The 18th annual San Benito Open Studios is coming soon, April 26 and April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nine artists from Aromas, two from San Juan Batista and seven artists from Hollister invite you to visit their studios. This is a free event. It is a wonderful opportunity to see where artists work, ask questions, learn a new technique or talk to the artist about their creative process. This is your chance to buy a special piece of art at the artist's price. There will be a preview showing at Galeria Tonantzian in San Juan Batista, next door to Jardines restaurant, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until April 27 from noon to 5 p.m. To preview the art and download a free map, go to www.sanbenitoopenstudios.com.
For more information, call Andrea at 726-1312 or Sally at 726-9038.
Chicken Festival
The 2nd annual San Juan Bautista Chicken Festival is set for April 26-27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a variety of activities such as crowing contests, entertainment and arts and crafts booths. A parade is set for Sunday at 11 a.m., and entries are $15. Applications for booth spaces and/or parade entries are available at the SJB Chamber of Commerce at 209 Third St. or at the chamber's Web site, www.sjbchamber.com.
For more information call Margo Tankersley at the chamber at 623-2454.
April 28 Fill the Truck food drive
Community Pantry's annual Fill the Truck Day food drive kicks off April 28 with an appeal to local businesses and organizations for their participation. Barrels will be provided to participating locations on April 28 and the barrels will be collected on May 12. Community Pantry depends on this drive to provide canned protein, fruit, and vegetables for its member/clients. Last year we collected about 5,500 pounds of food. This year we hope to double that. We also want to increase the number of participating groups.
If your office or business would like to host a barrel this year, please contact Mary Anne Hughes at 637-0340.
April 29 After Hours seminar
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation are hosting an After Hours Nonprofit Seminar on April 29. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with wine and appetizers and the program will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Q&A panel of speakers at the end. The cost is $15. If you are interested in learning more about D&O Insurance, 501(c)3 tax and legal issues, and fundraising, please contact our office as space is limited at 637-5315.
May 1 Republican meeting
The May meeting of the San Benito County Republican Party will be May 1. The location will be the San Benito County Free Library on Fifth Street. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. Plans for the June 3 election will be discussed. For information, call 638-0938 or check our Web page at sanbenitogop.org. The public is welcome.
May 2 Kiwanis Pasta Feed
The 7th annual Kiwanis Club of Hollister Pasta Feed is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 2 at the Bertha Briggs Youth Center, 1221 Memorial Drive. There will be pasta, meat sauce, garlic bread, salad, beverages and dessert. The price is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 12 and under. Proceeds go to scholarships for graduating seniors. Tickets are on sale at POSTNET or at Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope, LLP. They're also available from Kiwanis members or by calling 801-5930.
May 3 Gabilan tour
Gabilan Chapter Kinship Center presents its Spring House Tour and Boutique, featuring the homes of Ben and Eleanor Denice, John and Jae Eade, Rick and Annette Giacomazzi, Mike and Tracy Nino, George and Lucille Rajkovich, Randy and Rebecca Wolf, and Noreen Zanella. The tour will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Hollister. Tickets are $40 per person, and all tickets purchased prior to the event will include a delicious box lunch. All proceeds will support foster care and adoption services in San Benito County.
For tickets and more information, please call 634-0238 or visit www.kinshipcenter.org.
May 5 Call for volunteers
The 24th annual California Indian Market Pow Wow
and World Cultures Festival is set for May 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mission San Juan Bautista. It will include fine arts & crafts, dancers, drums and native food - along with California Indian dancers, Lakota traditional dancers, drums and singers. There will also be children's jingle and shawl dances.
For information call Laynee Bluebird, director, at 623-4771.
May 10 CASA fundraiser
Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Benito County announces its HeArt of CASA fundraiser May 10 at San Juan Oaks Golf Club. The public is invited to join the group at the event and/or pledge support by becoming sponsor. CASA is a nonprofit organization working with kids in the juvenile dependency system. CASA recruits and trains volunteers to work with these youths during their tough times.
For more information call 637-4992.
May 17 Leadership San Benito fundraiser
"A Night on the Vine," a fundraiser for Leadership San Benito County, is set for 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. May 17 at Leal Vineyards. The event is $60 per person and includes $200 in casino money, wine tasting and food pairings. There will be silent and live auctions, a no-host bar and entertainment by "Soul Kiss." The raffle drawing, for which casino money is used, is at 11 p.m. Leadership San Benito County
May 21 Farmers' Market entertainers?
The Hollister Downtown Association seeks anyone interested in providing entertainment for the Farmers' Market that starts May 21 and is every Wednesday through August. Hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the market.
Anyone interested can call 636-8406.
Meetings and Announcements Paper or plastic?
Don't throw away paper or plastic bags you get at the supermarket! Community Pantry needs them to help feed the hungry. If you have bags, please donate them to the pantry. Every bag donated is one we don't have to buy, and we'd rather use what little money we have for food.
For more information call 637-0340.
Independent Study
San Benito High School's Independent Study program is accepting applications for the fall 2008 semester. It offers a means of individualizing the educational plan for students. Each student meets once a week for a one-on-one meeting with a teacher and also may participate in small-group tutorial sessions. Families interested in applying can pick up an application at the Independent Study Office at the high school's new administration building on Nash Road.
For more information call Linda Yetter at 637-5831, ext. 467.
Women's support group
Are you feeling pushed to your limit, isolated, depressed or misunderstood?
Have you been hit by a partner, emotionally abused or sexually assaulted?
If you'd like to talk to people who understand, contact Community Solutions about a Women's Support Group. It runs 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
To register call Debbie Ruiz at 637-1094.
Tax service
The American Association of Retired Persons tax-aide program offers free personal tax counseling and preparation to all taxpayers with middle and low incomes, with special attention to those over age 60. Until April 10, the service will be available by appointment only. People should bring the tax package they received, last year's return and all relevant information.
For more information call Dolly at 637-1980.
VFW meetings
The VFW Post 9242 meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Building on the second floor in Room 204. The group welcomes all veterans to call and inquire about joining and serving the community at the same time.
For more information call 637-6015.
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 aneurysm 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.
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