HOL138

Page 1

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

Cliques & Crowds San Benito Stage’s ‘13: The Musical’

SBSC performance addresses teen life

SAN BENITO MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance

P4

ALADDIN JR. P8 | PASSPORT PERKS P17

A LOOK AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL PLANS P2 | SALE TAX WOULD FIX ROADS P4 | NEW BALER FIELD OPENS P13

HOLLISTER • SAN BENITO COUNTY

A New SV Media publication

Friday, September 21, 2018

sanbenito.com • Vol. 145, No. 38 • $1

Former police officer faces assault counts FIVE-YEAR COP, C. BROWNING, FACES THE PROSPECT OF PRISON TERM Michael Moore Reporter

➝ Shooting, 10

Robert Eliason

Former Hollister Police Officer Chad Browning has been charged with four crimes in relation to an alleged Sept. 9 crime spree that started with vehicle theft in Fresno and ended with Gilroy Police shooting at him before he could drive onto a local football field full of children. Browning, 42, of Fresno, was arraigned Sept. 12 at the Morgan Hill Courthouse, his first court appearance following his Sept. 9 arrest at Gilroy

GYPSY TRICKS Brian Howard lights up the stage during the Broon show fire eating demonstration on the Romany Stage, Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Northern California Renaissance Faire.

Medieval Faire returns By Debra Eskinazi Magazine and Features Editor

Nearly 10,000 people were transported to the past when the Northern California Renaissance Faire kicked off its six-weekend extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 15. Visitors to Casa de Fruta, about 14 miles east of Gilroy and 12 miles north of Hollister on Highway 152, discovered medieval worldclass jousting tournaments, court jesters, buxom wenches wielding ales, fair maidens, men in kilts,

warriors, brave knights and fireeating performers. Frances Larose, director of marketing for the Northern California Renaissance Faire, said the hope is to grow the Faire even more and bring in more families. “That is why we have added a sixth weekend, Halloween Fantasy,” said Larose. “It is geared to local families and friends.” Renaissance Faire visitors were entertained with theatrical and musical performances on

six busy stages, a tournament of horses and even giant turkey legs in a royal food court. “Our knights are dashing and fearless,” said Larose. “They entertain audiences with a full contact joust, featuring shattering lances and riveting sword fighting.” With so many things to do, Larose recommended that visitors pick up a schedule at the front gate, plan out their day and even stop in the Belrose Costume

shop for some festival-appropriate attire. “Besides the games we have fire eating, with revelry, dancing, glass blowing and amazing artisans with hand crafted wear,” said Larose. Visit the Northern California Renaissance Faire weekends through Oct. 21. Visitors can receive a $5 discount for the second and third weekends when buying online at norcalrenfaire. com. Use the code: Renaissance.

Vet trades uniform for Gavilan pads VET’S PLANS AND DREAMS INCLUDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL Bryce Stoepfel Reporter

For soldiers in Army green, unless they're career military professionals, there's life after the military. There's life after football too.

Gavilan College twoway starter Branden Garcia is a seven-year Army veteran, and now that he’s out of the service, he’s working on his post-military dreams: an education and a shot at playing for a four-year football team. Garcia, 25 ended his stint in the US Army in August. Out of North Monterey High School, he had turned down offers to play college football to instead follow in

the footsteps of his older brother, Rey Garcia, who was a Marine. Branden Garcia went from the California National Guard to sign up with the Army, where he served as a military policeman with deployments from California to South Korea near the DMZ. “I always had a passion for sports,” Garcia said. “I had offers from the University of Laverne, and Menlo offered me. But I

wanted to follow in the footsteps of my brother. I was young.” On Aug. 6, two days after he arrived back in California, he was back on the field. Garcia was released from his current duties on Aug. 3 but he was still technically a soldier since his DD214 discharge papers passed on Aug. 15. The second he hit the field, Garcia became the oldest player on the Gavilan roster, having two

Join us for a

CAMPUS TOUR Schedule a tour today! StratfordSchools.com/tours Morgan Hill

| 410 Llagas Road | (408) 776-8801

years on the next-oldest player. Garcia has gone from protecting fourstar generals to protecting Gavilan quarterback John Bell. Garcia starts on the offensive line and defensive line. He's the only player on the team who does double duty. His natural position is at linebacker, but necessity forced Gavilan head coach ➝ Gavilan Vet, 15


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.