AMBAG seeks input on Blueprint
MARINA
– The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments has released
a draft regional visioning document to advice local governments on
policies concerning growth and development over the next 25
years,
”
Envisioning Monterey Bay Area: A Blueprint for Sustainable
Growth and Smart Infrastructure.
”
The report is focused on reducing congestion, conserving open
space and agricultural land while providing more housing and
transportation choices. The report was put together with input from
residents and local government agencies.
The blueprint and technical appendix are available for download
at www.ambag.org/programs/blueprint/index.html. It can also be
viewed at the San Benito County Free Library, 470 Fifth St., in
Hollister, the Monterey County Library, 190 Seaside Circle, and the
Santa Cruz County Library’s Central Branch, 224 Church St.
The blueprint is an advisory, fact-finding document and is in
draft form. Public comments are welcome through Dec. 15. Please
submit comments to
in**@am***.org
, with the subject line
”
Blueprint
”
or submit written comments to: Public Comments
– Blueprint, c/o AMBAG, P.O. Box 809, Marina, CA 93933.
AMBAG seeks input on Blueprint
MARINA – The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments has released a draft regional visioning document to advice local governments on policies concerning growth and development over the next 25 years, “Envisioning Monterey Bay Area: A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth and Smart Infrastructure.” The report is focused on reducing congestion, conserving open space and agricultural land while providing more housing and transportation choices. The report was put together with input from residents and local government agencies.
The blueprint and technical appendix are available for download at www.ambag.org/programs/blueprint/index.html. It can also be viewed at the San Benito County Free Library, 470 Fifth St., in Hollister, the Monterey County Library, 190 Seaside Circle, and the Santa Cruz County Library’s Central Branch, 224 Church St.
The blueprint is an advisory, fact-finding document and is in draft form. Public comments are welcome through Dec. 15. Please submit comments to
in**@am***.org
, with the subject line “Blueprint” or submit written comments to: Public Comments – Blueprint, c/o AMBAG, P.O. Box 809, Marina, CA 93933.
Lights On volunteers needed
HOLLISTER – Volunteers are needed for the Hollister Downtown Association’s Lights On Celebration Nov. 27. Some of the volunteer jobs include parade marshals, barricade officials, costume actors, escorts/drivers for costume actors, parade line-up assistants, parade de-staging assistants, Santa’s Helpers and runners.
For more information or to volunteer call Cathy Buck at 245-8813 or visit www.downtownhollister.org/lightson.php.
Alzheimer’s lecture
SANTA CRUZ – The Alzheimer’s Association at the Live Oak Senior Center, will host a special series in honor of National Alzheimer’s and Caregiver’s Month, Dec. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event is called ‘Creative Moments that help us with expressing emotions. Art therapist Shawna Sacan, ATR; and the Association staff will lead people through an introspective, creative session. The center is located at 1777 Capitola Road, in Santa Cruz.
Please pre-register by calling 464-9982.
ALBA accepts farmer education program
SALINAS – The Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association is accepting applications for its Farmer Education Program, which begins Jan. 11, 2011. Space is limited. The deadline for applications is Dec. 1. For materials, call 758-1469.
The program is a bilingual English/Spanish six-month adult education course. It is designed to serve both aspiring and established farmers interested in classroom instruction and practical field workshops. The program was recently approved as an Eligible Training Provider by the California Employment Development Department, making it possible for EDD clients to receive support for participation.
Course fees are based on a sliding scale, with a priority to serve low-income residents. Participants who complete course requirements and create a business plan are given the opportunity to rent land to start a small farm. The course is offered at ALBA’s Rural Development Center, 1700 Old Stage Road, near Salinas.
ALBA is a nonprofit organization providing 40 farmers with access to land at two farm business incubators in Salinas and Watsonville.
For more information, call Andy Rea at 758-1469, ext. 14.
Library book sale
HOLLISTER – The Friends of the Library Saturday book sales will be held in the book shed behind the library and the Historical Society, 470 Fifth St. from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday in November. It will be cancelled on rainy days. Books are available at $3 a bag, as are videos, tapes and more. Donations are accepted, as are donations of used and new books. For more information on the book sale, call 636-4107.
Members needed for library
HOLLISTER – The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library is recruiting new members and people to serve on the board to help plan the future of the library. The monthly meetings will be held the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
Due to the large increase in library cardholders and the increase in circulation, more help and input is welcome.
For more information, call Mary Schneider at 637-1794.
Returning Catholics group
HOLLISTER – Sacred Heart-St. Benedict Parish hosts a weekly meeting on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. for returning Catholics. The gathering is an opportunity for participants to understand the church through presentations, questions and discussion. Those who have left the church and are interested in returning are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Dolores Fenzel, the adult faith formation coordinator, at 637-9212.
BLM plans public meeting on mine claims
HOLLISTER – The Bureau of Land Management’s Hollister Field Office will hold a public meeting for mining claimants on Nov. 30 concerning the potential impact to mining claims from the proposed mineral withdrawal for the Clear Creek Management Area. Â
The meeting will be held in the BLM Hollister office at 6 p.m.
“The purpose of this meeting is to explain the process of a mineral withdrawal for the 31,000-acre Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern and how this decision will affect current mining claims,” said Tim Moore, a geologist in the BLM’s Hollister Field Office.
The public is invited to attend.
BLM will have technical staff and management to answer questions about hobby rock collecting and casual-use mining. The meeting will also include a review of BLM’s mining and reclamation plans that are necessary due to the emergency closure of the Clear Creek Management Area in May 2008.
For questions or more information, call Moore at 630-5027.
Community Foreclosure Workshop
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – The Central Coast Foreclosure Collaborative, a working group of city and county agencies, local representatives, community-based organizations and community groups, will host an event to help local homeowners who are at risk of or face foreclosure, at the San Juan Bautista Elementary School, 2300 San Juan Hwy., Nov. 20, from 1 to 5 p.m.
The collaborative will bring together a panel of experts as well as representatives from federal, state and county government. The panel will offer information such as foreclosure options for homeowners, tax consequences of foreclosure, free and low-cost resources for homeowners, reporting fraud and avoiding “rescue” scams and finding resources for Housing and Urban Development-certified housing counseling, debt and credit counseling, bankruptcy and emotional support.
The event is free to San Benito County and Central Coast homeowners.
For more information, call Michelle Decker at 722-2845.
Retired Teachers meeting
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County chapter of the California Retired Teachers will hold its next business meting Dec. 1, at 10:30 a.m., at San Juan Oaks. The meeting members will be served a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Christmas music will be provided by Hollister School District music students.
There will be a raffled with the proceeds going to the Community Food Bank. There will also be a book sale and the proceeds will go into the scholarship fund. Members who attend the meeting are asked to bring canned goods to donate to Community Food Bank.
San Benito Stage Company holds auditions
HOLLISTER – San Benito Stage Company is holding auditions for its production of “The Foreigner,” a comedy set in rural Georgia. Auditions are Nov. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m., and Nov. 20, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Granada Theater, 336 Fifth St., in Hollister. The auditions are open for adults ages 18 and up. Those auditioning should bring a head shot, resume, and be prepared to do a reading and dress for stage movement.
For more information, call 636-0122 or visit www.sanbenitostage.org.
Blood drive
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 Cienega Road, Dec. 23, from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or going online to redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code HOLLISTER. The Red Cross will hold four weekly drawings in December where donors have a chance to win a $100 gift card from Macy’s
Surrogate parents needed
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Office of Education and Special Education departments need volunteers to help with a surrogate parent program. Public school districts train and appoint surrogate parents for a child with a disability under the following circumstances:
– The biological parent or adoptive parents cannot be identified or located after reasonable effort; or parental rights have been terminated
– The child does not have a court-appointed person authorized to make educational decisions
– The child’s court-appointed “parent” is unwilling or unable to serve as the surrogate parents
– The child is an unaccompanied homeless youth.
Surrogate parents play a unique and critical role in supporting the special education rights and needs of children.
If you would like to learn more about the program, call Lorna Gilbert, the director of special services at 637-5393, ext. 131.
San Benito Aquatics seeks members
HOLLISTER – San Benito Aquatics is a nonprofit, year-round swim team. They offer swim lessons, competition and non-competition swim team, masters swim and dry land training for all ages.
Enrollment is open year round. Coaches are on deck every day from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at San Benito High School.
For more information, call 630-3042 or visit www.sanbenitoaquatics.org.
AARP Tax-Aide program seeks volunteers
HOLLISTER – The American Association of Retired Persons is looking for volunteers to help with its free tax counseling and preparation services offered from Feb. 11 to April 11. Volunteers will learn tax law and will help prepare personal income tax returns for middle-to-low income residents. Each year, AARP volunteers prepare tax returns at more than 10,000 sites nationwide.
Volunteers will receive free tax training from the Internal Revenue Service, and are asked for a commitment of 40 hours over the 10-week session. Local training is scheduled to begin Jan. 31.
Also needed are experienced, computer-savvy volunteers to provide technical assistance. Volunteers do not need to be AARP members.
For more information, call the San Benito County coordinator Mary Amstutz at 636-5994.
Bridge group offers lessons
HOLLISTER – The local bridge club will offer lessons on Tuesdays, starting Jan. 4, from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m., for players of all levels. The lessons last about six weeks. The lessons are $8 and the book is $13. The lessons will be held at the Dunne Park Clubhouse. Open duplicate bridge games are scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, at the clubhouse.
For more information, call Linda King at 801-9257.
AnnJAM 5K Charity Walk and Celebration
GILROY – Family members of Ann Jaszewski are planning a 5K charity walk and celebration in honor of her 90th birthday, Dec. 4, at Christmas Hill Park. The walk will take place along the levee, with ending with a celebration in the picnic area at Christmas Hill Park. Registration is $30 and includes a shirt, continental breakfast and party favors. Check in begins at 8 a.m., with the walk starting at 8:30 a.m. The celebration will be 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sponsorship and proceeds benefit Hospice of the Valley.
Daughters Terri Ryan and Suzi Munoz decided to organize the run for the long-time Gilroy resident because Ann is an active walker. They chose Hospice of the Valley because the staff their provided comfort to Ann’s son, Gary, when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He died in 2008.
To register, visit www.annjam.org or call 408-462-1266.
Hollister Lions Club meets
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Lions Club holds its meeting at the Dunne Park Clubhouse on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.
For more information, call Sharon McCarthy at 630-0125.
Student art and photography contest
HOLLISTER – The Women’s Club of Hollister is sponsoring the annual Student Art and Photography Contest 2010. Entries should be completed in 2010 and the contest will be held at the monthly meeting Feb. 9. From that judging, the winners will go on to the Loma Prieta District contest on March 14. The first place winners in the district will advance to the state convention in May.
The art contest is open to students in K-12, with a category for special education. The categories are K-1; 2-3; 7-8; 9-12; graduating senior; special education K-8; special education 9-12.
The photography contest is open to grades 6; 7-8; 9-12, with special education 6; 7-8 and 9-12. All photography must be matted, no glass.
Awards will be given for first, second, third and honorable mention.
To arrange for a pick up of artwork, call Cindy at 637-0362. Artwork must be picked up by Feb. 7.
Blue Star Moms share info on Veterans Day
HOLLISTER – The Hollister city group of the South Bay Blue Star Moms meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested or who would like more information, should call Karol Burke at 801-6935, e-mail
so***************@at*.net
or visit www.southbaybluestarmoms.org.
The group is collecting items to send to deployed military personnel. The next care packages will be sent out Dec. 4. Donations need to be travel or individual-sized items, including food. It allows for the ease of packaging as well as the need for military members to carry what they receive. Suggested items are individually-wrapped snack bars, snack-size nuts, seeds, trail mixes and jerky, instant oatmeal, single-serving packets of powdered drink mixes, individual packets or instant coffee, tea and hot chocolate, foil-packed tuna, travel-size games, international calling cards, magazines and puzzle booklets, DVDs and CDs, cards and letters of encouragement.
Library to host a summit
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Free Library will host a summit Dec. 1, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the library. The mixer will include light refreshments at 5:30 p.m., followed by a presentation of the results of the 2010 Community Library Survey and Focus groups.
For more information, call 636-4107.
Office of Education offers math classes for teachers
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Office of Education will host meetings to help teachers enjoy mathematics among other math teachers. They will experience the excitement of learning mathematics content and history in a supportive group.
They will gain knowledge and confidence, to allow them to rediscover the thrill of learning mathematics for its own sake.
Meetings will be Dec. 7, Feb. 1, March 1, April 5 and May 3.
Visit sanbenito.k12oms.org or e-mail
sg*****@sb***.org
.
