Hollister Airmen’s Association Christmas party
HOLLISTER
– The Hollister Airmen’s Association invites the community to
join them for their annual aviation-themed holiday party Dec. 5, at
Paine’s Restaurant, 421 East St. Enjoy a gift exchange, silent
auction and dinner.
Paid dinner reservations should be made as soon as possible at
$22 per person. Please call Ruth Erickson for details at
637-0987.
Hollister Airmen’s Association Christmas party
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Airmen’s Association invites the community to join them for their annual aviation-themed holiday party Dec. 5, at Paine’s Restaurant, 421 East St. Enjoy a gift exchange, silent auction and dinner.
Paid dinner reservations should be made as soon as possible at $22 per person. Please call Ruth Erickson for details at 637-0987.
Historical Society meeting
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Historical Society will host a general meeting for all members Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., at the Historical Museum, 498 Fifth St., in Hollister. Members will have an opportunity to meet the 2011 board members and view the exhibits. Guests are invited to bring a holiday refreshment to share such as cake, pie, cookies or other treats. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
For more information, call Peter Sonne at 277-3836.
Holiday gifts needed for foster children
HOLLISTER – CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Benito County, is once again collecting gifts for foster children in the community. For those interested in donating new unwrapped toys or who would like to sponsor a child, call Esther Curtice at 637-4992. All donations need to be received at the CASA office by Dec. 10.
Paws to light up the night
HOLLISTER – Pet Friends and Rescue along with SHARE Animal Rescue are again working together this holiday season lighting a 30-foot tree on Pet Friends Center property overlooking the San Benito River. The lights can be seen from the Hwy. 156 bypass and were lit up Nov. 26. The tree will remain lit until Jan. 15. For $10, a light can be purchased in memory of a beloved pet[s] that shared their life with you; in honor of a current loved one, four-legged or two-legged; a gift to someone who loves animals and no longer wants or needs ‘things’; or just because you have a desire to help organizations working to better the future for all companion animals.
For more information check our websites www.petfriends.org and www.shareanimalrescue.org or call 634-1191.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium seeks volunteers
MONTEREY – The Monterey Bay Aquarium is inviting nature lovers to share the love by becoming a volunteer guide. Learn about this exciting opportunity to help inspire ocean conservation during one of the following informational meetings in the auditorium at the aquarium:
Tuesday, Dec.7, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Attendance at one of these meetings is a prerequisite to the volunteer guide training course, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 17, 19, 20, 24, 26 and 27 at the aquarium. This course briefly covers the cultural and natural history of the Monterey Bay region, basic marine science and techniques for sharing information with the public.
Volunteer guides rotate stations throughout the aquarium and help interpret the aquarium’s galleries and exhibits to nearly 2 million annual visitors. This volunteer opportunity is open to individuals 18 years of age and older. Especially welcome are bilingual speakers and individuals who can work with the aquarium’s culturally diverse audience.
For more information or to request application materials for this or other volunteer opportunities at the aquarium, call the Volunteer Resources office at 648-4867 or visit the “About Us” pages on www.montereybayaquarium.org.
Office of Education offers math classes for teachers
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Office of Education will host meetings to help teachers enjoy mathematics among other math teachers. They will experience the excitement of learning mathematics content and history in a supportive group. They will gain knowledge and confidence, to allow them to rediscover the thrill of learning mathematics for its own sake.
Meetings will be Dec. 7, Feb. 1, March 1, April 5 and May 3.
Visit sanbenito.k12oms.org or e-mail
sg*****@sb***.org
.
Blue Star Moms share info on Veterans Day
HOLLISTER – The Hollister city group of the South Bay Blue Star Moms meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested or who would like more information, should call Karol Burke at 801-6935, e-mail
so***************@at*.net
or visit www.southbaybluestarmoms.org.
The group is collecting items to send to deployed military personnel. The next care packages will be sent out Dec. 4. Donations need to be travel or individual-sized items, including food. It allows for the ease of packaging as well as the need for military members to carry what they receive. Suggested items are individually-wrapped snack bars, snack-size nuts, seeds, trail mixes and jerky, instant oatmeal, single-serving packets of powdered drink mixes, individual packets or instant coffee, tea and hot chocolate, foil-packed tuna, travel-size games, international calling cards, magazines and puzzle booklets, DVDs and CDs, cards and letters of encouragement.
Seasonal flu shots available
HOLLISTER – During December seasonal flu vaccinations will be available by appointment only at the San Benito County Public Health Department. Appointments will be accepted on Wednesdays, from 2 to 4 p.m. Low-cost seasonal flu vaccines are available for people 6-months-old through seniors. Both flu shots and FluMist are available and offered based on qualifying criteria.
In addition to flu vaccines, the Health Department is offering low-cost pertussis vaccinations for persons who have never received a Tdap vaccination and who are close contacts of pregnant women and/or infants less than 12 months of age.
For more information on the seasonal flu vaccine or the Tdap, or to schedule an appointment, call 637-5367.
Volunteers and materials needed at San Benito Co. Historical Park
TRES PINOS – The San Benito County Historical Society is continuing with renovations on the Garcia House/Visitor Center at the San Benito County Historical Park, with a goal to complete the building by the end of the year.
The Visitor Center will have rotating displays covering many aspects of life in San Benito County and serve as a starting point for visitors to the Historical Park as they tour the village.
Tasks still to complete include painting, roof repair, window caulking and landscaping, among others.
The park as also recently acquired an historical water tank house, from the Dassel family that will be relocated to the park next spring. Other projects for 2011 include design and landscape of the Visitor Center; signage for the historical trail, the Visitor Center and farm equipment; and design and landscape around the dance hall.
For more information on getting involved in the projects, donating materials or money, call Don Pidd at 902-9349 or e-mail
do*****@sv*.net
.
AnnJAM 5K Charity Walk and Celebration
GILROY – Family members of Ann Jaszewski are planning a 5K charity walk and celebration in honor of her 90th birthday, Dec. 4, at Christmas Hill Park. The walk will take place along the levee, with ending with a celebration in the picnic area at Christmas Hill Park. Registration is $30 and includes a shirt, continental breakfast and party favors. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., with the walk starting at 8:30 a.m. The celebration will be 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sponsorship and proceeds benefit Hospice of the Valley. Those who register before Nov. 7 will be guaranteed their select shirt size.
Daughters Terri Ryan and Suzi Munoz decided to organize the run for the long-time Gilroy resident because Ann is an active walker. They chose Hospice of the Valley because the staff their provided comfort to Ann’s son, Gary, when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He died in 2008.
To register, visit www.annjam.org or call 408-462-1266.
AMBAG seeks input on Blueprint
MARINA – The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments has released a draft regional visioning document to advice local governments on policies concerning growth and development over the next 25 years, “Envisioning Monterey Bay Area: A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth and Smart Infrastructure.” The report is focused on reducing congestion, conserving open space and agricultural land while providing more housing and transportation choices. The report was put together with input from residents and local government agencies.
The blueprint and technical appendix are available for download at www.ambag.org/programs/blueprint/index.html. It can also be viewed at the San Benito County Free Library, 470 Fifth St., in Hollister, the Monterey County Library, 190 Seaside Circle, and the Santa Cruz County Library’s Central Branch, 224 Church St.
The blueprint is an advisory, fact-finding document and is in draft form. Public comments are welcome through Dec. 15. Please submit comments to
in**@am***.org
, with the subject line “Blueprint” or submit written comments to: Public Comments – Blueprint, c/o AMBAG, P.O. Box 809, Marina, CA 93933.
NRCS hosts an art/writing competition
HOLLISTER – The Natural Resources Conservation Service is hosting an art and writing competition for high school students to celebrate its 75th anniversary. The topic of the contest is: conservation, stewardship and the environment, such as building healthy soil, improving water quality, reducing air emissions, building hedgerows and other types of habitat/protection for plant and wildlife species.
Categories include: painting, pastel, color pencil, chalk, photography, poem, essay, short story and other. The winner of each category will receive a $100 cash award.
All entries must be original and may not contain copyrighted material or material produced by anyone other than the entrant, such as popular songs, magazine cutouts, photographs, music videos, etc., unless written permission has been granted for its use. The entrant must submit a copy of the written permission to use the material with the entry. Use of copyrighted material without permission automatically disqualifies the entry.
The art should not be matted or framed. No photo can be greater than 10-by-20 inches. No essays or short stories should be longer than three pages. The type should be at least 10 point. Remove date stamps from photos. By submitting an entry, the entrants give NRCS permission to use the entry in publications, including the newspaper.
For more information, e-mail Heather Brodersen at
he***************@on*.gov
.
Alzheimer’s lecture
SANTA CRUZ – The Alzheimer’s Association at the Live Oak Senior Center, will host a special series in honor of National Alzheimer’s and Caregiver’s Month, Dec. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event is called ‘Creative Moments that help us with expressing emotions. Art therapist Shawna Sacan, ATR; and the Association staff will lead people through an introspective, creative session. The center is located at 1777 Capitola Road, in Santa Cruz.
Please pre-register by calling 464-9982.
ALBA accepts farmer education program
SALINAS – The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association is accepting applications for its Farmer Education Program, which begins Jan. 11, 2011. Space is limited. The deadline for applications is Dec. 1. For materials, call 758-1469.
The program is a bilingual English/Spanish six-month adult education course. It is designed to serve both aspiring and established farmers interested in classroom instruction and practical field workshops. The program was recently approved as an Eligible Training Provider by the California Employment Development Department, making it possible for EDD clients to receive support for participation.
Course fees are based on a sliding scale, with a priority to serve low-income residents. Participants who complete course requirements and create a business plan are given the opportunity to rent land to start a small farm. The course is offered at ALBA’s Rural Development Center, 1700 Old Stage Road, near Salinas.
ALBA is a nonprofit organization providing 40 farmers with access to land at two farm business incubators in Salinas and Watsonville.
For more information, call Andy Rea at 758-1469, ext. 14.
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 in November. 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.
Returning Catholics group
HOLLISTER – Sacred Heart-St. Benedict Parish hosts a weekly meeting on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. for returning Catholics. The gathering is an opportunity for participants to understand the church through presentations, questions and discussion. Those who have left the church and are interested in returning are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Dolores Fenzel, the adult faith formation coordinator, at 637-9212.
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, Dec. 23, 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 December where donors have a chance to win a $100 gift card from Macy’s.
Donors living from Redwood City to Salinas can also enter a drawing to win two passes to the “Body Worlds Vital” exhibit at the Tech Museum in San Jose. The passes include admission to the exhibit and galleries of the Museum, but exclude the IMAX theater. One winner will be selected from each blood drive. Those who donate at the Red Cross blood donation center in San Jose, 2731 N. First St., during December and January, will also receive a coupon for $2 off the price of admission.
Surrogate parents needed
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Office of Education and Special Education departments need volunteers to help with a surrogate parent program. Public school districts train and appoint surrogate parents for a child with a disability under the following circumstances:
– The biological parent or adoptive parents cannot be identified or located after reasonable effort; or parental rights have been terminated
– The child does not have a court-appointed person authorized to make educational decisions
– The child’s court-appointed “parent” is unwilling or unable to serve as the surrogate parents
– The child is an unaccompanied homeless youth.
Surrogate parents play a unique and critical role in supporting the special education rights and needs of children.
If you would like to learn more about the program, call Lorna Gilbert, the director of special services at 637-5393, ext. 131.
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.
Si, Se Puede! seeks volunteers
HOLLISTER – The Si, Se Puede! Learning Center is seeking volunteers to facilitate evening computer classes for adults. Responsibilities include aiding the coordinator in facilitating lessons on various computer programs such as Microsoft Office, the basics of e-mail, and other software programs as well as working individually with the computer lab participants.
The SSPLC is also seeking tutors for their weekly homework help sessions on Thursday evenings. Volunteers will aid students in grades K-5 with homework and reading.
Contact Charles Miller, the Si, Se Puede coordinator, for more information or a volunteer application at 637-9097 or by e-mail the organization at
nf************@gm***.com
.
Bridge group offers lessons
HOLLISTER – The local bridge club will offer lessons on Tuesdays, starting Jan. 4, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., for players of all levels. The lessons last about six weeks. The lessons are $8 and the book is $13. The lessons will be held at the Dunne Park Clubhouse. Open duplicate bridge games are scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, at the clubhouse.
For more information, call Linda King at 801-9257.
Hollister Lions Club meets
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Lions Club holds its meeting at the Dunne Park Clubhouse on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.
For more information, call Sharon McCarthy at 630-0125.
Co-Dependents Anonymous meets
HOLLISTER – A Co-Dependents Anonymous group meets Saturdays, from 10 a.m. 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.
Student Art and Photography Contest
HOLLISTER – The Women’s Club of Hollister is sponsoring the annual Student Art and Photography Contest 2010. Entries should be completed in 2010 and the contest will be held at the monthly meeting Feb. 9. From that judging, the winners will go on to the Loma Prieta District contest on March 14. The first place winners in the district will advance to the state convention in May.
The art contest is open to students in K-12, with a category for special education. The categories are K-1; 2-3; 78; 9-12; graduating senior; special education K-8; special education 9-12.
The photography contest is open to grades 6; 7-8; 9-12, with special education 6; 7-8 and 9-12. All photography must be matted, no glass.
Awards will be given for first, second, third and honorable mention.
To arrange for a pick up of artwork, call Cindy at 637-0362. Artwork must be picked up by Feb. 7.
Native Daughters holds student art contest
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – The Native Daughters of the Golden West (NDGW), Parlor # 179, of San Juan Bautista, in conjunction with the statewide NDGW, is sponsoring a Student Art Talent Contest to encourage the interest of students and the general public in the historical and natural treasures of California, around the theme “California Treasures.” The contest is open to all students in grades ninth through 12th in any school in San Benito County. Enrollment in an art or photography class is not required.
Students may enter their original artworks or photographs of any landmark, historic site, park, historical building, natural formation, flora or fauna that contributes to the beauty of California. All artwork and photographs must be accompanied by an official entry form that includes a brief description of the subject and the reason the subject is a “treasure” to the State of California. Entries may be prepared in class, with suggestions and input from others, but the artwork and photographs must be those of the students.
Artwork will be judged by an outside guest juror at both the local and state levels. First place winners at the local level will automatically be entered in the contest at the state level of the NDGW. All original artworks and photographs are due by Feb. 6, at 5 p.m. All entries must be accompanied by three copes of the entry form, available from all high school fine arts departments in San Benito County, with one attached to the art work. Winners will be announced at the March 9 meeting of the SJB NDGW. The pick-up date for all artwork is the evening of March 9, except for first place winners, whose works will be delivered to the state level NDGW student art talent contest. First place winners will be contacted to pick up their works after June 30. Darlene Boyd is available to answer inquiries at 623-2750 or
da*********@da*********.com
.
GriefShare meetings continue
HOLLISTER – GriefShare, a Christ-centered recovery and support group for those who are grieving a loved one meets at Grace Bible Church’s Education Building Thursdays at 7 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, contact Tricia Harvey at 638-1394.
Club Ed tutoring starts
HOLLISTER – Club Ed offers tutoring for grades first through 12th after school in the San Benito High School library at $14 an hour. Call 637-9605, e-mail
fl*********@gm***.com
or call Dr. Katherine Foster at 623-9139 or e-mail
kf*****@sb***.us
and leave a message.
Migrant Education seeks donations
HOLLISTER – San Benito High School’s Migrant Education program is seeking donations of clothing, towels or blankets. The program serves school youth who reside at the labor camps in town. Staff from the Migrant Education program visit the camps on a weekly basis and bring donations for those who are newly arrived from other areas such as Santa Maria or Bakersfield. Often, workers and their families have few clothing or other items when they arrive.
Donations can be dropped off at San Benito High School, Room 194, or a pick-up can be arranged by calling 637-5831, ext. 189.
Seniors needed for volunteer opportunities
HOLLISTER – The Monterey Bay Retired Senior Volunteer Program is looking for people 55 and over who would like to give back to their community by volunteering with one of the many nonprofits in San Benito County. RSVP provides a critical link between individual seniors in the community and nonprofit agencies. The group has been working to connect seniors to volunteer opportunities for 39 years. RSVP recruits, interviews and refers volunteers to more than 60 nonprofits.
Nonprofits are also welcome to contact RSVP if they are interested in connecting with volunteers.
For more information, call Regina Henderson, the outreach coordinator, at 427-5070 or e-mail
re****@sc***************.org
.
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, families need to present a WIC or Medi-Cal card, along with a valid form of ID. Vouchers for a low-cost helmet can be purchased at 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.
Ladies Auxiliary meeting
HOLLISTER – The Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 9242, meets the second Monday of the month to the second Saturday of the month. Meetings start at 2 p.m., room 204, Veterans Building, 649 San Benito St.
For more information, call Dolly De Vasier at 637-1980.
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.
Water Resources Association offers home water survey
HOLLISTER – The Water Resources Association of San Benito County offers 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.
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
sg*****@sb*******.net
.
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.
Parkinson’s caregiver support group
HOLLISTER – Family or friends who are caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s 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 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.
Grief and loss support groups
HOLLISTER – Central Coast VNA and Hospice is offering free grief and loss support groups in Hollister, Monterey, Salinas and Gilroy. Central Coast VNA and Hospice has been providing quality in home care, end of life care and community health services as well as support for those struggling with grief and loss. The support is provided by bereavement specialists, spiritual care counselors and licensed social workers. The Hollister group meets at the Hollister United Methodist Church, 521 Monterey St., from noon to 1:30 p.m., on the first Tuesday of every month.
For more information, call Mick Erickson, the bereavement coordinator and counselor, at 758-8243.
Musician seeks others for a capella ensemble
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – Local musician Stephanie Woehrmann is looking to put together a women’s a capella ensemble and is looking for enthusiastic female vocalists ages 16 and up. The group will rehearse in San Juan Bautista or Gilroy. Rehearsals will be one evening a week to start, and more will be added as performance dates approach.
We have two performances scheduled for spring 2011. Details about performances will be provided at rehearsals. The group will explore a wide range of genres and composers as well as experimenting with creating their own vocal pieces. Ability to read sheet music is a plus, but not necessary.
For more information, contact Woehrmann at 261-4838.
