Don Belt bows in respect to a statue on the back of his property as he does every time he passes. Belt is currently building a 32 foot by 52 foot Japanese meditation temple that is set to be finished by the end of the summer.

‘Shrek the Musical’

HOLLISTER – San Benito Stage Company presents “Shrek the Musical” from July 12-27. The show features actors ages 8 and up. Tickets are available in advance at Postal Graphics or San Benito Bene. For more information, call 831-636-0122.

Vacation Bible School

HOLLISTER – Grace Bible Church will host vacation bible school July 8-12, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for children entering first through eighth grade. The cost is $15 per child or $25 per family. Registration begins June 23. For more details, call 831-638-1394.

Open mic night

HOLLISTER – Residents are invited to an open mic night June 21, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., in Hollister. Everyone is welcome. Participants can share poetry, prose or spoken word in any language or style. The event is free. Details: http://joenavarro.weebly.com/hollister-open-mic.html or email [email protected].

Free Buddhist meditation

HOLLISTER – Diamond Way Buddhist Center is hosting a free mediation June 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the San Benito County Library, 470 Fifth St. A second mediation will be held June 26, at 7:30 p.m., at 501 Talbot Drive. Details: Call 831-205-1805 or visit www.diamondway.org/hollister.

Rideshare launches new website

HOLLISTER – San Benito RideShare has launched a new website to make it easier for San Benito County residents or visitors to find information about travel options. RideShare is a project of the Council of San Benito County Governments and its new webstie is www.SanBenitoRideShare.org. The site provides commuters with a free matchlist through an interactive, on-demand system that helps people find others who would like to ride to work together through carpools, vanpools or bicycles.

Pinnacles summer speaker series starts

SOLEDAD – The Pinnacles National Park Summer Speakers series continues. On June 22 at 2 p.m., for “Life of the Amah Mutsun,” Valentin Lopez will speak on the west side of the park. Lopez will discuss the culture and history of the tribal band. Park entrance fees apply for the speaker events inside the park.

Wag N Walk set for June 22

HOLLISTER – Pet Friends’ Fifth Annual Wag ’n Walk is June 22, at the Southside Sand and Gravel Plant, 5632 Airline Hwy., in Hollister, at 8:30 a.m. Residents can register online at www.active.com through June 20, with same day registration available from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. the day of the event. Admission is $45 for a family of four or $20 for individuals through June 8. After June 8, admission is $50 for a family of four or $25 for individuals. Pets are free. For more information, call the Pet Friends office at (831) 634-1191 or Marissa at (831) 902-8660

Openings available for middle school band camp

HOLLISTER – Middle School Music Teacher Susan Silveira is holding an annual band camp at Rancho San Justo Middle School June 24-July 5. The members of the band camp will perform in the Fourth of July Kiddie Parade on July 4, but will not have class that day. The program is open for kids entering 4th through 8th grade and they must know how to read music. For more information, including camp fee, email Silveira at [email protected] or call 831-524-3279.

Fourth of July Kiddie Parade and fireworks

HOLLISTER – The annual Kiddie Parade will be held July 4 at 10 a.m. The Kiddie Parade will begin in the commuter parking lot at Veterans Memorial Park on Memorial Drive where it will continue north on Memorial Drive to Marguerite Maze Middle School. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. They can walk, ride, roller skate, roller blade or use other methods to move along the route. All entrants will receive an American flag. The parade is sponsored by the City of Hollister and the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. No dogs or motorized vehicles are permitted. The annual community fireworks display will take place at dusk in the field adjacent to Marguerite Maze Middle School. The fireworks are supported by the Fourth of July Celebration Committee and the local fireworks booths. For more information on the parade, call Geri Johnson at 831-636-4300, ext. 16 or call 637-1475.

Zazen meditation starts at Japanese Temple

HOLLISTER – The Hollister Japanese Temple Garden will start offering weekly zazen meditation classes on the forms, spirit and practice of Soto Zen with Robert Reese. It includes 40 minutes of sitting meditation, ten minutes of walking meditation, followed by dharma talk and discussion. The sessions are Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at 920 Riverside Road, in Hollister. Reese has been practicing in the zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi for 25 years. He has been teaching classes and workshops at the Monterey Bay Zen Center in Carmel. Details: Call Don Belt at 831-637-6361 or email [email protected].

All-you-can-eat breakfast

HOLLISTER – The Hollister United Methodist Church will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast during the Hollister Biker Rally, July 5 and 6, from 8 a.m. to noon, at 521 Monterey St. The meal includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, orange juice and coffee. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under with take-out available. Details: Call 831-637-4240.

Nominations wanted for ‘Hall of Distinction’

HOLLISTER – Sacred Heart School Foundation is seeking nominations for its Hall of Distinction award, presented annually in November during the Celebrating Catholic Education dinner at San Juan Oaks. Nominations are due June 30. Alumni, friends, faculty or staff members, current parents, board members or parishioners can make nominations. Nomination forms can be found in the church vestibule at Sacred Heart, St Benedict, Immaculate Conception and San Juan Mission.

Hollister Art League shares 50 years with community

HOLLISTER – The Hollister Art League is celebrating 50 years of art in the community with a display at the San Benito County Free Library, on Fifth Street, that includes a photographer of the group’s founder Fay Kennedy. It also includes small paintings, cards and calendars. The Hollister Art League’s Spring Show will also be on display at Mars Hill Coffeehouse, 610 San Benito St., through June. It features watercolor, acrylic and photographs. A one-person show by Carlos Munoz is also on display at Mars Hill featuring paintings of movie stars and skeletons.

Gallery seeks summer intern

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Arts Council is seeking an intern to serve as a gallery assistant this summer, with a required commitment of 10 hours per week. The objective of the internship program is to offer practical training in nonprofit arts administration and gallery management to those interested in pursuing a career in the arts. The internship offers experience in exhibition management, design and installation, marketing, media and public relations and more. For details or for an application, visit http://sanbenitoarts.org/ or call 831-636-2787.

Local VFW seeks help for upcoming events

HOLLISTER – The VFW Post 9242 is requesting volunteers to help with the upcoming Hollister Motorcycle Rally, from July 3-7. On Memorial Day, volunteers will gather in San Juan Bautista at the Leslie L. Garrett Post 6359 at 8:30 a.m., with additional ceremonies planned at the IOOF Cemetery, the Calvary Cemetery and the Veterans Memorial Building in Hollister. During the biker rally, the VFW members will partner with the American Legion Post 69 to work at the Veterans Memorial Building in exchange for a percentage of the proceeds from the rally. They will also be selling food in the annex as a fundraiser. Those interested in volunteering for either of event as Honor Guard may call Paul Arballo at 636-0794 or 207-2852 or those interested in set up or clean up may call Mike Pulido at 637-6015 or 637-6670.

Docent wanted for Historical Society

HOLLISTER – The Historical Society is looking for a docent to work at the Museum for three hours on Saturdays and three hours on Sunday, except the first weekend of each month. The position requires knowledge of San Benito County history and excellent customer service skills. The applicant will need to learn the Historical Society policies and required paperwork for accessions, use and reproduction of society holdings, including content and location. For pay information or more information, call Sharlene Van Rooy at 831-635-0335.

Hollister History Book on sale

HOLLISTER – Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America: Hollister” book is available for sale at Hollister Ace Hardware, DeRose Vineyards, San Benito Bene and Ranchers Feed of Hollister. The book, written by Joseph M. McMahon and Peter Sonne, features historical photos and information about Holliser, for $21.99.

Get rid of bulky items

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Regional Agency will accept two bulky items per household free of charge on select dates this year. Suggested items for disposal include furniture, appliances, tires or other items. To participate, residents must bring a driver license or ID that identifies them as a resident of San Benito County or its incorporated cities. The bulky item collections dates for 2013 are June 29 and 30, Sept. 28 and 29, and Dec. 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at John Smith Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road. To confirm dates or for details on what items will be accepted, call 831-637-4515.

Meditation at the Japanese Temple

HOLLISTER – The Hollister Japanese Temple Garden, Inc., will host meditation Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., at 920 Riverside Road, in Hollister. Details, call 637-6361 or email [email protected].

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.

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 [email protected].

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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