In brief

Park upgrades planned
PAICINES
– Fall maintenance projects at Pinnacles National Monument will
begin Sept. 1.
”
We are undertaking this routine maintenance during our slower
seasons so as to reduce the impact on park visitors,
”
said Eric Brunnemann, Pinnacles superintendent.
Some improvements have already taken place following the
acquisition of the formerly privately owned Pinnacles Campground
area. The visitor center is now located in the camp store building,
expansion of the park recycling program, new garbage bins and
restroom fixtures, new fire rings and picnic tables at many sites,
removal of social trails, and rehabilitating the campground water
systems and well.
Upcoming work is intended to solve problems related to crowded
campsites, especially in RV areas, and sites in creekbeds that are
prone to flooding. Changes also should increase parking
capacity.
Suggestions for large-scale changes to the campground area, or
elsewhere at the monument, can be addressed through the park’s
General Management Planning process now under way. For information
on the management plan, visit
www.nps.gov/pinn/parkmgmt/planning.htm.
General park information is available by calling 389-4485.
Park upgrades planned

PAICINES – Fall maintenance projects at Pinnacles National Monument will begin Sept. 1.

“We are undertaking this routine maintenance during our slower seasons so as to reduce the impact on park visitors,” said Eric Brunnemann, Pinnacles superintendent.

Some improvements have already taken place following the acquisition of the formerly privately owned Pinnacles Campground area. The visitor center is now located in the camp store building, expansion of the park recycling program, new garbage bins and restroom fixtures, new fire rings and picnic tables at many sites, removal of social trails, and rehabilitating the campground water systems and well.

Upcoming work is intended to solve problems related to crowded campsites, especially in RV areas, and sites in creekbeds that are prone to flooding. Changes also should increase parking capacity.

Suggestions for large-scale changes to the campground area, or elsewhere at the monument, can be addressed through the park’s General Management Planning process now under way. For information on the management plan, visit www.nps.gov/pinn/parkmgmt/planning.htm.

General park information is available by calling 389-4485.

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.

Congressman Farr visits

HOLLISTER – 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.

Countywide emergency notification system is up

HOLLISTER – The first countywide test call of the new emergency notification system is today, Aug. 18. The new service from Connect-CTY staff allows local officials to send voice messages to county residents and businesses in the event of an emergency.

Publicly available primary residential and business phone numbers in the county are automatically included in the system. Residents can provide up to three phone numbers, two e-mail addresses and indicate if they have telecommunications devices for the deaf by visiting www.san-benito.ca.us and clicking the “sign up now-services by Connect-CTY” link. To add information by phone, call 630-1759.

Are you a leader?

HOLLISTER – Space is still available in the 2008-09 class from Leadership San Benito County, a nonprofit dedicated to developing the county’s next generation of leaders. The yearlong class meets once per month. Students learn about issues facing the county from experts in their field. Tuition is $1,200.

Orientation is on Aug. 28 and the first class meets on Sept. 5. For more information, go to www.leadershipsbc.org.

Calling all crafters

HOLLISTER – The Hollister Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary is seeking crafters for its holiday craft show Dec. 6.

The show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St.

Cost for vendors is $40 for an 8-by-10-foot space. A table and two chairs can be provided.

For more information, or to reserve a space, call 637-1980 or 524-1459.

Homeschoolers meeting

HOLLISTER – Hollister Homeschoolers, a networking and support group for home school families, will hold its first planning meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. For location and further information, call 801-1785.

Blood Drive

HOLLISTER- The Northern California Region of the American Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Sept. 4 at the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints church hall between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream. Every week in September there will be a drawing for a $100 gas gift card. The grand prize drawing for all entries is a $1,000 gas gift card.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to www.BeADonor.com.