Nonprofits

The 2024 Gilroy Rodeo broke records for highest attendance and the most contestants participating in the event’s seven-year history on Aug. 9-11.  More than 1,000 contestants competed and performed in the local rodeo, which is run entirely by volunteers and returns all of its annual...

The nonprofit Rancho-Maze Band recently paid tribute to the legacy of Joe Ostenson—a pillar of the local music-education community for nearly half a century—by recognizing a local young musician who exemplifies the characteristics of the life-long educator.  Marguerite Maze Middle School eighth-grader Megan Phillips was...

Hollister and its residents, organizations and businesses rang in the winter holiday season Nov. 25 with the Downtown Association’s 33rd annual Lights On Celebration parade.  Floats of various sizes carrying kids of all ages, marching bands, classic cars, scouting groups, farm animals, youth sports teams,...

The San Benito Agricultural Land Trust recently completed steps to permanently protect another portion of Phil Foster Ranch in San Benito County’s fertile San Juan Valley.  With assistance from two public funding programs, SBALT has acquired an agricultural easement that brings the total protected acreage...

Squires named to Dean’s List Hollister resident Emma Squires was named to the dean's list for the spring 2022 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Squires is enrolled in the university's Olin Business School, according to a press release. To qualify for the Dean's List...

Hartenstein named to Dean’s List Emerson College student Lily Hartenstein, of Aromas, earned Dean's List honors for the Fall 2022 Semester. The requirement to make the Dean's List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester. Hartenstein is majoring in Journalism and...

Poetry Out Loud competition returns The San Benito County Arts Council invites the community to Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation contest, on Feb. 16 at 6pm at Anzar High School.  This competition, presented in partnership with San Benito High School, Aromas San Juan Unified...

Hollister’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242 will host Memorial Day remembrance ceremonies at cemeteries throughout town on the May 27 holiday.  “(On) this date we honor and mourn all the members of the Armed Forces who have given their lives in service of our...

Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics presented $2,000 scholarships to five seniors from area high schools. In Hollister, Julien Garcia of San Benito High School received a scholarship. Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics’ history of philanthropy dates back to 1988 when Dr. Bas W. Wafelbakker bought the practice in Gilroy. Today,...

Members of Texas Masonic Lodge #46, located in San Juan Bautista, held a fundraiser on Nov. 12 to benefit local youth and homeless programs.  Texas Lodge’s Teresa Herrick and her husband, Kevin, spearheaded the fundraiser by holding  a “Legit Phở Cooking Class” and holiday floral...