Strengthening special families parent training
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Office of Education Special Education Department and Easter Seals Central California are hosting training sessions every Wednesday in May, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 1011 Line St., Room 11. The May 8 training will focus on child development; May 15 on enhancing parent-child relationships; May 22 on local resources and parent advocacy skills; and May 29 will be a family fun event. Funding for the program is provided by the Community Foundation for San Benito County and First 5 San Benito County. Childcare is available.
Chamberlain’s Children Center barbecue
HOLLISTER – Chamberlain’s Children Center is hosting its 4th annual Mari’s FUNd Day barbecue May 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Mari Davis Memorial Park and Pavilion, at 1850 San Benito St., in Hollister. Tickets are $20 for adults or $5 for children. Lunch includes tri-tip, chuck wagon beans, tossed salad, bread and drinks for adults, and hot dogs, chips and drinks for children. There will be an auction, raffle, children’s activities and live entertainment. Details: Call Robert Freiri at 636-2121, email [email protected] or visit www.chamberlaincc.org.
Marrow registry drive in Hollister
HOLLISTER – A marrow registry drive will be held at the Hollister Farmers Market May 8, from 3 to 7 p.m. Residents ages 18 to 44 are encouraged to sign up to be part of the Be the Match registry by filling out some basic medical information and providing a cheek swab. The local drive is especially focused on registering people of South Asian (specifically Indian) descent in hopes of finding a donor match for Stanford psychology professor Nalini Ambady, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. There is also an emphasis on increasing the number of minorities, such as Hispanics and African Americans, who are on the registry as matches are most likely to be found among individuals of the same ethnic background as patients. If a donor match is found, in most cases the donation is done on an outpatient basis through a procedure that is similar to donating blood while in rare cases a more invasive procedure is needed. A second marrow registry drive is planned for May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a location to be determined. Details: Call Jillian Wilson at 636-2543 or visit http://helpnalininow.org/ for more information.
Jovenes de Antano casino trip fundraiser
HOLLISTER – Jovenes de Antano is hosting a casino trip fundraiser to Chukchansi and Tachi Palace Indian casinos May 19, leaving from the Community Center, 300 West St., at 6:30 a.m. RSVP is required and the trip is open to adults 21 and older. The cost is $30 per person, which entitles the participants to transportation, $10 e-cash and a $5 food voucher at Chukchansi as well as $5 free play at Tachi Palace. To RSVP, call Pauline at 637-9275 or Dolly at 637-1980.
Free Buddhist meditation
The Diamond Way Buddhism group will host free Buddhist meditation sessions May 15, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the San Benito County Free Library, as well as May 8, 22 and 29, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., at 501 Talbot Drive, in Hollister. Details: Visit http://www.diamondway.org/hollister.
‘Treasure Island’
HOLLISTER – San Benito Stage Company presents its spring children’s musical, “Treasure Island,” May 3 and 4, at 7 p.m. at the Granada Theater, 336 Fifth St., in Hollister. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students or seniors, with a group pack of four tickets available for $45. Tickets are available at Postal Graphics and San Benito Bene. Details: 831-636-0122 or www.sanbenitostage.org.
Youth Open Mic Poetry day
HOLLISTER – The Blak Sage Gallery will host a youth open mic poetry event May 4, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., in downtown Hollister. Students in grades kindergarten through 12th are invited to participate, share or watch. The program is made possible by funds from the California Arts Council and Community Foundation for San Benito County. For questions or more information please feel free to contact the Arts Council at [email protected] or call at 636-2787.
Amateur ham radio class
HOLLISTER – There will be an amateur ham radio class May 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with testing for all levels from 1 to 4 p.m., at 3224 Southside Road, in Hollister. The test and class fee is $24. The test only fee is $14. Details: http://sbcares.org.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
HOLLISTER – The English Learners Advisory Committee will host a Cinco de Mayo festival at San Juan Elementary School, May 3, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the committee. It will cinlude music, dancing, live performances, games and fun. Past fund raised have helped ELAC award scholarships to students and purchase books for the library. Details: 831.623.4538.
‘Summertime with Oriana’
HOLLISTER – The Oriana Chorale will kick off the summer with three concerts in its “Summertime with Oriana” series. The concerts will be held at the Hollister First Presbyterian Church May 3 and 7, at 7:30 p.m., and May 5, at 3 p.m. Music will range from fun and lively, such as “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Theme from Hawaii Five-O,” to showtunes, such as “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “Summertime,” and “June is Bustin’ Out All Over,” to lovely and lyrical such as “About Us Lies the Summer Night,” “A Red, Red Rose,” and “The Last Rose of Summer.” Tickets are $15. Details: http://orianachorale.org.
MACE Cinco De Mayo banquet
HOLLISTER – The Mexican-American Committee on Education of San Benito County will hold its 43 annual Cinco De Mayo Scholarship Banquet May 4 at San Juan Oaks Golf Club, in Hollister. Tickets are $50 a person with table reservations of eight people encouraged. No tickets will be sold at the door. The event features a dinner, honorary recognition and music. This year Jim Caffiero, a counselor at San Benito High School, who is retiring after 27 years of service, will be honored for his commitment to helping students go to college. The group has given scholarships to more than 500 students since 1970. Details: George Munoz, 831-623-4429, Veronica Lezama, 831-245-6971 or Mickie Luna, 831-673-2009.
‘7, 8IGHT, 9 …’
El Teatro Campesino in association with Company of Strangers presents “7, 8IGHT, 9…” a new tragic comedy written and directed by Joe Luis Cedillo at El Teatro Campesino, 705 Fourth St., San Juan Bautista, April 5-May 5. Shows are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission on Thursdays; $15 for adults; $10 for seniors, students and children 12 and under on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Details: elteatrocampesino.com.
Community planting day
HOLLISTER – Comstock Community Farm will host a community planting day May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 125 Comstock Road, near Comstock and Fairview roads. The goal of the farm is to plant and harvest food to be donated to Community Food Bank, which provides food for low-income residents in San Benito County. Participants can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the event. The event is sponsored by the Hollister Dual Language Academy, where students have been growing seedlings to plant on the farm, with additional workdays scheduled through September. To RSVP or for more information, call Lupe at 831-537-4582 or email [email protected].
Aromas Country Garden Tour
AROMAS – The Aromas Country Garden Tour will be May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with tickets avialble at the Aromas Grange, on the corner of Rose and Bardue Avenues. Tickets are $15 per person, $25 for two people, or $10 for seniors 65 and older or members of the Aromas Hills Artisans. Visitors will receive a booklet with a map of the gardens. Artists will be working in some of the gardens in a variety of media, with the Aromas 4-H club selling plants and boxed lunches at the Grange. Details: www.aromashillsartisans.com
Red Cross Blood Drive
HOLLISTER – A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held May 16, from 1 to 6 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 Cienega Road. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org with the sponsor code: HOLLISTER.
Youth Alliance’s White Nights
HOLLISTER – The Youth Alliance will host White Nights, a benefit for peace, on May 18, at 6 p.m., at San Juan Oaks Golf Club. The evening will celebrate the 2013 community heroes. Tickets are $75 per person and white attire is encouraged. Tickets are available online at www.youthall.org or by calling 831-636-2853.
Pizza in the Grove
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Downtown Association will host Pizza in the Grove May 17, from 5:30 to 10 p.m., at Leal Vineyards, 300 Maranatha Drive, in Hollister. Tickets are $25 per person and include wood-fired pizza, Caesar salad and nonalcoholic beverages. No host beer and wine bar will be available. Proceeds benefit the HDA community events. Tickets are available by calling 831-636-8406 or emailing [email protected].
Rural school talent show
HOLLISTER – Southside and Tres Pinos schools will host a talent show May 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the Southside School Gym. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children. Concessions and flowers will be available for purchase. Students will perform songs, dances, magic and more.
San Benito County Rural Schools art show
HOLLISTER – Southside School, Tres Pinos School and Cienega School, under the direction of art teacher Jen Rodriguez will be having a student artwork showcase at the San Benito County Library April 29 through May 13. Please come out to the Library and check out all the creative and interesting art pieces the students have created. See everything from oil pasteled “Illuminated Letters” to water-colored “Enchanted Forests.”
Mother’s Day at the Mission
SAN JUAN – South Valley Symphony presents Mother’s Day at the Mission at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 12 at Mission San Juan Bautista. General admission: $35; Children/students: free. Following the concert, join the symphony orchestra, music director and board of directors in the Mission gardens for a wine reception. Details: southvalleysymphony.org.
Hollister History Book on sale
HOLLISTER – Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America: Hollister” book is available for sale at Hollister Ace Hardware, DeRose Vineyards, San Benito Bene and Ranchers Feed of Hollister. The book, written by Joseph M. McMahon and Peter Sonne, features historical photos and information about Holliser, for $21.99.
Backpack project collections begin
HOLLISTER – The Women’s Club of Hollister is accepting donations for its backpack project. The project supplies backpacks full of needed supplies to children from infants to 17 years who are taken from their homes and placed in alternative living conditions through no fault of their own. The backpacks are filled with age and gender specific basic toiletries, school supplies, a stuffed animal and a handmade blanket. The backpacks have been donated to San Benito County Child Protective Services, the Emmaus House women’s shelter, Chamberlain’s Children Center and the San Benito County Chapter of the Kinship Center. Residents can sponsor a backpack for $40, collect items for the backpacks or send a monetary donation to : Women’s Club of Hollister, PO Box 818, Hollister, CA, 95024-0818. Details: 831-637-0362 or [email protected].
Red Barn Run
HOLLISTER – The Red Barn Run will be June 9, at 9 a.m., at Casa de Fruta. The annual 5K and 10K run benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Registration is $40 through May 1 for the 5K and $45 through May 1 for the 10K. Group rates are also available. Registration includes the race, a post-race barbecue lunch with water or a beer (for 21 and older participants,) a dry wicking t-shirt and a medal for every finisher. Additional barbecue tickets are available for $8 each. Details: www.redbardnrun.com.
Get rid of bulky items
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Integrated Waste Management Regional Agency will accept two bulky items per household free of charge on select dates this year. Suggested items for disposal include furniture, appliances, tires or other items. To participate, residents must bring a driver license or ID that identifies them as a resident of San Benito County or its incorporated cities. The bulky item collections dates for 2013 are June 29 and 30, Sept. 28 and 29, and Dec. 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at John Smith Landfill, 2650 John Smith Road. To confirm dates or for details on what items will be accepted, call 831-637-4515.
Meditation at the Japanese Temple
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Japanese Temple Garden, Inc., will host meditation Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., at 920 Riverside Road, in Hollister. Details, call 637-6361 or email [email protected].
Camera Club meets
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Camera Club is seeking new members. The club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, at 100 Dry Creek Road, in Hollister. Photographers of all skill level who work with prints, slides or digital images are welcome. Details: Jack Marcheski, 637-3453 or 524-5912.
Singles 55+ are invited to dinner
HOLLISTER – Singles 55 and up are invited to join a dinner club in San Benito County that meets on the third Saturday of the month. The group visits area restaurants for the meal, with the choice of each month’s restaurant selected by group majority. The group also enjoys the occasional dinner at a member’s home. The group is not a dating group, but for individuals who would like to meet and socialize with others. For details on the Jan. 19 dinner, email Sandi Gowers at [email protected].
