MACE: The 34th annual MACE Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Banquet on
May 8 is now a sold-out event. MACE thanks its supporters.
MACE: The 34th annual MACE Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Banquet on May 8 is now a sold-out event. MACE thanks its supporters.
Education Fund: Members of the community are being asked for tax deductible donations to help support the Connie O’Connor Education Fund. Since her untimely death in 1996, Connie’s family has helped keep her spirit and love for teaching alive by raising money for schools in Hollister. Connie attended Sacred Heart School and San Benito High School, and after finishing college, came back to her community and taught second and third grade at Sunnyslope Elementary. Since her death in 1996, more than $20,000 has been raised for school supplies in Hollister. Raffle tickets can be purchase at Boutique de Lingerie, and for more information on how to donate, contact Debbie Parga at 637-8131, or Joan Perreira at 637-7185.
Prunedale road: As part of the Highway 101/156 interchange project, Prunedale North Road will be closed until Friday, March 26 at 6 p.m., weather permitting. Motorists wanting to access Vierra Canyon Road via southbound 101 will be detoured to Boronda Road in Salinas. Prunedale North Road will still be accessible from the San Miguel interchange. For more information, call 831-372-0862.
SBHS Drama: SBHS Drama presents “Damn Yankees” on March 22 at the SBHS Auditorium, 1220 Monterey St. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission and are available at Dorothy McNett’s Place or the YMCA. For more information or ticket sales, call 637-9691.
san juan kindergarten: Registration for San Juan School for children who will be five years old by Dec. 2, 2004 will be at San Juan School, 100 Nyland Drive in San Juan Bautista on Wednesday, March 24. Registration requirements: immunization record, health exam, certified copy of birth certificate and three proofs of residency (all must contain physical address). Call 831-623-4538 for an appointment or for more information.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse: San Benito County Medical Home Project Coalition is putting on a workshop on the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on childhood development. It will be held March 24 at the First Presbyterian Church in the multi-purpose room, 2066 Cienega Road. The workshop is broken down into four sessions: Session A for parents, grandparents and foster care parents is from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church; Session B for physicians, physicians assistants and nurse practitioners is at the Gil Gallery at Hazel Hawkins Hospital from noon to 2 p.m.; Session C for nurses, social workers, probation officers and counselors at First Presbyterian Church; Session D for preschool teachers, special education teachers and classroom assistants is from 6-8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. The seminars are free. For more information, call Susan Silveira at 637-5367.
The Passion: “The Passion of the Christ” – see the movie then explore the claims Wednesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. at South Valley Community Church. For more information, call 408-848-2363.
San Juan Home and School Club: The San Juan Home and School Club is holding their first annual Open House BBQ Dinner, and parents and families of San Juan School students and the public are invited to an evening of great food and fun featuring a delicious Mansmith’s BBQ dinner. It will be held Thursday, March 25 from 5:30- 8 p.m. at the San Juan School outdoor basketball courts. Adult meals are $7 and child meals are also available. To-go orders will be available. Proceeds from this fund-raiser will benefit the children of San Juan School. For more information contact Julie Hicks at (831) 623- 4538 or at (831) 623-2801.
Stage Company: San Benito Stage Company presents adult comedy dinner theater with Neil Simon’s “California Suite” March 26 and 27 at The Vault Restaurant. Dinner is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are available at The Vault and Dorothy McNett’s Place, by calling 637-1947 or online at sanbenitostage.org.
Bible Conference: The Second Annual Grace Bible Church Bible Conference will be held Friday, March 26 through Sunday, March 28. Professor and Pastor Alex Montoya will be the guest speaker. A special men’s breakfast will also be held Saturday at 8 a.m. Grace Bible Church is located at 634 Monterey St. in Hollister. For more information call 638-1394.
BOOK SALE: The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library will hold a book sale, rain or shine, Saturday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the patio behind the Historical Society house next to the library at 470 Fifth and Monterey streets. Donated books are also appreciated. For more information, call 636-4107.
Mission Gallery: Aquatint etchings by Stephen McMillan will be featured at Mission Gallery in San Juan Bautista from March 27 through April 5. They are original prints pulled from copper plates that have been drawn freehand and etched with acid. On Sunday, March 28 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. there will be an artist’s reception and etching demonstration. Mission Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Saturday; closed Tuesdays and open Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. For more information call (831) 623-2960 or contact Piper Jaramillo at mi************@mi********.com.
Kindergarten Registration: Southside School Registration dates are March 29 through April 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proof of birth and immunization are required, and the student must be 5 years of age on or before Dec. 1, 2004.
Bay Meadows Bus Trip: A bus trip to Bay Meadows will be held April 14 at $60 per person. The fee includes bus transportation to Bay Meadows, tip for driver, admission, program and buffet, including snacks. The bus departs at 9:30 a.m. from Gold’s Gym parking lot and returns at 6:30 p.m. Reservation and money must be turned in by March 31 to the SBCAOR Office.
Gilroy Garlic Festival: The Gilroy Garlic Festival Association’s 26th Annual Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Scholarship Pageant is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Gavilan College Theater. Admission is $5. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 24, a resident of Gilroy, San Martin, Morgan Hill, Hollister or San Juan Bautista, a single female who has never been married and has no children, and a high school graduate by June 2004. Deadline to enter is March 26 by 5 p.m. Contestant applications are now available through the Garlic Festival office, located at 7473 Monterey St. in Gilroy, or by calling (408) 842-1625. For more information call Kim Lemos at (408) 848-5358.
Community Pantry: Volunteers wanted for data entry and drivers. Data entry volunteers are needed at the Community Pantry office and can choose your schedule, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drivers are needed to pick up bread at local stores on Monday and/or Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m., and on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. They are needed to pick up tortillas in Watsonville on Mondays and Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Interested individuals should call the Community Pantry, located at 30 Airport Drive, at 637-0340.
Scholarship: Applications for the 2004 Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Award are now available. Each year the Auxiliary awards scholarships to students who are pursuing a medical or medically oriented career. To be eligible you must be a high school graduate, resident of San Benito County for a minimum of one continuous year and apply by April 16. A complete list of eligibility rules and an applications are available in the lobby at Hazel Hawkins Hospital, at San Benito High School, Gavilan College or call Frankie Valent in the hospital’s public relations office at 636-2644.
UNITED WAY: The United Way of SBC invites interested community members to volunteer. Opportunities exist for those interested in the allocation process, fund-raising activities and organizing events. For more information, call 636-9134 or e-mail in**@un************.com.
SUICIDE PREVENTION: The Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast is seeking volunteers for its suicide crisis line. Join a community of volunteers dedicated to providing support for people experiencing loss, suffering and isolation. Training begins April 20. For more information, call 831-459-9373.
Pinnacles National Monument: Pinnacles National Monument will be opening the Bear Gulch Cave to public access until Wednesday, March 31. After March 31 the cave will be closed again until October. For more information contact the Bear Gulch Visitor Center at (831) 389-4485, ext. 0 or online at www.nps.gov/pinn.
Land Panel: The Bureau of Land Management has openings on the Central California Resource Advisory Council, a citizen panel that provides advice to the agency’s managers. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, April 19. Nomination forms are available from the BLM office in Hollister, (831) 630-5000, or online at www.ca.blm.gov/news/rac.html. Completed forms and supporting letters should be sent to: Bureau of Land Management, 63 Natoma St., Folsom, Calif. 95630, Attention: Advisory Council Nominations.
STUDENT ART: Students from Anzar, Gilroy and San Benito high schools have their artwork exhibited in a Gavilan College Exhibit through April 2 at the Gavilan Library, 5055 Santa Theresa Blvd., Gilroy. Admission is free. Thursday, April 1 there will be an artists’ reception from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the art gallery.
Ombudsman Volunteer Training: Ombudsman/Advocate, Inc. is looking for volunteers to make regular visits to long term care facilities to assist residents and their families with their concerns. Training consists of 36 hours in a classroom and a 15-hour internship during the last three weeks of April. Contact Ros Munro, Volunteer Coordinator, at (831) 429-1913, ext. 16.
Senior Legislature: If you are 60 or older, you are eligible to run for the California Senior Legislature. The Seniors Council will be conducting an election for a Senior Senator and Senior Assemblymember to represent Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. For more information or to obtain a candidate’s packet, call the Seniors Council at 831-688-0400. The deadline for receipt of completed petitions is noon Thursday, April 1.
Beg and borrow: The Monterey Peninsula Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a “beg, borrow and deal” event to raise money for local schools and the Children’s Miracle Network. The fund-raiser is for high-school students in teams of three. The last weekend in April, teams will complete tasks on a list, similar to a scavenger hunt.
Applications are due April 1 and can be picked up by e-mailing or calling Kaj Helding at be*************@sb*******.net or calling 801-1083.
Scholarships: California Women for Agriculture, Salinas Valley Chapter will be offering two scholarship programs for women in or from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. The scholarships, women pursuing degrees in agriculture and daughters of farm workers, will be awarded to women pursuing a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree or a degree from an accredited trade school. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by May 1 to be considered. For a copy of the application, visit http://www.salinascwa.org or call Kelly O’Grady at 408-782-5009.
Moving Wall: The Hollister Independence Rally Committee and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hollister Post 9242 is announcing the Moving Wall exhibit to be on display at the old Fremont School from June 30 to July 5. The memorial will be open around the clock. HIRC and the VFW are looking for volunteers to help setup the event and the manning of the memorial around the clock. If you are interested in volunteering, call HIRC at 831-634-0777 or the VFW at 831-637-6015.
Recycling Bin: The recycling bin behind the Free Lance will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and open Friday through Sunday night.
Action Pajaro Valley: An advisory board meeting for Action Pajaro Valley will be held Thursday, April 1 at the Kalich Building, located at 449 Union St. from 6-7 p.m.
yard sale: Veterans from the American Legion Post 69 will have a yard sale April 2 and 3 at the Old Fremont School from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is open to the public. For more information, call Commander Robert Gonzales at 636-6911 or e-mail a1**@sb*********.org.
SYMPHONY: The South Valley Symphony will have their next concert Saturday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church at 8455 Wren Ave. in Gilroy. The concert has been designated as a “Celebration of Soloists,” and the orchestra will be under the direction of Henry Mollicone. Tickets are on sale at Dorothy McNett’s Place and The Mission Gallery in San Juan Bautista, and are also available at the church one hour prior to the performance. Prices at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 55 and over and $7 for students ages 12-18. For more information, call 842-3934.
AARP Driver Safety: A refresher classroom course for drivers over the age of 50. The eight-hour course will be held for Hollister residents at the Hollister Elks Lodge 1436, 351 Astro Drive, on April 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. both days. For more information call (831) 636-5195, or call Harry at 375-4495; check www.communitylinks.net for the latest information on local AARP driver classes or www.aarp.org/drive/ for national AARP Driver Safety Program information.
prevention: The next San Benito Prevention Coalition meeting will be Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at the Dunne Park Clubhouse at the corner of West and Sixth streets.
SBHS Graduation: The Class of 2004 graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 11, 2004. The Senior Graduation Committee is looking for people to help out. The committee is primarily responsible for planning the ceremony and Sober Grad Night. Each member who attends 80 percent or more of the committee meetings and works on a specific subcommittee is eligible to receive front row seating for themselves and one other guest at the graduation ceremony. Committee meetings will be held at 7 p.m. at the school cafeteria on: April 19, May 10, May 24 and June 7.
4-h breakfast: The annual 4-H Pancake Breakfast will be held April 25 from 7 a.m. to noon at the Hollister Elks Lodge at the Hollister Airport. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice, coffee and milk will be served. Tickets are a $4 donation and can be purchased from 4-H members or at the door. For more information, call 637-5346.
Studio Tour: The San Benito County 2004 Open Studio Tour, sponsored by the Hollister Art League, will be Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come see the art and visit local talent from Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos and Aromas. Maps will be available at the Hollister YMCA, Chamber of Commerce and Country Rose Gallery and Frame. For more information, call 831-638-0277 or 831-637-6062.
Coe Backcountry Weekend: From April 24-25, Henry W. Coe State Park will open the gate at Bell Station on Highway 152 east of Gilroy. The annual Coe Backcountry Weekend. This event allows visitors vehicle access to a remote and beautiful area. Entry for the weekend is by reservation only. Application forms are available on the Coe Park Web site (http://www.coepark.org), at park headquarters and at the libraries in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. There will only be 150 reservations available this year instead of the usual 320. All unsuccessful application forms will be returned with their checks to the applicants.
