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Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital – along with its accompanying clinics, laboratories and other services – earned a “Gold Seal of Approval” from the Joint Commission for quality and safety, according to an announcement from the hospital district.

Anyone doubting the quality of our local wines should read the recent Wine Spectator magazine that featured Josh Jensen of Calera Winery (Hollister) on the cover. Jensen's Burgundy-style Pinot Noirs are world famous for their vivid berry flavors and limestone minerality. Calera's wines are so good that the winemaker from Opus One in Napa Valley makes an annual visit to Calera to get pointers on growing wine grapes. In addition to Wine Spectator, Wine and Spirits magazine has again named Calera as one of the top 100 wineries of 2013. Calera may be a little off the beaten path, but the drive will reward you with a taste of its wines and equally spectacular views of the Diablo mountains.

Looking to renovate the Johnny’s Bar and Grill in downtown Hollister, the private business is requesting donations in what it’s calling a new “Kickstarter” campaign online that launched Wednesday.

The county health department announced there was an active case of tuberculosis reported at San Benito High School, according to a statement released Thursday morning.

By the time you read this, The Great California Chillpocolypse of 2013 will be over. At least, I hope it will be over. I haven't been this cold since I lived in Canada - and frankly, that's saying a lot. (And please don't get me started on Canadian summers. Suffice to say that about July 15, millions of Canadians emerge from their homes dressed in tank tops and shorts to bask in the balmy 65-degree weather. It's like being in Hell, if Hell were cold. And not, you know, filled with fire and brimstone.)

The Sociedad de San Benito (The counties Spanish Lodge since 1928) had its Annual Membership Meeting/Luncheon at the Basque Restaurant, Matxain Etxea, in San Juan Bautista on Sunday. The lodge celebrated 85 years in the community and its ability to donate to local nonprofits, provide scholarships, promote its heritage and care for their members and families. Certificates or appreciation were given to the Matxain family and staff for their outstanding authentic service annually and also to Al Guerra and Guerra Family Cellars for their donations and support.

It’s that time again and it’s only polite to give Santa a little warning so he can pick up what I want without having to do any last-minute shopping. The truth is that I have more than one Christmas list; each is tailored to a specific Santa. Since this is, basically, a political column, this is my list for the political gifts I want. What, you didn’t know there was more than one Santa? No wonder you’ve been getting stiffed all these years. So here goes – all I want for my political Christmas ...

Members of the cast of La Pastorela, a biennial Christmas production, presented by El Teatro Campesino, recently performed during a dress rehearsal Mission San Juan Bautista. The shows runs through Dec. 22 at El Teatro Campesino. For more information, go to elteatrocampesino.com.

After nearly three decades running the county fair, Kelley Ferreira is going out on top. Nearly 12,000 people paid to attend in 2013, an increase of 30 percent over the prior year.

Andy Weighill, the recently hired regional executive director of the San Benito County and Watsonville YMCAs, has 12 years of experience at YMCAs around the country.