Registration starts for Camp CASA
HOLLISTER
– The Hollister Youth Alliance is offering an affordable summer
day camp, Camp CASA. The camp runs July 6 through July 30 from 1
p.m. to 5 p.m. at Calaveras Elementary School. The cost is $50 per
student and the camp is open to kids in first through eighth
grade.
For more information, call 636-2853.
Community forum on Gavilan College
HOLLISTER
– The Gavilan College Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on
Off-site Educational Centers, including Elvira Robinson, Kent Child
and Laura Perry, will host a community forum to discuss the plans
for expansion of services in San Benito County July 19, from 6 p.m.
to 8 p.m., in the Veterans Memorial
Building, Room 218, 649 San Benito St. The goal of expansion is
to increase the course offerings in San Benito County and gain the
state designation as an Educational Center.
The forum will include information about the process, the
timeline and potential interim locations under consideration, and
to provide input on community concerns and priorities for the
interim location.
For more information, call 408-848-4724.
Blueprint survey still online
MARINA
– The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments is still
collecting information from residents for its regional blueprint
workshop. The workshops and survey are being used to create a
regional strategic plan to lower the number of vehicle miles
traveled across the state, as part of a state mand
ate. AMBAG is collecting the information and will be sharing it
with local planning agencies.
The survey can be found at www.ambag.org, and asks people
questions about their commute patterns, the type of housing they
have and what kind of housing they would like to have in the
future. The survey will be online until July 16 at 11:45 p.m.
Community groups that are interested in hosting a workshop,
which allows a chance to take the survey and work in small groups
to discuss ideas for future growth, can contact Linda Meckel at
lm*****@am***.org
or 264-5084. The workshop can be part of a
regularly scheduled meeting or a special session.
Registration starts for Camp CASA
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Youth Alliance is offering an affordable summer day camp, Camp CASA. The camp runs July 6 through July 30 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Calaveras Elementary School. The cost is $50 per student and the camp is open to kids in first through eighth grade.
For more information, call 636-2853.
Community forum on Gavilan College
HOLLISTER – The Gavilan College Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on Off-site Educational Centers, including Elvira Robinson, Kent Child and Laura Perry, will host a community forum to discuss the plans for expansion of services in San Benito County July 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Veterans Memorial Building, Room 218, 649 San Benito St. The goal of expansion is to increase the course offerings in San Benito County and gain the state designation as an Educational Center.
The forum will include information about the process, the timeline and potential interim locations under consideration, and to provide input on community concerns and priorities for the interim location.
For more information, call 408-848-4724.
Blueprint survey still online
MARINA – The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments is still collecting information from residents for its regional blueprint workshop. The workshops and survey are being used to create a regional strategic plan to lower the number of vehicle miles traveled across the state, as part of a state mandate. AMBAG is collecting the information and will be sharing it with local planning agencies.
The survey can be found at www.ambag.org, and asks people questions about their commute patterns, the type of housing they have and what kind of housing they would like to have in the future. The survey will be online until July 16 at 11:45 p.m.
Community groups that are interested in hosting a workshop, which allows a chance to take the survey and work in small groups to discuss ideas for future growth, can contact Linda Meckel at
lm*****@am***.org
or 264-5084. The workshop can be part of a regularly scheduled meeting or a special session.
Free art classes
HOLLISTER – Bob Wilkinson is offering free art classes on Mondays at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., at Country Rose, 722 San Benito St. The classes are limited to four students each hour. Students will learn the basics in charcoal, pastel and watercolor.
For more information, call Wilkinson at 635-9218.
Lunch with leaders
HOLLISTER – The next Lunch with Leaders program from the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce is on Wednesday, July 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at San Juan Oaks. The speaker is going to be Steve Kinsella from Gavilan College and the host is the Community Foundation for San Benito County. The cost is $15 in advance or $18 at the door. People can RSVP by calling the chamber office at 637-5315.
Members sought for Gav oversight committee
GILROY – Volunteers are needed to represent the community on the Gavilan College Measure E Citizens’ Oversight Committee, which ensures that revenues from Measure E, a $108 million facilities bond, are spent as promised.
The committee’s role is to review and report on district spending of taxpayers’ money for construction and to provide a public accounting of the district’s compliance with legal requirements. The committee includes representation from business, seniors, students and the Gavilan College Educational Foundation. All meetings are open to the public.
The oversight committee meets quarterly. The next meeting is Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at Gavilan College’s Gilroy campus, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.
For more information about Measure E projects and an application for the committee, call 408-848-4711 or go to www.gavilan.edu/pio/bond.html.
Library closed for holiday
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Free Library will be closed July 5 in observance of Independence Day. It will resume operating hours July 6, from noon to 8 p.m. The library is open Monday through Friday.
For more information on the library and services, visit www.sanbenitofl.org or call 636-4107.
Gavilan takes registration for Institute for Digital Media
GILROY – The Gavilan College Institute for Digitial Media Entertainment/Education is taking enrollment for the session set to start July 5. The program is open to teachers, business owners, students and others who want to create a media project, but who lack the skills or equipment. The four-week session is offered with flexible daytime hours and requires registration in .5 unit of DM 108, the Digital Media Lab, at a cost of $35.50 for California residents. Guest seminars provide the opportunity to meet and interact with Digital Media industry professionals. Guest seminars are open to the public.
Participants will learn how to make materials for smartphones and iPads; tell a story with memories, words, photos, videos and animation; produce a video for DVD, web classroom, YouTube or podcast; design a website using Dreamweaver and Flash; transform old photos into a digital scrapbook or large poster; or unless music potential with digital technology.
The lab program runs July 5 through July 29 and the lab will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. Guest seminars are Tuesday, July 6 and July 7.
For more information, e-mail
di**********@ga*****.edu
, or call 408-848-4868, or register online at www.gavilan.edu.
Aviation Maintenance program starts
GILROY – Gavilan College is accepting applications for the Aviation Maintenance program. The program is accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration and leads to a Certificate of Achievement (42-43 unites) or an Associate of Science degree (70 units) for the two-year program. Classes start Aug. 11 at the Gilroy campus multipurpose building. Spring classes will be held at the Gilroy campus and the San Martin Airport.
For more information, call 408-848-2861 or visit www.gavilan.edu/catalog/degrees/Gavilan_Degree_AMT.pdf. To register, visit www.gavilan.edu.
Type ‘O’ and ‘B’ negative blood supply low
OAKLAND – The supply of type O negative and type B negative blood at the American Red Cross has dropped to critically low levels.
Type O negative blood is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations. Type O negative and type B negative donors are needed now to prevent the blood supply from declining further.
“The American Red Cross is extending blood drive hours and reaching out to eligible blood donors, sponsors and community leaders to ask them to help recruit type O negative and type B negative blood donations to help make up for this shortfall,” said Sara O’Brien, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross Blood Services – Northern California Region. “While all blood types are needed during the summer months, we urge those eligible donors with O negative or B negative blood types to make and keep appointments to give blood in the upcoming days to help restore the inventory level.”
Eligible volunteer blood donors are asked to call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make appointments.
“The Red Cross monitors the blood inventory on a daily basis and when we see a trend or shortage emerging, we communicate the need to our generous blood donors to help us make up the shortfall,” O’Brien said.
A shortage of the blood types often occurs during the summer months when fewer donors are giving because of summer vacations and schools approaching summer break are hosting fewer drives.
Individuals who are 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements of being 110 pounds ore more, and are generally in good health may be eligible to give blood.
Pinnacles National Monument Hosts Recovery Act Project public meeting
PINNACLES – Pinnacles National Monument is hosting a public meeting on July 9, at 10 a.m., at the Chaparral Picnic Area in the west district of Pinnacles National Monument, located 12 miles east of Soledad off Hwy. 146, to introduce Anderson Burton Construction, Inc. as the contractor who will design and construct the new visitor and operational facilities near the west entrance of Pinnacles National Monument.
Some attendees to the meeting include Monterey County Supervisor Simón Salinas, San Benito County Supervisor Reb Monaco, Soledad Mayor Richard Ortiz and Pinnacles Superintendent Eric Brunnemann..
The Public Meeting at the park is intended to discuss and view construction designs for the new west side facilities. This America Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded project will relocate park facilities out of the sensitive riparian and flood-prone Chaparral Area. Staff from Pinnacles and Anderson Burton will be on hand to discuss the restoration of the Chaparral Area present the design for construction near the west entrance, and answer questions about this project and other park activities.
Project construction is expected to begin later this fall.
Registration starts for Fit Kidz Yoga
HOLLISTER – The Fit Kidz Yoga program is taking registration for its summer session. Classes run through July 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The class is open to kids ages 5 to 10. Kids will learn balance, coordination, stretching and stillness. The cost is $50 per child and classes are held at the Veterans Memorial Building.
For more information or to register, call the Hollister Recreation Department at 636-4390.
Fourth of July parade and fireworks set
HOLLISTER – The Annual Kiddie Parade will be held on Sunday, July 4 beginning at 10 a.m. The Kiddie Parade will begin in the Commuter Parking Lot at Veterans Memorial Park on Memorial Drive and continue north on Memorial Drive to Marguerite Maze Middle School. A short program will be held at Marguerite Maze Middle School. Children of all ages are welcome to participate: walk, ride, roller skate or roller blade. All entrants will receive an American flag. The Kiddie Parade is presented by the Fourth of July Celebration Committee and sponsored in part by the City of Hollister and the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. (No dogs or motorized vehicles are permitted.)
The annual community fireworks display will take place on July 4th (Sunday) at dusk at the field adjacent to Marguerite Maze Middle School. The fireworks are a gift to the public from the Fourth of July Celebration Committee and all of the local fireworks booths.
For any additional information please call Geri Johnson in the City Clerk’s Office at 636-4304 or 637-1475.
Low-cost helmets available to local kids
HOLLISTER – The Child Injury Prevention Coalition, in partnership with the San Benito County Public Health Department will be offering low-cost bicycle helmets at Off the Chain Bikes. Helmets are $5.
To get a voucher for a low-cost helmet stop by the Public Health Department Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 439 Fourth St. Payment is due when picking up the voucher.
For more information, call Public Health at 637-5367.
Public meetings on high-speed rail
HOLLISTER – The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the United States Department of Transportation is hosting public information meetings on the San Jose to Merced Section Alternatives Analysis. The meeting allows an opportunity to learn about the next steps in the environmental review.
The meetings will begin with an open house, followed by a presentation. The same information will provided at each meeting.
Upcoming meetings:
San Jose: Wednesday, July 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Gardner Community Center, 520 West Virginia St.
Merced: Thursday, July 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Merced Senior Center, 755 West 15th St.
For more information, call 800-881-5799 or visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.
Summer reading program continues
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Free Library is accepting registration for the children’s summer reading program “Make a Splash – Read!” at 470 Fifth St. The program runs Thursdays, from 2 to 3 p.m. through July 22. Children in preschool through eighth grade can register.
The San Juan Bautista City Library will be running a summer reading program in collaboration with the San Benito County Free Library. Meetings at the San Juan Bautista City Library will be July 15, 29 and August 29. Each child that participates will get a new book.
Kids can chose their reading goal and receive a reading log as well as a calendar of free summer reading events at the library. Logs may be turned in between July 12 and Aug. 20.
Some of the programs include exploring our oceans, Shannon German and her white doves, starting a garden and your water and you. Each program will be accompanied by different related crafts. Children who meet their goal will be rewarded at the Finisher’s Party with a reading certificate, a goodie bag and a new paperback book.
Children can register for the program on the bookmobile and as participants of the Reading Readiness Champions Programs. All programs are free of charge.
For more information, call 636-4107.
Class of ’65 to hold reunion
HOLLISTER – The San Benito High School Class of 1965 will hold a class reunion July 17, at the Hollister Elks Lodge, from 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 a person or $50 at the door.
The organizers are still looking for some classmates including Lynn Cabral, Estella Castaneda, Curtis Cope, Patricia Craven, Sue Dame, Michael Denny, Cathy Dias, Gloria Garcia, Rosalinda Guerra, Mary Hinojos, Dora Hutchings, Shirley Jones, Anne Martinez, Angie Martinez, Amelia Ortiz, Norma Perez, Kathy Vigil, Sally Ware, Willis West and Carol Wilson.
Anyone interested in attending or who has contact information for the above mentioned classmates can contact one of the organizers. They include Diane Large Gibbs, at 637-5061, Marie Barrett Pera, at 630-1670, Gloria Rochelle Grimsley, at 801-2934, and Wayne Barnes, at 763-1217.
vYMCA starts registration for summer programs
HOLLISTER – The YMCA of San Benito County is still accepting registration for its summer day camp. The program is open for children in grades K-8, and the students will have an opportunity to go on one field trip each week.
The program runs now through Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended care hours from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Some of the field trips include trips to Happy Hollow, Morgan Hill Bowl, the Discovery Museum, the Tech Museum, San Jose Giants Games and more, depending on the grade level of the student. Students entering ninth and 10th grade can register for the Leaders in Training program for $75 a week, where they have a chance to learn skills and prepare for future jobs by gaining work skills.
The weekly cost is $152 for YMCA members. The YMCA annual membership is $55 per family or $30 per individual. Students are asked to pack a lunch, a hat, two snacks and a bottle of water. The camp is located at Sunnyslope School, 1475 Memorial Dr.
For more information, call 637-8600 or visit www.centralcoastymca.org.
Water Resources Association offers home water survey
HOLLISTER – The Water Resources Association of San Benito County is continuing to offer free home water surveys to local residents that can help them identify ways to converse water around the house. Some of the things the survey includes tips on leaks, showerheads and faucet aerators, irrigation, suggested watering schedule, water softener assistance and high-quality hose nozzles.
According to a press release from the agency though the region received more rainfall this year, surface water deliveries to the county are still below historical averages.
“Even during wet years, like we’ve had this year, it’s a good idea to conserve water because it costs money to pump and treat water,” the release said. “The most immediate thing any of us can do is use our local water supplies as efficiently as possible.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment for a home water survey, call 637-4378.
Blood drive
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 Cienega Road, July 15, from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or going online to redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code HOLLISTER. Donors will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gas card. There will be four weekly drawings and four winners.
Rabies vaccination clinic
HOLLISTER – San Benito County’s health and human services agency will be hosting a series of rabies vaccination clinics. The immunization is required for dogs and cats between four months to one year who should be revaccinated within 12 months. After that, the animals can receive the vaccine every three years. Dogs should be leashed at the event and cats should be in a cage or carrier.
The clinics will be held in the Animal Shelter Parking Lot, 1331 South St., in Hollister, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Upcoming clinic dates are July 14, and August 11. The fee is $6.
For more information, call the Environmental Health Division at 636-4035 or Hollister Veterinary Clinic at 637-2580.
vSan Juan Soccer Club takes sign-ups
SAN JUAN – The San Juan Soccer Club is accepting registration for fall 2010, for boys and girls ages 4 to 13. The registration fee for the fall 2010 season is $75 for the first player and $50 for each additional player in the family. The fee includes a soccer uniform, picture package and trophy.
Players have a chance to improve soccer skills and learn teamwork while having fun. Sign up sheets are also available at the San Juan Library 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday or Thursday, or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Complete a membership application, bring a recent wallet size photo of the child and a copy of a birth certificate for new players.
For more information, call Joey Canepa at 623-9048.
Give Today, Change Tomorrow fundraiser starts
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Youth Alliance is kicking off its Give Today, Change Tomorrow fundraiser. All funds go to support after school programs in the community. Donors can help by visiting Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Cheap Seats, Jerry’s, Donuts and Deli, Hollister Super, in Hollister, or Windmill Market, in San Juan Bautista, where the owners will match contributions from the community up to $1,200.
For more information, call 636-2853.
Relay For Life gears up
HOLLISTER – The annual Relay For Life raises money for the American Cancer Society while also raising awareness of disease. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 31, at 10 a.m. to Sunday, August 1, at 10 a.m.
For more information, visit www.acs.org or call the co-event chair at 902-9549.
Class of ’71 preps for fundraiser
HOLLISTER – The San Benito High School Class of 1971 will hold its third annual scholarship fundraiser July 17, at Veterans Memorial Park, in Hollister. The barbecue and silent auction will be 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 a person and anyone is invited to attend. An RSVP is requested by July 7.
The Class of 1971 Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who plan to further their education at a college, university, technical or vocational school. The scholarship was stabled by 1971 Baler alumni. It is coordinated by Rudy Bermudes, Debbie Carrillo Villalon and Debbie Paura Dike. Bermudes said the scholarship was started to help outstanding Balers who have the desire to further their education, but do not have the financial mans.
Gabriel Espinoza and Xavier Beltran, 2009 SBHS graduates, were the first students to receive the scholarship. Espinoza is studying at Arizona State University and Beltran is studying at California State University, Fresno.
For more information on the scholarship or the fundraiser, visit http://classof1971scholarship.blogspot.com.
Work permits available
HOLLISTER – Students between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age who plan to work during the summer must have a “Permit to Employ and Work” on file with the employer during the term of employment. Students can apply for a work permit at their school attendance office, where authorized personnel are available to approve the applications and process the paperwork. Applications for work permits for students attending rural schools may be obtained from the school principal.
Students under 14 years of age are only allowed to work in agriculture-related businesses or the entertainment field. Students are urged to process their applications before school recesses for the summer.
Students not attending a public high school should direct their inquiries about work permits to the San Benito County Office of Education, 460 Fifth St., in Hollister. Employers who employ students without work permits on file, face potential fines of $500 per minor.
Team Baler continues monthly fundraisers
HOLLISTER – In an effort to raise $100,000 to avoid cutbacks to athletic programs at San Benito High School, team Baler will be hosting a monthly tri-tip barbecue on the second Wednesday of every month. Partners for the fundraiser include Progresso’s Tamale Parlor and Hollister Drive In Market.
Those interested in being part of Team Baler, Balers Supporting Baler Athletes, can pick up a donation form at the San Benito High School student payment center, the student activities office or go to the athletics page, www.haybaler.org and click on the Team Baler link.
