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THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY

MARCH 2, 2018

OU T

&A

BOU T END EV E A R O F N TS

A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance

CA L

Christin Burda brings more than the bouquet

Falling for Flowers WINE PASSPORT P12 | ON SENIORS P16 | SNOWSHOEING P17

MARCH 2, 2018

St. Louise Regional Hospital

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We have been named a Baby-Friendly® Hospital – the FIRST South Bay facility to earn this designation.

Sponsored by the United Nations International Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization, this earned accreditation recognizes the we are exceptional at teaching breastfeeding skills and help new mothers adjust to nursing.

9400 No Name Uno, Gilroy, CA 95020 • stlouise.verity.org

Robert Eliason

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NEW BLOOMS “The Flower Girl” is one of the latest shops

to spring up in downtown San Juan Bautista.

MAGAZINE

64 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy, CA Mailing address: P.O. Box 516, Gilroy, CA 95021 Phone: 408-842-6400

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Publisher

Dan Pulcrano Associate Publisher

Jeannette Close Editor

Debra Eskinazi Calendar Editor

Tia Sundberg Contributing Writers

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Jenny Arbizu, Wallace Baine, Janet Enright, Ron Erskine, Kimberly Ewertz, Susan Rife, Colleen Grzan, Cheryl Huguenor, Emanuel Lee, Kate Russell, Neera Siva Advertising Account Executives

Kelly Been, Carrie Bonato, Vanessa Deleon, Scott Harvey Design Director

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Cover Story

Kara Brown Production Operations Manager

Sean George

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Crush

Editorial Production Manager

Katherine Manlapaz Cover photograph by:

Preview: Theater

Robert Eliason

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Theater

Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

10 Calendar 16 On Seniors

TO PLACE AN AD Email:

advertising@newsvmedia.com Phone:

17 Getting Out

408.842.9404

MARCH 2, 2018

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MARCH 2, 2018

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PERFECT PACKAGE Christin Burda’s ‘Flower Girl’ business began with a wedding client who needed flowers in a hurry.

Business in bloom

San Juan Bautista’s Flower Girl brings more than flowers

BY JENNY ARBIZU PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT ELIASON

C

One day, however, Christin was hit with an unexpected challenge. On her way home after setting up a wedding, she received a phone call from her assistant.

“She said, ‘The flowers are supposed to be here,’” Christin recalls. “I said, ‘I don’t even know who their florist is!’”

Feeling helpless, Christin decided to do the flowers herself.

It ultimately became a game-changer in her event planning.

“I kind of put together a price list for myself, and I thought well, would somebody ask me to do their flowers for them?” ➝ 6

MARCH 2, 2018

hristin Burda is not your average flower girl.

Instead of showering petals before glowing brides, Christin prefers a more productive role in creating the perfect wedding—but one behind the scenes.

And one that quite literally can save the day.

As an event coordinator who offers clients “packages” by finding vendors for special events, Christin realized finding a florist for her brides was becoming a frustrating task. So she allowed them to choose their own florists.

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Volunteer to Help a Child in Your Community

FLOWER GIRL

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There are 100 children in foster care waiting for a friend, mentor and advocate

Visit www.BeMyAdvocate.org

MARCH 2, 2018

MANY TALENTS Christin Burda is a florist, an event planner, a restaurateur, and a visionary in the small town of San Juan Bautista.

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Christin, who owns Fox Creek Events, has been the event planner for Fox Creek Ranch for the past three years.

Now, she has ventured out by opening her own flower shop, The Flower Girl, in San Juan Bautista on Feb 1.

With the help of consultant, Michelle Roberson, Christin has learned the “tricks of the trade,” she says.

But she hasn’t needed much help with the business aspect of her store.

Both Christin and her husband, Greg Burda, have been owners of La Casa Rosa in San Juan Bautista for more than a year.

And in the process of completing the restaurant renovations, Christin had a vision of putting a flower shop behind the restaurant.

Greg, however, suggested to open a shop sooner than later.

“He said, ‘Let’s look for some space in town right now and do it right now,” she says. “So I said, all right, let’s just do it!”

Greg says it didn’t take long for Christin to get the business up and running.

“A few phone calls and internet searches and BAM, she is in business,” he says. “I love that she saw a need and came up with a plan to fill it. The shop is a perfect addition to the little town. I am so proud of her and her undertaking—she is fearless.”

The San Jose native, who has lived in Hollister since 1997, always had affinity toward event planning. As a stay-at-home-mom, she took pleasure in planning school fundraisers and parties for her children, Bradley and Amanda, now 22 and 21.

“I just love putting parties together,” she says.

Working in restaurants, and at the Santa Clara Convention Center, ➝ 15

OA & OUT & ABOUT

MORGAN HILL

GILROY

HOLLISTER

ANTIQUE AIRCRAFT

HOLI EVENT

KICKOFF CELEBRATION

DINNER THEATER

Stop by Frazier Lake Airpark to view the beautiful antique aircraft on display at the Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In. Frazier Lake Airpark is an old fashioned airpark hosting numerous classic antiques with a 2500 foot long turf runway making the Cubs, Stinsons, Cessna 180s and Stearmans right at home. Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In is a free event, Saturday, March 3, gate open 10AM-3pm at Frazier Lake Airpark, 7901 Frazier Lake Road. For more information, visit frazierlake.com.

Join the Indian Association of South County (IASC) as it presents the fifth annual Holi Event and Potluck. Holi, The Festival of Colours, is one of the largest festivals in India, celebrating the end of the winter season. Guests are invited to join the celebration, wear their bright whites and bring a delicious treat to share. Join the fun Saturday, March 3, 11am-3pm at Community Park, Gazebo area, 171 W. Edmundson Ave. For more information, visit iascinfo.com.

Experience a night of wine tasting, enjoying the flavors of local restaurants and live music at the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Spring Passport Month Kickoff Party. Kickoff Celebration ticket purchase includes the Passport Book that grants admission into all the tasting rooms for the entire Passport month of tasting at over 30 wineries along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail. Join the Kickoff Celebration Friday, March 2, 6-8pm at Coyote Creek Golf Club, 1 Coyote Creek Golf Drive. Visit santaclarawines.com.

Bring friends and loved ones along to experience Inspire Performing Arts Academy’s production of the Murder Mystery, “Murder at Rundown Abbey.” Enjoy a wonderful dinner and then watch as the teen players put on a show that will leave guests guessing who the murderer is until the very end.

Enjoy this murder mystery dinner, Friday, March 2, 6-9pm at Paine’s Restaurant, 421 East St. Visit tinyurl.com/ya8g44jq.

MARCH 2, 2018

HOLLISTER

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THEATER

Murder at the abbey

Robert Eliason

MYSTERY Actors Jossie Scarcella and Kassandra Zarate ponder the

missing butler’s whereabouts in ‘Murder at Rundown Abbey.’

Dinner theater with Inspire Performing Arts Academy MARCH 2, 2018

By JENNY ARBIZU

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I

t’s a familiar story for many.

And for some, even a binge-worthy one: A tale that follows a well-to-do family in 1920s Britain, where the focal point is the class-division that separates them from their servants.

But unlike the television drama that inspired it (Downton Abbey), the play, “Murder at Rundown Abbey,” includes a mysterious murder.

And the well-to-do family it depicts?

“It’s a family that is a little more along the progression of falling out of wealth than Downton Abbey is,” says producer, Tristan Clayson. “It’s just a little bit more of a rundown setting.”

Inspire Performing Arts Academy’s (IPAA) Teen Dinner Theater

murder mystery opens at Paine’s Restaurant on Friday, March 2.

Directed by IPAA owner, Sally Hail, and produced by Tristan Clayson, the show follows a private eye, Sam Splayed (played by Cole Barker), in London, going undercover as the new butler at the rambling ancestral home of the Crumbledown family.

Sam finds the family has been plagued by a string of bad luck, and when a psychic assistant comes forward who was told by the previous butler that he was murdered, the rundown home and reputation of the Crumbledowns crumble even more.

Alexandra Sims-Werolin, who plays Sybil Snodley-Snippett is excited about finally showing this play to an audience.

“It’s going well; it’s gonna be a great show.” she says. “And just seeing the stage and to see us all come together in costume and full props, I’m so excited.”

The 90-minute show features an ensemble cast, all having studied their characters in-depth—all the way down to their accents.

“I try to go and do things that will allow the kids to go outside of themselves,” says Hail. “So for this particular one, I wanted them to study RP British and Yorkshire dialect.”

And according to Clayson, these accents may even act as a clue to the murder itself.

“This particular murder mystery doesn’t foreshadow as well as many do, because there’s a twist in who the person is,” Clayson says.

Clayson also adds that the tone of this play is lighthearted, but Hail assures that audiences won’t be disappointed.

“Audiences can expect to be entertained and be able to come here with their families,” she says.

Hail lowered the cost for children, making it more attainable to the whole family to enjoy.

While adult guests will receive chicken, with a side and vegetables, (all courtesy of Paine’s Restaurant), a children’s menu and vegetable option will be also be available. A cash bar will be open for adults 21 and over. Doors will open for guests at 6pm, with dinner at 6:30 pm, and the show beginning at 7pm.

“I’m excited for people to come and enjoy comradery, enjoy people at their table, sit with others. Just have a really nice evening,” Hail says.

IPAA’s ‘Murder at Rundown Abbey’ is running Mar. 2 - Mar. 11, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm.

Tickets available at Paine’s Restaurant, or call IPAA at 831.635.0553.

Purchase online at ipaacademy.com.

Tickets are $30; $20 for children 12 and under; $220 for a table of 8.

Tickets purchased at door are additional $5 per person.

THEATER

Millie takes Manhattan

Elizabeth Mandel

EMERALDS Muzzy (Mia Veltri) explaining green glass love to Millie (Brianna Pember) in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie.’

SVCT’s ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ charms audiences

young woman from Kansas who heads off to New York City.

Millie Dillmount shows up in Manhattan in 1922 with a firm plan: Find a job as a secretary to a wealthy businessman and then marry him. It wouldn’t be a musical if things didn’t go wrong from the first, with Millie shortly divested of her handbag, hat, scarf and one shoe in the rough and tumble of city life. She takes a room at a grubby hotel where the landlady has sinister connections to the white slave trade, and her new boss shows no sign of proposing marriage.

Brianna Pember’s Millie is sassy and funny, and although

South Valley Civic Theatre presents ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie.’

Performances through March 17 at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, Fifth and Monterey, Morgan Hill. www.svtc.org.

MARCH 2, 2018

By SUSAN L. RIFE

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n two years of seeing shows staged by South Valley Community Theatre, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the talent displayed by local actors, with some of the best demonstrated by teenagers.

This opinion was confirmed by the current production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, the company’s annual teen musical.

From the title role, vivaciously played by Brianna Pember, down through the hapless Bun Foo and Ching Ho (Thanachai Kapinkan and Emily Pember), director Janell Cummings has drawn a terrific cast to animate this charming story about a wide-eyed

Millie might be a bit naïve, she’s no country bumpkin. It takes her just half of the title song for her to ditch the country ensemble and long curls for a snazzy red flapper-style dress, cloche hat and bobbed haircut.

Pember is thoroughly comfortable as Millie. On opening night, her lovely singing voice was a bit overmatched by the live 15-piece orchestra, but she makes up for a lack of volume with her full embrace of the role.

Newcomer Roberto Nolasco is a perfect foil to Pember as Jimmy Smith. He’s got a relaxed, easy style as a penniless young man who’s streetwise until he quite literally falls for Millie. His “What Do I Need with Love?” is poignant and sweet.

Millie gets some great support from her new friends in New York, specifically Melodie Knapp as Miss Dorothy Brown. Pember and Knapp’s voices merge nicely on “How the Other Half Lives.”

Stealing virtually every scene she’s in is Lucy Kaelin as the dastardly Mrs. Meers, who pretends to be a friendly Chinese landlady to young women at her hotel, but then conspires to sell them into slavery.

Kaelin gets the deadpan delivery of “Sad to be All Alone in the World” when she learns a new tenant is an orphan just right, and her funny renditions of “They Don’t Know” and “Muqin” are show stoppers.

Alan Chipman leads a solid pit orchestra, and costume designs by Michelle Griffin, Alicia Corso and Adrianne Wilkinson are spot on.

Andrew Cummings’ elaborate set captures the nuances of 1920s New York City but on opening night was slow and cumbersome in the set changes.

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& CALENDAR OA

MARCH 2, 2018

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

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Be transported with old timey bluegrass tunes at the Brookdale Bluegrass Festival. For the first time, Eric Burman’s Brookdale Bluegrass Festival will take place at the San Benito County Historical Park in Tres Pinos. Blue Summit with AJ Lee, Jeff Baldwin with Harmony Grits and The Honeysuckle Possums will headline this festival of more than ten bluegrass and old timey acts. Also enjoy camping, food vendors and self contained RV spaces. The Brookdale Bluegrass Festival will be held Friday-Sunday, March 9-11 at San Benito County Historical Park, 8300 Highway 25, Tres Pinos. For tickets and more information, visit brookdalebluegrass.com.

HOLLISTER FAIRY GARDEN BRUNCH Join ARTI-Culture for a Brunch & Fairy

Succulent Garden Making Event at The Grove by Leal Vineyards.

Make and take a fabulous miniature fairy themed succulent garden.

All supplies will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own items to add a personal touch to their gardens. Brunch and drinks will be available for separate purchase to be enjoyed prior to fairy garden assembly. Get creative and make and take a fairy garden Sunday, March 4, 11am-1pm at The Grove by Leal Vineyards, 7511 Pacheco Pass Highway. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/y7fmprad.

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA LIVING HISTORY Meet mountain men, Civil War soldiers, Victorian ladies, and more while stepping back

to the early days of San Juan. Enjoy craft and cooking demonstrations and see historic horse-drawn vehicles and Victorian furnishings. Taste an old fashioned soda in the historic Plaza Hotel Saloon. Experience the history on Saturday, March 3, 11am-4pm at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, 19 Franklin St. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/y73xvkrn.

LOCAL BEER Explore beers from local breweries at Local Beer Thursday. The beer program at Vertigo Coffee Roasters is strictly “Locals Only,” and on Thursdays from 2pm to close, draft beer is just $5. Enjoy beers featured from breweries in San Benito,

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

Jazz Bash by the Bay Festival

JAZZ BASH

Experience a weekend party of early jazz at Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay. This weekend of vintage jazz and swing celebrates its 38th anniversary with a festival bringing together the colorful forms of early jazz. Enjoy Dixieland, traditional, swing, gypsy jazz, ragtime, blues and zydeco as dozens of guest bands, artists and youth bands perform. Have a swinging good time Friday-Sunday, March 2-4, 11am-5pm at Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. For tickets and information, visit jazzbashmonterey.com.

Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties that are always fresh, exciting and delicious. Discover a new local favorite, Thursday, March 8, 2-6pm at Vertigo Coffee Roasters, 81 Fourth St. For more information, visit vertigocoffee.com.

GILROY OUTDOOR EXPLORATION Visit Coe Park for Raincoats and Rubber Boots. Bring rain slickers and boots to play in the creek, float rubber ducks and boats and hike along the creek on a scavenger hunt to discover plants and animals that exist there. Kids are encouraged to

Check out the Kids Food Festival with the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. Have a good time learning about healthy eating with delicious recipes, games and hands-on activities. Enjoy a balanced-plate scavenger hunt, whip up a fruit smoothie on the Blender Bike and nourish lives by preparing food kids for distribution. Have a deliciously good time Sunday, March 11, noon-4pm at Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. For more information, visit cdm.org.

bring bikes and helmets to ride the obstacle course under supervision of experienced mountain bikers.

Join the fun Saturday, March 3, 10:30am-2:30pm at Henry W. Coe State Park, Hunting Hollow Entrance. Visit coepark.net.

BACH TO BLUES Enjoy regional talent at Bach to Blues 2018, the annual Gavilan College faculty concert with special guests. This fundraising concert showcases regional talent with performing artists including the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition, Gavilan Performance Ensemble and guest artists. All proceeds benefit the Gavilan College Music Program. Bach to Blues 2018 will be held Saturday,

March 17, 7pm at The Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. For more information, visit gavilan.edu/bachtoblues.

MORGAN HILL MUSICAL ROMP Join South Valley Civic Theater at its production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Based on the 1967 Academy Award winning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie is set in 1922 and takes audiences back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City as young Millie Dillmount searches for a new life for herself. Enjoy this musical production through Saturday, March 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at ➝ 13

MARCH 2, 2018

CRAB FEED Catch the first annual fundraiser for Crēdo Studio at Crēdo’s Crab Feed Cabaret. Enjoy an all out gala affair in three parts.

Begin the evening with a tour of Crēdo’s new studio at 1 Polk St, San Juan Bautista and pick up a “swag bag” of goodies, drink tickets and party favors for the evening. Next, take a short stroll to the event center and continue the evening by feasting on an all-you-can-eat crab dinner

while enjoying entertainment, a silent auction and more. Last, but not least, experience the cabaret featuring local talent all done up to the nines. Be a part of something grand Saturday, March 10, 6-10pm at Timeless Treasures, 507 Third St. For tickets and information, visit tinyurl.com/y9eorxjq.

KIDS FOOD FEST

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WINE

discover Campus Tour

March 14, 9:30am

MountMadonnaSchool.org 408-847-2717 Pre/K - 12th grade

CAIS & WASC accredited | Nonsectarian | Bus Transportation Available | Founded in 1979

OENOPHILES REJOICE More than 30 wineries of Santa Clara Valley will participate in 2018 Passport, March 2-31, 2018.

Wine month

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Give me a call today to see how I can help you while rates are still low

MARCH 2, 2018

Featured Mortgage Loan Officer for South County

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DAVID HERNANDEZ Loan Consultant NMLS #251100 831-970-6402 david.hernandez@nafinc.com Se Habla Español newamericanagent.com/davidhernandez 18525 Sutter Blvd, #240, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS ID#6606. Corporate Office is located at 14511 Myford Road, Suite 100, Tustin CA 92780. Phone (800) 450-2010. 02/2018

Santa Clara Valley Passport brings the party By LAURA NESS

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ne thing’s certain about the upcoming Kick-Off Party for Santa Clara Valley Passport on March 2, at Coyote Creek Golf Club—there will be ample food to complement the abundant wine.

Local businesses including Bubbles Wine Bar & Bistro, Forbes Grill, GVA Cafe, Huntington Station, Ladera Grill, La Niña Perdida, Mama Mia’s, Noah’s Bistro, Odeum, Rosy’s at the Beach, Old City Hall, Pineapple Village and The Milias Restaurant will prepare an amazing spread. Music will be performed by local guitarist, Kevan Smedt. People who purchase tickets before March 2 will get a chance to win a stay at Rosewood Cordevalle.

Passports not only open doors to great tasting experiences all month long, but they also unlock some

great Partner Deals, all detailed at santaclarawines.com.

In a nutshell, many restaurants will offer free corkage for the month of March on local wines, a considerable savings and a sweet incentive including Café Thyme, Huntington Station, Ladera Grill, Mamma Mia’s, Morgan Hill Cigar & Wine, Noah’s Bistro, Odeum, Prova, Rosy’s at the Beach, Old City Hall, Pineapple Village and The Milias Restaurant.

Additionally, many Passport Partner businesses are offering deep discounts including Bubbles Wine Bar & Bistro offering 50 percent off local wine (1 bottle limit) and 15 percent off select appetizers and Bella Viva offering 25 percent of a bottle off local wine with the purchase of a pizza to name a few. For information, visit santaclarawines.com/passport.html.

OA & CALENDAR

11 of blues rock music. Be entertained by a great evening of dancing and good music Saturday, March 3, 8-11pm at GVA Cafe Bistro, 17400 Monterey St, Morgan Hill. For more information, visit south46.com.

BLACK HISTORY Join the Gilroy Center for the Arts at the fourth annual Black History Month Exhibit. Experience the featured art of Black Folk artists, collage artists, photographers, sculptors and more through March 3 at Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St, Gilroy. Admission to the gallery and receptions are always free. For more information, visit gilroyartsalliance.com.

PHOTO CHALLENGE

Enjoy Hollister Hills SVRA’s variety of trail systems while participating in a photo challenge adventure. The HHSVRA photo challenge self-guided and focuses on categories including motorcycle/ATV, 4X4, mountain biking/hiking and equestrian riding. Be creative while taking pictures and enjoying the outdoors. The first 100 participants to complete the challenge will receive a prize. Participate in the photo challenge through June 30 at Hollister Hills SVRA, 7800 Cienega Road, Hollister. For challenge rules and information, visit tinyurl.com/ydftyg94.

YOUTH CLUB Hollister and San Benito County teenagers ages 13 to 18 are invited to enjoy local band Racing Time, a band developed by three local high school students, at Hollister Youth Club. Attendees will enjoy free entry, live music, ping

SOUTH 46 Appreciate classic blues and rock at its best as South 46 Band rocks GVA Cafe. Enjoy South 46 Band’s full, well balanced sound as this seven member band of great musicians performs the music of The Allman Brothers Band brand

THE ELDORADOS Don’t miss the soul blues music of The Eldorados at Grillin & Chillin Alehouse. Hear original songs including everything from R&B, Blues, Rock and Roll, Country and even some South Texas Zydeco. In addition to the impressive lineup of original music, The Eldorados also play classics by the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Albert King and more. Enjoy great food, drink and a night not to be forgotten Saturday, March 3, 7-10pm at Grillin & Chillin Alehouse, 401 McCray St, Unit B24, Hollister.

For more information, visit tinyurl. com/ycxyav3u.

NATURAL HEALING Join the Healing Strong support group and connect and learn with others

TOAST & JAM All musicians are welcome to head to Crvvvvvdo Studio for Toast & Jam. Attendees will enjoy meeting to eat toast and jam, and then hanging out - to jam.

Crēdo Studio is a Center for the Arts that offers musicians a place to play and has a piano, drum kit and some percussion instruments available for Toast & Jam sessions. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own instruments as well. Drop in for some toast and jam Saturday, March 10, 9am-noon at Crēdo Studio, 1 Polk St, San Juan Bautista.

For more information, visit tinyurl. com/yd8ul5ph.

FAMILY PAINTING Bring the little ones and enjoy a Mommy/ Daddy and Me Paint Party.

Participants and their little ones will be lead in a fun step by step creative painting process and will take home two 11-inch-by-17-inch canvases with an adorable “Dragonfly” themed painting. Food and drinks sold separately and trivia questions will be asked for everyone to enjoy.

Head to the paint party Saturday, March 10, 10am-noon at Mars Hill Coffeehouse, 610 San Benito St, Hollister. For more information and tickets, visit tinyurl.com/ycadj26p.

IRISH DANCE Join the Spirit of Salinas Irish Dancers in their St. Patrick’s Celebration Irish Dance Explosion. Enjoy a special guest appearance by the International Irish Class & Wee Feet Irish Class. This free event also features live singing

by Four on the Floor. Enjoy the show Sunday, March 11, 2-4pm at Salinas Police Activities League, 100 Howard St, Salinas. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ycsf9zhk.

MARCH 2, 2018

EVENTS

pong, basketball, board games, snacks and more in a cool, safe place to hang out. Rock out to Racing Time Friday, March 2, 6-9:30pm at Hollister Youth Club, 2066 San Benito St, Hollister. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ydz37uu2.

2:30pm at Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Road.

For tickets and more information, visit svct.org.

HUMOROUS ENTERTAINMENT Enjoy a comedy with heart at Limelight Actors Theater’s production of The Savannah Sipping Society. Over the course of six months four very different Southern women share laughter, misadventures and cocktails, and form lasting friendships while taking back the joy of life. Guests are invited to bring dinner and wine to enjoy, corkage fee does apply.

The Savannah Sipping Society runs through March 3 at Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St, Gilroy. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit limelightactorstheater.com.

healing naturally from cancer and other conditions. Discover a trusted list of natural health resources at this educational and empowering meeting. The March meeting will focus on helpful supplements and what not to eat during healing. Heal strong Thursday, March 8, 6:30-8:30pm at The Healing Space, 503 Vineyard Town Center, Morgan Hill. Visit doloreskentyoga.com/ the-healing-space.

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FRENCH FRIES

WITH PURCHASE OF BURGER AND DRINK HURRY, OFFER ENDS MARCH 31

Crystal Patino, Sabrina Hernandez, Dr. Kinberly Antrim, Lesslie Bozzo and Sylvia Medina

Kinberly Antrim, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry MARCH 2, 2018

7880 Wren Ave Suite A-113, Gilroy

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Call

408 337-8950 for an appointment

Mondays: 1pm-7pm Tuesdays: 1pm-7pm Wednesdays: 8am-5pm Thursdays: 7am-1pm

FEED HOPE

FREE

Become a Sustainable Partner www.thefoodbank.org/partner

8401 Church Street cafe152burgerco.com 408.767.2868

Our mission is to end support hunger and malnutrition by educating and involving the community.

Fridays: 7am-1pm Saturdays: 7am-1pm

Putting the most fearful patients at ease Call

(408) 337-8950

for an appointment

800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville California, 95076 831-722-7110

FLOWER GIRL

6 four different places in town that serve alcohol and don’t have food. We really want to do a venue that’s easy to deliver; we’re going to do tapas plates and gourmet sliders, and salads, something that’s totally different for this town, and also easy to do a delivery service to the other places here on Third Street that need food.”

Margot Tankersley, owner of Margot’s Ice Cream Parlor in San Juan Bautista, has been impressed with Christin’s drive to succeed.

“She’s gonna be a really good asset to San Juan Bautista,” Tankersley says.

“She just seems like a real go-getter and willing to put the extra effort in. And that’s what’s gonna make her great.”

Tankersley is not the only person in town who is excited to have Christin and her shop in town.

The day before she first opened her doors, Christin was approached from a lady who does flowers at the Mission San Juan Bautista.

Finding out Christin was indeed the owner of the new flower shop in town, the lady exclaimed, “You just saved my life!”

The Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey was coming that weekend, and floral arrangements were needed for the Mission.

“So we made some big bouquets for her,” Christin says. “We’ll do [arrangements for] them once a week after Lent is over—which is nice. I have never gotten better reception from this town. They’re so happy because they haven’t had a florist for a long time.”

And Christin is already thinking about the next big wedding event she has in the books: Her daughter is getting married next June.

“It’s going to be a crazy day,”Christin says.

“She and her fiancé live in Wyoming. I said, we have to do [the wedding] here—I have everything here. So I think they are leaning towards having everything here.”

And Christin, The Flower Girl, will undoubtedly save the day once again.

“The Flower Girl” is located at 106 3rd Street #C in San Juan Bautista and is open Thur–Sun, 11am–5pm.

More more information or to make an appointment, contact Christin at 831.593.1200.

Master of Science in Engineering

specialization in Battery Technologies

cies.sjsu.edu/Battery Influence your career.

MARCH 2, 2018

gave her the hospitality experience she needed to begin coordinating events for Fox Creek Ranch, which is owned by Laurie and Florian Barth.

“I helped Laurie with a couple of weddings that she already had set up,” Christin explains. “After that first year, she said, ‘I don’t want to do any of this—I just want you to do all of it.’”

Christin accepted the challenge.

And by taking it, a new business opportunity opened up for her at The Lemon Grove, which was recently opened on Southside Road in Hollister, and owned by Ty and Janet Lompa.

Christin says, at the request of the Lompas, her company has taken over their events as well.

And now, she has a new business with The Flower Girl—a shop with something for everyone.

For locals, she has fresh flowers in bunches, where people can pick out flowers they want in an arrangement. And for the tourists visiting the town, she sells plants and homemade items.

She also has arranged bouquets in cellophane to take home, and balloons for birthdays or cheer-me-ups.

She also carries cards—but not just ordinary cards.

Christin has gone to great lengths to ensure they aren’t ones you find at the nearest drugstore.

“I put a thing out on Facebook saying I was looking for local people that make cards and want to sell them,” she says.

“I got a whole bunch of responses on that; it was fantastic. Right now I have four different people that I am showcasing—they have very unique, very beautiful cards. And they’re all $5 or less, which is nice for handmade card.”

As for her future goals, Christin and Greg plan on offering La Casa Rosa as an event venue, with her flowers being part of the “package.”

“I really just want to be Leal,” she laughs. “I actually just want to follow behind him and pick up his little crumbs. I just want to be a kind of mini Leal.”

All joking aside, Christin is serious with her ultimate business vision within the town of San Juan Bautista. And part of that vision entails the renovation of La Casa Rosa.

“This town really needs more restaurants,” she says. “There are

15

ON SENIORS

Living after loss

BECOMING A WIDOWER Loneliness, financial pressures, and legal issues are only

a few of the many challenges widows and widowers must face.

Surviving the transition into widowhood MARCH 2, 2018

By CHERYL HUGUENOR

16

M

y mom would visibly cringe whenever she was referred to as a “widow.” I think the term reminded her anew of the loss of my dad, and made her feel older than her years. Yet, after losing a spouse, she was in the company of millions of others. It is probably no surprise that more seniors than any other age group have been widowed, and more of them are female, as women continue to live longer than men. The website, sisterhoodofwidows.com, states that 45 percent of women over the

age of 65 are widows. Loneliness, financial pressures, and legal issues are only a few of the many challenges widows must face.

For perspective on the topic, I turned to one of our volunteers here at Live Oak Adult Day Services. Renette Torres visits monthly to talk about her world travels with her late husband, Danny. She was widowed after 56 years of a happy marriage, and the transition was excruciating. She decided to join with other widows of her acquaintance to write a book titled, “Widow’s Peek,” a peek into the lives of women facing

this challenging time of life. They struggle, but have humor and a lot of heart to pull themselves through it. They hope their experiences can help other women.

Torres says that, for her, the biggest change was feeling so alone.

Supportive friends move on after the funeral, but the widow’s life is forever changed. She has to learn how to do everything herself. Torres’s recommendations: find a good car repairman and handyman that you trust, learn how to manage your finances, and get a good attorney, “because people will try to take advantage of you. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself in any situation.” A new experience for her was learning how to pay bills by computer, which is not always the choice of older women. Torres says, though, “You have to get with the times and learn these things, because it makes life so much easier.”

Support groups can be an enormous help to seniors dealing with the loss of a spouse. Online support groups are available, as well. Simply type in “widow support groups” and you will see many pages of possibilities. The Sisterhood of Widows website mentioned above offers resources and ways to cope and move forward. Others, such as the heartachetohealing.com website offer a variety of resources including organized activities for widows to participate in without feeling like a third wheel. There are groups for widows of military personnel, too, and, and other specialized groups. If none seem to fit your needs, try what Torres did when she was first widowed: make a list of all the widows you know and invite them over. Her meeting led to “Widow’s Peek,” but your own meeting might lead to a weekly get-together than can be a lifesaver in difficult times.

Cheryl Huguenor is the program director at Live Oak Adult Day Services in Gilroy. For more information visit liveoakadultdaycare.org.

GETTING OUT

Summit snowshoeing

Ron Erskine

STEEP SNOWSHOES Morgan Hill native Dave Sellers perched atop the summit of Brokeoff Mountain with Mt. Shasta in the background.

Ron Erskine preps for the 2018 Challenge

By RON ERSKINE

T

one of us is an experienced snowshoer; it is a 2,600-foot climb from the trailhead; Truman was president when I was born. Counterpoint: What an adventure! Let's go!

Dark and early Super Bowl Sunday morning, we left Dave's house, the morning light just beginning to warm Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain through the windshield. Alone at the trailhead, packs stuffed and shouldered, we strapped on our shiny new snowshoes, looked up, swallowed hard, and set out.

Snow buried the footpath up Brokeoff, but Dave and I had been here before and knew the general

MARCH 2, 2018

he Brokeoff Mountain Challenge is well underway. We have completed two of our six prep hikes as we look toward July 14, the day we take on 9,235-foot Brokeoff Mountain in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Dave Sellers, a native of Morgan Hill transplanted to Lake Almanor, recently called me with a suggestion: Come up for a visit, and let's snowshoe up this summer's challenge peak. The spirit of adventure instantly wiped away the meek opposition posed by common sense concerns that might give one pause: snow will conceal the trails; neither

route. Each of us has experience traveling cross country in the wilderness, but as added security we had a GPS app that showed our location relative to the established trail. While it would help for reference, we navigated by looking ahead and using common sense.

The first mile climbed gently through a forest of mature red firs and along a newly born creek. Forest clearings glittered with untouched snow mounds tarnished only by our tracks. The forest thinned. Up ahead, 2,000-feet of rugged rock and an ever steepening slope.

We edged up the side of the ridge that descends from the summit of Brokeoff and separates the two passable faces of the mountain.

When we reached the top that ridge our near-forest world expanded to far horizons. The snow-dusted Yolla Bolly Mountains rose across the Sacramento Valley and Sutter Buttes poked above low-lying valley murk down near Yuba City.

From the ridge, the established trail makes a long traverse across the huge broad back of Brokeoff, but we couldn't resist the more direct route straight above us. Up, up, and more up over rocky terrain dotted with occasional windwhipped mountain hemlocks, until at last, thankfully, no more up.

What a day: stillness, silence, and shirtsleeves at 9,235-feet in February. Up north, every detail of Mount Shasta sparkled. From the base of the sheer north face of Brokeoff, the landscape rose steadily to the top of Lassen Peak, three crow-flying miles away.

I have rarely felt fatigue to match what I felt as I tossed my now much less shiny snowshoes into the car, but such a fine fatigue. Sober judgment and common sense have their place, but I am glad that the spirit of adventure won out on this occasion. If you have accepted the Brokeoff Mountain Challenge, July 14 will be a memorable day.

17

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Artist Rendering