Two South Valley churches invite residents to upcoming special
events.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 651 Broadway, has been a Gilroy
institution for more than a century and a half. Continuing a long
tradition of meeting community needs, it invites local residents to
join in another way to serve others.
Two South Valley churches invite residents to upcoming special events.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 651 Broadway, has been a Gilroy institution for more than a century and a half. Continuing a long tradition of meeting community needs, it invites local residents to join in another way to serve others.

For more than a year the church has been in the planning process of creating a preschool in its facilities. The state and county have rigid licensing standards, leading to major building remodeling expenses, but the project is nearing completion.

Now they are hosting a great opportunity for people to support this good cause while spending an enjoyable day pursuing a popular hobby. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, Scrapbook Frenzy will be held in the church’s parish hall.

Come join in a day of shared scrapbooking with other devotees of the pastime; there will be a “delicious lunch, decadent desserts and tasty munchies.” Also offered will be door prizes, hourly drawings for gifts and discount coupons provided by Michael’s. A variety of vendors will be present to display the latest in scrapbooking supplies.

The tax-deductible donation of $40 per person ($50 includes babysitting for a child) will go toward establishing this high-quality preschool that is sure to be a popular community resource.

The facility’s doors will open this fall to provide an after-school program for “children whose parents work and do not wish their child to be home alone between when school lets out and when parents arrive home.” Full day preschool classes will begin in the fall of 2010.

For more information or advance registration for future scrapbooking sessions scheduled for July 18 and August 15, call (408) 846-7196 or e-mail [email protected].

***

Since the 1940s, Hollister has been the site of annual motorcycle rallies around the time of the Fourth of July. In 1947, the event included an infamous riot; a fictionalized version was presented in the 1954 film “The Wild One.”

In 1995, the city sanctioned the annual event as the Hollister Independence Day Rally, which drew thousands of bikers from all over the state and beyond. Because of the throngs drawn, in 2006 it was canceled due to the lack of funding available to provide security.

The rally made its last official appearance in 2007, but in an altered format. Motorcyclists were banished to side streets; San Benito Street was closed except for vendors selling food and merchandise; the rally has been completely canceled for this year. Nevertheless, Hollister is still considered the “Birthplace of the American Biker,” and each Independence Day weekend sees motorcyclists appear in town, despite the lack of officially sanctioned events.

Mindful of this phenomenon and expecting many out-of-town visitors, the congregation of the Hollister United Methodist Church, 521 Monterey St., is inviting residents and visitors to enjoy breakfast on July 3 through 6 at their historic downtown location. They have turned their social hall into a “Hospitality Hall” for the “Biker Non-Rally.”

– Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 3, 4 and 5, will be an “all you can eat” pancake breakfast. Served from 8 a.m. to noon, the price is $9 for adults, $5 for children. Proceeds will go to support the congregation’s many outreach ministries to the community.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Ardyss Golden, welcomes everyone to come and enjoy the congregation’s hospitality. “Our goal is not financial but to reach out to people and share God’s love.”

For more information, call (831) 637-4240.

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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