San Benito Lifestyle

Rain dance ceremony in San Juan Bautista on Oct. 10. Photo by Jonathan Crowther.

Art & Culture

Locals celebrate Indigenous People’s Day

People speak about their sacred site known as Juristac.

U.S. Army Veteran, Michael C. Wilson. Photo by Jenny Mendolla Arbizu.

Nonprofits

Honoring San Benito County heroes

Quilts of Honor ceremony celebrates hometown leaders as well as U.S. veterans

Blake (left) and Tyler Abercrombie with Decimal the pig. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Children and Youth

Tyler Abercrombie and a pricey pig

Members of the local agriculture community give a big send-off to a 4-H youth at the San Benito County Fair.

Restoration work at the Plaza Hotel. Photo by Robert Eliason.

San Benito History

Plaza Hotel in San Juan Bautista undergoes restoration

Repairs to the 208-year-old building include replacing damaged wood and adobe as well as repainting.

Students at the Firefighters Memorial. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Schools & Education

Homeschool students go to Sacramento

The field trip included Capitol Park, Sacramento History Museum and the California State Railroad Museum.

San Benito County Fair. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Nonprofits

San Benito County Fair plans a three-day run- with a few restrictions

The deadline for competition entries is coming up on Sept 9.

Sonne and Laynee Reyna with Rain Dancers. Photo by Robert Eliason.

San Benito Lifestyle

Rain dances return to San Juan Bautista in a time of drought

Local Native elders invite the community to join in prayers.

Raul Gonzalez. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Features

Raul Gonzalez retires after 65 years of cutting hair in Hollister

Some families had been loyal customers for decades.

Alessio Carli and his wines. Photo by Robert Eliason

Eat Drink Savor

Eat, Drink, Savor: Small-production Alicats Winery makes big Italian-influenced vintages

Master winemaker Alessio Carli’s foray into his deeply personal wines.

File Photo: Jack Kirk, Sr. of Hollister and Stephanie Shoquist of Gilroy use a radio during ARRL Field Day. Photo courtesy of Heatherly Takeuchi.

Features

San Benito County ‘Hams’ expand during pandemic

The Amateur Radio Association helps during emergencies and provides equipment testing and training.

Fortunate Son. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Features

Fortunate Son and Caravanserai perform for 1,400 cheering and dancing fans

Hollister Concerts series kicks off at Guerra Cellars.

Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2019 Kelsee French and Miss San Benito Rodeo 2019 Bonnie Mansmith at the 2019 Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo. File photo.

News

Saddle Horse Association’s Rodeo scheduled for June 26

Entry deadline is June 9 and no parade will be held this year.

An outdoor wedding (prior to the spread of COVID-19) at Jardines de San Juan. Photo courtesy of Jardines de San Juan.

Features

Couples wary of wedding ceremonies following pandemic

Many of the ceremonies being held this year are postponements from last year.

Mary Ann and Ray Barragan. Courtesy of Golden Memorial Insurance.

Features

Ray Barragan, from garlic grinder to a leader in burial insurance

The family continues his business and legacy of good works.

Volunteer Kay Ackerman Harmon has a special connection with the airport in that her father-in-law Elmer Harmon was the first airport manager. Photo by John Chadwell.

Features

A Bird’s Eye View of life

Kay Ackerman and Ronald Harmon were 12 when they first met on a dusty airstrip along Fairview Road.

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