Meet the artists reception is set
Advanced art students at San Benito High School are hosting a meet the artists reception for Art 107 from noon to 4 p.m. March 7. It is at the arts council’s ArtSpace, 240 Fifth St., Hollister, and is cosponsored by the San Benito County Arts Council. It will feature works of 32 students. For information, call John Robrock at (831) 6738.
“Sacred” concert at First Presbyterian
The “Sacred” Concert is set for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 2066 San Benito St., Hollister. It will include 130 young voices and Instruments from Monte Vista Christian School. This concert features selected sacred music from the 17th century to the present. The concert will be co-directed by music education specialist, Professor Christine Bass. Mrs. Bass is a professor of music education at Temple University in Philadelphia. The concert will be accompanied professional instrumentalists under the leadership of Emmy award-winning composer, John Wineglass. Monte Vista Christian School has had a long tradition of exceptional choral music. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and is free. Recordings will be available for purchase. For more information please contact MVCS Vocal Arts at (831) 768-6154 or je***************@mv**.org.
Veterans appreciation dinner scheduled
A Veterans Appreciation Dinner is set for March 28 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. It includes a no-host bar from 4-10 p.m., special presentation from 5-6 p.m., dinner from 6-7 p.m. and live music by “Moondance” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be tri-tip and a one-quarter chicken including coffee and dessert. It involves a donation of $15 per guest. Veterans are free with proof of service. It is presented by the local chapters of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Seating is limited to 350 and must be pre-purchased by going to the veterans building or calling the legion at (831) 637-7011 or the VFW at (831) 902-7811.
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.
Parent education seminar at HSD
A free event for legal guardian family members of those with special needs is set for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p,m. March 9 at the Hollister School District main office, 2690 Cienega Road. Learn how to prepare your child as they move on to various levels of school. Get tips and tools and connect with other parents. There is Spanish translation, free parking and snacks, along with child care with advanced notice. For more information, call (831) 637-5393, ext 112. Space is limited.
Park Hill garden celebration
Vista Park Hill Community Garden is hosting a 15th anniversary celebration. It is from 3-5 p.m. March 20. It is in appreciation of all who’ve supported the garden including the city and Community Foundation. All gardeners past and future are welcome to explore and learn more. There is a plant sale to benefit R.E.A.C.H. For more information, email ju**********@ya***.com.
‘Act Local’ business workshop event
The San Benito County Business Council is presenting an “ACT LOCAL” Business Workshop called Doing Business with Federal and Local Governments and Public Agencies featuring Jeff Cuskey of the Monterey Bay Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Attendees will learn about government contracting and business opportunities. The workshop will be held 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. March 26 upstairs in the Hollister Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. The free, public event will be hosted by the San Benito Business Council in collaboration with the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and the Hollister Downtown Association. ‘ACT LOCAL’ is an initiative of the San Benito County Business Council encouraging county agencies, businesses and residents to do business, invest, donate and volunteer locally. For further information and to register for the workshop see SBCBusinessCouncil.com or contact Business Council Executive Director Kristina Chavez Wyatt at (831) 524-0408 or Kr******@SB****************.com.
Women’s Club Flamingo Hunt
Join the Women’s Club and Friends on a scavenger hunt 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. March 11. It is $20 and includes lunch at the fabulous San Juan Oaks with limited seating. RSVP by March 9 to Jeanne Liem at (831) 801-2020 or Anne Brooks at (831) 245-7198. Afterward there’s a lunch and speaking event. The price is $17, but first-time visitors are free. Lunch will be followed by our speaker, Susan Hamilton, life and health coach, who will speak on “Wheat Belly”, with the business meeting to follow. The club is celebrating 100 years of community service. Reservations should be called to Glenda at (831) 265-7027 by March 10.
Gavilan’s ‘Bach to Blues’ concert
This fundraising concert is a showcase for regional talent, featuring Gavilan College faculty, students and performers from the community. This year’s line-up includes pianist Maria Amirkhanian, flamenco guitarist Alberto Marques, blues guitarist John Garcia, Gavilan College voice instructor Nate Pruitt, Dahveed Behroozi, and the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition. It is set for 7:30 p.m. March 14 at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard in Gilroy. Tickets are on sale at the Gavilan College Bookstore, Porcella’s Music, BookSmart in Morgan Hill and the Gavilan College sites in Morgan Hill and Hollister. General Admission is $15; seniors/students are $10. All proceeds will benefit the Gavilan College Music Program. For more information, call Maria Amirkhanian at (408) 848-4796.
‘Activate downtown’
The San Benito Arts Council is offering free, informative, interactive and collaborative workshops led by nonprofit consultant, Nancy Ragey. The upcoming workshops are designed to benefit your organizational capacity and encourage collaboration within our arts and culture community.
The following is information on those events:
Building a Sustainable Organization was set for 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Feb. 27. Building and Sustaining a Successful Fundraising Program is 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 27. Each session will include a breakout session to discuss “Art Nights,” a monthly showcase of art & culture during the Downtown Farmers’ Market. All workshops are held at ARTspace, 240 Fifth Street in downtown Hollister. Coffee & pastries will be provided.
Downtown Spring Cleanup in April
The Hollister Downtown Association is hosting a downtown cleanup from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. April 18. Meet at Fourth and San Benito streets. Bring your brooms, dustpans, gloves, clippers and shovels. Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, Church Groups, Service Clubs, students needing service hours and community minded adults are encouraged to come and help.
HDA Plant Sale
Planning is now underway for the 2015 Plant Sale and Garden Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the corner of Fourth and San Benito sreets. This free event for the public will have annuals, herbs, bedding plants and mixed pots for sale at discounted prices. It will also have information about composting, water efficient landscapes and rebate programs to assist residents in planning or re-inventing a yard or garden area. All proceeds to benefit the HDA’s community events and programs.
San Benito County Science Fair
The San Benito County Science Fair will have an open house from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday March 24 at the Veterans Memorial Building at 649 San Benito Street in Hollister. The awards ceremony will be from 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on the same day.
