Read what’s happening soon in San Benito County in this week’s Calendar & Briefs.
Volunteers for Juvenile Justice Commission
The San Benito County Juvenile Justice Commission is seeking volunteers from the Community that are interested in making a difference for our youth. The Commission meets the second Monday of the each month from 6:30-8 p.m. If interested in acquiring an application or obtaining more information, contact Rita Campbell at (831) 636-4077 or stop in at the San Benito County Probation Department, 400 Monterey St., Hollister between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Methodist Preschool
Are you searching for a qualify preschool education at an affordable price? The Methodist Preschool at 521 Monterey St. is holding registration for the 2014-15 school year or summer session on March 1. Returning families are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Alumni families are from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. New families are from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Details: (831) 637-0440.
ZipBooks program
Through the innovative ZipBooks grant, library patrons may now request new books free of charge from the San Benito County Free Library, and have them delivered to their front door until June 30, 2014!  Over 491 requests were submitted through the County Library to Amazon for this popular ZipBooks program during a four-month period. San Benito County Library is proud to present ZipBooks, a grant funded pilot program that facilitates the delivery of new books that are not in the library’s collection. Library patrons may now request previously unavailable books, and have them delivered directly to their home address absolutely free of charge.
A few rules:
–   Only registered library users in good standing of San Benito County Library are eligible. Zip Book requests are accepted in person only.
–   Only one book at a time which costs up to $35.00 may be requested by completing and submitting a brief request form to library staff. DVD’s and media are not eligible.
–   Books are only purchased and shipped through Amazon and may not always be available. Ordered Items are shipped through Amazon Prime to your home address. Right to you front door absolutely free of charge.
–Â Â Â Please return the books and completed ZipBooks survey to county library the within 2-3 weeks. These books will then be reviewed and may be added to the permanent library collection.
–   You may request another zip book when you return the one that was shipped to you. Thank you for participating in the ZipBooks Project.
The County Library’s ZipBooks Project was funded $15,000 by the California State Library through a grant from the Library and Technology Act (LSTA). The San Benito County Free Library is one of only 16 libraries funded throughout the State that are participating in this successful program. Please call 831-636-4107 for more information.
Taizé Evensong
It is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 720 Monterey St., in Hollister. It includes jazz guitar, chanted prayers in the style of the ecumenical community at Taizé, France, spoken word, and silence in a candle-lit sanctuary combine to offer a unique opportunity for 45 minutes of peace in your week. Free childcare is provided in the Parish House at 431 Seventh St. Details: www.hollisterepiscopal.com
San Juan rain dance
Join the San Juan Intertribal Council and San Juan Bautista for a sacred rain ceremony. It is set for 9:30 a.m. at the State Park Plaza Green. Bring drums, rattles an/or rainsticks. Details: (831) 623-4771
One-Stop training grant
San Benito County One-Stop Career Center announced it has received a WIA Assistance grant to help provide core, intensive training and support services to veterans who are recently separated and/or post-9/11-era veterans and unemployed. This grant will assist people in getting back into the workforce, update skills to become more marketable or gain valuable experience while getting paid. Programs offered include individual training scholarships, on-the-job training, work experience and supportive services. If you’re interested, call the center at (831) 637-5627. Orientations are held weekly from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Fridays.
Tickets available for ‘Harvey’
San Benito Stage Company presents Harvey; the story of Elwood P. Dowd, who makes friends with a spirit in the form of a human-sized rabbit named Harvey that only he sees (and a few privileged others on occasion!) The show opening Valentine’s Day weekend and running through March 1 features local actors Christian Barrera, Michaela Connor, Andrea McDonald, Al Gonzalez, Duane Holt, Nathan Raff, John Sanchez, Tania Shanrock, Sarah Smith, James Swan and Tiana Vlaovich. It is directed by Patricia Whalen, with production by Anne Hall and Becky Miser. The play will take place at Paine’s Restaurant & Bar in Hollister, with dinner served before the show and dessert at intermission. Dinner will be a set menu, with a vegetarian option available upon request. Details: sanbenitostage.org
