A hobby for the birds Friday, August 27, 2010 By Melissa Flores Local man makes custom creations When David Guttirez and his family moved from a Fifth Street home in Hollister to Fourth Street, there was one key consideration - he needed a tool room to work on the custom birdhouses he creates. The tool room is part storage shed, part workshop. He has a metal toolbox where he keeps his supplies, and a shelf set aside for his grandson's tools, too. There are old drawers on the floor, full of items Guttirez refers to as jou-jous, and a box full of leather pieces from old horse equipment. "My shop is a mess, but I like it that way," he said. The tool room is his place to go when he wants some time alone. Read More......

Nick Lovejoy Local birdhouse maker David Guttirez shows some of the materials he uses to make his one-of-a-kind houses, holding up the horseshoes he uses as his trademark on all of his creations. Some of Guttirez' birdhouses are on display at the San Benito County Free Library.

I am the client that gyms dream about - the one who pays his monthly dues but only shows up once a month. I don't cause wear and tear on machines and I certainly don't break them, because I'm not on them enough.

This week I decided to get back in the gym with a little instruction and a lot of motivation. The instruction came in the form of a certified trainer who has been working with my sons and their friends to get them in shape for the upcoming basketball season. He offered to help my wife and I get back into the workout groove by tailoring a workout plan for us.
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The flavor of marinated mushrooms intensifies as they sit for a few hours before being served.

Photo by: Melissa Flores

Well-seasoned cuisine

A few weeks ago I made plans with a friend to head over to Carmel for a leisurely drive along the 17-mile drive. Since we couldn't head out until Sunday afternoon, I offered to pack up a few picnic-friendly snacks for the drive.

When I was a kid, picnics at the park or local beaches mostly consisted of sandwiches made with turkey and Monterey jack, a bag of chips and some potato salad. But from watching tons of Food Network shows, I knew there were a lot more options than that for outdoor eating.
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Movie Lines - Scott Pilgrim

"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" will likely appeal to a very small demographic, but lucky for the creators of the film the fanboy set is the type who is likely to see a movie over and over again. Unfortunately, I wasn't part of that demographic and I found the quirkiness of the film starting to grate on my nerves midway through.
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My Thoughts Were So Loud

Finding new, good music isn't all that easy - even though it really should be. But let's face it: Like people, companies are lazy and most of them will continue on doing the same thing if it makes money. Meaning less artistic and musical credibility and more pop sensations that only care about their brand.
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Out Of My Mind

Although I have stated in previous columns that nothing much ever happens in Aromas, for once there is something different there, in the heart of town, for all the world to see.

And see it they will at Aromas Day, which takes place this Sunday, complete with the usual hometown parade, food booths, garage sales, live music, pancake breakfast and other fun things.

This particular difference that I'm talking about is right in the center of town, where there is now a piece of public art that is a perfect fit.
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