April
Saturday 4/25
HOLLISTER
Healthy Kids Day
The YMCA of San Benito County is hosting Healthy Kids Day on
April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA office, 339 Fifth St.
The free event will include vendor booths, games and activities.
Families can try out a free fitness class. Some options include
yoga, tai chi, palates, karate, stability ball and piyo. The Mobile
Shark Tank and S.J. Sharkie, the mascot for the San Jose Sharks,
will be visiting Hollister during the event. The team donated
equipment to start an NHL street hockey league through the local
YMCA. For more information, call 637-8600 or visit
www.centralcoastymca.org.
April
Saturday 4/25
HOLLISTER
Healthy Kids Day
The YMCA of San Benito County is hosting Healthy Kids Day on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA office, 339 Fifth St. The free event will include vendor booths, games and activities. Families can try out a free fitness class. Some options include yoga, tai chi, palates, karate, stability ball and piyo. The Mobile Shark Tank and S.J. Sharkie, the mascot for the San Jose Sharks, will be visiting Hollister during the event. The team donated equipment to start an NHL street hockey league through the local YMCA. For more information, call 637-8600 or visit www.centralcoastymca.org.
Open Studios Tour
The San Benito Open Studios tour is April 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is a self-guided tour of artists’ studios in Hollister, Aromas and San Juan Bautista. The artists work in mediums such as clay, paint, jewelry making and weaving, among others. The tour is a chance to interact with the artists and see their work in the place where they create it. For more information, visit www.sanbenitoarts.org, e-mail [email protected] or call Gail Mutoza at 726-9242.
Circle of Reflection
The Hollister Japanese Temple Garden will host a Circle of Reflection with Dharma talk and Meditation on Saturday, April 25, from 1 p.m. at 920 Riverside Road, in Hollister. Rev. Taijo Imanaka will discuss Dharma talk and meditation. Imanaka is a Shingon Buddhist priest and is the head priest at the Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Seattle. For more information, call 637-6361.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Eco-spirituality retreat
Carol Kaplan and Keith Warner will present an Eco-spirituality retreat at St. Francis Retreat, 549 Mission Vineyard Road, in San Juan. The event will examine how people can deepen their spirituality through reflection on the biblical story of creation and the life of St. Francis. Visitors can explore the native plant garden, walk an outdoor prayer path and reflect on the beauty of the retreat center. The cost is $50 with lunch included. For more information, call 623-4234 or visit www.stfrancisretreat.com.
Cactus and succulent show
The Monterey Bay Area Cactus and Succulent Society will be hosting a show and sale at the Jardines restaurant courtyard in San Juan Bautista April 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature unusual and weird drought-resistant plants. Admission is free. For more information, call 758-6645.
‘A Year in Israel’ artist reception
The Galeria Tonantzin, 115 Third St., will be hosting “A Year in Israel” photo exhibit through April 30. The photos are the work of Daniel Dreifuss, a photojournalist from San Diego who took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Israel in 2007. The gallery will be open Friday, Saturday and Sundays for viewing.
AROMAS
Pottery open house
Potter Jane Rekedal will host an open house at her studio, 1560 Cannon Road, in Aromas April 25, 26, May 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some of the items available to viewing and for purchase are garden pots, bird baths, serving dishes and other items. The first two days coincide with the San Benito County Open Studios Art Tour. For more information, call 566-4576 or e-mail [email protected].
TRES PINOS
Life in the 1840s
The San Benito County Historical Society will host a gathering at the Historical Park in Tres Pinos that will include reenactments of life in the 1840s for traders and mountain men April 25 and 26. Admission is free.
For more information, call 637-1232.
PINNACLES
Junior Ranger Day
Pinnacles National Monument staff are celebrating National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day with a series of programs and activities for kids ages 3 to 13, with parents in attendance. The event is April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a “Creatures of the Night” program for overnight guests. The evens include a reading corner, condor tracking, plants and flowers walk, geology talk and a pollination activity. Children can turn in activity books to a ranger to earn a patch, badge or certificate. For more information, call 389-4486, ext. 262 or visit www.nps.gov/pinn.
GILROY
All Creatures Great and Small spring fling
All Creatures Great and Small Rescue is hosting its 2nd annual spring fling fundraiser April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dog House Inn of Gilroy, 8525 Forest St., Ste. D. The event will feature a silent auction, photographer, prices, a chance to meet other dog owners, and an opportunity to see adoptable cats and dogs. To bring along a dog, call to register in advance. For more information, call 408-842-5600 or visit www.thedoghouseinn.com; or contact All Creatures Great and Small at 636-7559 or by visiting www.allcreaturesgs.org.
CARMEL
St. Lawrence String Quartet
Chamber Music Monterey Bay is proud to present the St. Lawrence String Quartet on Saturday, April 25, at 8 p.m. at the Sunset Center in Carmel. Members of the ensemble will conduct a pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m. The group will perform Haydn’s string quartet #2, Op. 77 and Mendelssohn’s string quartet in F minor, Op. 80. Tickets are $29-52. For more information, call 625-2212 or visit www.chambermusicmontereybay.org.
MOSS LANDING
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories open house
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories staff and students will be hosting an open house April 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 8272 Moss Landing Road. The free event is open to the public and will highlight the research being conducted at the nonprofit education and research facility. Visitors can learn about how researchers study the underwater canyon, determine the ages of fishes, track and monitor marine animals and dive under the ice in Antarctica. For more information, call 771-4400 or visit www.mlml.calstate.edu.
Sunday 4/26
HOLLISTER
Pet Friends Spring Drive-thru barbecue
Pet Friends will host its annual spring drive-thru barbecue Sunday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pet Friends Center, 2975 Buena Vista Road. Tickets need to be purchased in advance and are available for $15. The donation includes a half a chicken, garlic bread, beans and salad. For more information, call 634-1191.
4-H Pancake breakfast
The San Benito County 4-H Clubs will host an annual pancake breakfast April 25, from 7 a.m. to noon at the Hollister Elk’s Lodge at the airport. Tickets are available from club members, or at the door for a $5 donation. The breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, country potatoes, strawberries, juice and coffee. The proceeds support various 4-H clubs in the county.
For more information, call Cathy Alameda at 637-8340.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Peak Day at Fremont Peak
The Native Daughters Parlor #179 along with VFW Post 6359 will be hosting Peak Day at Fremont Park, Sunday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The barbecue and activities are open to the public. The flag will be raised at Fremont Peak in a presentation by the VFW. Speakers will talk about the past and there will be old-fashioned games for children. For more information, call 623-2664, 623-4320 or 623-2001.
WATSONVILLE
St. Francis Spring Festival
St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School will be hosting its annual Spring Festival April 26, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Kennedy Youth Center, 2401 East Lake Ave. The event will include a barbecue chicken with ravioli, games, music, a silent auction, raffle and farmers’ market. Tickets are $12 for adults or $6 for children for presale, or $15 for adults or $8 for children at the door. For more information, contact Brenda Tsuda at 334-9366 or [email protected].
Bonsai exhibition
The Watsonville Bonsai club will host its 36th annual Bonsai Exhibition at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St., Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The event will include door prizes, raffle of demonstration trees, sales of plants and pots, and tea and cookies. Katsumi Kinoshita will offer a demonstration at 2 p.m. For more information, call Don White at 724-9283.
May
Friday 5/1
HOLLISTER
Aladdin Jr.
The San Benito Stage Company presents Aladdin Jr. starting May 1 through May 10, at the Granada Theater. Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m. with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available at PostNet or by calling 524-6667. Prices are $12 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under and seniors 55 and older. A family pack for four is $40. The show is produced by Pattie Saso, directed by Sally Hail and choreographed by Jessica Smiley.
Satuday 5/2
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Indian Market and Peace Pow Wow
The 25th Annual California Indian Market and Peace Pow Wow will be held in the Mission San Juan Bautista parking lot on Second Street May 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event features arts and crafts, dancers, drummers and native food. For more information, visit www.peacevision.net or call 623-4771.
HOLLISTER
‘Late Nite Catechism’
The longest running one-person show in Chicago’s theater history will be performed at Sacred Heart St. Benedict, Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m., in O’Reilly Hall, 670 College St. The show, ‘Late Nite Catechism,’ is an interactive play, where the actress playing the nun acts as though the audience members are her catechism students. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will go to O’Reilly Hall improvements. Tickets are available at the parish school office, the pastoral office, Postal Graphics (formerly PostNet), Nino Real Estate, Dimensions Salon and Righetti’s.
MACE banquet tickets on sale
HOLLISTER – The Mexican American Committee on Education is now selling tickets for its 39th Annual Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Banquet. The banquet will be Saturday, May 2, from 5 p.m. to midnight. Keynote speaker Rocky Delgadillo, the city attorney for Los Angeles, will speak at 7 p.m. There will also be a tribute to the 2009 community award honorees, Jose Zepeda and Guille Reynoso. Tickets are $45.
For more information, call 673-2009 or 245-6971 or visit www.themacecommitte.org.
GILROY
Coyote Creek Bird Walk
Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center volunteer and National Park Service docent Jane Haley will lead a bird walk May 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. along Coyote Creek, north of Morgan Hill. Participants will have an opportunity to observe migratory birds as well as discover an appreciation of local birds, their habitat and ecological importance. Due to the terrain, the walk is not recommended for young children. The program is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. For more information, or to register, call 408-779-9372 or visit www.werc-ca.org.
Sunday 5/3
SAN JOSE
San Jose Wind Symphony’s ‘South of the Border’
The San Jose Wind Symphony will perform the ‘South of the Border’ concert as part of its ‘Music Makes the World Go Round’ series. The concert will be May 3 at 3 p.m. at the McAfee Center, 20300 Herriman Ave., in Saratoga. Tickets are $5 for students, $16 for seniors, and $20 for regular admission. The program includes the vocals of Manuel Romero, a Milpitas native and a Grammy-nominated singer. Some of the musical pieces to be performed include “Cielito Lindo,” “Ave Maria” and “Zacatecas Mexican March.” For more information, visit www.sjws.org or call 408-927-7597.
Saturday 5/9
HOLLISTER
Italian Ravioli and Dinner Dance
The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 26 will host an Italian Ravioli dinner and dance at Sacred Heart’s O’Reilly Hall, 680 College St., in Hollister, Saturday, May 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 5 to 12, and free for children under 5. Ticket includes meal and dancing to music by “The Casuals.” No-host bar. Tickets are available through presale at Pennywise Drug Store, an ICF member, or by calling 902-6163, 902-5151 or 207-9251.
AROMAS
Aromas Country Garden Tour
The Aromas Hills Artisans will host its annual Country Garden Tour May 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is a $10 donation to be paid at the Aromas Grange, at Rose and Bardue streets. At the grange, master gardeners will be on site to answer gardening questions, and 4-H club members will be selling jams, jellies, box lunches and potted plants. From there, ticket holders can visit the gardens, where artists will be displaying their work. Some of the items will be original paintings, fine jewelry, stained glass and more. For more information, visit www.aromashillsartisans.com or call 726-1786.
CARMEL
Plant sale at Carmel Middle School
Carmel Middle School will be hosting a benefit for the Hilton Bialek Habitat by selling central coast native plants and student-grown organic starters May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature a farmers’ market, crafts and music by Cachagua Playboys. Event is free, but items for purchase require cash or check only. For more information, call 650-804-9612.
Saturday 5/16
TRES PINOS
Shake, Rattle and Roll car and motorcycle show
The Road Angels are looking for entries for the 3rd annual Shake, Rattle and Roll car and motorcycle show will be held May 16, at the San Benito County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entries for pre-1973 cars and trucks, and any year motorcycle (with no hydraulics) are $25 if registered before May 1, or $30 at the gate. Those who preregister by May 1 will received a goodie bag and a T-shirt. The event will feature food, music and a raffle. Admission is free, but there is a $5 parking fee. Proceeds will benefit children’s diabetes. For more information, call 724-2632 or download the registration form at www.roadanglescarclub.com.
LOS BANOS
Kids’ fishing and fun day
The Department of Water Resources and California State Parks staff and volunteers will host the 20th annual Kids’ Fishing and Fun Day at San Luis Creek on the O’Neill Forebay May 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. Children ages 3 to 15 may sign up. Free bait is provided, as well as a free lunch and other goodies. There will be free pontoon boat rides (if the weather is nice) and kids will learn the art of Japanese fish printing. Cost is $6 per car for a day use fee. For more information, call 209-827-5353 or e-mail [email protected] with Fishing Day as the subject line.
Sunday 5/17
CARMEL
MayFaire
The Carmel Orchid Society has joined with the Carmel Valley Garden Club Flower and Art Show and the Hidden Valley Music seminar for their annual MayFaire. The show will be at the Hidden Valley Music Seminars, at 88 W. Carmel Valley Road and Ford Road in Carmel Valley Village May 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature plant and floral displays for judging, a lecture series, potting demonstrations, a silent auction and raffle, among other events. Admission is free. For more information, call Carolyn Salmon at 375-3748 or visit www.carmelorchidsociety.org, www.cvgardenclub.org or www.hiddenvalleymusic.org.
Friday 5/22
HOLLISTER
An Evening in Paris
Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Benito County will be hosting “An Evening in Paris Dinner and Dance,” Friday, May 22, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at San Juan Oaks Golf Club. The event will feature a dinner, dance, a silent auction, and a chance to win wine from local wineries. Tickets for the dinner dance are $55 a person. Tickets will be sold at the door for a chance to win the wine heist at $10 each. For more information, call Esther Curtice at 637-4992.
Saturday 5/30
HOLLISTER
Sock Hop
Leadership San Benito County is hosting a ’50s Sock Hop to raise money for Jovenes de Antano senior programs May 30, from 5 p.m. to midnight. The event will include a ’50s costume contest, raffle, dinner and a dessert bar. No-host cocktails at 5 p.m., dinner and program at 6 p.m. and dancing from 7 p.m. to midnight. Live music by “Come Back Buddy.” Tickets are $50 per person, $30 for those 65 and over. To sponsor the event or make donations, contact Pauline Valdivia at 637-9275 or for tickets, contact Robbie Russell at 901-7283 or by e-mail to [email protected].
Dog Days of Hollister
The Hollister Dog Owners Group will be hosting the Dog Days of Hollister May 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dunne Park, West and Sixth streets. Well-behaved dogs over 6 months of age and their owners are invited to attend. Dogs should be on a leash at all times and have proof of a current rabies vaccination. Children under 12 or free. There is a $3 entrance fee for adults, $2 with donation of dog food. The event will include vendors and rescue groups, as well as a pooch parade, a costumer contest and other dog contest. The event is co-sponsored by HDOG, the Hollister Downtown Association and the Gavilan Kennel Club. For more information, call 636-4809 or visit www.hollisterdog.org.
San Benito Oriana Chorale spring concerts
The San Benito Oriana Chorale is hosting two spring concerts Saturday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2300 Airline Hwy. Under the direction of Bruce Olstad, the choir will sing “Songs From the Heart of America.” Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for teens, and free for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at PostNet and Visions of Christmas, or at the door. For more information, call 637-0409.
