Blood drive
HOLLISTER
– The American Red Cross will hold 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. All donors
will be entered into a Lake Tahoe ski trip package that includes a
one-night stay at Harrah’s Lake Ta
hoe and two 2-day ski passes at Heavenly Valley Ski Resort. The
drawing will be held Jan. 8. The winner must be at least 21 years
old or accompanied by someone at least 21 years old. To schedule an
appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit
www.HelpSaveALife.org/NC and enter the spo
nsor code Hollister.
Blood drive
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross will hold 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. All donors will be entered into a Lake Tahoe ski trip package that includes a one-night stay at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and two 2-day ski passes at Heavenly Valley Ski Resort. The drawing will be held Jan. 8. The winner must be at least 21 years old or accompanied by someone at least 21 years old. 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.
Model landscape ordinance workshop
HOLLISTER – Various local and state agencies are sponsoring a model landscape ordinance workshop presented by the Department of Water Resources on Dec. 15 at Hollister City Hall, 375 Fifth St.
The meeting, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers, will offer information to residents about the provisions of a water conservation rules that all California cities and counties are required to adopt by Jan. 1.
Community Foundation seeks grant proposals
HOLLISTER – The Community Foundation for San Benito County is accepting letters of intent from local organizations and nonprofits for grant proposals. All proposals must support projects in one of six fields of interest: Arts and Culture, Agriculture and Environment, Education and Youth, Health and Social Services, Community Enhancement and Economic Development. The Foundation expects to fund nearly $450,000 in projects.
Applications, guidelines, forms and more details regarding the competitive review process can be accessed at www.cffsbc.org. All letters of intent must be received at the Community Foundation office no later than 4 p.m. Dec. 30. For more information, call 630-1924.
Oakwood open house
MORGAN HILL – Oakwood, a nonprofit, nonsectarian private school in Morgan Hill, will be hosting an open house for its Pre-K to 12th grade classes Jan 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. The school offers small class sizes and a challenging academic curriculum. Faculty and parents of enrolled students will be on site to answer questions.
The school offers scholarships, sibling discounts, tuition assistance and transfer assistance.
For more information, visit www.oakwoodweb.org or call 408-782-7177.
Downtown Holiday Marketplace
HOLLISTER – A Holiday Marketplace will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19 in downtown Hollister from 11 a.m. to 3 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.
Guide features tips on saving on taxes
Taxpayers can get the most out of new recovery tax breaks and get a jump on preparing their 2009 federal income tax returns by consulting a newly revised, comprehensive tax guide now available on IRS.gov.
“Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax,” features details on taking advantage of new tax-saving opportunities, such as the “making work pay” credit for most workers, the “American opportunity credit” for parents and college students, energy credits for homeowners going green, first-time homebuyer credit, sales or excise tax deductions for new car buyers, and the expanded child tax credit and earned income tax credit for low- and moderate-income workers.
The 308-page guide also provides more than 6,000 interactive links to help taxpayers get answers to their questions.
Publication 17 has been published by the IRS for more than 65 years and has been available on the IRS Web site since 1996. As in prior years, this publication includes basic tax-filing information and tips on what income to report and how to report it, figuring capital gains and losses, claiming dependents, choosing the standard deduction versus itemizing deductions, and using IRAs to save for retirement.
Those who do not have access to the Internet can call 1-800-TAX-FORM (829-3676) to request a free copy from the IRS. Printed copies will be available in January 2010.
Grape Commission offers grants
FRESNO – The California Table Grape Commission is offering 10 mini-grants through the “Innovation in Teaching” program of up to $500 to teachers in California’s grape-growing regions. Since 1993, the commission’s grants have provided more than $75,000 to teachers from Coachella to San Joaquin Valley.
The grant program is available to elementary, middle school and high school teachers. Teachers must submit innovative project ideas in any subject that directly involve and benefit the education of their students. They can include ideas for classroom, outdoor, field trip or other projects to be completed by the end of the 2009-10 school year.
The applications are due Jan. 18, 2010 and can be e-mailed to
in**@gr******************.com
or mailed to 392 W. Fallbrook, Ste. 101, Fresno, CA, 93711. Winning applicants and school districts will be notified in February.
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.
Poinsettia fundraiser
SAN JUAN – The San Juan Home and School Club is selling poinsettias from the Headstart Nursery as a holiday fundraiser. The plans are the dark red Freedom variety, grown in 6-inch pots. The plants are available for $8 and order forms are available at San Juan School. Orders and payment need to be received by Monday, Dec. 14. The plants will be available for pick up Dec. 16, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 17, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Dec. 18 from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information, please call Monica Guaracha at 623-9987 or e-mail
mo************@at*.net
.
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 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.
Hollister Little League registration
HOLLISTER – Registration for the 2010 season of Hollister Little League will be held on 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 is available; or leave a message on the league hotline, 831-644-5159.
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.
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
HOLLISTER – GriefShare, a Christ-centered recovery and support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one, meets 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.” No meeting is set for Dec. 23 or 30.
For more information, call 638-1394.
Members needed for Library board
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 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.
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.
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.
