1. Annual Rib Cook-off: San Juan Bautista will host the annual Best Ribs in the West competition May 19 and 20 on Third Street, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Six teams will be vying for the title. Admission is free to the public and food will be for sale. Visitors can get in on the action by casting a vote for the People’s Choice Award on Saturday. Official judging will take place Saturday at 3 p.m., with winners announced Sunday at 1 p.m. There will be arts and craft booths as well as entertainment. Details: 775-324-6435.
2. 2012 Red Cross Heroes Dinner Celebration: The Monterey Chapter of the American Red Cross, which includes San Benito county, will recognize local individuals for extraordinary acts of courage at the annual Heroes Dinner Celebration, May 19, at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey. Details: www.arcmontereybay.org or 626-5251.
3. Save the Music Pancake breakfast: Mr. Ostenson’s Save the Music Drive will host a pancake breakfasts at R.O. Hardin Elementary School, 881 Line St., in Hollister, May 19, from 8 to 11 a.m. The May 19 event will feature the elementary jazz band. The proceeds will benefit the elementary and middle school music programs. Details: www.savehollistermusic.org.
4. Poppy Week kicks off: The VFW Auxiliary Post No. 9242 and American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 69 will kick off Poppy Week May 13-19. The official Poppy Day is May 18, when residents are asked to observe the day by wearing a poppy. The flower is an emblem of sacrifice made by veterans and the crepe paper flowers are made by disabled veterans in 40 states. The proceeds will go to Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation. Poppy posters will be up in participating businesses.VFW members will be at the Hollister Post Office, Safeway and Nob Hill to sell the paper flowers.
5. Rummage sale to support Sierra fund: The Gilroy Safeway will host a rummage sale to support the Sierra LaMar Fund on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m. Sierra LaMar, 15 of Morgan Hill, went missing March 16 and police suspect she’s been kidnapped. Money made at the sale will go toward the fund, which also has a $25,000 reward for information leading to her safe return. Gilroy’s Safeway is located at 905 First Street. Call 842-6446, then dial 8, to reserve a spot. It’s $25 for one space and $40 for two spaces.
