website at
sanbenitocountychamber.com. The parade is 6 p.m. June 23.
Entries are also open for the rodeo. They can be picked up at
the Bolado Park office. Businesses and individuals may sponsor an
award for an event by contacting the fair office.
For more information, see www.sanbenitocountyrodeo.com or call
628-3545.
Saddle Horse Parade applications and Rodeo entries open
HOLLISTER – This year’s Saddle Horse Parade application are available at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce office, 650 San Benito St. #130, or on the chamber’s website at sanbenitocountychamber.com. The parade is 6 p.m. June 23.
Entries are also open for the rodeo. They can be picked up at the Bolado Park office. Businesses and individuals may sponsor an award for an event by contacting the fair office.
For more information, see www.sanbenitocountyrodeo.com or call 628-3545.
Vertigo Coffee completes fundraiser
SAN JUAN – The owners of Vertigo Coffee collected more than $1,200 to donate to Japan for earthquake relief. Dmitri Fridman said the fundraiser began in March and continued through April.
The $1279.29 raised will go to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, established by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) to help the victims of the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami which took place on March 11, 2011.
Vertigo Coffee is located at 81 Fourth St., San Juan Bautista. For more information, call 623-9533 or visit www.vertigocoffee.com.
National Trails Day
PINNACLES – National Trails Day is June 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pinnacles National Monument. Volunteer at Pinnacles National Monument to help the park with brushing trails, closing down of social trails and possible trail tread construction.
Meet at the Trails Shop in Chalone Maintenance Area, located on the East entrance near the Old Pinnacles Trailhead parking. Please bring a lunch, plenty of water, and proper protective gear to include: long pants, closed-toed shoes, gloves, ear protection and eye protection. A small supply of safety gear will be supplied by the NPS, but please bring your own if you have it. For more information, call Veronica Johnson at 386-4486 ext. 242 or e-mail [email protected]
Rabies vaccination clinics
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Health Department and the Hollister Veterinary Clinic are working together to offer low-cost rabies immunizations for dogs and cats. Upcoming dates include June 1, June 15, July 13 and Aug. 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in the Animal Shelter Parking Lot, 1331 South St., in Hollister. The fee is $9 per pet. Dogs should be leashed at all times and cats should be caged during the clinic.
To comply with county law, dogs and cats between four months to one year should be revaccinated within twelve months. Revaccinations should be every three years thereafter.
For more information, call the Environmental Health Division at 636-4035 or the Hollister Veterinary Clinic at 637-2580.
Bear Gulch Cave to be closed temporarily
PINNACLES – The upper and lower Bear Gulch cave will be entirely closed through July 15 to allow Townsend Big Eared Bats to raise their young. The bats, which are listed by the State of California as a species of special concern, raise their young (pups) and hibernate in the cave. After July 15, the lower half of the cave will reopen. These dates are tentative depending on the activity of the bats.
When visiting the cave, please remember that it is the home of a sensitive species. To avoid disturbing the bats, please keep voices down. If you happen to see a bat in either of the park’s caves, please do not disturb it or shine your light directly on it.
The Bear Gulch Cave (closer to the east entrance of the park) and the Balconies Cave (closer to the west entrance) both offer the opportunity to explore a talus cave. Please remember to bring flashlights and wear sturdy shoes. Seasonal streams run through both caves, and the rocks can be slippery when the stream is flowing.
For more information please contact the Pinnacles Visitor Center at 389-4485 or visit www.nps.gov/pinn. When visiting Pinnacles National Monument, please be aware that no gas stations are available in the park.
HDA seeks volunteers
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Downtown Association is looking for civic-minded groups to help with watering the hanging planters on San Benito Street. Weekday and weekend time slots are available. Equipment and training will be provided.
For more information, call Brenda Weatherly at 636-8406.
Creative writing workshops
HOLLISTER – Sandra Martz will host a creative writing workshop on the fourth Saturday of the month, from May through August, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $25 for five sessions. Space is limited. Writers of all ages, skill levels and genres are welcome. The workshops are sponsored by the Bobby McGee Art Foundation and a portion of the fee supports the Foundation.
For more information or to register for the classes, call Martz at 801-4411 or e-mail [email protected].
Gavilan offers EKG training program
GILROY – The Gavilan College department of Community and Contract Education, in partnership with Boston Reed College, is offering a new electrocardiography technician training program. The 70-hour course provides instruction in EKG unit operation and troubleshooting, lead placement utilizing a 12-lead EKG, use of EKG grid paper, recognizing normal and abnormal EKG patterns in all 12 leads, plotting an EKG axis and Holter monitoring.
The class will meet for 10 Saturdays, from June 4 to Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Room HU 102, at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. There is no class meeting July 2.
The Community Job Survey shows that EKG technicians have a starting pay rate of $15-20 per hour. It is one of the largest industries in the country.
To take the course, students must be at least 18 years old and have completed a high school or its equivalent. Students need competency in, or completion of a basic computer operations course and command of the English language. The course fee is $1,945, including a textbook, workbook, consumable supplies and a certificate of completion.
Students can register online at www.GavilanCE.com or by calling 408-852-2801.
Blood drive
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross will host a blood drive in Hollister, June 30, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Cultural Hall, 1670 Cienega Road. To find out more or schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or go to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code HOLLISTER.
Student work permits
HOLLISTER – Pursuant to California Labor Code mandates, students between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age who plan to work this summer must have a “permit to employ and work” on file with the employer during the term of employment. Students need to apply for these work permits at their school of attendance.
Each school has authorized personnel who approve applications and process work permits for students attending their school. Students under 14 years of age are only allowed to work in agriculture-related businesses or the entertainment field.
Applications for work permits for students attending the rural schools may be obtained by contacting their school principal.
Students are urged to process their applications before school recesses for the summer.
Students not attending a public school should direct their inquiries about work permits to the San Benito County Office of Education, 460 Fifth St.
Employers who employ students without work permits on file face potential finds of $500 per minor.
Vet Center offers counseling services
HOLLISTER – The Santa Cruz County Vet Center, from Capitola, will offer one-to-one counseling services to all combat veterans experiencing readjustment issues or psychosocial problems, as well as veterans suffering from past military sexual trauma. Any combat veteran who is filing a claim for post-traumatic stress disorder will be able to obtain free, confidential evaluation and counseling the first and third Monday of each month, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St., in Hollister.
The counselor assigned to the building is Carolyn Carpenter, MSW, LCSW, and she will begin seeing clients in June. Call 464-4575 or 650-444-7381 to schedule an appointment.
Tire amnesty event
HOLLISTER – San Benito County Integrated Waste Management is hosting free disposal of used tires on three upcoming dates. The event will be June 4, at Veterans Memorial Park, 801 Memorial Drive. Tires can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
State law limits the transportation of tires to nine per vehicle, per trip. Tires from businesses will not be accepted. The tires will be recycled free of charge. The event is made possible through a grant from the California Department of Recycling and Resource Recovery.
For more information, call 636-4110.
Masonic family group meeting
HOLLISTER – Athena Chapter No. 46 Order of the Eastern Star meets the first Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m. at the Masonic Building, corner of Fourth and San Benito streets in Hollister. For more information, call Sue Bishop at 637-3554.
The San Benito Lodge No. 211 meets the second Wednesday of every month at the Masonic building at 8 p.m. For more information, call Steve Carpenter at 637-9082.
Registration opens for Kids Rule camp
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Stage Company Children’s Summer Theatre Camp, Kids Rule, is taking registration. The camp runs June 20-24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp is open to students 6-13 years old. It includes workshops in ensemble music, dance movement, acting, improv, pantomime, small group vocal and much more.
For more information, call Kristy Burchard, the founder and camp director, at 636-6810.
Friends of the Library change meeting time
HOLLISTER – The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library have changed its monthly meetings to the fourth Monday of each month, at 5:30 p.m., at the library, 470 Fifth St., in Hollister.
For more information, call Ruth Erickson, president, at 637-0987.
Kids at the Park seeks participants
HOLLISTER – Kids at the Park, an annual event that promotes safety and health for local families, is scheduled for June 15. Participants can apply for a booth space through April 30.
Kids in the Park is a health and safety education event sponsored by the Hollister Youth Alliance, Community Food Bank of San Benito County, the San Benito County Safe Kids Coalition and Public Health Services. The event is 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and in the past 30 community agencies and programs have set up learning stations throughout the park for children to visit.
One of the key focal points of the event is the Safe Moves City, set up along West and Seventh Street to teach kids how to safely ride bikes or walk along city streets.
For more information on participating or volunteering, call Mary Anne Hughes at 637-0340 or e-mail [email protected].
Red Cross seeks volunteers
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Area Chapter is looking for volunteers to staff the Hollister chapter office. The chapter office is located at 357 Fifth St., and the hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shifts are four hours, once a week, but any hours will be considered.
For more information or to find out about volunteering, call the Red Cross office at 636-2100 or volunteer Howard at 297-3696.
Pet Friends seeks sponsors for Wag ‘n Walk
HOLLISTER – Pet Friends, a nonprofit rescue group, is looking for sponsors for the third annual Wag ‘n Walk, in June. The 5K fun run/walk raises money to care for animals that are rescued until they are adopted and to help with the low-cost spay/neuter clinic the nonprofit runs.
Sponsorships are $50 for the bow wow level, which includes your name on a banner, a business card inserted in goodie bags and one registration; $100 for the sit and stay level, which includes the same benefits plus, an audio announcement of the business name and two registrations; $250 for the beg and bark, includes the above benefits, plus logo with name on banner, press release recognition and four registrations.
For more information on the Wag ‘n Walk sponsorship, call Marissa Brennan at 630-2495 or e-mail [email protected].
Adult literacy tutors needed
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Free Library is seeking volunteer tutors for its adult literacy program. The goal of the program is to reduce illiteracy within the county, raise education levels through instruction, teach the importance of reading to children and help local families or individuals become lifelong readers.
The program offers free tutoring to any resident of San Benito County. Learners meet weekly with trained volunteer tutors, for personalized one-on-one instruction and assignments. Tutors will be trained in supporting adults as they improve their reading and writing skills. Volunteers should have knowledge of basic English spelling and grammar, must be 18 years of age, and willing to commit to at least 1.5 hours a week for six months.
For more information, call Wendy Kay or Rosa Garcia at 636-4107, ext. 20, or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
Thursdays at the symphony series
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Symphony Group is taking orders for the 2011-2012 San Francisco Symphony season. The group takes a bus from Dunne Park at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the performances and returns by 6:30 p.m.
Performances are Oct. 27, Feb. 2, and April 19 at 2 p.m. Prices are $201 for front orchestra; $288 for premium orchestra; $240 for orchestra; $180 for upper orchestra; $213 for premium first tier; $186 for first tier; $117 for premium second tier; and $90 for second tier.
All orders must be accompanied by payment and include a $15 handling fee. Patrons who wish to be seated together should send their forms in the same envelope. All tickets will be mailed in July to the name and address on the order form. If requesting upper orchestra, please give a second choice of seating.
For more information or for an order form, call Sally Crissman at 630-0750.
Kinship Center memberships available
HOLLISTER – Kinship Center Gabilan Chapter of San Benito County is accepting associate or family members. Associate memberships are $25 and family memberships are $100. Kinship Center’s mission is to help every child have a safe, loving family that will be there for a lifetime. Kinship Center helps place infants, children and teens who have been removed from their homes due to severe abuse, neglect or abandonment. Their goal is to place kids with adoptive families so they won’t have to spend time in foster care.
This year, Kinship hosted a May Open House, where guests got a personal look at the extreme needs in San Benito County and how Kinship helps traumatized children. They also added an educational component to the annual Wine and Food Tasting, at Paicine’s Ranch. Kids’ photos and stories decorated tables throughout the event.
Associate members can also purchase merchandise, such as a cookbook, totes, aprons and throw blankets.
For more information on supporting Kinship Center, call 634-0238 or visit 719 San Benito St., Suite A, in Hollister.
Students of the Constitution
HOLLISTER – Students of the Constitution is a monthly series that introduces people to the United States Constitution and other historic documents. It will be held the third Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m., at The Vault Restaurant. The event is free and open to anyone interested in attending. For more information, call 537-3611.
Pinnacle Quilters meets
HOLLISTER – The Pinnacle Quilters of San Benito County meets monthly in San Juan Bautista on the third Tuesday of the month in the San Juan Community Center, 10 San Jose St. A visitor fee of $5 is charged.
GriefShare meetings continue
HOLLISTER – GriefShare, a Christ-centered recovery and support group for those who are grieving a loved one will meet at the home of Greg and Tricia Harvey, 145 Vine St. The group will meet for 13 weeks, Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The meetings include nationally recognized experts on grief and recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “God’s Prescription For Grief,” “The journey of Grief,” “The Effects of Grief,” “When Your Spouse Dies,” “Your Family and Grief,” and “Stuck in Grief.”
For more information, call Grace Bible Church at 638-1394 or Greg Harvey at 207-6560.
YMCA and Club Ed partner on tutoring program
HOLLITER – The YMCA and Club Ed, a San Benito High School club that offers after-school tutoring, have partnered. Parents can hire students to tutor students in a variety of subjects, for kids from first grade to 12th grade. The fee is $10 per hour and is offered after school from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the YMCA office. For more information, call the YMCA at 637-8600 or Club Ed at 623-9139, or e-mail [email protected].
Bertuccio’s Market supports sports
HOLLISTER – Bertuccio’s Market has selected two days a week when the owners will donate 10 percent of the purchase price to local sports. Customers can come in on Sundays and mention the Balers to donate 10 percent to the athletic fund at San Benito High School. Those who come in on Wednesday can mention Pop Warner Football and Cheer to donate 10 percent of the purchase.
Probation department seeks mentors
HOLLISTER – The probation department is seeking community members who are interested in becoming a mentor for a six-month to one-year period working with juveniles on probation. The program is a voluntary program for the students and requires a one-hour to three-hour commitment each month. Both male and female mentors are needed, as well as community members with a variety of career backgrounds.
Those interested in becoming a mentor are encouraged to fill out an application. After that, the potential mentors will go through an interview with Richard Vasquez and the fingerprinting process before they are paired with a student.
To find out more, call Vasquez at 636-4070 or e-mail [email protected].
Minimum qualifications for mentors:
– Be at least 21 years of age
– Not have been convicted of a felony or places on deferred adjudication for a felony offense within 10 years, not currently be on felony probation or parole and never have been convicted of a sex offense or be registered as a sex offender
– Possess a valid driver’s license or other form of valid identification
– Have reliable transportation and proof of liability insurance
– Possess a reasonably flexible schedule with the ability to maintain a long-term, one-on-one commitment
– Possess and be able to relate experiences which will enhance the mentoring relationship.
Veterans Medical Team to visit
HOLLISTER – The Veterans Administration Medical Team, from Palo Alto, will be having an outreach program for all Veterans on the first Tuesday of each month at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St., from 1 to 5 p.m. The team will have doctors and nurses to address medical and mental issues as well as a Veteran Service Officer, who will process claims.
For more information, call 637-4846.
Learn to play bridge
HOLLISTER – Classes and duplicate bridge games are available at Dunne Park, in Hollister. For the full schedule, please call Linda King at 801-9257.
Art League calendar on sale
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Art League 2011 calendar, “San Benito County Life,” is now available for sale. The colorful calendar includes reproductions of original artwork by local artists, of barns and agriculture scenes. The calendars may be purchased at Country Rose Gallery, 722 San Benito St., or the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St. All proceeds go toward San Benito High School scholarships.
For more information, call 634-1627 or 637-6062.
Co-Dependents Anonymous meets
HOLLISTER – A Co-Dependents Anonymous group meets Saturdays, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Mars Hill, in the conference room, 610 San Benito St. Co-Dependents Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from codependence and the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. The group can help those experiencing denial, low self esteem, control issues (the lack or over use with yourself and others), or compliance issues.
Adopt a book
HOLLISTER – The Friends of the San Benito County Library is offering residents a chance to adopt a book. With sustained budget reductions to the materials budget in recent years, the donations ensure that the library will be able to purchase new materials to address the ever-changing educational, informational and recreational needs of our diverse and changing community.
“Adopt a Book” will be an ongoing program in which books or magazine subscriptions can be purchased by the library as a holiday gift, to celebrate a birthday, to honor a retiree or to serve as a lasting memorial to a friend or relative.
A donation of $25 will purchase a book for the library, bookmobile, or Mobile Family Learning Center. The book will have a book plate inside in honor or memory of the person designated. A donation of $15 or more will be used to purchase a magazine subscription. For both books and magazines, a gift card will be sent to the person honored or an acknowledgement card will be sent to the family in memory of a loved one.
Donors can select the type of book they would like purchased.
For more information or to complete a donation form, stop by the San Benito County Free Library at 470 Fifth St., in Hollister or call 636-4107.
Parkinson’s caregiver support group sets meetings for 2011
HOLLISTER – Family or friends who are caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s or other movement disorders, or those suffering form the disease can join a monthly support group that provides information on Parkinson’s disease, current medications and research, how to deal with the loss of function, develop good self care skills, and what steps are necessary to plan for the future. Monthly speakers address these issues as well as other issues such as finding community resources like home care, adult day care, transportation and other needed services that could be available to you and your family member. Speakers- are provided each month from different organizations on a variety of topics related to Parkinson’s disease or care giving
The group meets the first Tuesday of every month at the First Presbyterian Church, 2066 Cienega Road, in Hollister, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The meetings will be held in the new building, in front next to the parking lot. The scheduled meetings are May 3, June 7, Aug. 2, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. There will be no meeting in July or September.
Speakers and refreshments will be served at every meeting.
The group is sponsored by Jovenes de Antano, Health Projects Center and Parkinson’s Institute. No fees are required.
For more information, contact Kim Harman at 636-4977 or Shirley Kennedy at 637-3839.
Blue Star Moms meet monthly
HOLLISTER – The Hollister city group of the South Bay Blue Star Moms meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Those interested or who would like more information, should call Karol Burke at 801-6935, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.southbaybluestarmoms.org.
Library book sale
HOLLISTER – The Friends of the Library Saturday book sales are held in the book shed behind the library and the Historical Society, 470 Fifth St. from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday. It will be cancelled on rainy days. Books are available at $3 a bag, as are videos, tapes and more. Donations are accepted, as are donations of used and new books. For more information on the book sale, call 636-4107.
Members needed for library
HOLLISTER – The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library is recruiting new members and people to serve on the board to help plan the future of the library. The monthly meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
Due to the large increase in library cardholders and the increase in circulation, more help and input is welcome.
For more information, call Ruth Erickson at 637-0987.
San Benito Aquatics seeks members
HOLLISTER – San Benito Aquatics is a nonprofit, year-round swim team. They offer swim lessons, competition and non-competition swim team, masters swim and dry land training for all ages. Enrollment is open year-round. Coaches are on deck every day from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at San Benito High School.
For more information, call 630-3042 or visit www.sanbenitoaquatics.org.
