South Valley Symphony’s
”
Made in America
”
takes place at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at the Gavilan College
Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard. Director Anthony Quartuccio
has designed this season’s
”
family pops concert
”
as a celebration of American masterpieces from the concert hall
to the dramatic stage. Highlights will be Gershwin’s
”
Rhapsody in Blue
”
featuring soloist Camille Vargas, winner of the 2007 Marion
Felice Piano Competition;
”
A Wintry Vale,
”
a composition by Santa Clara University grad Anica Galindo;
Gershwin’s
”
Girl Crazy Overture
”
and
”
Porgy and Bess Suite
”
; Edward MacDowell’s
”
Suite No.1 – In a Haunted Forest.
”
Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and free for
children and students.
March 22
VFW pasta feed
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242 invites the public to attend its inaugural pasta feed fundraiser March 22 at the Veterans Memorial Building. Proceeds go to support VFW programs while providing support and services for troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and those returning home. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner’s at 7 p.m. From 8 p.m. until midnight there will be music and dancing. Tickets are $25 per person.
Call either Jim at 637-9499, Jesse at 637-9028, Tom at 636-8217 or Elegant Touch at 637-6246.
VFW Easter egg hunt
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold its annual Easter egg hunt on March 22. It will be at the Veterans Memorial Park starting at 1 p.m. There will be three areas for hunting eggs for various age groups.
South Valley Symphony
South Valley Symphony’s “Made in America” takes place at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard. Director Anthony Quartuccio has designed this season’s “family pops concert” as a celebration of American masterpieces from the concert hall to the dramatic stage. Highlights will be Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” featuring soloist Camille Vargas, winner of the 2007 Marion Felice Piano Competition; “A Wintry Vale,” a composition by Santa Clara University grad Anica Galindo; Gershwin’s “Girl Crazy Overture” and “Porgy and Bess Suite”; Edward MacDowell’s “Suite No.1 – In a Haunted Forest.” Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and free for children and students.
Tickets are available at Porcella’s Music and First Street Coffee Exchange in Gilroy, Booksmart in Morgan Hill, Post Net in Hollister and Mission Gallery in San Juan Bautista – Mission Gallery, or online at www.artsopolis.com.
March 25
Biker rally volunteers
Calling all volunteers and nonprofits: The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Horse Power Promotions would like to invite you to the Hollister Motorcycle Rally kick-off fair and volunteer get together at the Veterans Memorial Building on March 25 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. If you or your organization would like to help out during the rally or if you have any questions about the rally this is the place to be. Refreshments and information all free!
March 26
Chamber Lunch with Leaders
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce Lunch with Leaders program is featuring Lisa Rheinheimer of San Benito County Council of Governments to speak on the Highway 25 bypass and sponsor Seth Doulton of Horsepower Promotions. Please join us for lunch at Paine’s Restaurant on March 26 at 11:30 a.m. You must make reservations with the chamber in advance, and the cost is $15.
To make a reservation please call us at 637-5315.
March 31
Book sale
A free workshop will be offered through San Benito County Behavioral Health beginning Thursday, March 31 at 6:15 p.m. at San Benito High School. The interactive workshop is for Spanish-speaking parents of 9-14-year olds to help you and your family learn the skills to work together and prevent unhealthy behaviors (such as using alcohol or drugs or gang involvement).
Please call Juanita Luna at 636-4020 to register or obtain more information.
AARP Tax-Aide Program Seeks Volunteers
The AARP is seeking volunteers of all ages who want to learn tax law and help prepare tax returns for middle and low income taxpayers. Volunteers receive free training from the IRS and are asked to give a minimum of 40 hours over a ten week season. Local training is scheduled in late January 2008.
For more information contact San Benito County Coordinator Dolly De Vasier at (831) 637-1980.
Free health workshop
A free workshop will be offered through San Benito County Behavioral Health beginning Thursday, March 31 at 6:15 p.m. at San Benito High School. The interactive workshop is for Spanish-speaking parents of 9-14-year olds to help you and your family learn the skills to work together and prevent unhealthy behaviors (such as using alcohol or drugs or gang involvement).
Please call Juanita Luna at 636-4020 to register or obtain more information.
April 26-27
BLM service trip
If you enjoy a cool dip after a warm, moderate hike, join BLM staff and the Sierra Club on this volunteer service opportunity approximately, a 1.5-hour drive from the Monterey Bay coast. It’s the BLM Volunteer Service Trip to Laguna Creek and the Gorge on April 26-27. Participants will conduct minor trash pickup and develop a plant species list as they hike approximately two miles down to Laguna Creek and up to the Gorge. Camping is primitive (e.g. no water or facilities). This trip can be accomplished in one day if you prefer, but you don’t want to miss a fun evening under the stars and valley oaks.
Contact BLM Recreation Planner Lesly Smith at
le*********@bl*.gov
or (831) 630.5015 or Botanist Bruce Delgado at
bd******@bl*.gov
or (831) 394.8314 for more information.
April 29
After Hours seminar
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation are hosting an After Hours Nonprofit Seminar on April 29. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with wine and appetizers and the program will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Q&A panel of speakers at the end. The cost is $15. If you are interested in learning more about D&O Insurance, 501(c)3 tax and legal issues, and fundraising, please contact our office as space is limited at 637-5315.
Meetings and Announcements
Paper or plastic? 
Don’t throw away paper or plastic bags you get at the supermarket! Community Pantry needs them to help feed the hungry. If you have bags, please donate them to the pantry. Every bag donated is one we don’t have to buy, and we’d rather use what little money we have for food.
For more information call 637-0340.
Independent Study
San Benito High School’s Independent Study program is accepting applications for the fall 2008 semester. It offers a means of individualizing the educational plan for students. Each student meets once a week for a one-on-one meeting with a teacher and also may participate in small-group tutorial sessions. Families interested in applying can pick up an application at the Independent Study Office at the high school’s new administration building on Nash Road.
For more information call Linda Yetter at 637-5831, ext. 467.
Women’s support group
Are you feeling pushed to your limit, isolated, depressed or misunderstood?
Have you been hit by a partner, emotionally abused or sexually assaulted?
If you’d like to talk to people who understand, contact Community Solutions about a Women’s Support Group. It runs 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
To register call Debbie Ruiz at 637-1094.
Tax service
The American Association of Retired Persons tax-aide program offers free personal tax counseling and preparation to all taxpayers with middle and low incomes, with special attention to those over age 60. Until April 10, the service will be available by appointment only. People should bring the tax package they received, last year’s return and all relevant information.
For more information call Dolly at 637-1980.
VFW meetings
The VFW Post 9242 meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Building on the second floor in Room 204. The group welcomes all veterans to call and inquire about joining and serving the community at the same time.
For more information call 637-6015.
Brain Injury Support
The Brain Injury Support Group meets from 6-8 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month at Poblanita Restaurant, 313 Third St. in San Juan Bautista. Anyone who has had a brain injury, stroke or aneurysm is welcome to attend, along with caregivers, family and friends.
For more information call Maggie at 623-9271.
Republican Party meeting
The San Benito County Republican Party has changed its monthly meeting to the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Coast Bank Community Room, 260 Tres Pinos Road, Hollister. The location is across Rancho Drive from the San Benito Bank.
For information, call 638-0938 or check our Web page
