Pinnacles evening hike and star viewing
SOLEDAD
– Pinnacles Partnership and the National Park Service will
co-host a unique event celebrating the natural wonders of both
earth and sky at the Pinnacles National Monument’s West Entrance on
Saturday, Feb. 21. Rain will cancel all activities.
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., Ranger Carl Brenner will lead a one-hour
guided nature hike where you will learn about the forces that
created this region of rock formations, intricate canyons, and the
plant and animal communities that now call Pinnacles home. A picnic
dinner to enjoy at dusk is encouraged, and then beginning at 6:30
p.m., visitors can share a sky talk and telescopic views of the
heavens, courtesy of the Pinnacles Partnership’s David Baumgartner
and local astronomers.
All activities will commence at the Pinnacles west entrance
parking lot. A $5 per vehicle entrance fee to Pinnacles is
required, but there is no fee for the hike or star viewing.
Visitors should try to arrive early; no vehicles are allowed
entrance to the west side of the park after 8 p.m., though visitors
may leave the park at any time.
The west entrance of Pinnacles are accessed by exiting Hwy. 101
at Soledad and following the clearly marked directional signs on
Hwy. 146 for 12 miles. Information about the park and its west
entrance may be accessed at www.nps.gov/pinn.
Deadline for new city residential development
HOLLISTER – The deadline to apply for residential growth management allocations, outside of the Measure Y exemption area, for 2009-2012 is March 31. Applications are available at City Hall, 375 Fifth St., at Development Services, 420 Hill St., Bldg. A, or online at www.hollister.ca.gov. The fee is $52 per lot. Along with the application, please submit architectural drawings that illustrate the project’s intentions, such as building elevations, floor plans and design guidelines.
The process is in accordance with the growth management program ordinance, which limits new residential construction allocations to 244 units per year. After the application deadline, city staff will begin an evaluation process for the proposed developments, and there will be a three-year development window. City staff will prepare a report on each proposal that will be reviewed by the city planning commission and will hold a public hearing before making a recommendation to the city council.
Property owners are encouraged to make an appointment with staff at Development Services to discuss the design concept and program for their proposed project prior to the completion of the application.
Properties in and around downtown Hollister may qualify for the Measure Y exemption from the 244-unit allocations, which is roughly Monterey to McCray streets and Third to Hawkins streets.
For more information, call 636-4360.
Pinnacles evening hike and star viewing
SOLEDAD – Pinnacles Partnership and the National Park Service will co-host a unique event celebrating the natural wonders of both earth and sky at the Pinnacles National Monument’s West Entrance on Saturday, Feb. 21. Rain will cancel all activities.
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., Ranger Carl Brenner will lead a one-hour guided nature hike where you will learn about the forces that created this region of rock formations, intricate canyons, and the plant and animal communities that now call Pinnacles home. A picnic dinner to enjoy at dusk is encouraged, and then beginning at 6:30 p.m., visitors can share a sky talk and telescopic views of the heavens, courtesy of the Pinnacles Partnership’s David Baumgartner and local astronomers.
All activities will commence at the Pinnacles west entrance parking lot. A $5 per vehicle entrance fee to Pinnacles is required, but there is no fee for the hike or star viewing. Visitors should try to arrive early; no vehicles are allowed entrance to the west side of the park after 8 p.m., though visitors may leave the park at any time.
The west entrance of Pinnacles are accessed by exiting Hwy. 101 at Soledad and following the clearly marked directional signs on Hwy. 146 for 12 miles. Information about the park and its west entrance may be accessed at www.nps.gov/pinn.
County and city cut energy consumption
HOLLISTER – Hollister, San Juan Bautista and San Benito County have all cut the amount spent on their utility bills. The Energy Watch program, a partnership between the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, have installed more than $900,000 worth of free energy efficient lighting and equipment in area municipal buildings, with a view of helping governments cut costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In San Benito County, the offices have lowered their electricity usage by more than 1 million kilowatt hours annually – a savings of $147,000 annually on PG&E bills. In addition the local governments have collectively reduced emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by more than 1.9 million pounds annually, through the program, according to estimates from the EPA.
“With all the budget cuts, this couldn’t have come at a better time for them,” said Jennifer Parrish of AMBAG.
People for Peace community forum
HOLLISTER – The Hollister People for Peace and the San Benito County Democratic Party are hosting a series of community forums. The forums are once a month on Wednesday from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the San Benito County Library, and include a film viewing and discussion. Upcoming forums include:
Feb. 25 – economy
March 25 – climate change
April 29 – foreign policy
May 27 – equality and justice
For more information, call 630-1059 or e-mail sb**********@ya***.com.
STAR registration
GILROY – The Gavilan College Summer Theatre Arts Repertory (STAR) program is accepting enrollment for their spring session, which includes a hands-on acting and TV workshop for youth. Students will learn how to create characters and write skits for a TV variety show; design and make their own costumes and masks; and they will receive a free DVD of their final taping. The show will also air on GavTV 18 and be online at http://gavtv.blip.tv.
The class runs March 7 through April 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost if $125. Register online at www.gavilan.edu/star or call 612-2057.
Calling all heroes
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross of Monterey and San Benito County is searching for nominees to honor at their 2009 Heroes Breakfast. Nomination forms are available online at www.montereyarc.org or by calling 636-2100. The form asks nominators to describe the act, where it took place, when it took place (should be from Jan. 1, through Dec. 31, 2008), why the person is a hero, and other information detailing the event such as news articles, witnesses or police reports. Nominees must live or work in Monterey or San Benito County, or have performed their heroic act in Monterey or San Benito County. Businesses, schools, nonprofits and institutions are not eligible for nomination. Nominations are due March 6, 2009.
The hero categories include: animal rescue – a single act of heroism by an animal or affecting an animal rescue; educator – an act that occurred within the education environment; fire safety – an act of heroism associated with fire safety; Good Samaritan – Adult for an act of heroism by someone 22 or older; Good Samaritan – Youth for an act of heroism by someone 21 or younger; law enforcement – an act of by those associated with law enforcement; medical – for those associated with health or medical emergency; military – by those associated with any military organization; spirit of the red cross – for outstanding efforts by an individual exemplifying the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross; and workplace for an act of heroism within the workplace.
Study in Spain
HOLLISTER – Anyone 18 years or older is invited to study in Spain through Gavilan College. The program offers a chance to earn up to 5 college credits will visiting Spain and studying Spanish. Students will stay in Seville, Spain, and study Spanish for up to five hours a day, and live with host families who have been carefully selected. Every night students will have the option to do a wide variety of activities such as view flamenco dancers, listen to jazz concerts or visit museums. There are optional weekend excursions available as well. The program is June 1 through June 26.
A free orientation meeting will be held Sat., Feb. 28, in the portable 5 on the main Gavilan campus, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. The cost of the trip is approximately $1,500, plus airfare. For more information, contact Albert Marques at 848-4794 or am******@ga*****.edu.
Retired teachers’ luncheon
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Chapter of California Retired Teachers will hold its next business meeting on Wednesday, March 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Paine’s Restaurant. Following the meeting will be a luncheon. Members will have their choice of chicken Marsala or spaghetti and meatballs. The guest speaker will be Gary Byrne of the Community Foundation for San Benito County.
Children’s art contest
HOLLISTER – The Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Benito County is accepting entries for the April 2009 art contest. To enter children in grades third through sixth should create a picture and a slogan related to the theme of preventing child abuse. The pictures can be on 8 ½-by-11 paper up to poster size, and can be done in any medium such as charcoal, markers, paint, etc. Entries can be completed by an individual child, or a group of child, though only one prize will be awarded. All submissions should have a consent form completed by a parent or legal guardian attached.
The first prize is a $50 gift card; second place is a $25 gift card and third place is a $15 gift card. The winners will be announced at the YMCA Healthy Families Day April 25, and the winning entries may be used in agency newsletters Web sites, or on County Express buses.
For more information, contact Ana Cabrera at San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency at 634-0686 or by e-mail at ac******@sa***********.org.
Car seat checkup
HOLLISTER – A free child safety seat checkup is set for 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the K Mart parking lot, 491 Tres Pinos Road in Hollister.
Car seats are only effective when installed and used properly. Representatives from the San Benito County First Five, Child Injury Prevention and Highway Patrol will be on hand.
Low cost car seats are available for qualified families to purchase. People should bring proof of income in the form of a WIC card, Medi-Cal card or pay stubs. People stopping in for the safety checkup should allot 45 at least 45 minutes, and arrive with a safety seat and the car it is to be most frequently used in.
Paint a chair to benefit HDA
HOLLISTER – The Hollister Downtown Association is seeking artists interested in painting a chair for the second annual Charming Chair event scheduled for April 4-18.
Chairs painted by artists will be submitted for a silent auction that takes place in front of participating businesses downtown. A few chairs will be available, or artists may use their own chair. Last year’s event raised $3,000, all of which went to the Downtown Endowment Fund to help revitalize downtown as the social and economic hub of the community.
For more information, call the HDA office at 636-8406.
Southside registration
HOLLISTER – Registration for Southside kindergarten will be held March 23 through April 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southside School District, 4991 Southside Road. Children must be 5 years or older before Dec. 12, 2009. For more information, call 637-4439 or visit www.southsideschool.net.
Cardinal football and cheer registration
HOLLISTER – Youth interested in playing San Benito Cardinals football and cheer can sign up Feb. 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Rancho San Justo Middle School or Feb. 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pizza Factory in San Juan Bautista. The program is for children ages 5 to 14, and parents should bring a copy of a birth certificate for new players and a copy of a medical insurance card. Football costs $250 with a $50 refund for parents who volunteer, and cheer is $200 with a $50 refund for volunteering. Photos will be taken in July.
For more information, call 644-6481 or visit www.eteamz.com/sbcards.
Fundraiser for local boy
HOLLISTER – Johnny’s in downtown Hollister will host a fundraiser for Logan Wood, a local 2-year-old boy diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Logan takes multiple breathing treatments and various other medications to help him grow and stay healthy. The money raised in the Feb. 22 event will help offset the medical costs associated with his treatment, which includes seeing a team of doctors every three months.
Meals will be available between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the event for a $10 donation. Johnny’s is located at 526 San Benito St. To guarantee your meal or for more information, call Carol at 630-9061 or Andrea at 637-7498.
Hospital scholarships available
HOLLISTER – Applications for the 2009 Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Awards are now available. Each year the Auxiliary awards scholarships to students who are pursuing a medical or medically oriented career. The total amount awarded to each recipient will be at the discretion of the scholarship committee.
Auxiliary members put in thousands of hours throughout the year running a thrift shop, the hospital gift shop, and organizing their annual craft and antique faire in order to fund scholarships and purchase equipment for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you must:
– Be a high school graduate (or equivalent)
– Be a resident of San Benito County for a minimum of one continuous year
– Be enrolled in health-related course of study at an accredited institution.
– Apply by April 17.
A complete list of eligibility rules and application packet are available at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Lobby, San Benito High School, Gavilan College, on the hospital Web site at www.hazelhawkins.com or contact Frankie Arballo in the hospital’s public relations office at 636-2644 for additional information.
Kindergarten registration opens
HOLLISTER – Spring Grove School is now registering children for kindergarten next fall.
Registration packets are available at the school office at 500 Spring Grove Road from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on school days.
Kindergarten classes are from 8:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m., with a maximum of 20 students per teacher.
Children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 2. To register, birth date verification in the form of a birth certificate, baptismal certificate or passport must be supplied. Also required are: record of a full health exam prior to first grade, a dental assessment by May 31 of the kindergarten year, proof of residency in the form of a utility bill that includes name and address, and record of current immunizations.
The school is also enrolling students for Little Grove Preschool, a pre-K tuition-based program for students intending to enroll in kindergarten in the 2010-2011 school year. Students must be 4 by Dec. 2. Classes are from 8:15-12:15 daily.
Further information is available from the school at 637-3745.
Tax help for seniors and middle-to-low-income residents
HOLLISTER – The American Association of Retired Persons Tax-Aide Program offers free personal tax counseling and preparation assistance to all taxpayers with middle and low income, with a special emphasis on helping those 60 and older. The program will run through April 14 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Center, 300 West St., in Hollister. Help will also be available Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. at the County Library on Fifth Street. Call ahead for an appointment at 637-1980.
Those who need help with preparing their taxes are requested to bring the tax package they received in the mail, last year’s return, and all relevant information on income and expenses. Volunteer counselors are not trained to assist in preparing tax returns that report business, rental or partnership income.
