San Benito Magazine September 11-17, 2020

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Fall Preview A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance

Virtual art, theater and more on the way P2

ONLINE VIEWING Laurie Tholen is showing her recycled copper jewelry in the San Benito County Virtual Open Studios.

WINE P5 | HOME OF THE WEEK P6 | REAL ESTATE P7

VIRTUALLY FALL A preview of upcoming arts and entertainment events, both online and in-person

2

T

he typical events that make up fall have either been cancelled or will look different this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But there is still plenty to do in the South Valley and San Benito County for fans of the arts.

Virtual paint parties have exploded in popularity over the past six months.

Theater has moved to the digital realm.

And many can view fine art without ever leaving their home.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the region’s virtual and in-person happenings this fall. Due to the fluid nature of the pandemic response, events may be cancelled with short notice. Verify before attending.

VIEW FROM HOME Sophie Lastra’s dinnerware and pottery are among the many works by local artists to be shown in the San Benito County Virtual Open Studios.

Submitted photo

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | SANBENITO.COM | SOUTHVALLEY.COM

BY ERIK CHALHOUB

Elizabeth Mandel

Virtual Open Studios

Gallery 1202, 7363 Monterey St. in Gilroy, presents its 2020 Artist Takeover by Whitney Pintello, "Essential: Art in Quarantine," through Sept. 18. Pintello, a Gilroy native, is exhibiting works produced solely during the shelter-in-place order during the Covid-19 pandemic. The works shown are largely from two bodies of art: vintage glass paintings and abstract paintings.

The exhibit can be viewed in person or online at gallery1202.com.

‘2 Across’ South Valley Civic Theatre and Limelight present an online performance of “2 Across” Oct. 9-11.

The production follows two strangers on board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30am. For 80 minutes, the two opposites are in an enclosed space, attacking each

‘Women (Un)Silenced’ Gallery 1202’s Fall 2020 program will be spearheaded by a group show, “Women (Un)Silenced: A Survey of Contemporary Black Artists.” The show will take place at 7363 Monterey St. in Gilroy, from Oct. 10 through Nov. 20. “Women (Un)Silenced” showcases six American artists who give voice to those who have been historically silenced.

The opening reception will take place on Oct. 24 from 4-8pm, and the closing reception will be Nov. 20 from 6-9pm. Masks and timed entry required. For information, visit gallery1202.com.

Quarantine Cooking The Neon Exchange presents weekly cooking shows with Chef Mark Segovia and a special guest.

For information, visit facebook. com/neonexchange.

Paint Party Nacho Moya, the owner of Moya Art Gallery and Studio in downtown Gilroy, has been hosting frequent live paint parties on his social media channels, showing viewers the step-by-step process on how to paint everything from water lilies, to unicorns and Star Wars characters. For information, visit facebook. com/moyaartgalleryandstudio

STAGE IS SET “Tru” was filmed at Limelight Theater and screened on YouTube.

Paint’n With Friends Tami Brown, owner of Paint'n With Friends Art Studio & Gallery at 7560 Monterey St., Suite 202 in Gilroy, hosts frequent paint parties.

Each party is limited to eight painters, and participants will be seated six feet apart. No painting experience is necessary. For information, visit paintnwithfriends.com.

Fall art classes The San Benito County Arts Council is now enrolling students in live, online Fall Session Art Classes. Participants will explore a variety of art

techniques, mediums and materials. Each month’s curriculum will focus on new techniques and projects with the aim of encouraging students’ creativity and imagination, technical skills and artistic literacy. Registration for each class is $30 per month. For information, visit sanbenitoarts.org.

Quarantined Cabaret Live Local singers perform live in a Facebook group. The group features Friday night cabarets and Saturday youth performances. For information, visit tinyurl.com/ybmf26v9.

SANBENITO.COM | SOUTHVALLEY.COM | SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

‘Art in Quarantine’

other’s values but also being swayed and intrigued by them. Directed by Jo Anna Evans, the performance stars Whitney Pintello and Charlie Gilmore. For information, visit svct.org/limelight_online.

Elizabeth Mandel

The San Benito County 2020 Virtual Open Studios Tour & Arts Marketplace will take place online from Sept. 12-26. This year, due to Covid19, the San Benito County Arts Council is working to create an online artist directory to showcase the work of more than 30 local artists and artisans with artworks in painting, photography, pottery and ceramics, stained-glass, jewelry and more. The Open Studios Happy Hour Celebration will take place Sept. 18 at 6pm. This is an opportunity to meet Open Studios artists on Zoom. For information, visit sanbenitoarts.org/open-studios.

Elizabeth Mandel

VIRTUAL THEATER Roz Farotte performs in South Valley Civic Theatre’s “Kalamazoo,” which aired on YouTube over one weekend. The theater group has more virtual performances planned soon.

3

THEATER

Submitted photo

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | SANBENITO.COM | SOUTHVALLEY.COM

FUNDRAISING IN LEAN TIMES San Benito Stage Company’s take-out Spaghetti Dinner in

4

August is one way the organization has raised funds during Covid-19 closures.

Changing its tune San Benito Stage Company adapts to era of Covid-19

By JENNY ARBIZU

T

he year 2020 was supposed to be a celebratory one for San Benito Stage Company.

Its 20th revival season had already begun in February with performances of its adult show, “California Suite,” and was gearing up for its children’s musical, “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”— already in rehearsals. Next on the season’s line-up was its third annual Casino Night fundraiser, ready to go with dozens of silent

auction baskets and a lineup of entertainment.

But the rampant spread of Covid-19 in early March had SBSC Board President Derek Barnes convinced a change of schedule was on the horizon.

“As we got closer to [Casino Night], and things started to unfold with Covid, we realized that it was not looking good,” Barnes said.

The California health guidelines soon confirmed his suspicions: SBSC’s annual fundraiser would

need to be indefinitely postponed.

As the pandemic progressed, the SBSC board of directors decided three months later to cancel the remainder of the 2020 season; its spring children’s production, youth summer theater camp, summer family musical and teen musical were all postponed. Barnes said he hopes that the revival season will pick up where it left off in the spring of 2021.

However, SBSC will by no means cease performances or fundraising.

For instance, on July 25, SBSC hosted its first virtual talent show on YouTube, complete with 18 talented acts.

And on Aug. 29, the organization held a pick-up spaghetti dinner and hosted a Facebook Live virtual auction in efforts to raise funds for the organization. The fundraiser raised more than $4,000, which according to SBSC Board member Brian Murphy, is greatly appreciated after this year’s financial strain.

“We have set pieces, costumes, props, lighting and sound equipment that costs money to store,” Murphy said. “Probably like many nonprofits, whatever money we make pays our bills and pays the upfront money for the next show.

When you aren’t doing shows and having audiences buying tickets, that rent becomes significant.”

To further alleviate that financial strain, Barnes said SBSC is now using technology in this “new normal” to reach the community.

“Our next goal for the rest of 2020 is to produce digital shows that our community can watch," he said.

SBSC Board member Adrienne Summers is currently researching options to bring such a virtual production to the community by the end of this year; one that will serve both the performers of the stage company, as well as its audiences.

These kinds of performances, however, will take some time to get used to. Summers explained that the world of technology and virtual live performances are not quite the same as stage performances.

Barnes is thankful for the support the community has given to the organization, especially in this year of uncertainty. But he said SBSC can still use help from the community.

"Since SBSC is non-profit, we are dependent on memberships, sponsorships and donations to keep us going,” he said. “Covid has caused some financial strains on our organization and we appreciate any and all help we can get.”

San Benito Stage Company is now selling face masks, printed with its logo. For information on these, how to donate, view past virtual events, or to find out more about SBSC’s upcoming events, visit sanbenitostage.org or call 831.636.0122.

WINE

Virtual

Open House

October 17, 11:00am – 12:00pm

RSVP to admissions@mountmadonnaschool.org to receive the Zoom link

Courtesy of Solis Winery

HARVEST SOON Sangiovese grapes begin to ripen at Solis Winery.

Smoke impact minimal on grape harvest, local winemakers report By LAURA NESS

I

t’s that time of year when white varieties begin to soften, turning from table grape green to a more translucent shade of greenish-gold. Generally, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris are first to be picked, followed by Pinot Noir.

Third-generation grape farmer, George Besson Jr., grows Pinot Noir at his home vineyard in Gilroy. His daughter, Denise Besson, said they began picking it at the end of the last week of August.

Asked if smoke from the SCU and CZU fires had caused problems for their vineyard holdings, Denise said, “Minimal to no smoke impact on the grapes. We were spared, given the winds and where we are located. For other vineyards, they have been horribly impacted.

We were down in Paso Robles on business and driving by the Santa Lucia Highlands was awful.

Couldn’t see vineyards or anything for that matter.”

As Vic Vanni of Solis Winery said, “Nothing seems predictable or normal these days, and I’m so over it. No fruit has been harvested, but it seems a bit earlier than the last couple of years. I imagine we will be harvesting in mid-September unless the weather really cools down. The heat had stressed the plants and shriveled some fruit, but we have been dumping a lot of water on the plants, so we should be OK.” Vanni doesn’t believe there was much smoke impact on Santa Clara Valley vineyards, thankfully.

408-847-2717 / MountMadonnaSchool.org

Located in Historic Downtown Gilroy • Steaks, Seafood & Pasta • Beautiful Ambiance • Patio Dining • Early Bird Dining • Sunday Champagne Brunch 8am • Full Service Bar / Happy Hour 3-6pm • Early Bird Dinner Specials 4-6pm • Ask About Our Banquet & Catering Services Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Line Dancing Baby Showers, Receptions Wed • 7pm FREE Lessons Open daily 8:00am for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Sunday Brunch 8am-1pm 7400 Monterey Street, Gilroy • 408.842.3454 www.oldcityhall.biz

SANBENITO.COM | SOUTHVALLEY.COM | SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Keeping a watchful eye

CAIS & WASC accredited Independent, nonprofit school Nonsectarian Bus transportation

5

HOME OF THE WEEK

Submitted photo

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | SANBENITO.COM | SOUTHVALLEY.COM

CANYON DRIVE A fully landscaped driveway leads to the front entrance of this Hollister home.

6

Modern estate with expansive grounds Hollister home features fully landscaped yard with outdoor kitchen

T

his Modern Spanish-Californian estate on a corner lot is nestled against the Diablo Mountains

Range.

Located at 1171 Canyon Drive in Hollister, the 4,320-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Inside, the home features European oak wood flooring, and recently painted stucco white walls.

Outside, the grounds are fully landscaped and irrigated with

nighttime atmospheric lights throughout. Grounds include an outdoor fireplace, Viking outdoor kitchen, mosaic pool with waterfall, hot tub, fire pit, fountains, citrus, avocados, rose and grape arbors, and three varietal vineyards filling in the property. The detached garage has abundant room and a loft living space.

The home, built in 2000, is listed at $1,875,000 by Nino Real Estate. For information, visit tinyurl.com/yy3sc3je.

REAL ESTATE Hollister Rentals

Call 408.767.2868 cafe152@charter.net Food for the How many from 10 to 100 Tell Us We’ll work with your budget MADE

Holidays

CATERING EASY! Made Easy!

Enjoy

Drop Off Free in Gilroy On Site at Cafe 152 Bread Co.

Call cafe152@charter.net

408.767.2868 Here are some ideas!

Assorted Gourmet Sandwiches How many from 10 to 100

Tell Us

Mini SandwichesWe’ll work with your budget Variety of Market Salads Drop Off Free in Gilroy

Enjoy

Site at Cafe 152 Bread Co. Audrey’s FinestOn Chocolate Chip Cookies and many other Desserts

3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home.

Very Private, water included in rent. Rent $2,500.00 Month. Security Deposit $3,000.00

Here are some ideas!

Here are some ideas!

Exceptional Breakfast • Assorted gourmetAssorted sandwiches Gourmet Goodies • Mini sandwiches Sandwiches

Pastries and Coffee • Variety of market salads

Mini Sandwiches

Fall Bites • Harvest ChocolateSmall chip cookies Variety of Market Salads Menu • Exceptional breakfast goodies

2 bedroom 1 bath home rent amount to $2,000 and Security Deposit to $2,500 .

Utilities included.

Audrey’s Finest Chocolate

• Pastries and coffee Sliders - Burger BarChip Cookies and many • Burger sliders other Desserts Buffet Dinner for drop off • Buffet dinner for drop off

Appetizer Party at Exceptional Breakfast • Appetizer party atGoodies Cafe 152 Bread Co. Cafe 152 - BYOW BYOW Pastries and Coffee Fall Harvest Small Bites Menu

Office parties and events

Sliders - Burger Bar

408.767.2868

HOLLISTER RENTAL PROPERTIES For more information, call

831.637.1691

Buffet Dinner for drop off

Catering

408.767.2868 • cafe152@charter.net

Blazing Fast Internet!

ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY

Catering

19.99

$

/mo.

where available

408.767.2868 • cafe152@charter.net

2-YEAR TV PRICE

For more information Contact 408.842.5066 or email classifieds@newsvmedia.com

GUARANTEE America’s Top 120 Package

MO.

HOME & GARDEN SERVICES HAULING

South County Cleanup, Demo & Hauling LOW RATES • FREE ESTIMATES CLEAN UP-Yards, homes, properties, rentals & garages DEMO-Bathrooms, kitchens, decks, patios, small buildings HAULING-Garbage, yard waste, rock, sand & mulch POWER WASHING

408.430.3560

MAGNOLIA LANDSCAPE AND CONCRETE, INC.

for 12 Mos.

FREE

VOICE REMOTE

The DISH Voice Remote with the Google Assistant requires internet-connected Hopper, Joey, or Wally device.

Customer must press Voice Remote button to activate feature.

Specializing, Pavers, Concrete, Irrigation, Sod, Cleanups, All Landscape Construction Serving the Bay Area since 1992 Call for Free Estimates Licensed, Bonded & Insured

408-309-2973 License # 962540

190 CHANNELS Including Local Channels!

FREE

SMART HD DVR INCLUDED

FREE

STREAMING ON ALL YOUR DEVICES

* Requires eAutopay discount and includes Hopper Duo DVR ($5 discount for 24 months) or Wally/211

CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card

Promo Code: DISH100

1-855-993-2335 Offer ends 1/31/21.

“All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification.

SANBENITO.COM | SOUTHVALLEY.COM | SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Publish Your Business or Service Ad Here

Appetizer Party at Cafe 152 Bread Co. BYOW

7

Exciting News!

Monterey Bay Community Power is now

We’re unifying access to clean energy and local control for over 400,000 residential, business and agricultural customers in Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz Counties.

★★★ Learn more at 3Cenergy.org ★★★

888.909.6227

info@3Ce.org

3Cenergy.org