The Mexican American Committee on Education of San Benito County presents the popular and renowned Chicano, all-time, five-time Grammy award winner Little Joe & La Familia celebrating Cultura in San Benito County. It is set for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 12 at Bolado Park, 9000 Airline Highway in Tres Pinos.
Class of ’71 fundraiser
The Class of 1971 Scholarship will hold its 8th annual Luncheon, Silent Auction and Raffle Fundraiser on Aug. 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pinnacle Hills Golf Course (formerly the Bolado Park Golf Club) in Tres Pinos. The address is 7777 Airline Highway. The fundraiser is $25 per person. To make reservations, email Rudy Bermudes at ru*****@ho*****.com. Payments can be made at the door. The luncheon will be catered by Chef Michael Fisher, owner of Fisher’s Catering in Hollister. He is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Culinary Arts in Paris and, prior to starting his own business, worked at such prestigious restaurants as Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley and Restaurant Daniel in Manhattan. The Class of 1971 Scholarship is sponsored by the San Benito High School alumni class of 1971. The only alumni class, thus far, to establish a scholarship for graduating Haybalers. Since 2009, the group has awarded $14,000 in scholarships to 11 Baler graduates, who are pursuing or have earned their college degrees at Arizona State University, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU Sacramento, and other institutions. For more details about the fundraiser, go to classof1971scholarship.org. The scholarship was established in 2007. The non-profit organization is headed by Rudy Bermudes, president, and Debbie (Carrillo) Villalon, vice-president.
Music at the Mission
On Aug 16, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., the splendor of the sanctuary at Mission San Juan Bautista, California’s treasured “Mission of Music,” Cabrillo Festival will celebrate its Grand Finale performances of the 2015 season. The program begins with Christopher Rouse’s Supplica, meaning “supplication” in Italian. Rouse provides audiences very little explanation of his influence, save to say that he felt an inner compulsion to write the work as an intimate and impassioned communication with meaning “that must remain personal. “Receiving its U.S. premiere is James MacMillan’s Epiclesis, a musical meditation on the mystery of the Eucharist and the idea of transformation of materials. “MacMillan writes brilliantly for brass. The trumpet is not used as a bravura expressionist, more as a virtuoso communicator,” wrote The Scotsman. Cabrillo Festival features Norwegian trumpet soloist Tine Thing Helseth, one of the leading trumpet soloists of her generation. For more, email in**@ca***********.org or call (831) 420-5260.
San Benito Stage Company announces auditions for their teen musical, Catch Me If You Can. This musical is set in1960’s America, featuring great jazz music, as young con man Frank Abagnale Jr spins a web of deception posing as a pilot, lawyer and doctor. He is a step ahead of the FBI for a time however Agent Hanratty is not easy to evade.
Catch Me If You Can auditions
Auditions will be held on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21 from 6 p.m.m to 9 p.m. or Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Granada Theatre on Fifth Street in Hollister. Teens age 13-19 are encouraged to audition. Show opens Oct. 30. For more information, go to sanbenitostage.org, or else call (831) 636-0122 or Kristy at 636-6810.
Publishers to host meet and greet events
Join Jeff Mitchell, publisher of New SV Media, Inc. (Morgan Hill Times, Gilroy Dispatch and Hollister Free Lance,) and Bobbi Jo Palmer, publisher of Out & About Magazine, for “Coffee with the Publishers” on three upcoming dates. Meet with them from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 8 at Fifth Street Coffee, 7501 Monterey Road, Gilroy; Aug. 15 at GVA, 17400 Monterey St., Morgan Hill; and Aug. 22 at Heavenly Bakery, 601 San Benito St., Hollister. Here’s your opportunity to let the publishers know how they’re doing and how they can improve. For information, call (408) 842-6400.
Details announced for pre-fair dinner
The 33rd District Agricultural Association invites the public to enjoy an evening of networking, great food, and fun at the annual Pre-Fair Dinner & Fundraiser. The event happens on Aug. 22 at Bolado Park Event Center. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the San Benito County Fair. The Pre-Fair Dinner & Fundraiser begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour and opportunity to view some of the latest improvements in the Pavilion, which has undergone extensive remodel thanks to the Heritage Foundation, Devcon Construction, and Randy and Rebecca Wolf. During the social hour, guests can take part in the opportunity drawing for themed baskets provided by 4-H, FFA, and the Bolado Park Youth Ambassador Program. Additionally, the mystery boxes are back featuring a rifle prize and spa package. A live auction and reverse drawing will keep the fun-filled evening packed with excitement. Tickets for the event are $30 per person and can be purchased from the fair office or any member of the 33rd DAA Board of Directors. The $100 Reverse Draw tickets must be purchased in advance, and winners need not be present to win. The Pre-Fair Dinner & Fundraiser is sponsored by Holaday Seed Company.
Una Noche de Música
The Hollister Dual Language Academy Presents its Una Noche de Música, the third annual school fundraiser, on Aug. 29 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Come support the school while you enjoy the live music from Naked in Vegas and DJ Sergio. There will be raffles, silent auctions, music, dancing, beer and wine bar and food. For more information and for tickets to this 21-and-over event, go to www.HDLAParentsClub.com
Little Joe & La Familia
The Mexican American Committee on Education of San Benito County presents the popular and renowned Chicano, all-time, five-time Grammy award winner Little Joe & La Familia celebrating Cultura in San Benito County. It is set for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 12 at Bolado Park, 9000 Airline Highway in Tres Pinos. It is also featuring the best Tex-Mex band around, The Silveradoz Band & Sergio Martinez. Tickets are $50 with all sold in advance, with none sold at the door. For information, call (831) 245-6971.
Northern California Renaissance Faire
The Northern California Renaissance Faire is set for Sept. 19 to Oct. 18 at Casa de Fruta along the Pacheco Pass Highway. The renaissance faire recreates a village from the middle ages and includes such entertainment jousting, concerns, guilds and musicians along with an array of crafts, food, games and themed weekends. Tickets are $25 for the day, $35 for a weekend pass or $150 for the season pass. There is also a two-for-one coupon available on the event website. For more information, go to norcalrenfaire.com.
Casa seeks adult volunteers
CASA of San Benito County is looking for adult volunteers to become child advocates for local foster youth in need. The next volunteer training session will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Sept. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and ending Oct. 26. There is no special background or education required to become an advocate, just someone who is willing to spend a few hours each month making a difference in a foster child’s life. To know more, please visit www.casasanbenito.org or call (831) 637-4992.
San Benito County Fair
The 2015 San Benito County Fair kicks off with the Fair Horse Show activities the weekend of September 25-27. Oct. 1 is the official first day opening of full fair activities. The run of the fair includes livestock shows, expanded entertainment, food vendors, commercial exhibitors, amusements, the Taste of San Benito, Heritage Foundation activities, and more. The four-day run of the fair concludes on Oct. 4. The fair office may be reached at 628-3421 or 9000 Airline Highway for ticket purchase or information on the 2015 fair. Individuals may also visit www.sanbenitocountyfair.com.
San Benito Olive Festival
The San Benito Olive Festival is set for Oct. 17. It is the 3rd annual gourmet celebration of local agriculture and culinary delights! Visitors can taste award-winning olive oils, artisanal foods, and fine chocolates. They can discover world-class wines and craft beers or become inspired by celebrity chef cooking demonstrations. Mingle with local growers and creators. Enjoy live music, hands-on crafts, and more. Foodies and families are welcome. For more information, go to
Downtown Farmers Market
The Downtown Hollister Certified Farmers’ Market is every Wednesday from 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. through 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.
Pinnacles Condor Experience
The Pinnacles Condor Experience is an educational fundraiser benefiting Pinnacles Partnership and our Pinnacles Condor Fund. Join condor trackers and protectors, Pinnacles National Park staff, and other experts in condors, birding, botany, wildlife, and geology for an unforgettable eight hours in Pinnacles National Park. Begin this day-long adventure at 8:30 a.m. in a Pinnacles classroom learning about the California Condor and Pinnacles’ birds, geology, flora and fauna and history. Throughout the day, learn about the collaboration between public and private agencies including Pinnacles National Park, and volunteers who work with them, that operate the Condor Restoration Program. The science, technology, dedication, and human goodwill behind this work to protect and preserve the endangered California Condor are inspiring. After the hike, join again with other participants, guides, and teachers for a simple, in-park meal that revisits the day’s adventures and wraps up lingering questions. It is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. It is limited to 15 people per hike and is $150 per person.
