News

Garden Railroad Tour: Garden railroaders in the South Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz areas will open their homes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Visitors are asked to bring a donation of nonperishable food (or cash, checks or gift cards for Nob Hill or Safeway) when they pick up a guide book. Details: (408) 683-4537.

In a late night stealth operation, about 25 officers from several local and state law enforcement agencies shut down an illegal gambling venue masquerading as an Internet sweepstakes cafe on First Street in Gilroy Aug. 1, confiscating everything in the store, arresting three people and snapping handcuffs on dozens of others.

Pat’s Place seeks volunteers

Relay For Life: Hollister’s annual Relay For Life will be Aug. 3 and 4, starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the San Benito High School stadium. So far there are 40 teams signed up on the website, with 297 participants. Money raise online for Hollister totals $43,722, with more donations to be collected throughout the 24-hour event. The opening ceremony will be 11 a.m., with a survivors’ lap at 11:30 a.m. A luminaria ceremony honoring those lost to cancer will be held at 9 a.m. On Saturday, there will be a fight back ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by closing ceremonies at 11 a.m. To donate or find a team, visit www.relayforlife.org/ and search for Hollister. For more information on the event, email [email protected].

Just before their final weekend of performances, the actors playing some of the lead roles in the latest San Benito Stage Company production took time out of their busy schedules to teach some elementary-age kids about theater. Michael Frelier, who played Shrek in the local musical, and Serra Johnson, who played Fiona, talked with kids enrolled in the Si, Se Puede! Learning Center about their first time at an audition.

Staff members from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be making seven stops in California cities to discuss the California Foothills Legacy Area now that the draft environmental assessment is available.

Two weeks ago, the annual Vacation Bible School camp was held at St. Benedict's Church. More than 200 youths and young adults from various schools in Hollister from preschool to high school students participated in the camp. I had a chance to participate as a member of the camera crew. Whether they were campers, teen leaders or station leaders, everyone joined in the fun activities going on throughout the entire week. The theme of the program was Kingdom Rock, which was reminiscent of the times of kings, queens and knights in shining armor. Every day the campers learned various ways to “Stand Strong” in difficult situations, which was the sub-theme of the program.

The San Benito County Historical Society and Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association Branch 3 presented the ninth annual Small Engine and Tractor Show on Saturday at the San Benito County Historical Park. Admission to the annual event was free, with displays of antique engines and tractors filling the park. The day's activities also featured demonstrations, tours of the historical village, wagon and buggy displays and a kids' playground.

If you’re ready to elevate your running, the Mt. Madonna Challenge may be for you.

While residents with school-aged children are focusing on replenishing their stock of class supplies before the fall semester begins on Aug. 19, the United Way of San Benito County has launched a drive to collect those same items for low-income families in the community.