San Benito Health Foundation open house
HOLLISTER
– The San Benito Health Foundation is hosting an open house for
the community Aug. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m., 351 Felice Drive, in
Hollister. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
Visitors can learn more about the programs offered at the Health
Foundation, such as the dental, medical
and WIC programs. The Foundation will also host the annual
Breastfeeding Awareness Walk from 10 a.m. to noon. A Farmworks
Health Day will be hosted Aug. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more
information, call 637-5306.
Democratic Central Committee
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
– The San Benito County Democratic Central Committee is having
its monthly meeting Aug. 12, at 5 p.m., at Dona Esther’s in San
Juan Bautista. For more information, call 888-740-4432.
Ladies Auxiliary meeting changes time
HOLLISTER
– The Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 9242,
have changed meetings from the second Monday of the month to the
second Saturday of the month starting Aug. 14. Meetings start at 2
p.m., room 204, Veterans Building, 649 San Benito St.
On Aug. 8 the local VFW is hosting the 12th District quarterly
meeting starting at 9 a.m. at the veterans building. All members of
the Post and Auxiliary are urged to attend.
For more information, call Dolly De Vasiet at 637-1980.
San Benito Health Foundation open house
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Health Foundation is hosting an open house for the community Aug. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m., 351 Felice Drive, in Hollister. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Visitors can learn more about the programs offered at the Health Foundation, such as the dental, medical and WIC programs. The Foundation will also host the annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk from 10 a.m. to noon. A Farmworks Health Day will be hosted Aug. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 637-5306.
Democratic Central Committee
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – The San Benito County Democratic Central Committee is having its monthly meeting Aug. 12, at 5 p.m., at Dona Esther’s in San Juan Bautista. For more information, call 888-740-4432.
Ladies Auxiliary meeting changes time
HOLLISTER – The Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 9242, have changed meetings from the second Monday of the month to the second Saturday of the month starting Aug. 14. Meetings start at 2 p.m., room 204, Veterans Building, 649 San Benito St.
On Aug. 8 the local VFW is hosting the 12th District quarterly meeting starting at 9 a.m. at the veterans building. All members of the Post and Auxiliary are urged to attend.
For more information, call Dolly De Vasiet at 637-1980.
Sacred Heart Foundation seeks nominees
HOLLISTER – The Sacred Heart Parish School Alumni Foundation is seeking nominees for the 2010 event Celebrating Catholic Education. The deadline for the submission is Aug. 31. The induction ceremony will take place at San Juan Oaks Golf and Country Club on Nov. 13. Proceeds from the event will benefit the scholarship fund for Sacred Heart Parish School. The goal of the SHPS Alumni Association’s goal is to recognize individuals affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish that have taken their Catholic faith and lived out the message of Jesus Christ.
Those selected for induction into the SHPS Hall of Distinction are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in the areas of career achievement, community service, academics or fine arts.
Nomination forms can be found on the Sacred Heart School Web site: www.sacredheartschool.org/school/alumni/shpsaa.htm or pick one up at the school office, 670 College St., in Hollister. For more information, call 637-4157.
Nominations sought for Community Spirit Awards
HOLLISTER – Nominations are due for the Gavilan College Community Spirit Awards Aug. 31. The awards recognize contributions to the communities which form the Gavilan College Joint Community College District. Each year, three sets of awards are presented, for the communities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Benito County. In each community an individual, a business and a nonprofit organization are selected for their history of service, their impact on the community and the inspiration they provide to others.
Anyone may submit a nomination for consideration. Nomination forms, and a listing of past award-recipients are available online at www.gavilan.edu/pio/Community_Spirit_Awards.html. For more information, please call 408-848-4724 or e-mail [email protected].
Veterans Administration to host medical outreach program
HOLLISTER – The Veterans Administration with the help of the Veterans of Foreign War Post #2942 and the Ladies Auxiliary are having a medical outreach program for all veterans Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, in Hollister. The event will be staffed by medical and psychology personnel. A veteran service office will be available for processing claims.
Farr to host town hall meetings
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) will be hosting four town hall meetings, including one in San Juan Bautista.
The schedule is as follows:
Monterey Town Hall
Aug. 11, 6 p.m.
Irvine Auditorium, Monterey Institute of International Studies
499 Pierce St., in Monterey
Salinas Town Hall
Aug. 23, 6 p.m.
Monterey County Office of Education Meeting Room
901 Blanco Circle, in Salinas
San Benito County Town Hall
Aug. 31, 6 p.m.
San Juan Bautista Community Center Hall
10 San Jose St., in San Juan Bautista
Santa Cruz County Town Hall
Sept. 2, 6 p.m.
First Congregational Church
900 High St., in Santa Cruz
Pertussis vaccine available
HOLLISTER – Pertussis has been declared an epidemic in California, as of June 25. In an effort to prevent pertussis in San Benito County, the Health Department strongly urges parents and caregivers of infants less than 12 months of age to become vaccinated.
As of July 22, there have been six infants deaths reported in California, all of children who were less than three months of age.
The California Department of Public Health is recommending that all patients indicated for immunization against tetanus, diphtheria or pertussis be immunized with the following:
A DTAP vaccination for children age six weeks through 6 years or a Tdap for those age 7 years or older.
Newer pertussis vaccinations are recommended for all persons without documentation of full immunization against pertussis; women of childbearing age, preferably before pregnancy; other close contacts of infants, especially parents and childcare providers regardless of when contacts received any prior doses of TD; health care personnel, especially those who have direct contact with infants and pregnant women; patients with wounds – CDHP recommends that providers administer Dtap whenever tetanus toxoid is indicated for wound management in patients 7 years of age or older.
Increasing community immunity through widespread immunization will aid in decreasing the chance that vulnerable infants will be exposed to pertussis. Immunization will also prevent debilitating cases of pertussis in older children, adolescents and adults.
The Health Department also recommends that residents check with their primary healthcare provider for vaccine availability prior to contacting the Health Department to make an appointment. Low-cost vaccinations are available at the SBC Public Health Department for families of high-risk infants.
Pertussis in children and adults typically starts with a cough and cold-like symptoms for the first two weeks, followed by weeks of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever is rare. Symptoms and disease characteristics in young infants are more variable. Childhood immunization does not provide lifetime immunity.
For more information, call the healthcare provider, the Health Department at 637-5367 or check the California Department of Public Health’s Web site at www.cdph.ca.gov.
Food Stamp process changes
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Social Services announced July 23 that it would implement a statewide polity that allows for the immediate restoration of food stamp benefits if a family complies with the programs requirements within one month of termination of benefits. In the past, families would need to start the application process over again. The household’s benefits will be pro-rated from the date they comply.
“California continues to take proactive steps to remove the barriers and improve services that allow California families better access to healthy, nutritious food,” said John Wagner, the director of the California Department of Social Services. “With this new policy and other policy changes we have implemented recently CDSS continues to encourage qualified Californians to apply for benefits and to also maintain benefits in a more streamlined efficient manner.
In late 2009, CDSS requested the waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture, food and Nutrition Service to allow county welfare departments the ability to restore benefits when an easily curable condition, such as failing to submit paperwork, is corrected. The new policy makes it easier for eligible households to maintain their benefits and creates new program administration efficiencies at the county level.
“This measure helps counties improve customer service for our clients, and ensures eligible families continue to receive benefits needed to provide food to their families,” said Suzanna Nobles, of Yuba County Health and Human Services, who helped in the development of the policy. “We are always looking for ways to improve the efficiency of the programs we administer, and this policy supports those efforts.”
Californians can learn more about applying for food stamps by visiting the CDSS Web site, which has a pre-screening tool at www.dss.cahwnet.gove/foodstamps/PG839.htm.
Caregiver support and education group meets
HOLLISTER – The Caregiver support and education group, formerly the Alzheimer’s support group, meets the second Thursday of every month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St. The meeting is facilitated by Kim Harman, who said the name has been changed to reflect that the group is open to any caregivers who are helping someone with dementia or memory impairment. Pamphlets and books on Alzheimer’s can also be checked out from a resource library at the Community Center. For more information, call 459-6639, ext. 16. The group is sponsored by Jovenes de Antano and the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center.
Celebrity look-a-like casting call
HOLLISTER – Members of the Baler Backers Athletic Organization are holding a casting call for celebrity look-a-likes to attend their Hollywood Glamour fundraiser in August.
They are looking for people who look like actors, models, comedians, entertainers, musicians or other celebrities. Auditions are Aug. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at San Benito High School, Room 203, at the cross streets of Monterey Street and Richardson Drive. Participants must be available Aug. 28 and bring props or attire to go along with their celebrity impersonation. All levels of experience are welcome. There is no compensation offered, except a fun evening and resume building.
The Glamour Hollywood fundraiser is Aug. 28, at San Juan Oaks, in Hollister, from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $65 a person or $625 for a table of 10. All proceeds benefit the San Benito High School Athletic Department. For more information, visit www.HaybalerAthletics.com. Attire is semi-formal. No one under 18 is admitted.
Host families needed for exchange students
HOLLISTER – The STS Foundation is seeking two local host families for foreign exchange students for the 2010-11 school year. STS is a nonprofit student exchange program that has been placing students for 20 years.
This year two students are seeking placement in Hollister. Esteban is a 16-year-old boy from Cuincy, France. He likes playing soccer and is interested in trying out American sports. He enjoys table tennis and cooking traditional French food. He has a 12-year-old brother and his favorite subject is chemistry.
Tuija is a 16-year-old girl from Helsinki, Finland. She has trained as a competitive swimmer for four years and also likes soccer and ice hockey. She likes the outdoors and is excited about studying at an American high school. Both are excellent students and will have their own spending money and health insurance.
Host families should provide a separate bed, family meals and a safe environment. Any interested families can contact Lillian at 1-800-522-4678 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. For more information, visit www.stsfoundation.org.
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, Aug. 19, 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. The Red Cross will hold four weekly drawings in August where donors have a chance to win a $100 gift card from Best Buy.
Help preserve history
TRES PINOS – The San Benito County Historical Society is hosting volunteer work days to help maintain the buildings at the San Benito County Historical Park and Village. The volunteer days start at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. The next work day is Oct. 16.
Volunteers are asked to bring a lunch, work gloves and friends or family to help. Drinks are provided.
To RSVP or for more information, call Don Pidd at 902-9349 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information on the San Benito County Historical Society, visit www.sbchistoricalsociety.org.
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.
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 units) 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 800-RED CROSS (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.
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.
Summer reading program continues
HOLLISTER – The San Juan Bautista City Library will be running a summer reading program in collaboration with the San Benito County Free Library. The last meeting at the San Juan Bautista City Library will be Aug. 12. 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.
For more information, call 636-4107.
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.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for a home water survey, call 637-4378.
Rabies vaccination clinic
HOLLISTER – San Benito County’s health and human services agency will host one more rabies vaccination clinic on Aug. 11. 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 clinic will be held in the Animal Shelter Parking Lot, 1331 South St., in Hollister, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The fee is $6.
For more information, call the Environmental Health Division at 636-4035 or Hollister Veterinary Clinic at 637-2580.
Give Today, Change Tomorrow fundraiser starts
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Youth Alliance is holding 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.
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.
Singles dinner group
HOLLISTER – There is a singles dinner for individuals 50 and over, every third Saturday of each month. Each month, a member of the group will host a potluck-style meal, offering up a main course while other members provide side dishes, appetizers or desserts. For more information, contact Sandi Gowers at [email protected].
Class of 1990 reunion coming up
HOLLISTER – The San Benito High School Class of 1990 will be holding its 20-year reunion Aug. 7. Organizers are looking for classmates who are interested in attending.
For more information, call Julie Neff at 801-6764.
Summer Fun Club
HOLLISTER – Parents looking for a way to entertain kids entering kindergarten through third grade can join the Summer Fun Club. It is a group for families whose children has “aged-out” of traditional mommy and me groups, then this is a way to meet new people and have a great time. For more information, contact Julie Engelhardt at [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. The volunteer work offers an opportunity to give back to the community in a rewarding way.
For more information or to find out about volunteering, call the Red Cross office at 636-2100 or volunteer Howard at 297-3696.
Al-anon meetings
HOLLISTER – Al-anon meets Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mars Hill Coffeehouse, 610 San Benito St.
