AARP tax aide starts Feb. 11.
HOLLISTER – The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free personal tax counseling and preparation assistance to taxpayers of low-to-middle income, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Volunteers will be available to assist residents on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 11 thru April 10, at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St. Please call ahead to make an appointment. Participants should bring their photo identification and Social Security cards or ITIN documents for each individual on their return, along with any tax documents they have received in the mail, last year’s return, and all relevant information on income and expenses. Volunteer counselors are not trained to assist in preparing tax returns that report business, rental or partnership income. For appointments and details call Irma at 831-630-0642.
San Benito County Heart Day
HOLLISTER – Learn how to save lives with Hands Only CPR for free, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hollister Fire Department Station 1, 110 Fifth St., in Hollister. The event is sponsored by the Hollister Fire Department, American Medical Response, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, American Red Cross and San Benito County EMS.
San Juan parish hosts blood drive
HOLLISTER – Old Mission San Juan Bautista parish will sponsor its sixth annual community blood drive Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Casa Maria at the Old Mission, 600 First St., San Juan Bautista. The bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot and blood will be drawn by the staff of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s Blood Center. Potential blood donors must be 17 years of age and above. There is no upper age limit for healthy people, but, all donors must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. In addition, potential donors should bring a photographic identification and have eaten and drunken fluids prior to presenting themselves at the registration table. For specific and/or personal questions regarding eligibility or donating, please call Community Hospital’s Blood Center at (831) 625-4814.
Age Well Drive Smart Class
HOLLISTER – The California Highway Patrol will host an Age Well Drive Smart program Feb. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Hollister Recreation Center, 300 West St., in Hollister. The program is available for senior adults who want to learn more about: driving skills, rules of the road, age-related physical changes, safety features and devices for vehicles, health and flexibility, medications and effects on driving and mobility options. To register, call the Jovenes de Antano senior center office at 637-9275.
Children’s musical auditions
San Benito Stage Company will hold auditions for its youth musical “Treasure Island,” Feb. 8 at 4 p.m., and Feb. 9 at 9 a.m., with call backs on Feb. 10, at the Hollister United Methodist Church, 521 Monterey St., in Hollister. The show is open to children ages 6 through eighth grade. Children should be prepared to sing one to two verses of a song and are asked to bring sheet music or a music only CD. Details: Visit www.sanbenitostage.org or call 831-636-0122
Calling all artists for Open Studios meeting
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Arts Council will host an informational meeting for the annual Open Studios Art Tour Feb. 9, at 1 p.m., at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St. in downtown Hollister. This meeting is open to all past and prospective artists and will cover important dates, deadlines and new information regarding this year’s tour and exhibition. Please come with your ideas, questions and suggestions. For questions or more information please feel free to contact the Arts Council at in**@sa***********.org or call at 636-2787.
‘Wonderland: The Alice Story’
Fifth Wall Theater Project presents “Wonderland: The Alice Story” Feb. 15-23, at the Wisteria Room at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, 3800 Airline Hwy. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, public workers and Ridgemark residents with a valid ID. VIP seating at a cocktail table is available for $20, which includes a wonderland treat at intermission. Details: 831-204-0193 or email bo*******@fi*********************.com.
SBSC presents ‘Spamalot’
The San Benito Stage Company will present Monty Python’s “Spamalot” Feb. 15, 16, 22, 23 and March 1, 2 at 7 p.m., at Feb. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m., at the Granada Theatre, 336 Fifth St., in Hollister Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. The show is rated PG-13. Group packs of four tickets are available for $45 in advance. Tickets are available at Postal Graphics and San Benito Bene. Details: 636-0122 or www.sanbenitostage.org.
Crab feed
HOLLISTER – The Knights of Columbus San Benito Council 1792 will hold a crab feed Feb. 16 at Casa Maria, in San Juan Bautista. Cost is $35 per person with entertainment, dinner and raffles included in the ticket price. Soda and water will be available for $1. Doors open at 4 p.m., with dinner served at 5 p.m. The meal includes crab, pasta, salad, bread, ice cream and coffee. No host bar sponsored by the Mission San Juan Bautista parish. No tickets sold at the door. Call Robert at 673-7113 or Mark at 902-9218 for tickets or more information.
Send in student art for Women’s Club contest
HOLLISTER – The Women’s Club of Hollister is holding its annual student art and photography contest on Feb. 13, at San Juan Oaks. The art contest is open to San Benito County students grades kindergarten thru graduating senior. The photography contest is open to middle school thru high school senior. Entries compete at the club level and then the winners advance to the Loma Prieta District contest to be held on March 11 in Palo Alto and then the California state contest. If you have a student entry, please call Jeanne Liem at 831-801-2020 or Cindy Biesemeyer at 831-637-0362 or email ac*****@ym***.com for more information and an entry form.
Merit badge university
HOLLISTER – Hollister Boy Scout Troop 436 will hold its third annual Merit Badge University March 9 at Sacred Heart School. Interesting merit badges such as Animal Science, Fingerprinting, Cinematography, Pulp & Paper, Fire Safety, Scholarship, Dentistry, Art, Public Speaking, Music and Law are being offered. Registration is open on a first come basis to all ranks of Boy Scouts. Details 636-6810 or kr******@ch*****.net.
Fellowship open to local students
HOLLISTER – The Center for California Studies is offering a fellowship program for recent college graduates with a bachelor’s degree. The opportunities include the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship, Senate, Executive and Judicial fellowships. Applicants must be 20 years of age by Sept. 1, 2013. Graduate, postgraduate and mid-career applicants are also welcome. The deadline to apply for a fellowship is Feb. 11, with each fellowship having its own requirements. The fellowship runs 11 months, with health benefits and a monthly stipend of $1,972.
For more information about the programs, visit http://www.csus.edu/calst/capital_fellows_programs_overview.html.
Camera Club meets
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Camera Club is seeking new members. The club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, at 100 Dry Creek Road, in Hollister. Photographers of all skill level who work with prints, slides or digital images are welcome. Details: Jack Marcheski, 637-3453 or 524-5912.
Save the date for Open Studios
SAN BENITO – The San Benito County Arts Council is calling all local artists to save the date for the next Open Studios Art Tour 2013. OS 2013 will be held on Saturday & Sunday, June 1-2 throughout San Benito County. Prospective artists will be invited to attend an informational workshop in late January and applications will be available in February at www.sanbenitoarts.org For more information or to be added to the Open Studios mailing list, please email Jennifer at in**@sa***********.org
Singles 55+ are invited to dinner
HOLLISTER – Singles 55 and up are invited to join a dinner club in San Benito County that meets on the third Saturday of the month. The group visits area restaurants for the meal, with the choice of each month’s restaurant selected by group majority. The group also enjoys the occasional dinner at a member’s home. The group is not a dating group, but for individuals who would like to meet and socialize with others. For details on the Jan. 19 dinner, email Sandi Gowers at sa*********@ya***.com.
