Briefs: Foundation accepts grant applications; Save the music instrument drive and more

Foundation accepts grant applications
HOLLISTER – The Community Foundation for San Benito County is accepting applications for is Community Impact Grants for 2012. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 28, and will be reviewed and approved on a monthly basis. To learn more about updated guidelines and the streamlined application process, visit www.cffsbv.org.
Details: 630-1924 or www.cffsbc.org.

Save the Music Program instrument drive
HOLLISTER – Tyler Klindt is collecting musical instruments from the local community to donate to the Hollister School District elementary school music program for his Eagle Scout project. Any well kept or damaged instruments that can be donated or help with repairing damaged instruments will be accepted.
Details: Tyler Klindt at 801-0854 or email

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Library award presentation
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Free Library has been selected to receive a Literacy Success Award by the Advanced Workstations in Education’s Digital Learning Solutions Company. The award is in recognition of the library’s ABC Express Program, a collaboration with First Five of San Benito County, Go Kids, and the Friends of the Library.
An awards presentation and celebration will be held at the library Feb. 15, at 10:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Anzar parent orientation
SAN JUAN – Anzar High School will host an eighth-grade parent orientation Feb. 15, with tours at 6 p.m. and the orientation at 6:30 p.m., in room 206.
All eighth-grade parents are welcome to attend without their children. Students will be invited to participate in two separate events – an introduction day in the spring and a Link Crew/freshman orientation in the summer.
Parents will receive an overview of the school programs including advisory, service learning, athletics and clubs, academic and behavioral expectations.
Details:

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Local blood drives
HOLLISTER – There will be two American Red Cross blood drives held in February. The first will be Feb. 16, from 1 to 6 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 Cienega Road. To make an appointment, use the sponsor code HOLLISTER.
The second blood drive will be Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the St. Benedict Church Hall, 1200 Fairview Road. To make an appointment, use the sponsor code SHSB.
Details: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or www.redcrossblood.org.

Amateur radio license exam
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Amateur Radio Service, the American Red Cross Monterey Bay Area Chapter and W5YI-VEC is offering an amateur radio license study and exam session on Feb. 18. The technician level study session is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee for study session and exam is $24. Registration recommended as class space is limited.
A test only option is available for all levels of license (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra) from 9 a.m. to noon. Technician level only testing from noon to 3 p.m. Fee for the test only is $14. All study sessions and exams will be at the American Red Cross office in Hollister at 357 Fifth St. Adults need to bring photo ID, Social Security card and cash for fees. For those hams testing for upgrade, please bring current license. Please register in advance.
Details: Email

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. or visit www.sbcares.org.

LULAC raises money with enchiladas
HOLLISTER – San Benito LULAC youth will be selling enchiladas to raise money for members to travel to the National LULAC Youth Leadership Convention in June, at Disney World, in Orlando, Florida. Enchilada sales will be held Feb. 18 and March 17. Orders must be placed in advance. The cheese-corn tortilla enchiladas are $14 per dozen.
Details: Vince Luna at 673-1977, Sami Salazar Weaver at 408-706-8485, Julio Salazar at 245-9608 or Francisco Lezama at 537-8332.

Tai Chi location changes
HOLLISTER -Elaine Frey will be offering Tai Chi at the Dunne Park Clubhouse Wednesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. Additional classes may be held at Main Street Kickboxing on Fridays at 10 a.m. For a full schedule, visit her blog at taichiforevery-body.com. The gentle, low-impact exercise can improve physical and mental health. It helps people improve strength, flexibility, balance, ease of movement, better health. They will enjoy relaxation, calmness, joy and peace of mind. Learn and practice the movements outdoors.
Details: 637-8083 or e-mail

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Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Basics
SANTA CRUZ -The Alzheimer’s Association will host the Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Basics workshop Feb. 23, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Live Oak Senior Center Annez, 1777-A Capitola Road, in Santa Cruz. Attendees will learn about the differences between normal aging and dementia, the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, the diagnostic process, and management of the disease. Additional topics consist of community resources including the Alzheimer’s Association, planning for the future, and how family members and caregivers can help the person with dementia. Pre-registration is required. Programs with less than give people registered may be canceled.
Details: Suzanne Chonette at 464-9982.

Student veterans receive support at Gavilan
GILROY – Student veterans are staffing a Veterans Resource Center as a pilot project for spring semester. They hope that the center will be a one-stop shop for student veteran resources and services. The center is staffed by student veterans, whose goal is to help other veterans find out about services that Gavilan offers, and to provide fellowship and mentoring for veteran student success.
The VRC will provide access to the following services:
• Financial Aid Information
• VA Benefits and Certification Help
• Veteran Mentors and Academic Tutoring
• Family and Post-war Counseling
• Scholarship Information
• Peer-to-peer Student Support
• Health and PTSD Counseling
• Veterans Club Information
The center is located in TH 128, with hours Monday, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Tuesday, from 2:10 to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Thursday from 2:30 to 5 p.m., at the Gilroy campus.
Details: 408-848-4787 or www.gavilan.edu/veterans.

Hazel Hawkins scholarship applications available
HOLLISTER – Applications for the 2012 Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Awards are now available. Each year the auxiliary awards scholarships to students who are pursuing a medical or medically oriented career. The total amount awarded to each recipient will be at the discretion of the scholarship committee.
Auxiliary members put in thousands of hours throughout the year running a thrift shop and the hospital gift shop, and organizing their annual craft and antique faire in order to fund scholarships and purchase equipment for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you must:
• Be a high school graduate (or equivalent).
• Be a resident of San Benito County for a minimum of one continuous year.
• Be enrolled in health-related course of study at an accredited institution.
• Apply by March 30.
A complete list of eligibility rules and application packet are available at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Lobby, San Benito High School, Gavilan College, on the hospital website at www.hazelhawkins.com.
Details: Call Frankie Gallagher in the HHH Public Relations office at 636-2644 for additional information.

AARP offers tax aide program
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 help residents on Monday anFriday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., from Feb. 10 through April 13, at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St.
Participants should bring all the tax documents they have received in the mail, last year’s tax 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. Call ahead to make an appointment.
Details: Irma at 630-0642.

Free tax prep available
HOLLISTER – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance will show residents how to keep 100 percent of their tax refund. Get a refund fast and avoid hidden fees. IRS-certified preparers make sure residents receive the largest refund possible Refunds are available in 7-10 days with direct deposit. Sites will be open through April 11. Household income must be less than $50,000. What to bring: photo ID, SSN or ITIN, W-2s, 1099s, 1098s and any other tax form you receive; a voided check for direct deposit; and last year’s tax return.
The preparation is available at the following locations: Wednesdays, from 6 to 9 p.m., through April 11 at the Community Services and Workforce Development office, 1111 San Felipe Road, Ste. 108; Mondays, from 6 to 8 p.m., Feb. 6 to April 9, at the Si, Se Puede! Learning Center Villa Luna Apartments, 850 Hillcrest Road, 637-9097; Feb. 14 and March 13, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Panoche Inn, 29960 Panoche Road, in Paicines; and Jan. 28 and April 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Mars Hill Coffee House, 610 San Benito St., in Hollister.
Details: 637-9293 or visit www.wix.com/sbccab/cab.

Veterans career training program
SAN JOSE – A 30-month pilot program is expected to offer up to 100 scholarships annually to qualifying veterans to allow them to attain job skills at the Central County Occupational Center and the Metropolitan Adult Education Program.
The initiative is a partnership between MetroEd and other groups including the Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. San Jose-based MetroEd is a career-oriented organization that offers high school and adult career-technical education and academic programs.
Details: 408-723-6400.

Red Cross seeks hero nominations
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross Monterey Bay Area Chapter is seeking nominations for the 2012 Heroes Celebration, to be held May 19 at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey. The goal of the event is to recognize acts of heroism performed by local residents and pay tribute to those who have performed lifesaving deeds.
All nominees must work or reside in Monterey or San Benito County, though the heroic acts may have occurred elsewhere. Nominees for the Hero Award must have performed an act or acts of courage to save or attempt to save someone’s life. The events should have occurred between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2011.
Categories include Animal Rescue Hero, Fire Safety, Good Samaritan – Adult, Good Samaritan – Youth, Law Enforcement Hero, Medical Professional Hero and Military Hero.
The deadline to submit nomination is Feb. 28.
Details: 626-5251, or email

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, or www.arcmontereybay.org.

Camera club wants new members
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.

Theater workshop scheduled
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Stage Company will host a theater workshop for youth, ages 8 through 8th grade, “Acting Dos and Don’ts plus vocal cues and music notes,” Feb. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to noon., at the Granada Theatre, 336 Fifth St. The workshop is being in preparation for auditions Feb. 16-18 for “Narnia.” Students will work on basic skills for auditioning, acting and vocal technique. Teachers include Candace Blanton, who will be director “Narnia” and Rebecca Miser, who will be the musical director. Admission is $5 with pre-registration by Feb. 4 and will be able to the cast fee if student is cast in “Narnia.” On-site registration will be $10 if space is available.
Students should bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes and wear clothes thar are easy to move in.
Details: 726-6773 or www.sanbenitostage.org.

Community blood drive
SAN JUAN – Old Mission San Juan Bautista parish will sponsor an annual community blood drive Feb. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Casa Maria, 600 First St., in San Juan. The bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot and blood will be drawn by the staff of the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s Blood Center.
Potential blood donors must be 17 years of age, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. Bring a photographic ID, eat and drink fluids before coming to donate.
Details: 625-4814, Community Hospital Blood Center.

Move and learn with YMCA
HOLLISTER – YMCA of San Benito County will hold its Move and Learn Program from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. on Wednesdays Feb. 29 through April 4; and April 25 through May 30. Preschoolers with an adult guardian are invited to learn the joy of an active lifestyle and develop a healthy curiosity of the world. Cost is $50 per session and a program membership is required. Financial assistance is available. Details: Nicole Hartshorn at 637-8600 or

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Rotary plans for summer antiques fair
SAN JUAN – The Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista is planning its 49th Annual Antique and Collectibles Fair for Aug. 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in San Juan. An appraiser will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applications are being accepted for vendor booths. The event this year will include an increase in vendors and food booths.
All proceeds go to the club’s community grants program, emergency fund for local families, leadership opportunities for high school students and the donation of dictionaries to all third-grade children in the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District.
Details: 207-2331 or email

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Registration open for ‘Path of Padres’ hikes
LOS BANOS – The “Path of the Padres” hike series will run Saturdays and Sundays at the Los Banos Creek Reservoir, March 3 thorough April 29. Reservations are now being accepted. The hikes begin at the Los Banos Creek Reservoir boat launch ramp at 8 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. A pontoon boat carries passengers for about 30-40 minutes to the west end of the reservoir.
The hike is a five mile round-trip trek that shows where Spanish padres from Mission San Juan Bautista camped on their way to the Central Valley. The hike is moderately strenuous and participants should be in good physical condition. Hikers must be 6 years of age, and bring a minimum of two quarts of water, lunch and snacks. The fee is $12 for adults and $7 for children 6 to 12. There is also a $10 per vehicle parking fee.
Details: 209-826-1197 or visit http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=670

New AARP driving classes scheduled
HOLLISTER – The AARP Driver Safety Program will be offering sessions in 2012 for drivers 50 and older, for $15.95 for AARP members or $19.95 for non-members. The eight-course is available in a variety of locations as well as a four-hour refresher for those who have completed the course in the past. Some insurance companies offer a discount for drivers who have completed the course.
An eight-hour class is scheduled at 470 Monterey St.., in Hollister, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 11. Pre-registration is required. A full list of classes in the region is available online at www.aarp.org. Details: To register, call Brian Lindberg at 408-307-6448.

Bridge lessons
HOLLISTER – New bridge classes have begun, including modern bridge conventions for duplicate and social bridge players of all levels. Learn about strong opening bids and responses on Feb. 7, slam bidding on Feb. 21 and 28 and March 6. All classes are from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Dunne Park. The cost of classes is $8 each.
Details: Linda King at 801-9257 or email

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Native Daughters accept artwork for contest
SAN JUAN – The Native Daughters of the Golden West Parlor No. 179 will host a student art talent contest in the spring. All students attending high schools in San Benito County are invited to enter their work in two categories; two-dimensional works and photography. The purpose of the contest is to encourage the creativity of youth and interest in the history, landmarks and natural wonders of the State of California. The contest is open to all students in grades 9 through 12 in any school in California. Enrollment in an art class is not required.
The theme this year is “Teamwork.” The artwork must be accompanied by an entry form that includes a brief description of the subject and the reason it is a significant historical landmark or historical event or period in California history. Limit is one entry per student. All original artworks and photographs are due by March 15 to the San Juan Bautista Parlor, No. 179, 203 Fourth St., San Juan Bautista, with prior arrangement. Please call at least 24 hours in advance to arrange for your drop off and pick-up to Darlene Boyd at 623-2750 or

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The pick-up date is April 11 after the award presentations at the monthly meeting, except for first place winners, whose art pieces will be delivered to the state level NDGW contest. All participants are invited to attend. First place winners will be contacted to pick up their works after June 30. Arrangements may be made by appointment for drop-off and pick up by contacting Darlene Boyd.
Details: ndgw.org or e-mail Darlene Boyd at

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Caregiver University set for April
HOLLISTER – The Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center, the Area Agency on Aging, Jovenes de Antano and the Seniors Council will host a Caregiver University April 21, at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St., in Hollister. The Caregiver University is a series of conferences that support and educate caregivers who are caring for loved ones with chronic health conditions. This year’s free events will include new topics designed especially to meet the needs of caregivers.
Additional Caregiver Universities will be held March 24, at Inner Light Ministries, 5630 Soquel Drive, in Soquel, and May 19, at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., in Seaside.
Details: Sandra at 459-6639.
Art League calendars on sale
HOLLISTER – The 2012 Hollister Art League Calendars of local flowers are now on sale.
This calendar entitled “Beauty Around” features reproductions of original art in
oils, watercolors, acrylics, lino-cuts and photography by local artists.
These colorful calendars may be purchased at Blak Sage Gallery and Country Rose Gallery & Frame. All proceeds go toward San Benito High School art scholarships.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation.
Details: 637-6062 or 638-0277.

Union offers scholarships
HOLLISTER – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 234 is offering $500 scholarships to three high school graduates, one each from San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. The scholarship is for students who will graduate in the current school year.
To apply, a student must have at least one present or past member of any union in his or her immediate family and type a 500-word essay on one of three topics related to labor and union movements. The application deadline is March 9.
Details: www.ibew234.org or Andy at (831) 594-7471.

Red Cross seeks volunteers
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Area Chapter is looking for volunteers to staff the Hollister chapter office. The chapter office is located at 357 Fifth St., and the hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shifts are four hours, once a week, but any hours will be considered.
Details: 636-2100 or contact volunteer Howard at 297-3696.