Read an extensive list of upcoming events in San Benito County including the Top Hatters’ Bike Blessing at Sacred Heart and Community Solutions’ Walk a Mile in Her Shoes gathering in downtown Hollister.
SBHS presents ‘Into the Woods’
San Benito High School is presenting the musical “Into the Woods later this month. According to an announcement from the drama club, “Into the Woods” is one of Steven Sondheim’s most popular works. The story follows a baker and his wife who wish to have a child, Cinderella who wishes to attend the King’s Festival, and Jack who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, they set off on a journey to break it. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. The show will run March 21 and March 26-27 at the high school auditorium at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at the SBHS Student Payment Center inside the main building on Monterey Street. Tickets are $9 for adults and $8 for students. Children under 5, senior citizens and SBHS students with an ASB card are $7. All tickets at the door are $9.
Free tax preparation
The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free personal tax preparation assistance to low- to middle-income residents with special attention to those over age 60. Tax counselors are available by appontment at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St., on Tuesday afternoons and all day Wednesdays between Feb. 8 and April 8. Starting this year, taxpayers must show that everyone on their tax returns has minimum, essential health coverage. Bring appropriate documents. To make an appointment, call Irma at (831) 630-0642.
Veterans appreciation dinner
A Veterans Appreciation Dinner is set for March 28 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. It includes a no-host bar from 4-10 p.m., special presentation from 5-6 p.m., dinner from 6-7 p.m. and live music by “Moondance” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be tri-tip and a one-quarter chicken including coffee and dessert. It involves a donation of $15 per guest. Veterans are free with proof of service. It is presented by the local chapters of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Seating is limited to 350 and must be pre-purchased by going to the veterans building or calling the legion at (831) 637-7011 or the VFW at (831) 902-7811.
Tech Wizards
4-H is partnering with Youth Alliance to run a Tech Wizards program, which has high school students partner with younger youth to explore science, technology, engineering and math. Teen mentors work at R.O. Hardin Elementary School, Calaveras Elementary School or Marguerite Maze Middle School and get free monthly bus passes, snacks, leadership experience and a t-shirt. Volunteers must be able to meet from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays from now through June. For more information, contact Sandra Romero at (831) 637-5346 X13 or Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty at (831) 637-5346 X12.
Fibromyalgia group
The San Benito County Fibromyalgia Support Group will meet at 1 p.m. April 9 in the Barbara Room of the San Benito County Free Library. The support group, which has been on hiatus, will resume meetings to assist those who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients and their family members are encouraged to attend to learn effective strategies for living with the illness. For more information, contact group leader Annette Perry at (831) 801-6365 or [email protected].
Bike Blessing
The Top Hatters are hosting the annual Bike Blessing March 29. The check-in is from 10 a.m. to noon at Cheap Seats, 427 San Benito St. It will be located at Sacred Heart Church at 12:30 p.m. The party will end at the historical park. For more, call (831) 801-6737 or go to tophatters-mc.com.
Women Empowered
Sunnyslope Christian Center is hosting a Women Empowered event March 28. Registration is at 8 a.m. with the conference at 9 a.m. It is $25 or $30 at the door. The first 100 guests registered and paid receive lunch and a complimentary gift bag. Special guest speakers include the Rev. Ginger Hohm from San Lorenzo and the Rev. Seir Cantu from Houston. Musical guests are Rev. Ginger Hohm & Band.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event
At 10 a.m. April 11, Community Solutions and Emmaus House will host a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – The International Men’s March to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. It is to be held at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets, while Community Solutions held a similar event in Hollister last year. Designed as a men’s march against violence, male participants are encouraged to walk the mile in high heels. Women are also encouraged to participate in a show of solidarity. High-heeled shoes will be provided to every male registrant. Proceeds from the event benefit Community Solutions, a nonprofit human services agency serving South Santa Clara County and San Benito County, and Emmaus House, a Hollister based domestic violence shelter for women and children.
Cards for a Cause
CASA of San Benito County will be hosting it’s annual Cards For A Cause Fundraiser on Saturday, April 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Hollister Elks Lodge. Tickets are $60, which includes dinner and player’s choice of poker or Bingo, or $45 for dinner only. Event also features raffles, auctions and more! For more information, please visit www.casasanbenito.org or call (831) 637-4992. Proceeds from this event will provide support, resources and advocacy for children in San Benito County’s foster care system, giving them a powerful voice and brighter future. Please note that you must be 21 or older to participate in poker.
Wine & Beer Stroll
The third Wine & Beer Stroll put on by the Hollister Downtown Association is set for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. May 2. Participating businesses will be paired with a local winery or craft brewery where attendees will be poured a one-ounce taste of wine or beer. It is $25 prior to the event. It is $35 the day of event. Participants must be 21 or over to attend the event. Tickets are available on the HDA website: http://www.downtownhollister.org/downtown-wine-beer-stroll/ Please call (831) 636-8406 or email [email protected] for more information.
Free Comic Book Day
Bill’s Bullpen in Hollister is one of thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the comic book art form May 2. On the 14th annual Free Comic Book Day, more than two million comic books will be given away by participating stores. Free Comic Book Day kicks off at 10 a.m. May 2 and runs until all free comics are given away at Bill’s Bullpen, 207 Fourth St. For more information, call (831) 636-1180 or go to FreeComicBookDay.com.
Farmers market starts in May
The Downtown Hollister Certified Farmers’ Market starts in May. It is every Wednesday from 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. from May 6 to Sept. 30. Located on San Benito Street between Fourth and Seventh streets, it includes such items as fresh produce, flowers, organic meat and poultry, specialty baked goods (including gluten free), local olive oils, honey, sausages, barbecue items, free entertainment, culinary demonstrations and more. Call Market Manager Tammy Jackson at (408) 804-1234 for questions about being a vendor at the market.
Mission Fiesta planning under way
Planning is under way for the 2015 San Juan Bautista Mission Fiesta and the Fiesta Committee is looking for volunteers from the community. This year’s Fiesta celebrates the 203rd year anniversary of the Mission church’s dedication to St. John the Baptist. The Fiesta honors the Mission’s history and all the peoples past and present. The committee invites persons with organizational skills, historical knowledge, helpful equipment, artistic talents, and other such gifts to step forward and share their skills for the success of the event. Other volunteers are also needed at the event to support the many teams that operate Fiesta. Would you like to join an action subcommittee to make things happen? It takes more than 100 people to plan, set up, run activities and booths, clean up and put away. Fiesta 2015 will be held on June 28in the historic Mission Olive Grove.
Elks pancake breakfast
The Hollister Elks Lodge will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast on May 17 from 8 a.m. to noon. The menu will consist of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and juice. Adults are $12 and children under 12 are $6, with proceeds going to local charities. For reservations please call (831) 637-8088 for Elk members and their guests.
‘Act Local’ business workshop
The San Benito County Business Council is presenting an “ACT LOCAL” Business Workshop called Doing Business with Federal and Local Governments and Public Agencies featuring Jeff Cuskey of the Monterey Bay Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Attendees will learn about government contracting and business opportunities. The workshop will be held 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 26 upstairs in the Hollister Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. The free, public event will be hosted by the San Benito Business Council in collaboration with the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and the Hollister Downtown Association. ‘ACT LOCAL’ is an initiative of the San Benito County Business Council encouraging county agencies, businesses and residents to do business, invest, donate and volunteer locally. For further information and to register for the workshop see SBCBusinessCouncil.com or contact Business Council Executive Director Kristina Chavez Wyatt at (831) 524-0408 or [email protected].
Downtown Spring Cleanup
The Hollister Downtown Association is hosting a downtown cleanup from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. April 18. Meet at Fourth and San Benito streets. Bring your brooms, dustpans, gloves, clippers and shovels. Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, Church Groups, Service Clubs, students needing service hours and community minded adults are encouraged to come and help.
HDA Plant Sale
Planning is now underway for the 2015 Plant Sale and Garden Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the corner of Fourth and San Benito sreets. This free event for the public will have annuals, herbs, bedding plants and mixed pots for sale at discounted prices. It will also have information about composting, water efficient landscapes and rebate programs to assist residents in planning or re-inventing a yard or garden area. All proceeds to benefit the HDA’s community events and programs.
San Benito County Science Fair
The San Benito County Science Fair will have an open house from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday March 24 at the Veterans Memorial Building at 649 San Benito Street in Hollister. The awards ceremony will be from 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
4-H pancake breakfast
4-Hers will be hosting a pancake breakfast to benefit the San Benito County 4-H clubs from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday April 19 at Bolado Park on 9000 Airline Highway in Tres Pinos. For a $5 donation, attendees will enjoy pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit, potatoes, juice and coffee.
California Indian Market
The 31st annual California Indian Market & World Peace Dance Festival is set for May 2 and May 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the San Juan Bautista School Soccer Lot, The Alameda and Highway 156. It will include Native American arts, crafts, dance, drums, foods, music. It will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Aztec dance groups. There is an educational benefit with a $1 donation. It is free to children under 12. Organizers will be honoring military veterans and Cinco De Mayo. It is sponsored by the Gilroy Children’s Center and San Juan Bautista Rotary Club. For more information, go to www.peacevision.net or call (831) 623-4771.
Champagne Tea event
The Champagne Tea and Treasures Silent Auction and Drawing is set for San Juan Oaks Golf Club on March 20 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Oak Room. It is $30 per person and presented by Friends of the San Benito County Free Library and Women’s Club of Hollister. For Tickets call (831) 205-1373 or email [email protected].
Open Studios Tour
The weekend tour is hosted by the San Benito County Arts Council April 25 and April 26 and gives residents in Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Aromas a chance to open their studios, share their work and sell art. This year’s event will be preceded by a preview exhibition, which gives attendees a sneak peak of work from the featured studios. It is scheduled from April 3 to May 28 at ARTspace, the council’s new home on 240 Fifth St. There will be a reception with light refreshments and music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 10.
Japanese Temple Garden discussion
The Hollister Japanese Temple Garden at 920 Riverside Road in Hollister is hosting “Dharma Talks-2015 with Rev. Cathy Toldi” from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 6 and April 20. Everyone is invited to these meetings. For more information, please call Don at (831) 637-6361.
