Pat’s Place accepts donations
HOLLISTER – Starting April 7, Pat’s Place will be open on the first Saturday of each month from noon to 3 p.m. to receive donations. The store will be closed for shopping, but donations will be accepted.
The thrift store benefits the San Benito County Food Bank. It is located at 101 Fifth St., in Hollister.
Details: 637-5500.
Historical meeting canceled
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Historical Society has canceled its March 28th General Meeting. The next General Meeting will be a potluck at the San Benito County Historical Park on Saturday, June 23.
Stage company scholarships available
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Stage Company is offering its first scholarships to graduating seniors this year. The San Benito Stage Company Alumni Scholarship and the Dave King Memorial Scholarship are $500.
To be eligible, students must be a graduating high school senior, a resident of San Benito County, and must have been a participant as a performer or tech crew in a San Benito Stage Company production during their high school term. Applications are due April 23.
Applications are available at the high school career center, from a counselor or can be downloaded at www.sanbenitostage.org.
Details: 636-0122.
CSU Summer Arts
MONTEREY – CSU Summer Arts, a series of summer workshops, will start a five-year residency at California State University, Monterey Bay, this summer. The seesions run July 2-15 and July 16-29, at 8 a.m. The workshops are in visual, performing and creative arts. A performance at the end of the workshops will be open to the public, with date and time to be announced.
Details: 277-7443 or csusummerarts.org.
Garlic recipe entries being accepted
GILROY – The Garlic Festival committee members are accepting entries for the Great Garlic Cook-Off through May 1. The July 28 Great Garlic Cook-Off is the headline event at the annual festival. Eight finalists will be selected to compete on stage. The original recipes must include a minimum of six gloves of fresh garlic or three teaspoons of chopped or minced garlic. At the cook-off, the recipes must be prepared, plated and served to a panel of six judges.
Submissions can be sent to: Gilroy Garlic Festival Cook-Off, P.O. Box 2311, Gilroy, CA 95021-2311 or by email to cl***@gi******************.com. Submissions should provide a recipe form and photograph of the final dish.
Details: For more information, visit www.gilroygarlicfestival.com
Open registration starts for Presbyterian Preschool
HOLLISTER – The Presbyterian Co-op Preschool is having Open Registration for the 2012/2013 school year, March 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 2066 San Benito St., in Hollister. Priority Registration for Church and Alumni families is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Enrollment is available for potty trained 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Spaces are filled on first come first serve basis and the following admission requirements are needed; Birth Certificate, current immunization records, $100 non-refundable registration fee and a $150 refundable deposit for project hours.
Details: Call 630-1234 or visit www.hollisterpresbyterianpreschool.com
Free compost class
HOLLISTER – Free composting classes will be held March 29, April 10 and May 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Composting is a way to save money by lowering garbage bills and replacing store-bought soil conditioners. It helps garden and house plants by improving fertility and health of the soil, saving water by helping the soil hold moisture and reducing water runoff, and it benefits the environment by recycling valuable organic resources and extended the life of landfills. Participants will receive a free compost bin.
Limited space is available so call ahead to sign up. The workshop is sponsored by San Benito County’s Integrated Waste Management Regional Agency.
Details: 636-4110.
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, 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
Hollister Hills offers educational opportunities
HOLLISTER – The interpretation department at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area is gearing up to provide a variety of educational opportunities through the parks curriculum-based education program and its Junior Off-Highway Ranger adventure. The free programs offer educational, inspirational and recreational opportunities. The program will expose students to the various topics concerning the environment, cultural preservation, OHV safety and OHV recreational opportunities.
In addition to the outdoor program, Hollister Hills SVRA staff members will be holding a Junior Off-Highway Ranger program. The free program will provide participants the opportunities to reinforce safe riding habits, improve and enhance their skills and riding etiquette while learning about the importance of protecting natural and cultural resources.
Details: Those interested in scheduling a class field trip or participating in a Junior Off-Highway Ranger Program can call 636-2065 or e-mail hh***************@gm***.com.
Si, Se Puede! seeks activity leaders
HOLLISTER – Si, Se Puede! is seeking site activity leaders through the AmeriCorps program. The activity leaders assist with homework, reading, math and other learning activities at the after school program.
Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, be a college student, be organized, a resource builder and a self-started, interested in helping children from a low-income community and able to commit to a six-moth term of service. The appointment is for April through Sept.
The position pays a living allowance of $2,590 paid our through the six months and an educational award of $1,175 upon completion of the term.
Details: Elise Hasty, 637-9097 or Ss*************@gm***.com or Facebook.com/ssplc.vl
Local blood drive
HOLLISTER – There will be an American Red Cross blood drive held April 19, 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.
Details: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or www.redcrossblood.org.
Street Fest accepts vendor applications
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Downtown Association is seeking vendors for its 26th Annual Street Festival and Car Show, scheduled from July 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Hollister. Applications are available online at www.downtownhollister.org/StreetFestival or at the office, 455 San Benito St., Ste. 21. Booth discounts are available to nonprofits, HDA members and Hollister’s Farmers Market 2012 vendors.
Details: 636-8406 or ev****@do***************.org.
SBHS Class of 2002 reunion set
HOLLISTER – The San Benito High School class of 2002 reunion will be May 19, at Leal Vineyards, from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $45 and reservations are required by April 19. Details: Monica Cordova at 562-754-4075 or class of 2002reunion on Facebook.
Foundation accepts grant application
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.
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 and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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., through April 9, at the Si, Se Puede! Learning Center Villa Luna Apartments, 850 Hillcrest Road, 637-9097; 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.
Story Time Camp coming up
HOLLISTER – Julie Engelhardt will offer a spring mini story time camp for children in grades kindergarten through second grade, April 9, 10 and 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. The theme is “Rescue Me From Boredom – Read a Good Book!” The cost is $20 per child, plus $7 for materials. The camp will focus on rescue personnel such as firefighters, police and paramedics, and include a trip to a local fire station and the police department.
Details: Email Julie at Je******@ao*.com.
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 sj************@gm***.com.
Bridge lessons
HOLLISTER – New bridge classes have begun, including modern bridge conventions for duplicate and social bridge players of all levels. Learn about 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 lr****@hu****.net.
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.
An additional Caregiver Universities will be held 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.
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.
