YMCA health seekers workshops
HOLLISTER
– The next YMCA Health Seekers Workshop will be Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
at the YMCA office, 339 Fifth St. This month’s topic will be
”
Hiking and Biking in San Benito County.
”
Guest speakers include Michael Rupp, of Pinnacles National
Monument, Brian Lucas, of Off the Chain Bikes, and Michelle Armijo,
a park ranger for Hollister Hills and the San Juan Bautista de Anza
National Historic Trail.
Upcoming workshops will include topics such as whole food
nutrition, keeping balanced with chiropractic care, alternative
approaches and more. The workshops are funded through the Activate
American program at the YMCA.
For more information, call Rochelle Callis at 637-8600 or e-mail
[email protected].
YMCA health seekers workshops
HOLLISTER – The next YMCA Health Seekers Workshop will be Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the YMCA office, 339 Fifth St. This month’s topic will be “Hiking and Biking in San Benito County.” Guest speakers include Michael Rupp, of Pinnacles National Monument, Brian Lucas, of Off the Chain Bikes, and Michelle Armijo, a park ranger for Hollister Hills and the San Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
Upcoming workshops will include topics such as whole food nutrition, keeping balanced with chiropractic care, alternative approaches and more. The workshops are funded through the Activate American program at the YMCA.
For more information, call Rochelle Callis at 637-8600 or e-mail [email protected].
Community Day
HOLLISTER – New Harvest of Hollister is offering a day of free family and youth fun. New Harvest of Hollister welcomes the community to come out Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. to Dunne Park. Games, prizes, face painting, jumper, dunking booth and live music.
For more information, call 637-0643.
Memorial service at San Juan School
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – San Juan School will be holding a memorial service in the school gym for Wayne Funk, a long-time teacher who died recently. The services is Sept. 28 at 5 p.m.
For more information, call Cathy Alameda at 637-8340.
Republican Party meeting
HOLLISTER – The October meeting of the San Benito County Republican Party will be Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., at Mars Hill Coffee House, 610 San Benito St., in Hollister. Members of the public are welcome to participate.
For more information, call 638-0938 or visit www.sanbenitogop.org.
Vendors needed for Rancho/Maze craft boutique
HOLLISTER – The Rancho/Maze band will be hosting an arts and craft boutique Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Rancho San Justo Middle School. The boutique will benefit the Rancho/Maze band. The event will include sale of arts and crafts as well as a raffle with prizes.
Vendors can apply now. For more information, contact Laura Arballo at 637-4343 or [email protected].
SBHS career fair
San Benito High School will be hosting a career fair at the campus, 1220 Monterey St., in Hollister, Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Employers and college recruiters are invited to participate in the career fair.
To participate, RSVP by Nov. 1 to Sonja Romero at 637-5831, ext. 185 or by e-mail to [email protected].
Champagne and S’mores fundraiser
SANTA CRUZ – The Girl Scout Alumni Association will be hosting a fundraiser for the troops in the tri-county area, which includes San Benito. The fundraiser, Champagne and S’mores will be held at the Chaminade in Santa Cruz, Sept. 29, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event will also be a chance to say goodbye to retiring CEO Sharon Reece, who has worked with the Girl Scouts for 21 years.
For more information, call 633-4877 or visit www.girlscoutsccc.org.
Red Ribbon Poetry Contest submissions accepted
HOLLISTER – High school writers in San Benito County have one month to craft the perfect poem for Red Ribbon Week. County of San Benito Behavioral Health staff will be collecting submissions for its first every Red Ribbon Festival Poetry Contest between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1.
The contest is open to students in grades ninth through 12th grade who reside in San Benito County and the top prize is $50. Second and third place winners will receive a prize of $25 each.
To submit a poem:
Participants can submit one poem that is a maximum of 30 lines, single spaced in 12-point font. Originals will not be returned, so keep a copy.
In the upper right hand corner, include your name, a parent or guardian’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address, the name of your high school, Principal’s name and grade level. At the end of each submission, include an originality statement: “This will certify that the above work is completely original,” followed by your full name.
Poems must be e-mailed or postmarked by Oct. 1. They can be submitted in the body of an e-mail to [email protected] or mail to: Julissa Orozco, 1131 San Felipe Road, Hollister, CA 95023.
Winners and runner-ups will be notified during the Red Ribbon Run/Festival on Oct. 24.
For more information, call 636-4020 and ask for Renee or Julissa.
Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest approaches
HOLLISTER – Hollister VFW Post 9242 will be hosting the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest, which is open to students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. Rules and entry forms can be picked up at the County Office of Education, on Fifth Street, or online at www.vfw.org. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 1. This year’s essay topic is “When is the right time to honor our military heroes?”
The winner of the essay contest will be awarded a $200 check.
For questions, contact Bob Burnham at 638-1703.
Retired teachers meeting
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County chapter of California Retired Teachers will hold its next business meeting Oct. 7 at Paine’s Restaurant at 10:30 a.m. Following the meeting, a luncheon will be served. Members have a choice between chicken marsala or filet of soul.
The scheduled speaker is Leah Douty, the director of the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation. She will discuss the construction happening at the hospital and new services that will be available.
Halloween pet portraits available
HOLLISTER – The Nan Pipestem Rehabilitation Wildlife Center will be hosting its second annual Halloween Pet Portraits fundraiser Sept. 27 at the Family Pet Care Center, 38 East St., in Hollister. The professional sitting will be done by Peggy Dean Creative Photography, and seatings are limited, so call ahead to register.
For more information, call 637-7387.
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.
Manta Rays open to new members
HOLLISTER – The Manta Rays are a nonprofit, competitive swim team for those who desire to be the best possible swimmers. Our team goal is to send swimmers to Stanford to compete at the highest level. Our definition of fun is winning and reaching our full potential with like-minded parents and swimmers. We want to keep our numbers low so we can concentrate on quality. We have room for five more swimmers who would like to accomplish something substantial in the sport of swimming and are willing to work for it.
For more information, or to sign up, call Coach Dave Steele at 637-6559.
Latino Student Leadership Conference
HOLLISTER – The 13th annual Latino Student Leadership Conference will be Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at San Benito High School, 1220 Monterey St. The event is open to anyone, and is sponsored by the San Benito County LULAC Council #2890. The event includes workshops on such topics as education, health, law, media, business development, law enforcement and firefighters, with role models as presenters. It also features a special session for parents, as well as a career fair for students. Breakfast, snack and lunch will be provided.
The event is co-sponsored by San Benito High School, the Hollister School District, California Teachers Association, State Farm Insurance, South County Housing, and the Community Foundation of San Benito County.
For more information or to RSVP, call 673-2009 or visit www.sbclulac.org.
Holiday boutique needs vendors
HOLLISTER – The Cerra Vista Elementary School Holiday Boutique needs vendors for its Dec. 5 event. The boutique will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the space fee is $45. For more information, call Julie Englehardt at 635-9674.
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.
Blood drive
HOLLISTER – The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1670 Cienega Road, in Hollister, Oct. 15, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) or visit www.HelpSaveALife.org and type in HOLLISTER.
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.
Auditions for ‘A Christmas Carol’
HOLLISTER – Limelight Productions will be hosting open auditions for “A Christmas Carol.” Auditions are Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. or Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. for children ages 8 to 18, at 618 San Benito St., in Hollister. Those auditioning are asked to prepare a song and bring a small photo.
For more information, call 635-0553.
Free art classes
HOLLISTER – Bob Wilkinson will be offering free art classes at Mars Hill Coffee House on Tuesdays from 4 p.m.to 5 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Space is limited. For more information, call 635-9218.
Math Talk program starts
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County Office of Education will be hosting 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 p.m. 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 is offering 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.
T’ai chi at the Grange
AROMAS – T’ai chi classes are available at the Aromas Grange, at the corner of Rode and Bardue, Mondays and Wednesday from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
For more information, call 726-7151.
Art classes available
HOLLISTER – Dale Yarmuth, a member of the San Benito Arts Council and the Hollister Art League, will offer daily two-hour art sessions for artists of all ages. The classes will focus on pen and ink with watercolor. Classes are Monday through Friday, and are available during daytime or evening hours. The cost is $20 per hour, with materials and tools costing extra. Artists will also learn how to mat and frame their work.
For more information, call 634-0821 or e-mail [email protected].
YMCA gears up for fall events
HOLLISTER – The YMCA is now accepting registration for their fall YMCA afterschool program. The program is offered at Cerra Vista, Gabilan Hills, Ladd Lane, San Juan, Spring Grove and Sunnyslope elementary schools. The program includes homework help, asset development, value lessons, organized sports, arts and crafts, nutritious snacks, special events and learning centers. Some financial assistance is available, and fees, days and times vary by site.
The Homework club is also available for $110 a month for one hour everyday after school.
An annual membership is required to participate in YMCA programs, $30 per individual or $55 per family.
For general information, call 637-8600.
High school essay contest open to nations students
ARLINGTON, VA – Local students are eligible to participate in the “Being An American” essay contest administered by the Bill of Rights Institute, a nonprofit educational organization in the Washington, D.C. area. The nationwide contest will award 180 students and teachers cash prizes, and received more than 31,000 essays last year.
“This contest is unique in that it gives students the opportunity to share their thoughts about how the principles expressed in America’s founding documents shape and influence contemporary American citizenship,” said Victoria Hughes, president of the Bill of Rights Institute. “This conversation is vital to preparing the next generation of voters and civic leaders for the challenges that are ahead of them and our country.”
This year’s theme is “What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?”
The top three student winners and their teachers from each of the nine geographical regions will be announced at a special Washington, D.C. gala in spring 2010. First place is $5,000, second is $2,500 and third is $1,250. Honorable mention will go to additional students with a cash prize of $250.
Students in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, U.S. territories and American Armed Forces schools abroad will be judged in the Pacific region. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 1, 2009.
For more information, visit www.BeingAnAmerican.org.
