In brief

Candlelight vigil
HOLLISTER
– The Hollister in Black and Hollister People for Peace will be
hosting a candelight vigil Saturday, Aug. 9 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
at the corner of Fourth and San Benito Streets as a memorial for
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were bombed by U. S. troops Aug. 6
and 9, 1945.
In addition, Hollister People for Peace are hosting a
conversation with Congressman Sam Farr in the Barbara Room at the
San Benito County Free Library, Monday, Aug. 18 from 3 p.m. to 4
p.m.
For more information, call 637-9727.
Pinnacles feedback is sought

PAICINES – Pinnacles National Monument staff is hosting public meetings to solicit public comments for its new general management plan preliminary alternatives, which will determine the direction of the park for the next 15 to 20 years.

“We’d like to hear from you. Your comments will help us understand the impacts of these proposals and develop a long-range plan for Pinnacles that reflects your perspectives,” said Eric Brunnemann, Pinnacles superintendent.

The sessions give the public a chance to learn about the draft alternatives presented and to offer ideas and perspectives.

A newsletter containing information on the preliminary alternatives is available at www.nps.gov/pinn/parkmgmt/planning.htm. The comment period for the Pinnacles plan alternatives is open through Oct. 31.

Public meetings are scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the San Benito County Library, 470 Fifth St., Hollister; 7-9 p.m. Aug. 25 at Jefferson School, 221 Old Hernandez Road, Paicines; and 6-8 p.m. Aug. 27 at Soledad High School, 425 Gabilan Drive, Soledad.

Candy may contain lead

HOLLISTER – Local public health officials are warning consumers not to eat Huevines Confitados Sabor Chocolate candy imported from Mexico and Ego Hao Jin Bang candy imported from Malaysia after tests by the California Department of Public Health found levels of lead that could cause health problems.

Lead is toxic to humans, especially infants, young children and developing fetuses, and can result in learning disabilities and behavioral disorders that could last a lifetime. Consumers in possession of either product should discard the candy. Pregnant women and parents of children who may have consumed this candy should consult their health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed.

Huevines Confitados Sabor Chocolate candí, manufactured by Confitados Finos Del Bosque in Mexico, is egg-shaped and has a hard white coating with brown speckles surrounding a chocolate interior. The candy is approximately ¾ inch long by ½ inch wide and comes packaged in a clear plastic bag containing 250 pieces. The bag shows a bird sitting inside a broken eggshell on the front of the package. The word “Huevines” is written in large white letters on the front of the package and “confitados sabor chocolate” in brown letters.

Ego Hao Jin Bang candy, manufactured by Kee Wee Hup Kee Food Manufacture in Malaysia, is a brown-colored candy, approximately 1 ½” long by ¾” in diameter, individually wrapped in purple-reddish foil with silver ends. Approximately 45 of the foil-wrapped candies are packed into a clear plastic 4.2-ounce bag with the word EGO in pink letters in the top left corner. The words “Ego Hao Jin Bang” are printed toward the lower middle of the bag in black letters.

For more information about lead poisoning, parents and caretakers should contact San Benito County Public Health Division, Environmental Health Department at 636-4066. Consumers who find either of the products for sale are encouraged to call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 1-800-495-3232.

Plea for pear pickers

SANTA CRUZ – Ag Against Hunger (AAH) is looking for volunteers to get involved in its gleaning program Saturday, Aug. 9. Working with local growers, volunteers help collect high quality, marketable produce that has been left behind after commercial harvest. The food they collect is then transported to food banks and pantries in the tri-county area. Volunteers will meet at 901 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz at 9 a.m. to drive to a pear orchard 5 miles from the meeting place. Including transportation, orientation and the actual harvesting of crops, volunteers should expect to commit around three hours (9 a.m. to noon for the gleaning session.

Members of the local community are encouraged to sign up to volunteer as part of a group or individually. Please RSVP to Ag Against Hunger at 755-1480 or an****@ag*************.org by noon today.

Ag Against Hunger is a nonprofit agency providing fresh donated produce to food banks in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties and those throughout California. Since 1990, area growers and shippers have donated more than 145 million pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to help feed the hungry.

Candlelight vigil

HOLLISTER – The Hollister in Black and Hollister People for Peace will be hosting a candelight vigil Saturday, Aug. 9 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the corner of Fourth and San Benito Streets as a memorial for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were bombed by U. S. troops Aug. 6 and 9, 1945.

In addition, Hollister People for Peace are hosting a conversation with Congressman Sam Farr in the Barbara Room at the San Benito County Free Library, Monday, Aug. 18 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 637-9727.