The California Indian Market in San Juan Bautista is among a host of events set for the weekend in the county.
Benefit pasta dinner
The San Benito High School Key Club is hosting a 14th annual benefit pasta dinner set for 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the high school cafeteria. It will include pasta with meat sauce (meatless available), garlic bread, salad, water and dessert. Take-out orders only—drive thru in Baler Alley. Then attend opening night for the carnival on campus. It is $8 for adults and $4 for kids 12 and under. Proceeds go to scholarships for San Benito High School graduates who have been active with community service. Ticketsi are on sale at Postal Graphics or Richard Shelton Insurance. Tickets are also available from Kiwanis and Key club members. Call (831) 801-5930.
Wine & Beer Stroll
The third Wine & Beer Stroll put on by the Hollister Downtown Association is set for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. May 2. Participating businesses will be paired with a local winery or craft brewery where attendees will be poured a one-ounce taste of wine or beer. It is $25 prior to the event. It is $35 the day of event. Participants must be 21 or over to attend the event. Tickets are available on the HDA website: http://www.downtownhollister.org/downtown-wine-beer-stroll/. Please call (831) 636-8406 or email
ev****@do***************.org
for more information.
Free Comic Book Day
Bill’s Bullpen in Hollister is one of thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the comic book art form May 2. On the 14th annual Free Comic Book Day, more than two million comic books will be given away by participating stores. Free Comic Book Day kicks off at 10 a.m. May 2 and runs until all free comics are given away at Bill’s Bullpen, 207 Fourth St. For more information, call (831) 636-1180 or go to FreeComicBookDay.com.
Pet Friends BBQ fundraiser
Pet Friends is hosting a BBQ fundraiser in support of animal adoptions from noon to 3 p.m. May 3 at San Andreas Continuation High School, 191 Alvarado St. Drive through pickup meals or walk-ins are welcome. The menu includes one-half BBQ chicken, garlic bread, green salad and chili beans for $20 with 100 percent of proceeds going to support Pet Friends. The chef is Ray Sanchez. Tickets are available at the Pet Friends office or from any board member. Call (831) 634-1191.
‘Little Mermaid’ Jr.
The San Benito Stage Company is presenting its next children’s musical, “The Little Mermaid.” It is set for 7 p.m. April 17, 18, 24 and 25 and then May 1 and 2. It is scheduled to show at 2 p.m. April 19, 25 and 26. The shows are set for the Granada Theatre, 336 Fifth St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students or seniors. Four-packs are $45 with advances sales only. They are available at Postal Graphics, San Benito Bene or brownpapertickets.com. For information, call (831) 636-0122.
California Indian Market
The 31st annual California Indian Market & World Peace Dance Festival is set for May 2 and May 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the San Juan Bautista School Soccer Lot, The Alameda and Highway 156. It will include Native American arts, crafts, dance, drums, foods, music. It will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Aztec dance groups. There is an educational benefit with a $1 donation. It is free to children under 12. Organizers will be honoring military veterans and Cinco De Mayo. It is sponsored by the Gilroy Children’s Center and San Juan Bautista Rotary Club. For more information, go to www.peacevision.net or call (831) 623-4771.
Bonsai exhibit
The Watsonville Bonsai Club will hold its 42nd. annual Bonsai exhibit May 3 at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple Gymnasium, 423 Bridge St., in Watsonville from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over 50 trees will be on display from small to large, from young to old. One California juniper is reported to be over 500 years old. A demonstration by the renowned Bonsai Master Katsumi Kinoshita, creating a beautiful bonsai out of raw nursery material, will be conducted at 1:30 pm. A raffle of bonsai items, including the demo tree, will follow. A plant vender will be available. Admission is free, and a donation is appreciated. For more information please call Don White (831) 840-7545 or e-mail:
wh*******@ao*.com
.
Gavilan presents ‘Evita’
Buy your tickets now for Gavilan College’s spring production of Evita. This production is in collaboration with Christopher High School and is starring professional actress Lexie Dorsett Sharp in the title role of Evita. Be sure to purchase your tickets now because prices will go up if purchased at the door. It is set for the Gavilan College Theater at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. in Gilroy on May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 at 8 p.m. A matinee is set for 2 p.m. May 9. Tickets are $15 advanced or $20 at the door and $12 students and seniors. They are now available at the Gavilan College Bookstore and BookSmart in Morgan Hill. For more information, please leave a message with the box office at (408) 846-4973.
Stage company auditions
The San Benito Stage Company is presenting a free audition workshop set for 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Granada Theatre, 336 Fifth St. It is a “How to Audition—Cast Me! Theatre” session. The stage company advises people to pick the right song and make an impression. It is for ages 6 and up. The instructor is Dennis Beasley. It is in preparation for “Mary Poppins” auditions May 7 and May 8 at 6 p.m. and May 9 at 9:30 a.m. Bring a song selection and sheet music. Space is limited. Pre-register online at sanbenitostage.org. For more, call (831) 636-0122 or email
in**@sa************.org
.
Farmers market starts
The Downtown Hollister Certified Farmers’ Market starts in May. It is every Wednesday from 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. from May 6 to Sept. 30. Located on San Benito Street between Fourth and Seventh streets, it includes such items as fresh produce, flowers, organic meat and poultry, specialty baked goods (including gluten free), local olive oils, honey, sausages, barbecue items, free entertainment, culinary demonstrations and more. Call Market Manager Tammy Jackson at (408) 804-1234 for questions about being a vendor at the market.
Farr opens art contest
Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, announced he is accepting submissions for the annual art contest among high school students in his district, which includes San Benito County. Farr is seeking submissions from student artists for the Congressional Art Competition. Participants can submit their art for the chance to have it displayed in the U.S. Capitol along with other students’ works from across the country. For more information please refer to http://goo.gl/VIlgYW.
Alejo to host open house
Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, is set to host an open house in Hollister. It is set for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 1 at the Briggs Building in downtown Hollister.
According to an announcement from Alejo’s office: Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo invites community members to an open house at his Hollister office. This is an opportunity for constituents to learn about the services and information the office can provide constituents in San Benito County. Food and wine from San Benito County will be served at the event. Assemblymember Alejo and his district staff will be available to discuss legislation and upcoming community events in San Benito County. To RSVP please call (831) 759-8676 or email Javier Gomez at
Ja**********@as*.gov
July 4 block parties
Anyone wishing to close a street in the City of Hollister (a public right of way) for a block party at any time, but especially for 4th of July celebrations, must have permission from the City of Hollister. Applications are available in the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 375 Fifth St., Hollister, or by calling the City Clerk’s Office at (831) 636-4300, x 16 or 17. Applicants must submit a completed application for a block party as well as an executed hold harmless agreement, both of which are available from the City Clerk’s Office, as well as a certificate of insurance naming the City of Hollister as an additional insured. Certificates of insurance are usually available from a resident’s home owners insurance company. Normally a request is required to be submitted 30 days prior to an event. However, due to increased requests for 4th of July permits and scheduled City Council meetings, all completed applications for this 4th of July must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office no later than Thursday, June 4, 2015, at 5 p.m. For more, call Christine Black at (831) 636-4300, ext. 16.
Portuguese Festival
This year’s Portuguese Celebration in Hollister is set for May 23 and May 24, according to one of the organizers, Anthony Silva. Every year, Hollister’s Portuguese community celebrates over two days of festivities in the late spring. The Queen Coronation and dance are at 9 p.m. May 23 with the parade traditionally starting at 10 a.m. the following day. The parade starts at the SDES Hall and proceeds to Sacred Heart Church for the 11 a.m. mass. Also on that Sunday, people are invited to the meal after church, with traditional Portuguese sopas served.
Elks pancake breakfast
The Hollister Elks Lodge will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast on May 17 from 8 a.m. to noon. The menu will consist of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and juice. Adults are $12 and children under 12 are $6, with proceeds going to local charities. For reservations please call (831) 637-8088 for Elk members and their guests.
Casino trip fundraiser
The Hollister Senior Center is having a fundraiser trip to Table Mountain in May 23. The departure is 10 a.m. from the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St. The cost is $30 per person. Each participant gets $5 in free play at the casino. Anyone over age 21 is welcome. This is a fun trip to play bingo at Table Mountain. Advance registration is required. For more information, call Pauline at (831) 637-9275 or Dolly at 637-1980.
