The area's League of Women's Voters groups are conducting mock elections for students in San Benito and Monterey counties. Students prepare and vote online or on paper ballots during the week of Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. The groups' are expecting about 3,500 students to take part.
For more information, call Arlene Guest at 595-8253 or e-mail pguest@redshift.com.
Jan 29
Endeavor Program benefit dinner
The Endeavor Program, a new scholarship program, will be hosting a benefit dinner and auction at the Cedar House on Jan 29. The money will go to helping students afford to participate in activities that they might not otherwise have a chance to be a part of.
For more information contact Angela Hagins at (831) 630-6368.
Jan 30
School band mixer
The San Benito High School Band invites all current eighth-grade students to their Middle School-High School Band Mixer 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The mixer will be held in the high school cafeteria, 1220 Monterey Street, across from the band room. Eighth-grade students will have a chance to learn about the high school band program, meet with the band director, band students, and with a counselor to learn how they can fit the program into their schedules. This is for everyone - not just eighth-grade band students.
For more information call Jeanette Whorley at 636-9706.
Jan 31
Student orientation class
The Adult Literacy Program's next student orientation class is set for 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the San Benito County Free Library. Students over age 18 and not in school are invited to attend the meeting. There's no charge.
For more information or to let the group know you plan to attend, call Program Coordinator Diane Leverich at 630-1449.
Feb. 2
Book sale
The Friends of the Library's next bookshed sales are Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shed is behind the library and Historical Society House at Monterey and Fifth streets. You can pick the books, maps or videos that interest you at $2 a bag.
For more information, call 636-4107.
Meetings and Announcements
Brain Injury Support
The Brain Injury Support Group meets from 6-8 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month at Poblanita Restaurant, 313 Third St. in San Juan Bautista. Anyone who has had a brain injury, stroke or aneurism is welcome to attend, along with caregivers, family and friends.
For more information call Maggie at 623-9271.
Republican Party meeting
The San Benito County Republican Party has changed its monthly meeting to the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Coast Bank Community Room, 260 Tres Pinos Road, Hollister. The location is across Rancho Drive from the San Benito Bank.
ObesityHelp Weight Loss Surgery Support Group will be held on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Room next to Pacific Valley Bank on the corner of Tres Pinos Road and Rancho Drive.
Servicing the community for vision care needs, we meet on the second and fourth Thursday each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Dunne Park Club House at the corner of Sixth and West streets. We accept donations of eye glasses and hearing aids.
For more information, call 801-8811 or 636-3852.
Young Ladies Institute
The Gabilan Chapter of the Young Ladies Institute No. 172 meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. The first Tuesday is the business meeting with the third Tuesday being a social gathering. Applications for new membership are welcome.
For more information, call Julie Martin at 637-3281 or Vivian Medina at 637-1567.
I.O.O.F. Lodge meetings
I.O.O.F. Lodge #166 meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 330 C Fourth Street. Social hour is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The meetings begins at 7pm. Applications for new membership are welcome.
For more information call: 637-3688.
SJB Library Books
The San Juan Bautista Library invites the public to check out new bestselling books, which are arriving weekly.
For more information call 623-4687.
Join Team Women
Team Women is a 'women-only' network with a chapter in Hollister. This person-to-person networking chapter is for women in business who are looking to actively increase sales, form lasting relationships, share business tips, discuss current business issues and have fun while doing it. Meets at 1 p.m. every other Tuesday at 1582 San Benito St.
For more information call Darcy Stevenson at 831-261-4130.
Democrat Meetings
The San Benito County Central Democratic Committee meets at 5 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the YMCA, 339 5th St. in Hollister. All are welcome.
For more information call 888-740-4432 or write For mor e P.O. Box 921, Hollister, CA 95023.
RPEA Meetings
The Retired Persons Employment Association meets at 1 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Methodist Church at Fifth and Monterey streets in Hollister.
For more info. call 637-4655 or 637-4716.
Compulsive Eaters Anonymous Meetings
Compulsive Eaters Anonymous meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at 1149 Powell St. (on the corner of Nash and Powell) in Hollister.
For more information call Nena at 801-4396.
Elks Lodge meetings
The Hollister Elks Lodge #1436 meets the first, third and fifth Tuesdays of the month. Social meetings occur every Tuesday. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. with lodge meetings at 8 p.m. The lodge is located at 351 Astro Drive at the Hollister Airport.
Parkinson support group
A Parkinson Support Group patients, caregivers and others meets the first Tuesday of every month at the Presbyterian Church on Cienega Road from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Emmaus House seeks volunteers
Emmaus House, a safe shelter for women and their children that are victims of domestic violence is seeking additional volunteers to assist the staff and clients. Openings are available for transportation of clients, general housekeeping, children's activities, bookkeeping, general office work and assisting house management with other necessary operations. Experienced counselors, teachers and health service personnel are also needed on a volunteer basis. Applications can be obtained by calling 831-636-7224 or by email to: alma.emmaushouse@yahoo.com.
Anyone wishing to adopt a family for Christmas or donate food or gifts for the families that are staying at Emmaus House, please contact us at 831-636-7224.
Crafters needed
The Ladies Auxiliary, VFW, Post #9242 is looking for crafters for the spring craft show March 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vetrans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St., Hollister. Cost for vendors is $4 for an 8-foot by 10-foot space. A table and two chairs will be availible if needed.
For more information or an application call Dolly at (831) 637-1980 or Geri at (831) 524-1459.
Guiding Good Choices
San Benito County Behavioral Health services' Substance Abuse Prevention Program is providing workdhops in San Benito County to help parents improve family bonding and reduce the risk of teenage drug use.
In a workshop called Guiding Good Choices being offered in Hollidter, parents will learn to how to strengthen bonds with thier children and reduce the risk that their children will use drug. The five-week program is being offered for free at San Benito County Behavioral Health Services at their Esperanza Center on 327 Fifth Street starting January 15th at 6:30.
Guiding Good Choices is an interactiveprogram for all parents of children in grades 4-8. In a lively and open atmosphere, parents will learn specific strategies to help their children avoid drug use and other adolesent problem behaviors sucha as gang involvement, and develop into healthy adults.
The series is sposored by San Benito County Behavioral Serives Substance Abuse Prevention Program and is free to parents. Childcare will be availible.
For more information or to reserve a space, please call Renee Hankla at 636-4020.
AARP Tax-Aide Program Seeks Volunteers
The AARP is seeking volunteers of all ages who want to learn tax law and help prepare tax returns for middle and low income taxpayers. Volunteers receive free training from the IRS and are asked to give a minimum of 40 hours over a ten week season. Local training is scheduled in late January 2008.
For more information contact San Benito County Coordinator Dolly De Vasier at (831) 637-1980.
The Free Lance Staff Got a question or a comment? Send us an email.
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The Score: Baler football and boys and girls water polo
