 On The Line -- Issue 628 -- March 30, 2007  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 628 -- March 30, 2007 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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San Benito County is ready for the change as winter gives way to spring in the unending cycle of seasons. As often happens, the final week of winter could have been early summer. However, residents do not rush out immediately to buy air-conditioning systems.
On Monday, March 26, an old-fashioned storm swept the area and the rain came down in torrents. The wind blew lawn furniture around and driving became risky. By the next day it had ceased and the sun was out again. One interesting item happened as winter was in its last throes: Ev and Liz Sparling became parents of a daughter, Emery, their first child, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. She was born at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, weighing eight pounds and 13 ounces and measured 19 inches in length. Her parents pronounced her the most remarkable child in the world despite her being wrinkled, bald and toothless. They have great dreams for her and Dad hurries home each day to see what new marvels she has mastered since he left her that morning. Speaking of birthdays, Shannon Grissom observed one on March 28. (It's enough to tell you it's her birthday; if you want to know her age ask her yourself). She was not at her easel as might be expected but instead in southern California where she was pitching her television show ("Give Your Walls Some Soul"), to 50 stations. The remarkable Mrs. Grissom has many interests. As a girl she thought that becoming a musician would be a good life, so studied the piano and other interests. Despite her love for music; however, her thoughts turned more toward art. She studied art, took a deep breath, and with the loving support of husband Dwight Grissom, left behind a secure job. As time went by, she kept at her easel daily, developed ever more confidence and began selling her work. She also learned skills necessary to the business end and began marketing her work on a national level. She also began an hour-long television show of "Give Your Walls Some Soul," which is watched locally by many people who find art compelling. Mrs. Grissom began writing a few years ago and has had articles published in an artists' magazine. Encouraged by that, she wrote and illustrated a children's book, "Monkey Made of Sockies" and is about ready to publish its sequel. In the meantime, she maintains a regular schedule for painting, and has done many portraits and still-lifes. She exhibits throughout the Central Coast as well as other places, and wears a smile through it all. She readily acknowledges that her chief inspirations are her husband and her twin sister, Cheryl Calhoun. (And a happy birthday to you, too, Mrs. Calhoun). Speaking of birthdays, another type of artist, Irene Agredano, will observe hers on April 5. Mrs. Agredano is an artist of the human spirit. She seems to bring out the best of anyone near her without a conscious effort to do so. Although she believes that her help to many, including a number of senior citizens, has gone unnoticed, it is in fact much commented upon and has been a source of inspiration for others to do good. Mrs. Agredano shares her birthday with a close friend, Margaret Cheney, who lived for many years in San Benito County before moving to Grass Valley. Mrs. Cheney is an author who has written biographies of physicist Nikola Tesla and song stylist Mabel Mercer in addition to other works. An issue that was thought to have been resolved two years ago is back in the public eye. For nearly a decade the annual motorcycle rally focused on Hollister for the Independence Day weekend, commemorating the infamous "raid" by motorcyclists in July 1947. Thousands upon thousands of bikers converged on the community. The great majority of them were law abiding but their sheer numbers made normal life -- shopping, driving through the downtown area, etc. -- difficult for many residents. Restaurants and bars welcomed their trade but the City of Hollister was often stiffed when vendors of T-shirts and other souvenirs reported their sales. Then several years ago rival motorcycle gangs came within an ace of an open rumble in the streets. Sheriff Curtis Hill became a strong voice in canceling the rally. Last year, about 10,000 bikers came despite there being no rally as such. However, the city had hire many law enforcement officers from outside the county to maintain order and discourage gang flare-ups. Unfortunately, many of those officers acted as though everyone was a lawbreaker. They patrolled four-abreast to the point where residents had to step off the sidewalk to avoid and many were ticketed for no apparent reason. This year a committee to get the rally back apparently has been successful. It was led by Robert Scattini, county marshal and former Hollister mayor. He maintains that it can be a money maker for the city and that sufficient law enforcement will be hired to be sure that no gangs rumble during it. It is always good to learn that someone who does good work just to help others is recognized for it. Mary Damm of Hollister is one of only six people on the Central Coast to be recognized for her continuing volunteerism with a Jefferson Award. The Jefferson Awards are sponsored by Television Channel KSBW in Salinas. It seeks residents within its broadcast range who have a consistent history of helping others and have thus made their communities better places in which to live. Mrs. Damm is no stranger to recognition; indeed, in 1999 she was named the county's Woman of the Year by the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Damm also gave valuable service to the United Way. Her highest profile, however, has been in the Boy Scouts of America. She began when her sons were in the Cubs and it went from there. Over the years she has received BSA's Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award, and is the founder of Fort Benito Cub Scout Day Camp. Her husband, Bill Damm, is one of her biggest supporters, and their two grown sons and a daughter are also proud of her. She was honored last week at a reception in Salinas, and could be the one of the six recipients who will represent the Central Coast in Washington, D.C. later this year. |
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