JACL to unveil painting to commemorate Civil Liberties Act anniversary
WATSONVILLE — The public is invited to a presentation of Cabrillo College art instructor Howard Ikemoto’s painting of a World War II incarceration camp guard tower on Saturday from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at the Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL Tokushige Kizuka Hall, 150 Blackburn St.
The program also marks the 30th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of Aug. 10, 1988.
There is no admission fee, and light refreshments will be served.
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Congressman holding town hall meeting
WATSONVILLE — Congressman Jimmy Panetta will hold a town hall meeting in Watsonville on Wednesday.
The meeting will be an opportunity for community members to share their ideas and concerns about issues affecting the central coast of California.
It will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main St., fourth floor.
Seating is first-come, first-served.
The meeting will also be live-streamed on Panetta’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
For information, visit panetta.house.gov.
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Watsonville receives federal grant
WATSONVILLE — Watsonville will receive $768,544 in federal funding to help provide affordable housing, Congressman Jimmy Panetta announced Tuesday.
Communities in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will receive federal grants totaling more than $4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants are provided through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), and HOME programs.
In addition to Watsonville, the city of Monterey will receive funding totaling $239,789 through the CDBG. The city of Salinas will receive funding totaling $2,093,734 through the CDBG, funding totaling $170,830 through ESG, and a HOME grant totaling $838,381. The city of Seaside will receive funding totaling $365,621 through the CDBG.
“Providing affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges we face on the central coast of California,” Panetta said. “These investments will help our communities provide housing, workforce training, and assistance to address our neighbors’ needs.”
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Caltrans to give talk on state rail plan
WATSONVILLE — The Regional Transportation Commission’s Innovators in Transportation Speaker Series continues on Aug. 16.
Kyle Gradinger, acting division chief for the Caltrans Division of Rail and Mass Transit, will give a presentation titled “The State Rail Plan, Funding and Other Considerations for Rail in Monterey Bay Area.”
The talk will be part of the Transportation Policy Workshop meeting at 9 a.m. in the Watsonville City Council Chambers, 275 Main St., fourth floor.
For information, visit www.sccrtc.org or call 460-3200.
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Workshops help violence survivors
WATSONVILLE — Triple P will hold parenting classes for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking.
The classes, taught in Spanish, will be held Aug. 16, 23, 30 and Sept. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Monarch Services, 233 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville.
To register or for information, call 722-4532.
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Chamber accepting nominations for annual awards
WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is now accepting nominations for its annual awards.
Nominations for Man, Woman, Business, Organization and Event of the Year are being accepted through Oct. 12. Honors will be awarded to those who have worked to enhance the community’s quality of life, economic vitality and image.
The awardees will be honored during the annual awards dinner, this year featuring an Italian theme, on Feb. 2 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
For a nomination form, visit tinyurl.com/ybmjcnnt.
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Tree trimming on Highway 1 expected to cause delays
APTOS — Expect traffic delays Saturday on Highway 1 as crews trim trees in Aptos.
According to Caltrans, the right lane of northbound Highway 1 will be closed from Rio del Mar Boulevard and State Park Drive from 6-11 a.m. Delays of up to 15 minutes should be expected.
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Follies holding pancake breakfast
SANTA CRUZ — A benefit pancake breakfast will be held from 8:30 a.m.-noon Sunday at 222 Market St. in Santa Cruz.
Cost of the breakfast is $8 for adults, and $4 for children under age 10. “Grannie’s Attic” will also feature household items and small gifts.
Proceeds will benefit Santa Cruz Follies, a local performing arts group for “over 50” Santa Cruz County citizens.
For information, call SCO at 423-6640.
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Students to give talks at TEDx event
SANTA CRUZ — TEDxMeritAcademy will feature talks from local students and community members on Sunday at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz, at 2 p.m.
The theme of this year’s event is “Innovation.” Students will be talking about inventions, solutions to climate change and immunizations, artificial intelligence and more.
Tickets are $15 online or $18 at the door. For information, visit tedxmeritacademy.com.
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Arguments due for local measures
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Several local measures will be on the Nov. 6 ballot, and those interested have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 to file arguments for or against the measures.
Among the measures is the City of Watsonville transient occupancy tax, which would levy an additional one percent on people staying in hotels in the city.
Arguments must not exceed 300 words.
For information, call the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Department at 454-2060 or visit www.votescount.com.
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Monterey County Fair seeks volunteers
MONTEREY — More than 200 volunteers are needed for the 82nd annual Monterey County Fair, set for Aug. 30-Sept. 3.
Volunteers will receive free fair passes for donating their time.
“The Monterey County Fair is one of the biggest community events in the county and we depend on our dedicated volunteers in order to make the Fair a success for everyone,” said Fair CEO Kelly Violini. “Volunteering is fun and fulfilling for everyone 16 and older and we encourage those who are interested to fill out their forms as soon as possible.”
The Monterey County Fair volunteer program is open to groups and individuals. All volunteers must be 16 years of age, but youth groups with adult supervision will be considered. High school volunteers who meet age requirements can earn community service credits for their work.
There are a variety of jobs and many shifts available for three weeks surrounding the Fair. A shift is four hours long.
Volunteer duties include working with the exhibit entries, setting up buildings and monitoring exhibits set up during the Fair and taking them down afterwards.
A volunteer orientation session will take place Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Seaside Room at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey. For information, email ev****@mo****************.com or call 372-5863.
Volunteer forms are available at www.montereycountyfair.com/volunteer-info.
