September
Saturday 9/26
PINNACLES
Condor release
Pinnacle National Monument staff will be hosting a condor
release Sept. 26, in a part of the park that is generally closed to
the public. The event will include kids’ programs, guest
presentations, volunteer opportunities and the chance to see
free-flying condors. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/pinn
or call 389-4486 ext. 243.
September
Friday 9/25
MONTEREY
Carlos Prieto lecture
The Monterey Institute of International Studies will host world-renowned cellist, author and raconteur Carlos Prieto for a special public lecture Sept. 25, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the Irvine Auditorium, in the McCone Building at 499 Pierce St., in Monterey. The event will feature a lecture, a question and answer session, and a brief performance. Prieto is the author of seven books, and has performed with widely known and respected classical musicians and orchestras. For more information, call 647-3516.
Saturday 9/26
PINNACLES
Condor release
Pinnacle National Monument staff will be hosting a condor release Sept. 26, in a part of the park that is generally closed to the public. The event will include kids’ programs, guest presentations, volunteer opportunities and the chance to see free-flying condors. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/pinn or call 389-4486 ext. 243.
HOLLISTER
Renaissance Faire Celtic concert
The Northern California Renaissance Faire runs weekends through Oct. 18, at Casa de Fruta, off Hwy. 152. The faire will feature Celtic Rock concerts free with admission each weekend, starting at 6 p.m. Bands scheduled include Brother, Wicked Tinkers, The Young Dubliners and Tempest. Advanced tickets are available online at www.NorCalRenFaire.com. General admission is $25 and $10 for children, though kids under 12 can get in free the first weekend. A weekend pass is available for $35 and fairever passes are available for $150 a person. Other entertainment includes jousting, musicians and stage performers.
Sober grad night fundraiser
San Benito High School’s Sober Grad Night committee will be hosting a Cookie Lee Jewelry and Gold Canyon Candles Boutique fundraiser Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 141 Holliday Drive, in Hollister. Proceeds from the jewelry and scented candle sales will benefit Sober Grad Night 2010. For more information, call Hydie McDonald at 902-8608.
Wednesday 9/30
HOLLISTER
Cally Nunes performs
Local Cally Nunes will perform at the Farmers Market on Sept. 30 in front of the Briggs Building. She will be accompanied by Craig Thomas on lead guitar. The Farmers Market is 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Fifth St. She will also be performing in Gilroy at the Gaslighter Theatre, opening for Noah Gunderson, Oct. 1. Tickets are $7 presale, $10 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.gaslighter.com.
October
Saturday 10/3
MOSS LANDING
Birding workshop
Those interested in seeing the fall migration of birds can participate in birding workshops Oct. 3, at 4 p.m., and Nov. 7, at 3 p.m., at Moss Landing Harbor. Participants will explore wetlands of Elkhorn Slough on a pontoon boat, learn techniques about identifying shorebirds, and will be able to observe otters and seals. For more information, call 633-5555.
SALINAS
Salinas Bonsai exhibit
The Salinas Bonsai Club is presenting an exhibit of bonsai Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church, 536 Lincoln Ave., in Salinas. Admission is free and the event includes a chance to discover the living art of bonsai, as well as meet members of the local club. There will be a free bonsai clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and visitors are encouraged to bring their tired or overgrown bonsai to be restored. A 1:30 p.m. demonstration will be given by Katsumi Kinoshita. Tea and cookies will be served, and a raffle will be held for the demonstration tree. For more information, call 724-9283.
Sunday 10/4
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Mikio Watanabe artist reception
Mikio Watanabe will demonstrate printing mezzotint engravings at an artist reception in his honor Oct. 4, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Mission Gallery, 106 Third St., in San Juan. Watanabe is traveling from France to help celebrate the Mission Gallery’s 10-year anniversary. For more information, call 623-2960 or visit www.missiongalleryart.com.
Wednesday 10/7
HOLLISTER
‘Showcasing Our Local Artists’ show opens
The Hollister Art League will be hosting the “Showcasing Our Local Artists” art show Oct. 7 through Nov. 14, at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., in Hollister. An artist’s reception will be held Oct. 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., where refreshments will be served. Local artists will display paintings in oil and watercolor, as well as linocuts, mixed media and photography. All art is for sale. For more information, call 636-9100 or 637-6062.
Thursday 10/8
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
‘La Factoria’
“La Factoria” will be presented at El Teatro Campesino, 705 Fourth St., in San Juan Bautista, Oct. 8 – 11. The stage show has been dubbed ’10 percent Spanish, 100 percent comedy. For more information, call Roxanne at 297-0691 or e-mail Dr*************@gm***.com.
Friday 10/9
HOLLISTER
Habitat throws Masquerade Ball
The Habitat for Humanity of San Benito County, Inc. will host a Masquerade Ball Oct. 9, at San Juan Oaks. Tickets are $50. No-host cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., and dancing to follow. Music will be by The Ramblers. Costumes are welcome, but not required. Masks will be sold at the door. For more information on tickets, call 635-9904.
Saturday 10/10
HOLLISTER
Pink & Rock Benefit Concert
A benefit concert will be held for 30-year-old Hollister native Kelly Alvernaz-Freitas on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 4-10 p.m. at Bolado Park. Alvernaz-Freitas was diagnosed with breast cancer one month after getting married. Proceeds from the event, tickets to which cost $10 for adults and are free for children, will help offset the cost of medical and fertility treatments. The concert will feature music by 420 Hudson Street, Mighty Mites, Beach the Seed, and The Jillian Project. Guests are encouraged to wear pink and bring lawn chairs and a picnic meal. For tickets, call 831-801-2746. For more information, go to mannyandkelly.blogspot.com.
Pet Friends yard sale
The Pet Friends Center will be hosting a new and gently used yard sale Oct. 10 starting at 8 a.m., at their site, 2975 Buena Vista Road, in Hollister. They are currently collecting donations of new and gently used items to sell. Items can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday at Pet Friends. For more information, call 634-1191.
R.O. Hardin School Flea Market
R.O. Hardin School PTO will be hosting a flea market at the school Oct. 10, from 8 a.m. to noon, at 881 Line St., in Hollister. Vendor spaces are still available for a $10 rental fee. The $10 benefits the school, and vendors keep all the profits from their sales. For more information or to reserve a space, call Maria Spandri at 636-4440.
Saturday 10/17
MORGAN HILL
Coyote Creek bird walk
Jane Haley, a National Park Service docent and a Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center volunteer, will be hosting a Coyote Creek birdwalk Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants will have an opportunity to observe migratory birds as well as discover an appreciation of local birds, their habitat and ecological importance. Due to the terrain, the walks are not recommended for young children. The program is free, but space is limited so reservations are required. For more information, call 408-779-9372 or e-mail ed*******@we*****.org.
SAN JOSE
Art of Collecting 2009
The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, 520 S. First St., in San Jose, will host the Art of Collecting 2009, Oct. 17. The even twill feature talks with two collectors, Charlotte Patera and Isabella Lively, who have donated more than 120 molas and ephemera to the museum’s permanent collection. The half-day event is $10 for students, $25 for non-members or $20 for members. For more information, call 408-971-0323, ext. 14 or visit www.sjquiltmuseum.org.
Thursday 10/22
HOLLISTER
Binational Health Week health fair
The San Benito Health Foundation will be hosting a Binational Health Week health fair Oct. 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at their Community Health Center, 351 Felice Drive, in Hollister. The event will include free medical screenings, a multicultural barbecue and arts and crafts for kids. It will start off with a brief address by Rosa Vivian Fernandez, the CEO of the Health Foundation and public health leaders. For more information, call Araceli Marquez at 637-6871.
Saturday 10/24
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
San Juan Bautista Ghost Walk
The San Juan Bautista Rotary Club will host a guided walking tour of several local sites where ghost sightings have been rumored. The tour is Oct. 24, at 6 p.m, 6:15 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required by Oct. 16. The cost is $15 per adult, and $10 for children. The tour includes hor d’oeurves, Halloween candy and beverages. Proceeds benefit the San Juan Bautista Rotary Club. To RSVP or for more information, call Lisa at 623-4548, Cara at 588-9407 or Andrew at 801-3509.
TRES PINOS
Take Down Fundraising Dinner Night
The San Benito High School Wrestling Program will be hosting a buffet-style dinner and dessert Oct. 24, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Immaculate Conception Church Hall, 7290 Airline Hwy., in Tres Pinos. Tickets are $15 a person, or $25 a couple, with proceeds benefiting the wrestling program. The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle. Coaches will be on hand for a meet-and-greet and alumni wrestlers are encouraged to attend, though the event is open to all. RSVP to Coach DeCarli by Oct. 14. Checks can be made payable to Baler Backers/Wrestling. For more information, call 637-5831, ext. 283.
POINT SUR
Lighthouse Ghost Tour
The Fourth Annual Ghost Tour at Point Sur Lightstation State Historic Park, 19 miles south of Rio Road, on Hwy. 1, is Oct. 24 and 25 at 5:15 p.m. Tours last about three hours. The cost of the event is a tax-deductible donation of $55 to benefit the restoration of the park. The evening begins with a walking tour of the lighthouse at sunset, with refreshments served at the barn. Kevin Hanstick, a professional actor/story teller, will recount real stories of Pt. Sur’s ghostly sightings and poltergeist activities. Dessert and hot drinks will be served in the visitor’s center. Tour size is limited to the first 40 people who reserve spaces. Call 6497139 or e-mail cc**@po******.org for reservations.
November
Sunday 11/1
HOLLISTER
Brass band concert
The Pacific Brass will present a benefit concert for the San Benito County YMCA at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 at the First Presbyterian Church, 2066 San Benito St. The Pacific Brass is made up of musicians from San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. Their repertoire consists of traditional brass band and symphonic music as well as American folk songs, rags, marches and selections from musical theater. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, and are available at the door or at the YMCA on Fifth Street or Ace Hardware on Airline Highway. For more information, call 637-8600 or 637-7200.
