Our first Red Phone caller of the week, hoping to lower his
water bill, asked the Crimson Crusader to find out if he could
still get a free low-flow toilet from the San Benito County Water
District.
Our first Red Phone caller of the week, hoping to lower his water bill, asked the Crimson Crusader to find out if he could still get a free low-flow toilet from the San Benito County Water District. The Crimson Crusader made a call to Shawn Novack, the water conservation manager at the San Benito Water District to get the details on low-flow toilets. Novack said the toilets, which are available free of charge, are handed out on a given day about every three months. Unfortunately, dear caller, the last giveaway day was Aug. 19. However, Novack said he is always willing to help those who want to conserve water. Reach him at (831) 637-4378 to find out how the water district can help. Can’t wait until the next giveaway day? The water district also has a reimbursement program, Novack said. Those who choose to buy their own low-flow toilets can get a $75 reimbursement from the water district. Residents who get their water from the city of Hollister, San Juan Bautista or the Sunnyslope Water District and have a toilet purchased before 1992 are eligible for the free low-flow toilets and the reimbursement program, Novack said.
“The goal is to get all those old toilets out of circulation and save water,” he said.
Combating Boredom
Another Red Phone caller, tired of driving to San Jose every weekend for entertainment, asked the Crimson Crusader to dig up some information on night life in Hollister. Fear not, dear caller; the Crimson Crusader holds a self-bestowed honorary doctorate in local evening entertainment. The Crimson Crusader made a call to former Hollister Mayor Tony Lobue to get some ideas.
“Join a club. There’s the Elks, the boosters, the Masons and a bunch of different organizations to get involved in that always have something going on,” he said. “You don’t have to look too hard to find something.”
Local restaurateur Ignacio Velazquez said that while many people like to complain about how there isn’t much to do in Hollister after dusk, they aren’t looking in the right places. In addition to a half dozen local taverns and watering holes, San Benito County has a respectable selection of restaurants, wineries and two movie theaters, Velazquez said. And he said that while Hollister lacks a venue for major Broadway plays, local theater groups are always putting on quality shows.
“There is always something to do in Hollister; you just have to get involved,” he said.
The Crimson Crusader also suggests getting involved with the San Benito County YMCA, talking a walk, reading a book, joining a health club or sports league, and taking a stroll through historic downtown Hollister for some after-dusk shopping. And don’t forget to peruse the Community Bulletin.
