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.
Free health workshop
A free workshop will be offered through San Benito County Behavioral Health beginning Thursday, March 31 at 6:15 p.m. at San Benito High School. The interactive workshop is for Spanish-speaking parents of 9-14-year olds to help you and your family learn the skills to work together and prevent unhealthy behaviors (such as using alcohol or drugs or gang involvement).
Please call Juanita Luna at 636-4020 to register or obtain more information.
Republican meeting
The April meeting of the San Benito County Republican Party will be April 3. The location will be the Pacific Coast Bank Community Room, 260 Tres Pinos Road, Hollister. The location is across Rancho Drive from the San Benito Bank. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. Incumbent Supervisors Botelho (District 2) and De La Cruz (District 5) will speak on their bid for reelection. For information, call 638-0938 or check our Web page at sanbenitogop.org. The public is welcome.
April 5
Wine and Roses
The Fourth annual Wine & Roses Benefit will be held April 5. This benefit for Spring Grove School will be held at San Juan Oaks Golf Club from 6 p.m. to midnight. It will feature a no-cash casino, food, drinks, silent and live auctions, with live music and dancing to follow. Tickets are $40 per person and are available by contacting the Spring Grove PTO - 637-3745, ext. 355 or e-mail springgrovepto@yahoo.com. Only people age 21 and older may attend. Auctions will include wine tours, vacation packages, guided hunts and lots more. Our goal for 2008 is to continue funding school improvements as well as quality educational programs and activities that might be cut due to state budget cuts. We need community support to help meet this goal.
Tutor training class
The adult literacy program's next tutor training session is set for April 5 at the library, 470 Fifth St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants should bring a bag lunch, and beverages will be provided. Potential tutors will be introduced to the program, why it's done, how it works, who the learners are and what materials are used. Tutors are truly needed. Learners are waiting.
Please RSVP Diana Leverich at 636-4107
April 5-10
The British are coming!
The Sedgehill School Band will be visiting Hollister from London on April 5-10. The members of the band, ages 12-18, form a concert band, dance band, jazz ensemble, and a small rock group. This will be their first visit to Hollister. They will be performing at Union Square and Pier 39 in San Francisco, and at the Giants game on April 9. Students and chaperones will be hosted by local families, who will provide lodging, meals, and transportation to and from San Benito High School. This is a great opportunity for fostering understanding between students from Britain and the U.S.
If you are interested in hosting, please contact Marge Yarmuth at 902-9212.
April 12-13
Arts and crafts fest
The San Juan Bautista Fine Arts and Quality Crafts Festival is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12-13 on Third Street. Downtown will have beautiful food and drinks and plenty of live entertainment. Shop, browse, feast and discover thousands of quality treasures from over 200 artists and craftsmen in the West.
For more information call 623-4661.
April 20
Pancake breakfast
The SBC 4-H clubs will hold their annual pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon on April 20 at the Hollister Elk's Lodge at the airport. The breakfast will include pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. Proceeds go to support various 4- club in the county throughout the year. Tickets are available at the door for a donation of $5.
Call Joe Buchanan with any questions at 637-5346.
April 26-27
BLM service trip
If you enjoy a cool dip after a warm, moderate hike, join BLM staff and the Sierra Club on this volunteer service opportunity approximately, a 1.5-hour drive from the Monterey Bay coast. It's the BLM Volunteer Service Trip to Laguna Creek and the Gorge on April 26-27. Participants will conduct minor trash pickup and develop a plant species list as they hike approximately two miles down to Laguna Creek and up to the Gorge. Camping is primitive (e.g. no water or facilities). This trip can be accomplished in one day if you prefer, but you don't want to miss a fun evening under the stars and valley oaks.
Contact BLM Recreation Planner Lesly Smith at lesly_smith@blm.gov or (831) 630.5015 or Botanist Bruce Delgado at bdelgado@blm.gov or (831) 394.8314 for more information.
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 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.
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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