Free concert series kicks off downtown
WATSONVILLE — “Music in the Plaza” kicks off today from 6-8 p.m. in downtown Watsonville.
The free concerts will take place the second and fourth Thursday of the month through Sept. 14.
The schedule is as follows:
• Today: Banda Peligro, Los Nuevos Austeros
• July 13: Chicano All Stars, Guest Band
• July 27: Beat Street, Victory Lane
• Aug. 10: Tributo a Las Sonoras, Con Rumba Cafe y Grupo Aktual
• Aug. 24: The Groove Foundation, Guest Band
• Sept. 14: 7th Street Band
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PVHA hosts Vintage Picnic
WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Historical Association will host their Annual Vintage Picnic July 1 that will showcase World War II.
From well-preserved military uniforms, formal and casual women’s dresses, hats and accessories of the era, photographs, books and such, the event will feature speakers Wallace Roberts, a World War II B-24 pilot who flew over Europe, and Marvin Del Chiaro, who will address the war’s impact on the west coast.
The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the ticket includes a buffet lunch by Monterey Bay Caterers of Watsonville.
For tickets or information, call 722-0305 or visit www.pajarovalleyhistory.org/annual-vintage-picnic. The event takes place at PVHA, 332, East Beach St. in downtown Watsonville.
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Fund for Women and Girls receives grant
WATSONVILLE — Community Foundation Santa Cruz County received a grant of $200,000 from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.
The grant goes to the Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls to support a three-year pilot to launch in August, in the Pájaro Valley. The pilot will recruit 35 girls in grades 6-8 and provide them with mentors, school, life and career help. The UC Santa Cruz Educational Partnership Center was picked by the Community Foundation to plan and lead it.
“We know from research that early intervention is most impactful, and that creating the space for kids to dream is a key indicator of their future success,” said Steve John, CEO of Monterey Peninsula Foundation. “We have faith that the girls will grow in health, increase their commitment to education, and find unique opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and math as possible foundations for their future careers.”
“This grant adds to the energy building around the project,” said Christina Cuevas, program director. “The confidence and trust the Monterey Peninsula Foundation has in us means a lot.”
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Three films to be screened at library
APTOS — The Hidden Gems Film Club of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries will present “Love Me, Love My Truck!” on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive.
Three films will be screened: “Lonche,” “10-4 Good Buddy” and “Horn, Please: The Truck Art of India.”
“Lonche,” directed by Claire Weissbluth, was shot primarily in Watsonville and the Silicon Valley. It follows two taco trucks, from the perspectives of the proprietors and the clients.
Weissbluth will be present for a question-and-answer session.
“10-4 Good Buddy,” by Melissa Koch, captures the life of a young trucker from the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
“Horn, Please: The Truck Art of India,” by Shantanu Suman, explores the world of traditional Indian truck art.
All three directors’ works have been accepted to film festivals across the country.​ Weissbluth and Koch are graduates of the UC Santa Cruz Social Documentation program. Suman is a professor of Art at Ball State University in Indiana.
For information, visit hiddengemsfilmclub.weebly.com.
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Green Business Academy registration opens
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The County of Santa Cruz Green Business Program announced the 2017 Green Business Academy, which gives local businesses the knowledge and tools to become certified as a “Green Business.”
The academy kicks off July 14 at Chaminade Resort & Spa, and is free to participating businesses. Over three sessions, business owners will learn about pollution prevention and waste reduction, energy and water conservation, and employee engagement and transportation.
Participating business will be eligible for free promotion, get referral to programs that increase energy efficiency and reduce energy bills, and receive access to a Sept. 27 networking event at New Bohemia Brewing Co. in Capitola.
“Businesses that complete the Green Business Academy will save money, reduce their impact on the environment, receive community recognition and attract customers,” said Green Business Program Coordinator Ana Maria Rebelo.
To sign up, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/green-business-academy-kickoff-tickets-34268107833. For information, email SC**************@gm***.com or visit www.montereybaygreenbusiness.org.
