Blak Sage Gallery artist reception
HOLLISTER
– The Blak Sage Gallery will be hosting an artist reception for
Missael Diaz Sept. 15, from noon to 6 p.m. Diaz’ charcoal drawings,
as well as the work of Evelyn Pogrowski, Richard Pereira, Bobby
McGee, Bernardine Belaski-McGee, Chase Wood and Julie Ruiz will
also be on display. The Blak Sage Gall
ery is located at 727 San Benito St., and is open Monday through
Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on the gallery, call 636-9100.
Blak Sage Gallery artist reception
HOLLISTER – The Blak Sage Gallery will be hosting an artist reception for Missael Diaz Sept. 15, from noon to 6 p.m. Diaz’ charcoal drawings, as well as the work of Evelyn Pogrowski, Richard Pereira, Bobby McGee, Bernardine Belaski-McGee, Chase Wood and Julie Ruiz will also be on display. The Blak Sage Gallery is located at 727 San Benito St., and is open Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on the gallery, call 636-9100.
CMCA meeting
HOLLISTER – The Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol, a coalition that is working to reduce underage drinking in the community, will be meeting Sept. 15, at 4 p.m., at New Harvest Church, 372 Fourth St., in Hollister. The group is open to anyone who wants to make a difference in the community to reduce teenage alcohol abuse by improving the environment.
For more information, or to RSVP, call Renee Hankla, the substance abuse program manager, at 636-4020, ext. 356 or e-mail
rh*****@sb***.org
.
Homeless shelter volunteers needed
HOLLISTER – Volunteers are needed for the homeless shelter this winter season, and those interested in helping out are invited to an orientation and meals sign-up Sept. 15, at 7 p.m., at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St., in Hollister. The schedule for this shelter season will be discussed, as will sign-ups for cooking and serving meals.
For more information, contact Cindy Parr, the shelter manager, at 801-9531.
Manta Rays open to new members
HOLLISTER – The Manta Rays are a nonprofit, competitive swim team for those who desire to be the best possible swimmers. Our team goal is to send swimmers to Stanford to compete at the highest level. Our definition of fun is winning and reaching our full potential with like-minded parents and swimmers. We want to keep our numbers low so we can concentrate on quality. We have room for five more swimmers who would like to accomplish something substantial in the sport of swimming and are willing to work for it.
For more information, or to sign up, call Coach Dave Steele at 637-6559.
Coastal Trail Walk
MONTEREY – The Coastal Trail Walk, a benefit for suicide prevention, will be Sept. 12, at the Window on the Bay Park, in Monterey, across Del Monte Avenue from Lake El Estero. Registration and breakfast will begin at 9 a.m., and the walk will start at 10 a.m. A free gift drawing and walker souvenirs will follow the walk.
The event will benefit the Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast, offers free services such as a 24-hour multilingual suicide and crisis hotline, educational presentations and trainings, and support for at-risk adults.
For more information on the walk, call 877-311-WALK (877-311-9255) or visit www.costaltrailwalk.org.
Court Appointed Special Advocates info session
HOLLISTER – Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA of San Benito County, is holding an informational session at Mars Hill Coffee House, 610 San Benito St., Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. Be a voice for an abused, neglected or abandoned child. Come and learn how you can make a difference in a child’s life and support your community. Spread the word and bring a friend. To RSVP, contact Esther at 637-4992.
Clean up downtown
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Downtown Association will be hosting its annual fall clean-up Sept. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in downtown Hollister. Anyone is invited to participate including, church groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, students needing community service hours or community-minded adults. The groups are asked to meet at the grassy lot at Fourth and San Benito streets, next to the Vault Restaurant.
To participate, or for more information, call 636-8406.
San Benito County Republican summer social
TRES PINOS – The San Benito County Republican Party is hosting its summer social Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m., with a buffet dinner to follow at 6 p.m. Former Congressman Tom Campbell will speak to the group.
For more information, or to RSVP, call 638-0938..
Latino Student Leadership Conference
HOLLISTER – The 13th annual Latino Student Leadership Conference will be Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at San Benito High School, 1220 Monterey St. The event is open to anyone, and is sponsored by the San Benito County LULAC Council #2890. The event includes workshops on such topics as education, health, law, media, business development, law enforcement and firefighters, with role models as presenters. It also features a special session for parents, as well as a career fair for students. Breakfast, snack and lunch will be provided.
The event is co-sponsored by San Benito High School, the Hollister School District, California Teachers Association, State Farm Insurance, South County Housing, and the Community Foundation of San Benito County.
For more information or to RSVP, call 673-2009 or visit www.sbclulac.org.
Emergency preparedness fair
HOLLISTER – Residents are invited to an emergency preparedness fair at the LDS Church, 1670 Cienega Road, on Sept. 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visits can learn about preparing a 72-hour kit, food storage, cooking with stored food, making bread for less than 20 cents, how to save money at the grocery store, solar energy, Ham radio, Boy Scouts, gardening tips, West Nile Virus, the American Red Cross, the fire department., PG&E and much more. Activities will be available for children.
Free beginning English classes
HOLLISTER – Free beginning English classes are available for adults at R.O. Hardin Elementary School, 881 Line St., on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in Rm. 13. Classes run until Dec. 16. Classes are open enrollment, so participants can come to register at any class. Babysitting is provided.
For more information, call 636-4440, ext. 107.
Club Ed offers tutoring as school starts
HOLLISTER – Club Ed offers tutoring on a private basis at $14 in all subjects, all grades. They even have tutors for college mathematics. Contact Rachel Flores-Zepeda at 637.5831, ext.370.
South Bay Blue Star Moms meet up in Hollister
HOLLISTER – The South Bay Blue Star Moms, a support group for families with members in the military, will meet in Hollister Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. The group is based in Silicon Valley, but some members are trying to start up a branch for those who live south of San Jose. Anyone who is already a member, or those who have family members who are on active duty or is a veteran, are invited to join. For more information, call Karol Burke Roy at 801-6935 or e-mail
so***************@at*.net
.
The South Bay Blue Star Moms is a military support group based in the Silicon Valley area of California, especially dedicated to supporting the troops and assisting the mothers and their families who have children serving in the United States military. A chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, the South Bay Blue Star Moms provide military family support in the San Francisco South Bay area in Northern California. Throughout the year, they create and send military troop care packages to show their loved ones they are heroes, they appreciate their service, and they continue to support them while they are away from home.
Blood drive
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 Cienega Road, in Hollister, Sept. 17, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Red Cross will hold a weekly drawingfor a $60 gift certifcate to Applebee’s or La Pinata Restaurant, excluding high school or college blood drives.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) or visit www.HelpSaveALife.org and type in HOLLISTER.
Learn to communicate better
GILROY – Gavilan College is offering a community education class entitled “Better Communication: Listening is the Key!” Sept. 24, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the college, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Rm. SS111. The class is based on the award-winning book by author Eunice LeMay, and will explore how gender, cultural and generational differences impact communication. Students will learn how to listen attentively, motivate others to listen by listening to them, understand and respect individual differences and listen to nonverbal communcation.
The class is $39, plus $10 material fee. To register or for more information, call 408-852-2801.
Young professionals meeting
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Young Professionals will meet Sept. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Maverick’s BBQ, 35 A Fifth St. The meeting will include dinner and trivia for $20, with a no-host bar. RSVP by Sept. 11 to the SBC Chamber at 637-5315.
‘Murder in the Old Wild West’ at Ridgemark
Hollister – Ridgemark Golf and Country Club will be host to a murder mystery dinner Sept. 19. Who-der-dunit? That’s the big question that will be answered at the premiere performance of ‘Murder in the Wild Old West.’
An old reclusive rancher has died without a will and the relatives are most displeased. After a second murder; “Marshall Matt Dilling” and “Doc” will track down the guilty party with the help of the audience. This side-splitting spoof of western popular culture will include well known characters along with a few memorable new ones. To get into the spirit of the evening, revelers are encouraged to dress as their favorite old west character. The participatory mystery event begins at 6:30 p.m. with hors dourves and no host bar.
Dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and includes a butter leaf salad with dried cranberries, be followed by New York steak, mashed potatoes, seasoned vegetables, warm dinner rolls, with delectable assorted desserts. Prizes will be awarded for best costume and to those that solve the caper.
Admission is $75 per person. Tickets are limited and will be sold in advance at the office of the Lodge at Ridgemark, 3800 Airline Hwy.
Pat’s Place in need of volunteers
HOLLISTER – Pat’s Place, a thrift shop at 101 Fifth St., in Hollister, is in need of volunteers. The thrift shop benefits Community Food Bank, which has seen a 25 percent increase in demand in the last few months.
The store sells slightly used kitchen items, furniture, clothing, books and more at low prices. According to a press release from Mary Anne Hughes, it offers “a revenue source badly needed for the Community Food Bank. The ever-increasing demand on the Community Food Bank’s services requires money to purchase food and supplies.”
She said while monetary donations tend to be seasonal, the hope is that Pat’s will offer a year-round source of income. Donations are accepted for the store, and volunteers are needed to sort the items, price them, stock and sell the items.
To find out about volunteer opportunities, call Mary Anne Hughes at 637-0340 or stop by Pat’s Place, or call 637-5500. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday. The store Is open to the public Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Red Ribbon Poetry Contest submissions accepted
HOLLISTER – High school writers in San Benito County have one month to craft the perfect poem for Red Ribbon Week. County of San Benito Behavioral Health staff will be collecting submissions for its first every Red Ribbon Festival Poetry Contest between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1.
The contest is open to students in grades ninth through 12th grade who reside in San Benito County and the top prize is $50. Second and third place winners will receive a prize of $25 each.
To submit a poem:
Participants can submit one poem that is a maximum of 30 lines, single spaced in 12-point font. Originals will not be returned, so keep a copy.
In the upper right hand corner, include your name, a parent or guardian’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address, the name of your high school, Principal’s name and grade level. At the end of each submission, include an originality statement: “This will certify that the above work is completely original,” followed by your full name.
Poems must be e-mailed or postmarked by Oct. 1. They can be submitted in the body of an e-mail to
jo*****@sb***.org
or mail to: Julissa Orozco, 1131 San Felipe Road, Hollister, CA 95023.
Winners and runner-ups will be notified during the Red Ribbon Run/Festival on Oct. 24.
For more information, call 636-4020 and ask for Renee or Julissa.
Pinnacles accepts applications for artist in residence program
PINNACLES – Pinnacles National Monument staff are now accepting applications for the fall Artist in Residence program. The residency program runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 11, with lodging provided on the east side of the park. The program is open to all 2-D and 3-D visual artists and photographers. The artists will be able to produce a few pieces of original artwork, depending on the medium. Artists interact with the public, often leading talks about their art and experience in the park.
Local art councils, guilds and galleries help in the process of selecting the artists, and provide locations for display of work beyond the park.
The Artist in Residence program was launched in Fall 2008, and this fall will mark the third residency.
For more information or to apply, visit www.nps.gov/pinn or contact Michael Rupp at 389-4486, ext. 243 or
Mi**********@np*.gov
.
Auditions for ‘A Christmas Carol’
HOLLISTER – Limelight Productions will be hosting open auditions for “A Christmas Carol.” Auditions are Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. or Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. for children ages 8 to 18, at 618 San Benito St., in Hollister. Those auditioning are asked to prepare a song and bring a small photo.
For more information, call 635-0553.
Free art classes
HOLLISTER – Bob Wilkinson will be offering free art classes at Mars Hill Coffee House on Tuesdays from 4 p.m.to 5 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Space is limited. For more information, call 635-9218.
Math Talk program starts
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Office of Education will be hosting a Math Talk on the first Tuesday of every month, starting this month (no meeting January 2010.) The program will help teachers improve their math skills, and will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 460 Fifth St., in Hollister.
For more information or to RSVP, call 459-5703.
Women’s support group starts
HOLLISTER – Community Solutions is offering a women’s support group. The group is a free six-week program and is confidential. Topics include healthy relationships, domestic violence, safety planning, resources and much more.
For more information or to register, call Debbie Ruiz at 637-1094.
T’ai chi at the Grange
AROMAS – T’ai chi classes are available at the Aromas Grange, at the corner of Rode and Bardue, Mondays and Wednesday from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
For more information, call 726-7151.
Sign ups for HYA Maze program
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Youth Alliance is now registering for its Maze Middle School CASA After School Program. The program includes homework help, study groups, youth development opportunities, intramural sports, the arts and local field trips. New clubs will also feature music, dance, photography and movie making. The free program is now underway. Registration forms available now at the Hollister Youth Alliance main office, 310 Fourth St., Ste, 101.
For more information, call 636-2853.
Farmers market in need of volunteers
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Farmers Market needs volunteers to help with market set up and break down Wednesdays through the end of September. Volunteers are also needed to help count the number of people in the crowd throughout the event. The market is held on Fifth Street between San Benito and Monterey streets Wednesdays between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For more information, contact Tammy Jackson, market manager at 408-804-1234.
Art classes available
HOLLISTER – Dale Yarmuth, a member of the San Benito Arts Council and the Hollister Art League, will offer daily two-hour art sessions for artists of all ages. The classes will focus on pen and ink with watercolor. Classes are Monday through Friday, and are available during daytime or evening hours. The cost is $20 per hour, with materials and tools costing extra. Artists will also learn how to mat and frame their work.
For more information, call 634-0821 or e-mail
mm****@sb*******.net
.
YMCA gears up for fall events
HOLLISTER – The YMCA is now accepting registration for their summer YMCA afterschool program. The program is offered at Cerra Vista, Gabilan Hills, Ladd Lane, San Juan, Spring Grove and Sunnyslope elementary schools. The program includes homework help, asset development, value lessons, organized sports, arts and crafts, nutritious snacks, special events and learning centers. Some financial assistance is available, and fees, days and times vary by site.
The Homework club is also available for $110 a month for one hour everyday after school.
Other upcoming activities include the YMCA Sharks and Parks youth hockey league that starts in September. The program is $80, or $75 before Sept. 5. Three divisions are available, including first and second grade, third through fifth grade and sixth through eighth grade. In addition sign ups are available for co-ed soccer for kindergarten to fifth graders. The fee is $80, or $75 before Sept. 5. For more information, contact Kristie Agan at
ka***@ym**************.org
.
An annual membership is required to participate in YMCA programs, $30 per individual or $55 per family.
For general information, call 637-8600.
Friends of the Library book sale
HOLLISTER – Books for all ages and interests are available for purchase at $2 per bag at the shed behind the San Benito County Free Library on Fifth Street every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 636-4107.
San Benito Stage Company seeks members
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Stage Company is planning its 2010 season of productions, including children’s, teen, family and dinner theater programs. The stage company is seeking support in the form of members, sponsors and volunteers. Members enjoy benefits such as ticket discounts, advertising, and free show passes depending on level of sponsorship. For more information, call 636-0122 or visit www.sanbenitostage.org.
