News in brief

Poster contest for Student Film Fest
HOLLISTER
– The San Benito County Arts Council is seeking submission for
its 2010 Student Film Festival poster contest. Students in sixth
grade through community college can enter an original piece of
artwork. Students can use pen, ink or paint mediums.
The artwork should be scanned and e-mailed using jpg or pdf
formats, of dpi 320 or higher. Poster contest submissions are due
Feb. 1 by e-mail to

in**@sa***********.org











. The poster contest
winner will be honored at the film festival May 29 with a special
prize.
Workshops are scheduled in January, February and March to offer
students a chance to learn more about the filmmaking process. A
scriptwriting workshop is scheduled Jan. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at
the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., in Hollister. It will
help students prepare their video projects for shooting, with an
emphasis on pre-production, writing the script, choosing a location
and determining production needs. The evening will server as an
orientation for those interested in the film festival.
On Feb. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Blak Sage Gallery, a
workshop on Claymation and animation will be held for students
interested in learning the iStopMotion program, basic
storyboarding, lighting and more.
A March 11 workshop scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., will focus on
camera technique and editing where students can learn about using
high-definition cameras, tripods, accessories and sound. Films
created in the workshops are eligible to be entered in the film
festival.
For more information on the film festival, call the Arts Council
at 636-2787. For more information on the workshops, call
408-846-4983 or visit www.cmap.tv.
The Student Film Festival is sponsored by the San Benito Arts
Council and Community Media Access Partnership.
Poster contest for Student Film Fest

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Arts Council is seeking submission for its 2010 Student Film Festival poster contest. Students in sixth grade through community college can enter an original piece of artwork. Students can use pen, ink or paint mediums.

The artwork should be scanned and e-mailed using jpg or pdf formats, of dpi 320 or higher. Poster contest submissions are due Feb. 1 by e-mail to

in**@sa***********.org











. The poster contest winner will be honored at the film festival May 29 with a special prize.

Workshops are scheduled in January, February and March to offer students a chance to learn more about the filmmaking process. A scriptwriting workshop is scheduled Jan. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito St., in Hollister. It will help students prepare their video projects for shooting, with an emphasis on pre-production, writing the script, choosing a location and determining production needs. The evening will server as an orientation for those interested in the film festival.

On Feb. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Blak Sage Gallery, a workshop on Claymation and animation will be held for students interested in learning the iStopMotion program, basic storyboarding, lighting and more.

A March 11 workshop scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., will focus on camera technique and editing where students can learn about using high-definition cameras, tripods, accessories and sound. Films created in the workshops are eligible to be entered in the film festival.

For more information on the film festival, call the Arts Council at 636-2787. For more information on the workshops, call 408-846-4983 or visit www.cmap.tv.

The Student Film Festival is sponsored by the San Benito Arts Council and Community Media Access Partnership.

“Into The Woods” Auditions

MORGAN HILL – The South Valley Civic Theatre is holding auditions for its adult musical, “Into the Woods.” Those that will be auditioning must be 18 years or older. On Jan. 15 the sign-in for the audition will be at 6:30 p.m. with an audition time of 7 p.m.

More auditions will be held on Jan 16. The first audition will be at 10 a.m. with a sign-in at 9:30 a.m.

The later audition will be at 2 p.m. with a sign in of 1:30. Auditions will be held at South Valley Civic Theatre Warehouse, which is 16840 Joleen Way in Building F, Unit F.

Hollister Little League registration

HOLLISTER – The final registration for the 2010 season of Hollister Little League will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Building at the corner of Seventh and San Benito streets for all levels – T-ball through Senior League (age 15 and 16).

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.

Benefit barbecue

HOLLISTER – A benefit barbecue for John Ament will be held on Sunday, Jan. 10 at Paine’s Restaurant from noon to 6 p.m.

The barbecue menu is one-quarter chicken and ribs, beans, salad and garlic bread plate for $10 or you can pre-order a whole tri-tip and loaf of garlic bread for $25. Both menu options are available for take out or stay and eat in the banquet room. Tickets are available at Paine’s, Muenzer’s, Johnny’s or Cheap Seats.

A raffle drawing will also be held during the barbecue with excellent raffle prizes donated from throughout the community. Raffle tickets are available the day of the event.

For more information, call 524-6418 or 638-6434.

H1N1 flu clinic set

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency Public Health Services will host an H1N1 flu clinic Jan. 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Hollister. The clinic is open to children ages six months up to adult seniors, and the Public Health staff estimated they will have up to 3,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine to give out.

H1N1 vaccinations are also available from local physicians and by appointment at the Public Health clinics Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 637-5367.

Pet Photo Day

MORGAN HILL – The Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center will be hosting its Pet Photo Days Jan. 29-31, with professional award-winning photographer Peg Jackson. Photos are available for any animal from calicos to collies to canaries and chameleons.

There is a separate day set aside for large animals such as horses, goats, cows or others.

Photo sessions are available by appointment Friday, Jan. 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 21, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Granary, 17500 Depot St., in Morgan Hill. Photos are a $50 donation for a 5×7 photo (cash or check only).

The donation benefits the orphaned, sick and injured animals that need WERC’s rehabilitative services each year.

To make an appointment, call Ava Geddes at 408-778-7539 or e-mail

ag*****@me****.gov











.

House watch program

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office is offering a House Watch Program for county residents who are going on vacation or going out of the area for any length of time.

“With the holiday season upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to remind the residents of San Benito County of this service,” said Undersheriff Patrick Turturici, in a press release.

To participate in the program, residents can fill out a House Watch information form on the Sheriff’s Office Web site and fax to 636-1416 or mail the form to the Sheriff’s Office at 451 Fourth St., Hollister, CA 95023.

For more information, call 636-4080 or visit www.sbcsheriff.org.

A Taste of Spain

HOLLISTER – DeRose Winery will be hosting ‘A Taste of Spain’ wine tasting Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 9970 Cienega Road, in Hollister.

The cost is $20 per person. Wine club members and guests are welcome. The event will include a wide selection of Spanish wines, cheeses, meats and homemade paella.

For more information, or to RSVP, call 636-9143 or e-mail

in**@de********.com











.

Brain health workshop

HOLLISTER – The Philanthropic Educational Organization Chapter WX of Hollister, is hosting a workshop titled, “How Important Is a Healthy” brain Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the First Presbyterian Church facility hall, 2066 San Benito St., in Hollister.

The workshop on brain health will cover such topics as Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, attention deficit disorder, alcoholism, depression and other brain traumas. The guest speaker will be William Klindt, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and founder of Brain Spect Imaging in San Jose. Local educations, physicians and those in health-related fields are encouraged to attend.

Admission is $15 per person, or $25 for two people. The funds will be used by the Philanthropic Educational Organization for its annual high school scholarships.

For reservations or more information about P.E.O., call Kathy Kogle at 637-6307 or by e-mail at

kg*****@ch*****.net











, or Bonnie at 635-9218 or

bo****************@ya***.com











.

Kick-off party 2010

HOLLISTER – A Kick-Off Party will be held Jan. 21, from 5 to 9 p.m., at 845 Heatherwood Estates Drive, in Hollister, for some candidates for California offices. Speakers will include Chuck DeVore, a candidate for U.S. Sentate, Allen Barker, a candidate for the 28th state Assembly, and Diane Lenning, a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. Tickets are $35 a person or $70 a couple. Finger food and drinks available.

To learn more about the event, sponsored by Friends to Elect California Conservatives in 2010, e-mail

Cr************@ho*****.com











or

ro**********************@gm***.com

SDA School registration

HOLLISTER – The Hollister Seventh Day Adventist Christian School begins enrollment for its pre-K through eighth grade classes with an open house Jan. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30p.m., at 2020 Santa Ana Road.

For more information, call 637-5570.

Boxer Rescue Fundraiser

HOLLISTER – Nor Cal Boxer Rescue will host a fundraiser at Papa Murphy’s Pizza, in Hollister, Jan. 14, during normal business hours.

The business will donate 25 percent of the day’s total receipts for regular priced pizzas to benefit the nonprofit. Mention Nor Cal Boxer Rescue when placing an order.

The nonprofit provides temporary sanctuary for boxers in need from shelters in Northern California.

For more information abut the event, contact Michelle Armijo at 801-1518. $5 Papa Murphy coupons (of $40 value) are also available for purchase.

For more information, visit, www.nbcr.org/ca.

High-speed train public info meeting

GILROY – The U.S. Department of Transportation and the California High-Speed Rail Authority will be hosting public information meetings in January about the San Jose to Merced section of the high-speed train.

At the event the high-speed rail authority will display the results of the draft Alternative Analysis Report and its recommendations for carrying alternatives, stations and design options forward in the draft Environmental Impact Report/statement.

The proposed high-speed rail is 800-miles long and will connect major cities in the state.

A public meeting is scheduled in Gilroy, Jan. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 6070 Monterey Road. Other meetings include a San Jose meeting Jan. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St.

BLM hosts meetings on Clear Creek

HOLLISTER – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Hollister Field Office will host three public meetings to gather comments on the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in January 2010.

“We encourage the public to attend these meetings to find out more about Clear Creek and help us plan for its future management,” said Rick Cooper, BLM Hollister Field Office manager, in a press release.

The draft RMP/EIS covers about 75,000 acres of public lands administered by BLM in southern San Benito and western Fresno counties. The draft RMP/EIS does not include public lands outside of the CCMA

The draft RMP/EIS was developed through a public planning process and considers seven alternatives. The primary issues addressed are public health risk from asbestos exposure in CCMA, recreation, protection of sensitive natural and cultural resources, energy and mineral development, land tenure adjustments, and other planning issues identified during the public scoping process.

Each public meeting will begin with an open house where the public can gather information, talk with BLM specialists, and provide written comments on the draft RMP/EIS. Following the open house, the BLM will give a brief introduction followed by an opportunity for the public to provide oral comments on the draft RMP/EIS. Although oral comments will be noted on flip charts, BLM will only respond to written public comments in the proposed RMP and final EIS. Comments must be postmarked or received by BLM no later than March 5, 2010.

The public is encouraged to attend the public meetings to gather information and provide comments on the draft RMP/EIS.  All public meetings will take place from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at:

– January 13, 2010:         Harris Ranch Garden Ballroom, 24505 W. Dorris Ave., Coalinga

– January 14, 2010:         Veterans Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St. Hollister

– January 20, 2010:         Santa Clara Convention Center, Great America Meeting Rooms, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara

The draft RMP/EIS is available online for public review at the Hollister Field Office Web page: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area/CCMA_RMP.html. Compact disks of the document are available by request from the Hollister Field Office at the address above. For additional information contact the Hollister Field Office at 630-5000.

Dog licenses due

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA –The Hollister Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau reminds dog owners in the City of Hollister and the County of San Benito that annual dog licenses are due.

For Hollister residents, there is no change in the requirements or procedures to obtain a dog license. Annual courtesy notices have been sent to city residents.

For those residing in unincorporated San Benito County, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance requiring all dogs age four months and older residing in the unincorporated areas of San Benito County be licensed. This ordinance, adopted in April 2009, is similar to that of the City of Hollister. The full text of San Benito County Code Section 13.01.030 “Licensing Required; Fees; Term” can be found at www.san-benito.ca.us.

Under contract with San Benito County, the Hollister Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau provides services in the unincorporated areas of the county. As a courtesy to dog owners, the Animal Control Bureau has sent notices advising them of the new requirement to license their dogs. Residents of unincorporated San Benito County should obtain their dog licenses directly from the Animal Control Bureau.

Non-receipt of a courtesy notice does not relieve a dog owner of the requirement to obtain a dog license.

The fees for dog licensing in both the City of Hollister and San Benito County are as follows:

Dogs, not altered: one year – $18; two years – $28; three years – $36

Altered dogs: one year – $9; two years – $13; three years – $18.

The Hollister Police Department’s Animal Control Bureau is located at 1331 South Street. For more information, call the Animal Control Bureau at 636-4320.

Si, Se Puede seeks activity leaders

HOLLISTER – The Si, Se Puede! Learning Centers of Hollister and Gilroy are seeking reliable and self-starting college students to work with at-risk youth, between the ages of 5-13, as a Resident Activity Leader (RAL). The RAL will work with the site staff in implementing the after-school and summer program and assist youth with their homework, reading and subject learning center activities.

The Si, Se Puede! Learning Center offers after-school services to youth in grades K-5 and is located on a Housing and Urban Development (HUD), affordable housing complex. The Center operates under the National Farm Workers Service Center, a non-profit established by Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta in 1966.

Position requirements: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, US citizen or legal resident, have interest in helping a low-income community establish new programs to help children, and able to commit to 6 months of service. Benefits include: ultimate learning and work experience, monthly living allowance of $2,500 for six months (12 hours/week) or $3,750 for six months (18 hours/week) and an end of service education award of $1,000 (12 hours/week) or $1,250 (18 hours/week). The position will begin in March 2010.  For more information on positions in Hollister, contact Charles Miller at

nf************@gm***.com











or 637-9097 or for Gilroy, contact Jacqueline and Maggie at

nf*********@gm***.com











or 408-847-9162.

Baler Education Foundation accepts nominations

HOLLISTER – The Baler Education Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2010 San Benito High School Hall of Fame, to be held March 27. For a nomination form or more information, call Kenneth Kovanda at 801-0092 or e-mail

kw****@ya***.com











.

Homeless shelter needs volunteers, donations

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Homeless Shelter is in need of donations of warm blankets and paper products such as dinner plates, hot/cold cups, napkins, paper towels and personal-size toiletries. Volunteers are also need to cook meals at the Community Center and shop for supplies.

This interested in helping out can call Kathy Hough at 801-0265 or Cilly Fisher at 637-6357.

Blood drive

HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Jan. 21 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 drawing to win a 50-inch plasma TV and a one-night stay at the Inn by the Lake in South Lake Tahoe. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) or visit www.HelpSaveALife.org/NC and enter the sponsor code Hollister.

Nominations open for farmer, agricultural education awards

DAVIS – Nominations are being accepted for the 2010 Pedro Ilic Awards, which honor dedication to small-scale farming. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 15. The awards will be presented at the California Small Farm Conference in San Diego on March 1.

The awards are named for Fresno County small-scale farm advisor Pedro Ilic, whose untimely death in 1994 prompted the UC Small Farm Program to annually honor those who carry out his legacy of personal commitment to small-scale and family farming.

The awards honor an educator and a farmer who embody characteristics that helped make Ilic a success. The honorees are chosen because they envision what can be done and have the imagination, energy and intellect to translate that vision into a successful activity; is part of the solution; is an advocate and risk taker; is an effective teacher; is a dedicated professional; has determination, exuberance, high energy and genuine friendliness; has high personal and family values.

Last year’s honorees included Dan Macon, a Placer County rancher and Jim Leap, a farm manager for the University of California, Santa Cruz center for agroecology and sustainable food systems.

Nomination forms can be found online at ucanr.org/ilicaward. More information can be found at sfc.ucdavis.edu/awards. For questions call 530-752-8136 or e-mail

lm******@uc*****.edu











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Oakwood open house

MORGAN HILL – Oakwood, a nonprofit, nonsectarian private school in Morgan Hill, will be hosting an opne 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.

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.

Community Solutions Women’s Support Group

MORGAN HILL – Community Solutions for children, families and individuals, Inc. will begin a six-week Women’s Support Group in English and Spanish for women who are survivors of domestic violence. Groups will begin Jan. 12.

For more information, contact Saozinha Restorick at 408-776-6208.

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 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.

GriefShare meetings continue

HOLLISTER – GriefShare, a Christ-centered recovery and support group for those who are grieving a love 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.”

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.

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 $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.

Club Ed offers tutoring

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 continues

HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Office of Education will host a Math Talk on the first Tuesday of every month (there will be no meeting in January.) 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.