Auditions begin for ‘Ax of Murder’
HOLLISTER
– The San Benito Stage Company is holding auditions for its 2010
dinner theater production,
”
Ax of Murder.
”
The comedy offers plenty of audience interaction. Auditions will
be Nov. 28 and 29 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 30 from 4 p.m. to 8
p.m. and Dec. 1 by appointment. Auditions will be held at the
Granada Theatre and are open to actors ages 18 an dolder. The play
is typically performed in February or March.
For more information or to schedule an audition by appointment,
call Shannon Thiessen at 636-9449.
Auditions begin for ‘Ax of Murder’
HOLLISTER – The San Benito Stage Company is holding auditions for its 2010 dinner theater production, “Ax of Murder.” The comedy offers plenty of audience interaction. Auditions will be Nov. 28 and 29 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 30 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 1 by appointment. Auditions will be held at the Granada Theatre and are open to actors ages 18 an dolder. The play is typically performed in February or March.
For more information or to schedule an audition by appointment, call Shannon Thiessen at 636-9449.
Community Solutions advocacy training
MORGAN HILL – Community Solutions will be hosting its semi-annual 65-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate Training. The training lasts six weeks and will begin Jan. 5, 2010. Last year Community Solutions served 10,000 people in south Santa Clara and San Benito counties through the programs they offer in mental health, substance abuse and other programs. Victims of violence have included people of all ethnicities, gender, class or sexual orientation.
For more information and to complete the application process, call Emma Lucas at 408-776-6288.
Downtown Holiday Marketplace
HOLLISTER – The inaugural Holiday Marketplace will be held on Saturday, Nov. 28 in downtown Hollister from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the former Brother’s Market on the corner of San Benito and South streets.
Items from local vendors, ranging from jewelry and candles to food and gift baskets, will be offered. Vendors include B&R Farms, DeBrito’s, Casa de Fruta, Helen’s Photography and more. Refreshments will be available throughout the day and evening.
For more information, call 831-902-5099.
DUI enforcement boosted for holidays
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Police Department will have more officers on the roads to crack down on drunk driving during the holiday season. Officers will be out in force through Jan. 3.
“If you drive while under the influence, Hollister police officers will be looking for you and they will arrest you,” said Chief Jeff Miller, in a press release. “There will be no exception.”
The zero-tolerance policy started Nov. 21 and will run through Jan. 3. Funding for the increased patrols is through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
By the end of September, Hollister police officers have made more arrests than in each of the prior years.
“Our goal is to make the 2009 holiday season the safest ever,” Miller said.
Since 2005, the number of alcohol-involved fatalities statewide has been dropping, but officers are still working toward zero deaths.
SBC Association of Realtors installation
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Association of Realtors will be hosting its 43rd annual installation, where Deborah Harter will become the 2010 association president, Dec. 4, at 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at San Juan Oaks Golf Course.
A champagne reception starts at 11:30 a.m., and the lunch and program is noon to 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 a person and RSVPs are needed by Nov. 30. There is a choice of marinated tri-tip of beef with a peppercorn sauce or a baked salmon fillet served with dill sauce.
Unwrapped toys will be collected for the Holiday Toy Drive.
For more information or to RSVP, call 636-4605.
American Red Cross opens holiday store
CARMEL – The American Red Cross Monterey Bay Area is opening a holiday gift store at 242 Crossroads Blvd., in the Crossroads Shopping Village in Carmel. The store opens Nov. 27 and 28, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 29 from noon to 5 p.m. In December the store will be open Thursdays through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m., through Dec. 23.
The store will offer a variety of Red Cross items such as personal safety emergency packs, two-person 72-hour deluxe survival kits, cell phone charging emergency crank radios, Red Cross first aid kits and gift certificates for Red Cross classes.
Gift-wrapping is available during the store hours as the Crossroads Shopping Village, and at the Del Monte Shopping Center wrapping kiosk Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for a suggested donation.
Free programs from WERC
MORGAN HILL – The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center is offering free programs to public elementary school with money from a Cisco grant. The programs are available on a first come, first served basis, and money is limited.
For more information, visit the Web site at www.werc-ca.org or e-mail [email protected].
WERC is also looking for donations of artificial Christmas trees without lights or decorations that can be used as habitat for the animals at WERC.
For more information or to donate a tree, call 408-779-9372.
Community Earthquake Awareness meeting
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County, City of Hollister and the San Juan Bautista Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee is sponsoring a Community Earthquake Awareness meeting, Dec. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 481 Fourth St, in Hollister.
The purpose of this meeting is to describe the earthquake risks in the region and identify potential strategies to reduce those risks to the public. This meeting is an opportunity to provide your thoughts and priorities to your Local Office of Emergency Services on making the county and cities earthquake ready and disaster resistant. The presentation will be conducted by the United States Geological Survey.
For more information call the San Benito County Office of Emergency Services at 636-4168.
Retired teachers’ business meeting
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Chapter of California Retired Teachers will hold its next business meeting Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Paine’s Restaurant. The meeting will start at 10:30 p.m., with lunch served after the meeting. Members have a choice of chicken Marsala or soup and a cobb salad. Joe Ostensen and the Rancho San Justo Band will perform. Members are asked to bring non-perishable food and/or large paper bags for donation to the Community Food Bank.
Hollister Little League registration
HOLLISTER – Registration for the 2010 season of Hollister Little League will be held on Dec. 2, Dec. 16 and Jan. 9 for all levels – T-ball through Senior League (age 15 and 16). The December registrations will take place between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Bertha Briggs House, 1221 Memorial Drive, near Veteran’s Memorial Park. Registrants must bring a copy of the player’s birth certificate, medical insurance information and they must complete a registration form and volunteer form, which requires a valid photo ID.
Registration fees are $65 for T-ball; $105 for farm, minors or majors; and $130 for the junior or senior leagues (ages 13 and up). Additional player registrations within a family are $70. Only cash, credit and debit cards will be accepted as payment. No checks.
For more information, go to www.eteamz.com/hollister, where online registration will be available as of Dec. 1; or leave a message on the league hotline, 831-644-5159.
Vaccinate dogs against Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau is warning dog owners about the Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), a newly emerging infectious disease caused by a flu virus in dogs. The virus is a highly contagious strain of the influenza “A” virus known as H3N8.
Just like the human flu, canine influenza virus is highly contagious, and every dog exposed to the virus will be infected. This is because the virus is relatively new, and dogs have no natural immunity to it.
Dogs who visit shelters, rescue centers, kennels, groomers, or “doggie day care” are at the greatest risk of contracting the virus. Dogs visiting dog parks, engaging in walks with other dogs, entering dog events or attending group dog training are also at elevated risk.
Canine influenza is usually mild, but can become quite serious in some dogs. The most common symptoms of CIV are a persistent cough; low to high-grade fever; nasal discharge; lack of energy and loss of appetite. In approximately 20 percent of the cases more severe signs, such as a high fever and pneumonia, will occur. A small number of dogs have died from complications associated with the disease.
Hollister animal control officers urge dog owners to vaccinate their dogs against CIV. Only a licensed veterinarian can vaccinate dogs. The CIV vaccine requires two doses within thirty days.
PAWS to Light Up the Night
HOLLISTER – Pet Friends and SHARE Animal Rescue Effort will be holding a holiday fundraiser. The groups will be lighting up lights on a tree outside the Pet Friends Center on Buena Vista Road. Lights can be purchased for a $10 donation and donor names will be entered in the 2009 Commemorative Book at the center. A special handmade ornament will be sent to those who donate $50 or more. The lights can be purchased in memory of a beloved pet that shared their live, in honor of a current loved one, or as a gift to someone.
Call 634-1191 for more information, pick up donation forms at the Pet Friends Center or check the Web sites for more information at www.petfriends.org or www.shareanimalrescue.org.
Donations needed for Rancho fundraiser
HOLLISTER – Rancho San Justo Middle School parent volunteers are seeking prize donations for their “Gift of Education Gala” to be held April 16, 2010 at the Elks Lodge in Hollister. Proceeds from the event will help fund participating students for a trip to Washington, D.C. next summer through WorldStrides, an educational company organizing the trip. Donations of gift baskets, gift certificates and other items are welcome. Donations are tax deductible.
For more information, contact Jennifer Ippolito at 638-0900 or Leah Kincheloe at 297-2341.
Blood drive
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive Dec. 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cultural Hall, 1670 Cienega Road, in Hollister. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.HelpSaveALife.org/NC and enter the sponsor code Hollister.
VFW dug out opens
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Post Canteen is now open. Members of the VFW Hollister Post 9242 and their guests are invited to visit during the social hours of operation. Monday through Saturday, the dug out will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays it is open noon to 5:30 p.m. The canteen is located in the Veterans Memorial Building, with an entrance near the back of the building.
For more information, call 637-5321.
Hollister Art League calendar on sale
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Art League 2010 Calendars of Victorian homes in San Benito County are now available. Colorful original paintings of watercolors, oils, linocuts and photography have been reproduced. Calendars are now for sale at Country Rose Gallery, 722 San Benito St. and Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., in Hollister.
All proceeds go towards San Benito County high school art scholarships for graduating seniors. For more information, call 637-6062 or 638-0277.
PAWS to Light Up the Night
HOLLISTER – Pet Friends and SHARE Animal Rescue Effort will be holding a holiday fundraiser. The groups will be lighting up lights on a tree outside the Pet Friends Center on Buena Vista Road. Lights can be purchased for a $10 donation and donor names will be entered in the 2009 Commemorative Book at the center. A special handmade ornament will be sent to those who donate $50 or more. The lights can be purchased in memory of a beloved pet that shared their live, in honor of a current loved one, or as a gift to someone.
Call 634-1191 for more information, pick up donation forms at the Pet Friends Center or check the Web sites for more information at www.petfriends.org or www.shareanimalrescue.org.
GriefShare meetings start up
HOLLISTER – GriefShare, a Christ-centered recovery and support group for those who are grieving a loves one, will meet at Grace Bible Church, on the corner of Sixth and Monterey streets, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The meetings include nationally recognized experts on grief and recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “God’s Prescription For Grief,” “The journey of Grief,” “The Effects of Grief” “When Your Spouse Dies” “Your Family and Grief” and “Stuck in Grief.
For more information, call 637-1394.
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.
ASSE seeks area reps
HOLLISTER – ASSE International Student Exchange Program is looking for volunteers to serve as area representatives in the community. ASSE offers academic year, semester and short-term exchange programs in the United States for students from around the world between the ages of 15-18. Area representatives recruit and screen prospective host families, interview students to study abroad and supervise the visiting exchange students in their community. Representatives are reimbursed for their expenses.
For more information about ASSE or becoming an area representative, call 1-800-733-2773.
Returning Catholics group
HOLLISTER – Sacred Heart-St. Benedict Parish will be hosting a weekly meeting on Monday 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.
San Benito Aquatics needs swimmers
HOLLISTER – San Benito Aquatics is accepting swimmers for the 2009-10 swim team. The team has been around for 35 years, and has a highly experienced coaching staff. The team offers an opportunity for students to improve swimming techniques, increase their level of physical fitness and compete in swim meets. Many alumni of the program have received college scholarships and continued on to successful college careers. San Benito Aquatics meets Monday through Friday at the San Benito High School pool.
For more information, visit www.sanbenitoaquatics.org.
Library book sale
HOLLISTER – The Friends of the Library Saturday book sales will be held in the bookshed 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 $2 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.
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. 1. to April 15. 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 season. Local training is scheduled in late Jan. 2010. Volunteers do not need to be AARP members.
For more information, contact Dolly De Vasier, the San Benito County coordinator, at 637-1980.
Club Ed offers tutoring as school starts
HOLLISTER – Club Ed offers tutoring on a private basis at $14 in all subjects, all grades. They even have tutors for college mathematics. Contact Rachel Flores-Zepeda at 637.5831, ext.370.
Pat’s Place in need of volunteers
HOLLISTER – Pat’s Place, a thrift shop at 101 Fifth St., in Hollister, is in need of volunteers. The thrift shop benefits Community Food Bank, which has seen a 25 percent increase in demand in the last few months.
The store sells slightly used kitchen items, furniture, clothing, books and more at low prices. According to a press release from Mary Anne Hughes, it offers “a revenue source badly needed for the Community Food Bank. The ever-increasing demand on the Community Food Bank’s services requires money to purchase food and supplies.”
She said while monetary donations tend to be seasonal, the hope is that Pat’s will offer a year-round source of income. Donations are accepted for the store, and volunteers are needed to sort the items, price them, stock and sell the items.
To find out about volunteer opportunities, call Mary Anne Hughes at 637-0340 or stop by Pat’s Place, or call 637-5500. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday. The store Is open to the public Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Math Talk program starts
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Office of Education will host a Math Talk on the first Tuesday of every month, starting this month (no meeting January 2010.) The program will help teachers improve their math skills, and will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 460 Fifth St., in Hollister.
For more information or to RSVP, call 459-5703.
Women’s support group starts
HOLLISTER – Community Solutions offers a women’s support group. The group is a free six-week program and is confidential. Topics include healthy relationships, domestic violence, safety planning, resources and much more.
For more information or to register, call Debbie Ruiz at 637-1094.
