New thrift shop opens
HOLLISTER
– Pat’s, a new thrift shop, has opened at 101 Fifth St., in
Hollister, at the corner of Sally Street. The shop will offer
clothing, furniture, toys, household items, tools and more, with
all proceeds to benefit the Community Food Bank. The thrift shop is
open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. Donations are accepted Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Test drive to earn money for SBHS

HOLLISTER – The community of Hollister has an opportunity to earn money for San Benito High School by test-driving a new Ford vehicle at San Benito High School, Baler Alley parking lot, 1220 Monterey St., Hollister, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25.

For every person who takes an all-new Fusion, Flex, F-150, heavy duty trucks or other Ford vehicle for a spin during the Drive One 4 UR School event, Ford and Tiffany Ford will donate $20 to San Benito High School.

In total, as much as $6,000 could be directed toward the school.

Anyone can participate and there is no purchase necessary.

In addition to the $20 donation per test drive, Tiffany Motors will donate $100 to the school for anyone who test drives a vehicle during this event and purchases a Ford vehicle from their dealership within 45 days of the event.

Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license, limit one test drive per household.

Final Team Captains’ meeting for Relay

HOLLISTER – The Final Team Captains’ meeting for the Hollister Relay For Life is Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m., in the banquet room at Paine’s Restaurant in Hollister. The final meeting is a chance for people to sign up a team, volunteer at the event and learn how to raise money to fight cancer. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call co-chair Chuck Obeso-Bradley at 524-1331.

San Benito included in disaster designation

HOLLISTER – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared a natural disaster in Fresno and Madera counties due to drought conditions; and it includes the surrounding counties of San Benito and Monterey counties. Local farm operators are eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency.

“With our economy suffering and families facing tough times, it’s important that we protect our food supply and support our local farmers,” said Congressman Sam Farr. “The ongoing drought will continue to hurt our farmers, and I’m pleased that the USDA will provide assistance.”

Assistance includes FSA emergency loans as well as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program.

For more information, farm operators can contact the San Benito County Farm Service Agency at 637-4360.

1960s Hollister High reunion

HOLLISTER – A joint class reunion for Hollister High School classes from1960 through 1969 will be held Saturday, Aug. 29 at Bolado Park.

Guests should enter through Gate 2 and the event will be held at the north section area starting 11 a.m. Cost is $25 per person, which includes a barbecue tri-tip, Al Castaneda’s homemade chili beans, salad, garlic bread and fruit platter. Food will be served at 2 p.m. Guests should bring their own beverages and dessert.

Live music will be provided by “Forecast” and RV parking is available. For more information on camping, call 628-3421.

RSVP by Aug. 3 to Castaneda by mail at 814 Holly Oak Ct. in Hollister; e-mail him at

lu******@ho*****.com











; or call 636-0380. You may also RSVP to Fred Pagaran at

fr**********@co**********.com











or call 623-2951. Make checks payable to “1960s Joint Class Reunion.”

Volunteers needed for WERC

MORGAN HILL – The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center in Morgan Hill is accepting applications for volunteers who care about wildlife and who are available to work during the morning on Saturdays. Duties include cleaning, feeding and caring for injured, orphaned and sick native wildlife. Volunteers are required to be at least 16 years of age. They should also be able to make a three-month commitment and work a three- to four-hour shift.

For more information, call 408-779-9372, e-mail

ed*******@we*****.org











or go to www.wec.ca.org.

Fatherhood conference to be held in San Jose

SAN JOSE – The 2009 Fifth Annual High Promise Dads Bay Area Fatherhood Conference and Health and Information Fair is Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the San Jose Convention Center, 150 W. San Carlos St., in San Jose. The fee is $25 for materials.

The event will feature a welcome and introduction, workshops and plenary sessions. Some of the workshops include ones on building self-esteem for daughters, parents’ drug and alcohol abuse impact on children; co-parenting, and more.

The workshop is sponsored by Building Peaceful Families, Santa Clara County Probation, the Mexican American Community Services Agency, the Divorced Fathers Network, the Support Systems Homes and New Beginnings.

For more information on the program or to register, call 408-928-5820.

Hollister Spirit garage sale

HOLLISTER – The Hollister Spirit girls U11 competitive soccer team will host a garage sale fundraiser July 25 from 7 a.m. to noon at Bertuccio’s Lot near Union Road, 2410 Airline Highway. Several families will be participating with items for sale and everyone is welcome.

Registration begins for fall Gav classes

GILROY – New, returning and continuing students can now register for fall classes at Gavilan College. New students must submit an application and complete an assessment test prior to registering. The fall semester starts Sept. 1. Aviation classes start Aug. 12.

Students can register online or in person at Gavilan College sites in Gilroy, Morgan Hill or Hollister.

Application and assessment information, online registration, and a complete schedule of classes are available at www.gavilan.edu. To schedule an assessment test, call 408-846-4992. To make an appointment with a counselor, call 408-848-4723. For general information, call 408-848-4800.

Charity golf classic raises money for nonprofits

HOLLISTER – Communications Unlimited and the Hollister community are partnering with local businesses to raise money for three charities, including Standing in the Gap-Now, Compassion Pregnancy and Emmaus House. The charity golf classic will be held Aug. 28, at the Gabilan Golf Course at Ridgemark with $2,500 in prizes. It will include a barbecue lunch, games and entertainment followed by an evening dinner and dance. Tickets are $125 for all events, or $50 each for dinner and dancing only.

For more information, call Martin Leon or Cynthia Smith at 636-4880, 207-1272 or e-mail

jo********@ya***.com











.

CASA meeting

HOLLISTER – Court Appointed Special Advocates( CASA) of San Benito County is holding an informational session at Starbucks on Airline Highway (next to Nob Hill) July 15 at 6 p.m. Be a voice for an abused, neglected or abandoned child. Come and learn how you can make a difference in a child’s life and support your community. Spread the word and bring a friend.

For more information or to RSVP, call Esther Curtice at 637-4992.

Blood drive

HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 Cienega Road, in Hollister, July 16, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Red Cross will hold a weekly drawing for a $100 gas card in July for all participating donors.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) or visit www.HelpSaveALife.org and type in HOLLISTER.

DV and SA advocate training begins

HOLLISTER – Community Solutions will be offering volunteer advocate training to work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The advocates help Community Solutions staff with crisis intervention to more than 700 survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence; shelter to 77 battered women and 85 children; and legal advocacy to more than 100 women.

The training begins July 21 and last six weeks. Training is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., with three Saturday sessions form 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To find out more, contact Emma Lucas at 408-776-6288 or e-mail

em***@co****************.org











.

Junior golf clinic at Ridgemark

HOLLISTER – The Ridegemark Golf and Country Club is offering three sessions of golfing instruction for children ages 8-16. Each session consists of three, 3-hour days of lessons and guidance. Once young golfers join the Junior Golf Clinic at Ridgemark, they automatically receive youth on course certification.

The certification qualifies the golfers for discounted green fees at nearby golf courses. The cost for the clinic is $100 and they will be held July 14-16 and Aug. 4-6.

To register or receive more information, contact Bruce Vieira at 637-1010 or visit www.ridgemark.com.

Chamberlain’s receives grant, partners with Habitat

HOLLISTER – Chamberlain’s Children Center received a matching grant from the Community Foundation of San Benito County for $4,000 to refurbish one of the shelters on site, Lisa’s Cottage.

To qualify for the grant, Chamberlain’s will need to raise $4,000. The staff and board have already received a $1,000 donation from local company Teknova, but are still working on other donations.

“We are very excited to receive this grant from the Community Foundation,” said Robert Freiri, the executive director of Chamberlain’s, in a press release. “The new shelter will be a clean, safe place for children in San Benito County who need placement in emergency or respite care. Being on campus will allow additional services to be available.”

Habitat for Humanity will partner with Chamberlain’s July 11 to refurbish the building on campus, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 1850 San Benito St. site.

“We are pleased that Habitat for Humanity has agreed to partner with us on this event,” Freiri wrote. “We look forward to relying on their ability to coordinate volunteers and bring in construction skills that will allow us to refurbish the Cottage in a timely manner.

To volunteer, call the Habitat for Humanity of San Benito County at 635-9904 or visit www.hfhsbc.org/volunteer.htm.

To make a donation to Chamberlain’s, call 636-2121 or visit www.chamberlaincc.org.

Free Title 24 workshop

MONTEREY – The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) Energy Watch, Pacific Gas and Electric, and the city of Monterey will be sponsoring a free one-day workshop on Title 24 residential energy standards July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, in Ferrante Rooms 2 and 3.

The workshop is for local building professionals and provides an overview of building code changes that go into effect in August. A complimentary catered breakfast and lunch will be provided. The class is free to attend, but space is limited so pre-registration is required.

For further information, call Charlie Buck, of AMBAG, at 883-3750 or e-mail him at

cb***@am***.org











.

Got Milk? Sponsors photo contest

SAN CLEMENTE – Got Milk? has partnered with the Dental Health Foundation to put on a photo contest for best smile in the state. The goal of the contest is to promote healthy teeth. A Dental Health Foundation report from 2006 found that by the time children get to kindergarten, 50 percent have tooth decay. By third grade, the number increases to 70 percent.

“Today, there are nearly 140,000 elementary school children across the state in pain requiring treatment for dental care,” said Stevene Uranga McKane, the chair of the foundation. “Parents need to be proactive and encourage development of good oral health habits and – as studies show – proper nutrition in order to ensure a beautiful smile.”

Part of that nutrition includes consuming plenty of calcium, according to studies. Some advice for parents includes starting to brush their teeth with a soft tooth brush as soon as their first tooth erupts. The first dentist appointment is suggested at one-year old and every six months after that. Brushing should be done twice a day for two and a half minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Take children to the doctor if their gums are red, puffy or tender. Offer milk instead of sugar-filled juices or sodas and limit consumption of sugary sweets or hard candies that can chip teeth. More tips for preventing cavities can be found online at www.gotmilk.com.

Photos will be accepted through July 31 at

co*****@go*****.com











(8 MB limit) or through mail to: Say Cheese with Got Milk? Photo Contest, c/o RL Public Relations, 11835 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. 1155E, Los Angeles, CA 90064.

Camp for asthmatic kids

SAN JOSE – Breathe California is hosting Camp Superstuff, for asthmatic children in the Bay Area. The camp is a week-long day camp for children ages 6-12 who suffer from asthma. The camp focuses on teaching the campers how to manage their asthma, recognize attack triggers, properly take their medication and support their peers while engaging in fun activities. The camp runs August 3-7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Willow Glen High School, 2001 Cottle Ave., in San Jose. The registration fee is $150, though scholarships are available for qualified Blue Cross, Santa Clara Family Health Plan and Valley

Improv class at Paper Wing Theatre

MONTEREY – Koly McBride, of the Paper Wing Theatre, will offer a free improvisation class and workshop Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. McBride will teach the basic rules of successful improv, games and the comedy of conflict. Anyone attending the class will have a chance to audition for a new improve group, set to perform monthly for audiences at the Paper Wing Theatre Company. The class will be at the theater, 320 Hoffman Ave., in New Monterey, 93940.

For more information, call 905-5684 or visit www.PaperWingTheatreCo.com.

IOOF Golf Tournament

HOLLISTER – IOOF Mound Lodge 166 is looking for participants for its Aug. 7 Golf Tournament at Bolado Park. Registration is $75 a person and includes a barbecue dinner, green fees, cart, prizes and awards, and gift bag for each player. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $15 each. Registration is 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., shotgun start at 1 p.m. for the four-person scramble, and dinner awards and raffle will be at 6:30 p.m. No-host cocktails. The proceeds will go to local charities.

For more information or to enter the tournament, make a donation or become a sponsor, call Bernie Ramirez at 637-7820; Ron Klauer at 637-8518; or Cliff Cardoza at 637-2623.

Chamber of Commerce accepting board applications

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for its 2010 board position openings. Chamber members only are eligible to apply. For more information, call the chamber office at 637-5315.

New thrift shop opens

HOLLISTER – Pat’s, a new thrift shop, has opened at 101 Fifth St., in Hollister, at the corner of Sally Street. The shop will offer clothing, furniture, toys, household items, tools and more, with all proceeds to benefit the Community Food Bank. The thrift shop is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are accepted Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Low-cost support groups help locals

HOLLISTER – Suzette Dierkes, M.A., L.M.F.T. will be offering two ongoing support groups for $25 a session.

The first is an Anxiety and Depression support group for men and women that will run weekly from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at 345 Fifth St., Ste. 3 in Hollister.

The second support group is a women’s divorce and separation group that will run weekly 6 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, or to register for the group, call 524-2371. Groups will be limited to a maximum of eight people.

Free haircuts for unemployed job seekers

HOLLISTER – The Hair Shoppe, of Hollister, is offering free haircuts (a $30 value) to unemployed residents who have a job interview scheduled. The Shoppe is located at 57 East St., and residents can call 637-4356 to schedule an appointment.

El Teatro Campesino seeks new members

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA –El Teatro Campesino would like to remind current members to renew their membership and invite new members to sign up. Memberships range from $50 to $10,000. All members will be placed on a preferred mailing list and members are eligible for a 10 percent discount on our merchandise and get exclusive ticket privileges.

For more information on how to become a member of El Teatro Campesino, please call 623-2444 or e-mail

St*******@el***************.com











. Visit www.elteatrocampesino.com.

Fit Kidz Yoga

HOLLISTER – Instructors Robin Pollard and Karin Larsen will be offering a yoga program for kids through the Hollister Recreation department this summer. The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Veterans Memorial Building from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and is $50 for 10 classes. The class is designed for 5 to 10 year olds and they will learn balance, coordination, stretching and stillness.

For more information or to register, call 636-4390 or visit www.hollister.ca.gov.

San Benito Stage Company

HOLLISTER – The San Benito Stage Company is planning its 2010 season of productions, including children’s, teen, family and dinner theater programs. The stage company is seeking support in the form of members, sponsors and volunteers. Members enjoy benefits such as ticket discounts, advertising, and free show passes depending on level of sponsorship. For more information, call 636-0122 or visit www.sanbenitostage.org.

Community Food Bank looks for support

HOLLISTER – Community Food Bank is in need of more support, according to Mary Anne Hughes, the executive director. The number of residents seeking help has gone up 100 percent in the last two years, according to Food Bank statistics. In April, the bank served 1,660 households, up 60 percent from a year ago. The pantry provides for 5,500 people each month.

Hughes has launched a fundraising campaign and is asking for donations from community members. To donate, call 637-0340, visit www.Communitypantry.com or visit 1133 San Felipe Road.

Club Ed tutoring continues for summer

HOLLISTER – Club Ed summer tutoring will be available for all students in all subjects to catch up for next fall. Also available are students who can tutor college-level classes. Math is our specialty, $14 an hour. For more information, call 637.5831, ext. 370.

Sacred Heart class of ’82 reunion

HOLLISTER – Sacred Heart class of 1982 will be hosting a class reunion at the Cutting Horse Saturday, July 25, at 3 p.m. Dress is casual. Contact reunion organizers Bonnie Brown or Michael Kirch for menu options.

For more information, please contact Bonnie at

bo*********@wi******.net











or Michael at

mi**********@ho*****.com











.

Friends of the Library book sale

HOLLISTER – Books for all ages and interests are available for purchase at $2 per bag at the shed behind the San Benito County Free Library on Fifth Street every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 636-4107.

Rabies vaccination clinic

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency is hosting rabies vaccination clinics on select Wednesdays through Aug. 12. The vaccinations are $6. Primary immunizations should be administered to dogs and cats between the ages of four months and one year of age every 12 months. Revaccinations after that can be every three years.

The clinic will be held in the Animal Shelter Parking lot, 1331 South St. in Hollister, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on the following dates:

July 15

August 12

All dogs are required to be leashed at the clinic and cats are required to be in a carrying case.

For more information, contact San Benito County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 636-4035 or the Hollister Veterinary Clinic at 637-2580.

‘Save the Redwoods’ photo contest

SAN FRANCISCO – Save the Redwoods League, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting redwood forests, will be hosting a free statewide photo contest. The “Walk Among Giants” contest encourages California residents to capture every angle of the redwood forest, from the smallest critters inhabiting the forest floor to the grandeur of the tree canopy.

“The proposed elimination for public funding for California State Parks could close 60 of 61 parks that are home to redwoods, severely limiting opportunities for people to visit and experience awe-inspiring redwood forests,” said Jennifer Benito, an outreach director for Save the Redwoods, in a press release.

To submit photos, visit savetheredwoods.org/contest. All photo submissions and completed contest forms are due July 23 at 5 p.m. Winners will be notified by flickr.com Ids.

First prize includes a one-night stay in a cabin and a half-day guided eco-tour of the Redwood National Park. The photo will be featured in Redwood League publications and online. Second prize is a one-night stay at the historic Requa Inn in Redwood National Park. Third prize is two redwood seedlings planted in honor of the winner.

Volleyball camp at CSUMB

MONTEREY – California State University, Monterey Bay coaching staff will be hosting volleyball camps and clinics this summer. A team retreat camp is available July 31-Aug. 2, for 9-12 grade players for $239.

Individual camps are as follows:

Beach volleyball skills camp July 16-18, 9 a.m. to noon

9th to 12th grade students

$125

Advanced position camp July 13-15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

9th to 12th grade students

$250

Setting academy July 20-21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

9th to 12th grade students

$180

The staff is also available for travel camps and individual lessons. For more information, contact Jody Garry at 582-4509 or

jo********@cs***.edu











.

You-Pick Harvest Days at ALBA

SALINAS – The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) is organizing public You-Pick Harvest Days at its farm south of Salinas.

The Harvest Days will be July 25 and another date will be set in October. The event is an excellent occasion for families and friends to harvest organic produce alongside local farmers while learning about sustainable agriculture practices. Participants will have direct access to fresh, bursting-with-flavor produce such as strawberries, carrots, zucchini, peas, garlic, cilantro, onions, green beans, cucumbers, spinach, beets, lettuce, flowers and more.

Guests will enjoy live music from Kombucheros (Latin rhythms), Abdoulaye Diallo (West African drumming) and Corridos Mexicanos (traditional). Visitors will have the opportunity to join in the first mural painting, organized by Vincent Deluccio, a CSUMB visual and public arts student who will lead guests of all ages to help with the mural. Children, bicycles and re-usable bags are encouraged.

ALBA is located at 1700 Old Stage Rd. Heading south of Salinas on Hwy 101, turn left on Potter Rd, then right on Old Stage Rd. Turn right at the ALBA sign and follow the signs into the farm.

The Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) provides educational opportunities for farm workers and entrepreneurs to start their own organic farms while promoting just & healthy local food systems. For more information call (831) 758-1469 or visit www.albafarmers.org.

CMAP TV call for ‘Garlic Crew’ volunteers

GILROY – Volunteer with CMAP TV’s Garlic Crew Community Coverage of the 2009 Gilroy Garlic Festival, and get in to the world-famous three-day event for free (on the day scheduled to volunteer) To sign up, call 846.4983 ext. 1 or e-mail CMAP’s Office Manager, Yvette Larios, at

vi*******@my****.org











, or come to one of CMAP TV’s Garlic Crew trainings (listed below).

This year CMAP TV’s Garlic Crew has plans to cover all three cook-off stage events, interview festival goers on their favorite “Garlicky” moment in the “Clove Hall of Fame,” and donate proceeds to scholarships for youth at CMAP’s digital filmmaking and media literacy summer camps. Learn how to use CMAP’s new high-definition cameras to interview your neighbors at the festival, and help edit and post videos online at cmap.tv during the three-day event. All content will be shown on CMAP’s public access cable channel, Charter channel 20 and streamed online at www.cmap.tv.

CMAP TV’s Garlic Crew is open to all ages, and requires no technical skills.

Attend one of our festival trainings to become part of the CMAP TV Garlic Crew on:

– Wednesday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m. at CMAP

Pre-festival logisitics meeting (all volunteers should plan to attend):

– Wednesday, July 22, at 5 p.m. at CMAP

Previous articleCOG seeks input from public on 20-year plan
Next articleAmerican, National meeting up today in D-9 Major title
A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here