Poker ride and picnic: Wadi Arabian Horse Association is sponsoring a poker ride and picnic at Pacheco State Park, off Highway 152 at Dinosaur Point on Sunday, May 2. There will be cash prizes for high and low poker hands. Enjoy a barbecue lunch that includes salad, rolls, beans, a drink and dessert. Reservations and payment are due by Monday, April 26. Cost is $10 for lunch/ride for kids under 12; lunch only is $10; lunch/ride is $15; and lunch/ride/poker is $20. There is a $5 late fee for late registration. Registration is at 9 a.m. at Pacheco State Park. Ride out between 10 and 10:30 a.m. For more information, call Jane Cloud at (209) 524-4253 or e-mail
cl*****@ao*.com
.
SOuTH valley Symphony 8K: Announces the fourth annual running of the de Anza Trail 8k run/walk event at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 1 at the de Anza trailhead on Old Stage Road in San Juan Bautista. This event is one of two fund-raisers benefiting the South Valley Symphony Orchestra. Pre-registration continues until April 26. Entry fees are $13 for registration without a shirt and $20 with a shirt. Registration costs increase afterward to $15 w/o shirt and $25 with. Medals will be awarded to the first three finishers in each age and gender category. Call 408-683-4683 for more information.
Historical Society: Will hold its monthly general meeting at our new time at 7 p.m. on April 28 at the Dunne Park Club House located at Sixth and West streets in. Hollister. Our guest speaker will be Verona Flint, who will share some history of Barber Bottles and “go with” collectables. She will also bring a selection of her extensive collection. The meeting is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
FREE SCOOP: Baskin Robbins wants to thank loyal customers during their fifth annual Free Scoop Night 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at their store on 1741 Airline Highway in Hollister. Baskin Robbins will also make a donation to the First Book program, a nonprofit organization providing free, new books to children in low-income families.
The language of MUsic: Come and learn how you are affected by today’s music industry from Brian S. Nuemann, beginning Thursday, April 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hollister SDA Church. Call 831-637-5506 for more information.
Miss San Benito Rodeo: Applications for the Miss San Benito Rodeo Contest are available at the Bolado Park Office, Ranchers’ Feed, Chamber of Commerce and McAbee Feed. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, April 30. For more details, call the office at (831) 628-3545.
Scholarships: California Women for Agriculture, Salinas Valley Chapter will be offering two scholarship programs for women in or from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. The scholarships, women pursuing degrees in agriculture and daughters of farm workers, will be awarded to women pursuing a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree or a degree from an accredited trade school. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by May 1 to be considered. For a copy of the application, visit www.salinascwa.org or call Kelly O’Grady at 408-782-5009.
AMERICAN INDIAN Festival: The 20th annual American Indian and World Cultures Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 1 and 2 on the Alameda in the San Juan School lot in San Juan Bautista. Artists, dancers, food and Xipe Totec Aztec Dancers will honor Cinco de Mayo, family, friendship and fun. Admission for a donation. Sponsored by One Earth One People Peace and Vision and the San Juan Indian Council. Call Peace Vision at 831-245-5440 for more information.
Wine Pairing Dinner: Winemaker Steve Pessagno of Pessagno Winery and will team up with Chef Todd Fisher, chef/proprietor of Hullabaloo and Billy Quon’s to demystify the pairing of wine and food. At this unique interactive dinner, attendees will feast on Chef Todd’s Chilean Day Boat Scallop on the half shell, Sesame Oil Poached Salmon, Prosciutto-Wrapped Venison Loin, Bittersweet Chocolate Crème Brulee and the like.
The event will take place Saturday, May 1, starting at 7 p.m. at A Taste of Monterey’s Cannery Row location. For more information call 888-646-5446, ext. 10.
oriana chorale: The Oriana Chorale will perform selections from “Oklahoma,” “The King and I,” “South Pacific,” Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cole Porter in its 2004 season. Performances will include a dinner show at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club, 3800 Airline Highway, on Saturday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $37. Two other performances will be on Tuesday, May 25, at San Juan Oaks Golf Club and Wednesday, May 26, at the First Presbyterian Church. Both performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for teens.
Contributions and ticket orders must be mailed by May 1, with checks payable to the San Benito Oriana Chorale, PO Box 1364, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045. Donations of $50 or more will receive complimentary tickets to the May 25 or 26 shows. For more information, call (831) 637-2848.
Astronomy Night: Pacheco State Park offers Astronomy Night on Saturday, May 1. Local astronomers will be on hand to view stars, planets, nebula, the moon and more. Viewing will begin shortly before sunset and last until 10 p.m. There is a $4 state park day use fee per car. For more information, call Morgan at (209) 826-1196, ext. 534.
BECOMING A FIREFIGHTER: The Gilroy Fire Department and Santa Clara County Black Firefighters Association are sponsoring a special class for people seeking a career in the fire service at a major or small department on Saturday, May 1. Class topics include a special guest from the City of Gilroy, pre-written exam, physical exam, oral exam, post-oral exam and review of resumes. Check-in is from 8 to 9 a.m. with class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wheeler Auditorium, 250 W. Sixth St., Gilroy. There is no charge to attend the class. However, donations in the amount of $10 are sought to support the SCCBFA mini fire engine project.
Space is limited to first 300. Each prior class has been filled, so arrive early. Bring a lunch and dress casual. Details: (408) 846-0372.
Garden Party: Carmel’s unique springtime celebration of poetry, flowers and history – the annual Tor House Garden Party – will be Sunday, May 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. The Crabapples will perform bluegrass music, and Jay Salter will play the Great Highland bagpipe. A silent auction will feature overnight stays at fine resorts, fine dining certificates and more. Docents will be stationed throughout the house, tower and gardens ready to take photographs and share some of the many poems written by renowned Robinson Jeffers, who lived in the Tor House. Tor House is located at 26304 Ocean View Avenue at Carmel Point. Admission to the Garden Party is $15. No advance notice and no children under 12. For more information, call (831) 624-1813.
HIstorical society: The San Benito County Historical Society has dusted off about 20 piece of art and will display them for the public’s enjoyment on Sunday, May 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. Several pieces are by well-known local artists. The historical Society is hoping to raise funds to save the piece of historic Terrazzo sidewalk that used to be in front of the State Theater. A $5 donation will be collected at the door. the open studio will be at 498 Fifth St. For more information, call (831) 636-5313.
Cannery Row Block Party: Cannery Row Company and Cannery Row are pairing with Pepsi on Sunday, May 2 to throw Pepsi’s Cannery Row Block Party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and invites everyone to enjoy a day of fun including food, music, shopping and entertainment. All proceeds from the Pepsi booth sales will be donated to Monterey County Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Cannery Row Foundation. For more information visit the official Cannery Row Web site at www.canneryrow.com.
