The 24th annual California Indian Market, Peace Pow Wow and World Cultures Festival continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Mission San Juan Bautista in the 2nd Street lot. There will be fine arts and crafts, dancers, drums and native food. It's a family-oriented, sober, public educational benefit. Donations go toward Peace Vision 501c.3 Youth Arts Projects. For information call 623-4771 or go to www.peacevision.net.
Candidates forum
Aromas Community Grange will host a candidates forum on Sunday at 4 p.m. San Benito County District 2 candidates will attend and answer questions, Measure V (school bond) will be explained and debated, and information on the June ballot initiatives will be presented by the League of Women Voters. The Grange is located at the corner of Rose and Bardue.
Meet candidate Grant Brians
Grant Brians, candidate for the District 1 seat on the board of supervisors, is hosting a meet the candidate reception Sunday at his home, 6580 Fairview Road, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, and the public will get a chance to meet Brians and ask questions about his candidacy. Kids are welcome.
May 8 Democrats 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. The new headquarters is at 910 Monterey St. The public is invited to visit Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For more information call 888-740-4432 or write For mor e P.O. Box 921, Hollister, CA 95023.
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.
Pinnacles Partnership Picnic
Pinnacles Partnership will host their annual picnic at the Pinnacles National Monument Eastside Campground site 85 and 78 on May 10 from noon to 3:30 p.m. Come and enjoy a delicious BBQ, informative displays, children's activities, wildflower and wildlife walks with National Park Service rangers, and information on the new non-lead ammunition laws as they pertain to the survival of the California condor. Everyone is welcome. For nonmembers, the cost of the event is $15, which will entitle the payee to membership benefits for 2008!
For more information and to RSVP call Grace Dominguez, Outreach Coordinator 831-389-4486 x239 or email info@pinnaclespartnership.org.
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.
The Free Lance Staff Got a question or a comment? Send us an email.
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San Benito Score: Baler baseball, CCS basketball and state wrestling
