Find out the latest on events and news briefs in San Benito County.
‘Pink Out’ football game
In recognition of national breast cancer awareness month, San Benito High’s football field will be painted pink for the team’s home game against Salinas on Oct. 3. The Pink Out Game honors breast cancer survivors or someone who has lost their battle with breast cancer. During the game, 300 balloons will be released, with each balloon having the name of a breast cancer survivor or someone who has died from breast cancer on it. If you would like to honor or remember someone, email bf************@gm***.com with their name and if you are honoring or remembering them. One can also add a name to a balloon during the freshmen game on Oct. 2 or before the junior varsity and varsity contests on Oct. 3. Baler Pink Out apparel will be available for sale by Baler Backers. Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital will be handing out pink pom-poms. If your business would like to join in on the evening’s events, please contact Mindy Sotelo at 801-1404 or Juli Vieira at 801-3599.
Arts Council’s new space
The San Benito County Arts Council will host a celebration of its new space from 5-7 p.m. at 240 Fifth St. There will be food and music at the event.
Fall art classes
The San Benito County Arts Council is offering three sets of fall art classes, which include courses in painting and drawing with charcoal. There will be three month long sessions including one from Sept. 8 to Oct. 3, a second from Oct. 6 to Oct. 31 and a third from Nov. 3 to Dec. 5. Classes will be held in the council’s new art space at 240 5th Street. For more information, including the full class schedule, registration forms and rates, go to sanbenitoarts.org or call Jennifer Laine at (831) 636-2787.
Patriot Pen contest
Hollister VFW Post 9242 will award a $100 check to the winner of this year’s Patriot Pen Essay Contest and $25 checks to runner-ups. It is open to students in grades 6-8. Rules and entry forms can be obtained at the county superintendent’s office or at vfw.org. The deadline to submit is Nov. 1. The theme is “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans”. Any school that would like the contest chairman to visit and speak to students, call Bob Burnham at (831) 638-1703. Entries should go to: Bob Burnham at 860 Marne Drive, Hollister, 95023
Jacqueline Dilley fundraiser dance
The second annual Jacqueline Dilley Medical Fundraiser Dinner Dance is set for 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Elks Lodge, 351 Astro Drive. The theme is 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. It is optional to come dressed in costume from your favorite era. Tickets are $45 each and are available at Postal Graphics. For information, call (408) 960-9543. Tickets cannot be sold at the door.
Entertainers for boutique
Entertainers are needed for the Rancho-Maze Band Holiday Boutique. Organizers are looking for community performers who’d like to perform on Nov. 1 at Rancho San Justo Middle School. The Boutique’s from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. People can call (831) 245-8462 for information.
SJB historical society open house
The Historical Society and Library Auxiliary will once again host an Open House at Luck Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11. Details will be finalized in the next historical society newsletter, which will be circulated about three weeks before the event. Local organizations and nonprofits have been invited to participate for the purposes of showcasing their projects, fundraising, recruiting membership, etc. The Library Auxiliary will hold a silent auction to raise funds for their summer children’s program. The Digital San Juan Project will be a highlight of the day, featuring newly scanned and processed vintage photographs that have been donated over the years and more recently as well.
Business After Hours
The next monthly Business After Hours event hosted by the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is set for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Dona Esther Mexican Restaurant at 25 Frankly St. in San Juan Bautista.
CASA seeks advocates
CASA is looking for adult volunteers interested in becoming advocates for foster children from San Benito County. No special background or education is required, just someone who cares about making a difference in their community and a foster child’s life. For more information, please call (831) 637-4992 or email: in**@ca***********.org.
Pinnacles birding trips
The Pinnacles Condor Fund Committee of Pinnacles Partnership will host several fund-raising birding trips in Pinnacles National Park this fall to raise money for the Condor Restoration Program. These trips will be led by Rusty Scalf and/or Richard Neidhardt and Condor Crew volunteers, according to an announcement from Pinnacles Partnership. According to that announcement: Rusty is a life-long birder who has been teaching bird identification to beginning birders since 1990. He is active in the County Breeding Bird Atlas programs of Alameda, Contra Costa, Yolo and Solano Counties. Rusty also leads trips for the Monterey Birding Festival. Richard Neidhardt is a long-time volunteer on the Pinnacles Condor Crew and has intimate knowledge of the Central California condor flock. Fall hike dates are Oct. 4 and 18, Nov. 1 and 22, and December 6. Participation in these trips requires a donation of $50 per person. Register at www.PinnaclesPartnership.org/donate. Direct questions to in**@pi******************.org.
Pinnacles seeks youths for team
Pinnacles National Park is seeking up to two enthusiastic local youth (age 18 – 25 years) to join our team and make a difference in Pinnacles’ stewardship. Join the Ranger Corps as a part-time to full-time local intern (16-40 hrs/week) for this fall. Learn about the ecology, geology, cultural history, flora and fauna of our area with an emphasis on ethnobotany and California condor recovery. Help visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit to the park. Work alongside National Park Service professionals and experience the various jobs required to manage a national park. Must be between the ages of 18-25 and pass a background check. Benefits include a bi-weekly stipend ranging from $144-360 per week and an AmeriCorps educational award of $1,175 after completion of a minimum of 300 hours of service between September and December. Program begins mid-September; the application deadline is Sept. 8. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and references to De**********@np*.gov. For more information, contact Denise via email (De**********@np*.gov) or at (831) 389-4486 x222.
Pet Friends Fur Ball
Pet Friends is hosting its second annual Fur Ball event set for 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Hollister Elks Club, 351 Astro Drive, at the airport. It is an evening of music, dining, raffles and fellowship to benefit animals at Pet Friends. Attendees can don their best “fake fur” apparel and join the group for a tri-tip buffet with pasta, salads, garlic bred and dessert. There is a no-host bar with a D.J. and dancing. Tickets are $35 per person or $350 for a table of 10 plus 20 complementary raffle tickets. Ticket sales close Oct. 18. Contact Pet Friends at (831) 634-1191 or go to petfriends.org. Tickets are also available at Postal Graphics, Country Groomers or from any board member. All proceeds benefit the care of animals at Pet Friends.
Casino trip fundraiser
The Hollister Senior Center is having a fundraiser trip to Table Mountain and Chukchansi Indian Casinos on Oct. 11. Departure is 6:30 a.m. from the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St. The cost is $30 per person. Each participant gets $5 free play at Table Mountain Casino, $10 free play and $5 food voucher at Chukchansi Casino. The trip is open to anyone 21 and older. This is a fun trip with a raffle, bingo and a drawing for two free seats for this trip. Advance registration is required. For more information call Pauline at (831) 637-9275 week days or Dolly at 637-1980.
