Environmental group awarded grant
WATSONVILLE — Regeneración – Pájaro Valley Climate Action recently received a $25,000 grant from the Appleton Foundation.
Appleton Foundation, based in Santa Cruz, supports organizations that work toward an ecologically sustainable planet.
Regeneración has been working in the Pájaro Valley since 2016. It recently conducted a grassroots survey and are analyzing and presenting data that describes the effects of climate change impacts on local residents, including how low-income populations are disproportionately affected by climate change.
Community partners include Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Pájaro Valley Community Health Trust and Watsonville Wetlands Watch.
A sampling of survey results can be viewed at Salud Para la Gente, 204 East Beach St. in Watsonville, from July 31 through Aug. 15.
“Regeneración is excited and honored to receive the Appleton grant which will allow us to begin a partnership with California State University-Monterey Bay to support young environmental justice leaders,” said Regeneración founder Nancy Faulstich.
For information, visit www.regenerationpajarovalley.org.
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Monterey Bay Family Physicians joins Dignity Health Medical Group
WATSONVILLE — Monterey Bay Family Physicians (MBFP) has joined Dignity Health Medical Group.
The primary care practice, located at 1066 South Green Valley Road in Watsonville, has served the community for more than 20 years and will continue to do so now under the Dignity Health Medical Group name.
“We remain committed to serving the Watsonville community as a family medicine practice,” said Dr. Robert Weber, founder of Monterey Bay Family Physicians. “As part of this partnership we look forward to creating broader and more integrated services for the community and continuing the advancement of high quality primary care in the region as part of Dignity Health Medical Group.”
MBFP includes three board-certified family medicine providers and one family nurse practitioner: Dr. Robert Weber, Dr. Clayton McDaniel, Dr. Ann-Marie McDaniel, and Leah Yurek, MS, FNP.
There is nothing that current MBFP patients need to do as a result of this announcement. They can continue to see their same doctor at the same location and keep existing appointments. Their health plans will not change, but billing and paperwork will reflect the new Dignity Health Medical Group name.
“Monterey Bay Family Physicians is a well-regarded health care leader in Watsonville,” said Jerry Souza, executive director for Dignity Health Medical Foundation in Santa Cruz. “Partnering with them on a more integrated level gives us the opportunity to strengthen our combined presence and expand service to patients in South County, Watsonville and beyond.”
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Classic car show returns to East Lake Village
WATSONVILLE — East Lake Village, 936 East Lake Ave., will hold a classic car show on Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The show will feature raffle prizes and live music by The Ville.
Open to all makes and models, the entry fee is $20.
Mail entry fee to Central Coast Muscle Cars & Classics, 101 Holliday Drive, Hollister, CA 95023.
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Diversity Center to hold annual Camp Out
WATSONVILLE — Diversity Center Santa Cruz urges youth ages 11-18 who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as allies to register for this year’s Camp Out.
The three-day, two-night camp, which will be held Aug. 10-12 at Mount Madonna Park, seeks to give LGBTQ+ youth a welcoming, accepting community while enjoying nature and other camp activities.
Sliding scale donations up to $250 are accepted, but no camper is turned away due to lack of funds.
To register, visit diversitycenter.org/youth. For information, contact the Diversity Center’s youth coordinators Jamie Joy and Jonathon Salinas at yo***@di*************.org or 425-5422, extension 104.
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Iris Society holding annual sale
APTOS — The Monterey Bay Iris Society is having its annual iris rhizome sale on Saturday at the Deer Park Shopping Center on Rio Del Mar Boulevard in Aptos (next to the Red Apple Cafe) from 9 a.m. until noon.
This is an opportunity to purchase iris rhizomes from the private gardens of the members of the Monterey Bay Iris Society.
At the sale, expert iris growers will be on hand to help you with your selection and will have printed hand-outs on how to grow iris.
The rhizomes are $4 each or 20 for $60.
Irises will also be available at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrilllo College on Aug. 11 from 8 a.m. until noon. There will also be a sale this year at the Farmers Market at Monterey Peninsula College on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Camphill California to hold benefit dinner
SOQUEL — Nonprofit organization Camphill Communities California will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a farm-to-table benefit dinner and event, Community at Our Table, on Aug. 25 from 4-8:30 p.m.
The community is invited to the orchard, located at 4096 Fairway Drive in Soquel, for a feast created by chef Diego Felix. The meal will be Argentinian-inspired, grilled outdoors, with organic vegetables and fruits from Camphill’s gardens.
The event also offers guests a chance to tour the biodynamic gardens and meet community members, experience artistic craft studios, enjoy apple pressing, a silent auction and live music. Locally crafted beer and wine will also be available.
Camphill Communities California is part of the world-wide Camphill movement, which seeks to give adults with development disabilities a community to live and work.
For tickets to Community at our Table, visit eventbrite.com. For information on Camphill Communities California, visit camphillca.org.
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Red Cross elects new officers
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of the Central Coast will be led by a number of new officers during the 2018-19 year. Elected by their fellow board members, the new officers assumed their positions on July 1.
Serving the Red Cross board that represents Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, the 2018-19 officers are:
• Rayvon Williams, Chair; Watsonville Municipal Airport
• Dane Lobb, Vice Chair; PG&E
• Lesley Milton-Rerig, Secretary; City of Seaside
• Rick Martinez, Development/Philanthropy; Santa Cruz Police Department
• Lee Hedgepeth, Community Engagement Chair; Attorney (retired)
In addition, the local Red Cross board has also added two new members in recent months:
• Tim Nylen; Montage Health
• Dr. Lorinda Mazza; Sleep Health MD
“As we begin the 2018-19 year, we are excited by the quality of our local board’s new officers as well as new members,” said Michele Averill, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Coast. “Their support will be critical to the work our chapter does for the residents of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.”
