Pat’s Place seeks volunteers
HOLLISTER – Pat’s Place, a local thrift shop that supports the San Benito Community Food Bank, is seeking volunteers. The store is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a need for volunteers who are willing to work anything from a few hours to a full shift one day. The store is located at 101 Fifth St. in Hollister. To volunteer or find out more, call (831)637-5500.
Community Clean Up
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Police Department, other local groups and businesses are coordinating a community clean-up for interested residents on Aug. 17, meeting at 8 a.m. at Rancho San Justo School near the picnic tables. Participants should bring a pair of gloves and gardening tools. Garbage bags will be provided for trash pick up. Lunch and water will be provided. For more information, call Karson Klauer at (831)801-0858 or email ka**********@ya***.com.
Shop for a Cause
HOLLISTER – Chamberlain’s Children Center is selling Shop for a Cause passes to Macy’s eighth annual Shop for a Cause Event. For $5, residents can purchase a savings pass that will give them 25 percent off on regular, sale and clearance merchandise on items at Macy’s on Aug. 24. To purchase a savings pass, email Kim Meininger at ki*@ch***********.org or stop by the school office at 1850 San Benito St.
Mommy and Me Yoga
HOLLISTER – A Mommy and Me Yoga class will be held Aug. 8, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Vista Hill Park ball fields, 600 Hill St. Bring a yoga mats and children. $5 donation is encouraged, but not required. Beginners welcome. Details: ga******@ex****.com
Community blood drive
SAN JUAN – The Leslie L. Garratt Post 6359 will host a community blood drive Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 58 Monterey Street, in 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. For details or personal questions regarding eligibility or donations, call (831)625-4814.
Financial literacy workshops
HOLLISTER – San Benito County will host a financial literacy workshop four times this year, at the San Benito County One-Stop Career Center, 1111 San Felipe Road, Ste. 107, in Hollister. The workshops will cover money management and household budgeting; credit, debt and loan management; bank account information; education and college planning; and homeownership and rental housing. The workshop is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be offered Aug. 12, Sept. 16 and Oct. 14. Participants can attend the full workshop or select the topics they are interested in. For details on the scheduleor to RSVP, call Christopher “C.J.” Valenzuela at 831-636-4316 ext. 13 or email cv*********@co**.us.
Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival
TRES PINOS – The Northern California Bluegrass Society will host the 20th Annual Good Old Fashioned Blue Grass Festival at Bolado Park Aug. 8-11. Advanced tickets are available online for three-day, two-day or one-day admission. Details: Visit www.scbs.org
Health Foundation hosts community open house
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Health Foundation will host a community open house Aug. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m., at 351 Felice Drive, in Hollister. The theme for this year’s National Health Center week is “Transforming Health Care in our Local Communities.” Residents can learn more about services and programs offered in San Benito at the event. Details: (831)637-5306.
Aromas Day
HOLLISTER – Aromas Day will be Aug. 25. The day includes a pancake breakfast at the Aromas Grange, from 7 to 11 a.m., with a street fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature arts and crafts vendors, a classic car show, food booths that will raise money for local nonprofits, a petting zoo and more. Admission is free. Details: Call Cara at (831)588-9407 or visit www.AromasDay.com.
Red Cross seeks donors
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give because many fewer donations than expected were received in June and early July. Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected. The shortfall is similar to what the Red Cross experienced in June 2012. Each day, the American Red Cross Northern California Blood Region needs approximately 300 donors to step forward and give blood. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to give. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients. Residents can find out how to donate by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting www.redcrossblood.org.
County seeks Parks and Rec champions
HOLLISTER – San Benito County is seeking volunteers to serve as Parks and Recreation Champions. The champions will advocate to conserve natural resources, create healthy communities, invest in future San Benito County parks, create a connection to nature and foster economic development. The county is seeking community members, sponsors and partners who will serve in a leadership role. The goal is to select volunteers from a variety of different industries and backgrounds. The champions will work with the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission, provide advocacy at community events and public and private meetings, and keep residents informed and education about parks. For an interest form or more information, email Janelle Cox at jc**@co**.us or call 831-636-4000 ext. 18.
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 do*****@ga****.com.
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.
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.
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 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 do*****@ga****.com.
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 sa*********@ya***.com.
