Local Scene: South Valley Symphony performs Dec. 14

Local land trusts receive grant funding

Two area land trusts received more than $200,000 worth of grants from the California Council of Land Trusts’ Capacity Building Grant Program.

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust, based in Santa Cruz County, received $105,500 for stewarding ancestral lands, says a press release from the council of land trusts. 

The San Benito Agricultural Land Trust received $118,000 through the Capacity Building program, for professional development, private fundraising and strengthening local partnerships, says the press release. 

Eleven land trusts and related organizations throughout California received more than $1 million through the grant program. The purpose of the grants is to support land trusts in achieving environmental stewardship and climate change goals, and to build sustainable partnerships, says the press release. 

‘Ranger’ premieres Nov. 23 in Hollister

“Ranger,” a film produced and shot partially in Hollister by Nico Quijano, will premiere in Hollister on Nov. 23 at the Granda Theatre, 336 Fifth Street. The screening begins at 3pm.

The movie is an action drama starring Ron Van Clief, Quijano, JC Smith, Geno Romo, Robert Steacy, Tommy Luke and Kaylie Voechting. “Ranger” was filmed in German and Hollister, with a story and script written by Quijano, says a press release about the Nov. 23 premiere. “Ranger” is the story of an Army veteran who leaves the war in Afghanistan “only to find that there is a war going on back home in Texas with drug cartels, human trafficking and chaos everywhere.” 

South Valley Symphony performs Dec. 14

The South Valley Symphony’s winter concert will take place 3pm Dec. 14 at Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Ave. in Morgan Hill. The program includes Kyle Jones’ Christmas Concertante for Horn and Orchestra, Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Winter Wonderland and more. 

Tickets are available online and at the door. Students in K-12 and those currently attending college can get in for free. For more information and to order tickets, visit southvalleysymphony.org. 

Anza Trail Moonlight Walk on Nov. 16

The fifth annual Moonlight Walk on Anza Trail will take place Nov. 16. The event includes a celebration of the Old Stage Road, San Benito County’s 150th anniversary, the 25th anniversary of the Anza Trail naming and the 10th anniversary of the R.E.A.C.H. San Benito Parks Foundation. 

Events also include the unveiling of new interpretive signage at the trailhead that honors the long history of the Old Stage Road, says a press release from R.E.A.C.H. The road bridges the two counties that were severed 150 years ago to form San Benito as separate from Monterey County.  

Also at the event will be brief speaking acknowledgements of the Old Stage Road as a “Bridge Between Counties, Communities and Cultures” during a time of healing from the wounds of redistricting, divergent ideologies and cultural differences, says the press release. 

The dedication ceremony for the Old Stage Road is scheduled to begin at 3:30pm Nov. 16, although the schedule is subject to change. 

The Moonlight Walk will begin as the sun sets and the moon rises (approximately 5:26pm). It is about a two-mile walk to the top of the hill, where participants will enjoy scenic evening views, says the release. 

Local astronomers will set up telescopes along the walking route for evening sky observation. 

Hikers must return to the trailhead by 8pm, says the press release. 

San Juan Bautista has been home to the Anza Trail since the Stage Road was hacked into the hillside to bring supplies to the Mission from Natividad, R.E.A.C.H added. 

Lights On in downtown Hollister Nov. 30

Join downtown Hollister’s holiday Lights On Celebration with all day events from 9am-8pm Nov. 30. 

The Dec-A-Tree Project kicks off the day at 9am, followed by the holiday boutique from 1-8 pm and food vendors. The parade starts at 5:30 pm. 

Take a free photo with Santa in the Veterans’ Memorial Building after the parade. 

Email ev****@do***************.org for parade information. 

For boutique info, contact ma****@do***************.org