SOUTH VALLEY FLEURS GARDEN CLUB: Presents its Second Annual Plant Sale on May 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Belle Vie Herb Gardens & Nursery, 14035 Columbet Avenue, San Martin. Master Gardeners will be present to answer your gardening questions. For information call 408-686-0143. Take 101 to San Martin Ave, go east on San Martin Ave to Columbet and then follow signs.
Astronomy night: Join local astronomers at Pacheco State Park Saturday, May 1 just after sunset for an evening of star gazing. Volunteers will have numerous telescopes available to study the heavens. A $4 state park day use fee will be charged per car. Call 209-826-1197 for more information.
GIVE BLOOD: The Red Cross Blood Bank will hold a blood drawing Thursday, May 6 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at the Latter Day Saints Church on 1670 Cienega Road in Hollister. For appointments call 1-800-448-3543 or online at www.beadonor.com.
Native daughter luncheon: The Native Daughters of the Golden West, San Juan Bautista Parlor 179 will host a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1 at Paine’s restaurant in Hollister. Anyone interested in preserving California missions is welcome to attend. Members from all parlors in district 27, consisting of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties will attend. Reservations can be made by calling Janet Somavia at 628-3376.
Business workshop: The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce will offer a One Page Business Plan workshop from 8-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 11. The event will feature a 90-minute presentation from small business expert Bob Kramer, President of Visionary Strategic Consulting. Cost is free for members, $15 for all others. Call 831-424-7611 to reserve a spot or for more information.
Working women: The National Women in Construction Pinnacles Chapter #363 will hold a special event from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 2 at Dorothy McNett’s Place for any working woman running out of ideas on what to feed her family. Come join us for a relaxing afternoon with a glass of wine and a treat from Dorothy’s famous kitchen. The cost is $20. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Dorothy McNett’s Place at 637-6444.
SBC Historical Society: Will hold its monthly general meeting at our new time at 7 p.m. on April 28 at the Dunne Park Club House located at 6th and West Streets in. Hollister. Our guest speaker will be Verona Flint, who will share some history of Barber Bottles and “go with” collectables. She will also bring a selection of her extensive collection.. The meeting is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Join CWA: The local chapter of California Women for Agriculture will host their annual spring membership mixer from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at the Steinbeck Center, One Main St., Salinas. Join the group for a social evening of complimentary wine tasting and appetizers. Newly elected executive board members will answer questions. The event is sponsored by the Salinas Valley Chapter of the CWA. There is no cost to attend. Membership applications will be available. For more information, call 771-9075.
FREE SCOOP: Baskin Robbins wants to thank loyal customers during their fifth annual Free Scoop Night 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at their store on 1741 Airline Hwy in Hollister. Baskin Robbins will also make a donation to the First Book program, a non-profit organization providing free, new books to children in low-income families.
The language of MUsic: Come and learn how you are affected by today’s music industry from Brian S. Nuemann beginning Thursday, April 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hollister SDA Church. Call 831-637-5506 for more information.
Miss San Benito Rodeo: Applications for the Miss San Benito Rodeo Contest are available at the Bolado Park Office, Ranchers’ Feed, Chamber of Commerce and McAbee Feed. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, April 30. For more details, call the office at (831) 628-3545.
Scholarship DEADLINE: 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.
SOuTH valley Symphony: Announces the fourth annual running of the de Anza Trail 8k run/walk event at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 1 at the de Anza trailhead on Old Stage Road in San Juan Bautista. This event is one of two fund-raisers benefiting the South Valley Symphony Orchestra. Pre-registration continues until April 26. Entry fees are $13 for registration without a shirt and $20 with a shirt. Registration costs increase afterward to $15 w/o shirt and $25 with. Medals will be awarded to the first three finishers in each age and gender category. Call 408-683-4683 for more information.
Festival: The 20th annual American Indian and World Cultures Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 1 and 2 on the Alameda in the San Juan School lot in San Juan Bautista. Artists, dancers, food, and Xipe Totec Aztec Dancers will honor Cinco de Mayo, family, friendship, and fun. Admission for a donation.Sponsored by One Earth One People Peace and Vision and the San Juan Indian Council. Call Peace Vision at 831-245-5440 for more information.
san benito oriana chorale: The Oriana Chorale will perform selections from “Oklahoma,” “The King and I,” “South Pacific,” Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cole Porter in its 2004 season. Performances will include a dinner show at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, 3800 Airline Highway, on Saturday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $37. Two other performances will be on Tuesday, May 25, at San Juan Oaks Golf Club and Wednesday, May 26, at the First Presbyterian Church. Both performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for teens. Contributions and ticket orders must be mailed by May 1, with checks payable to the San Benito Oriana Chorale, PO Box 1364, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045. Donations of $50 or more will receive complimentary tickets to the May 25 or 26 shows. For more information, call 637-2848.
Astronomy Night: Pacheco State Park offers Astronomy Night on Saturday, May 1. Local astronomers will be on hand to view stars, planets, nebula, the moon and more. Viewing will begin shortly before sunset and last until 10 p.m. There is a $4 state park day use fee per car. For more information, call Morgan at (209) 826-1196, ext. 534.
BECOMING A FIREFIGHTER: The Gilroy Fire Department and Santa Clara County Black Firefighters Association are sponsoring a special class for people seeking a career in the fire service at a major or small department on Saturday, May 1. Class topics include a special guest from the City of Gilroy, pre-written exam, physical exam, oral exam, post-oral exam and review of resumes.
Check-in is from 8 to 9 a.m. with class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wheeler Auditorium, 250 W. Sixth St., Gilroy. There is no charge to attend the class. However, donations in the amount of $10 are sought to support the SCCBFA mini fire engine project.
Space is limited to first 300. Each prior class has been filled, so arrive early. Also, bring a lunch and dress casual. Details: (408) 846-0372.
