Fundraiser benefits Regeneración Pajaro Valley Climate Action
WATSONVILLE — On Tuesday, Ella’s at the Airport will donate a percentage of lunch and dinner proceeds to the Human Race campaign, in support of Regeneración Pajaro Valley Climate Action.
For information, visit www.regenerationpajarovalley.org.
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Renowned Japanese musician to perform in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL Senior Center will welcome Master Shamisen player Baisho Matsumoto for the second straight year in Watsonville.
Matsumoto, who is from Japan, travels to the United States to perform at the annual Hakone Gardens Festival in Los Gatos. A professional musician for more than 40 years, Matsumoto is a renowned master of Tsugaru Shamisen, Akita Shamisen and other styles of folk music.
His performance will include Shakuhachi, a Japanese end-blown flute.
The free concert will be held May 19 at Kizuka Hall, 150 Blackburn St. in Watsonville, at 2:30 p.m.
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May is Water Awareness Month
WATSONVILLE — As one of the wettest rainy seasons in history comes to a close, the Pajaro Valley Water Board of Directors declared May “Water Awareness Month.”
The Pajaro Valley groundwater basin remains in a state of long-term overdraft, which is why water awareness and water conservation need to become part of the community’s lifestyle, PV Water officials advised.
“Even with all the rain the basin is a long way from replenished,” said PV Water Interim General Manager Brian Lockwood.
With the unanimous passage of Resolution 2017-04, the board urges all people to join in supporting local water districts and to make water conservation a way of life.
In addition to the proclamation and a conservation program that continues to grow, the agency is moving forward with new projects designed to decrease the demand for groundwater. For information, visit pvwater.org.
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Aromas Garden Tour returns
AROMAS — The 2017 Aromas Country Garden Tour will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year, seven private gardens will be open to the public and three commercial gardens will display their work and answer gardening questions.
A map will be available for purchase at the Aromas Grange, on the corner of Rose and Bardue avenues. A 4-H plant sale and box lunches will be featured at the Grange.
Members of the Aromas Hills Artisans will be along the paths, displaying their artwork. Oil paintings, 3-D montage greeting cards, stained glass creations, books written by local authors and more will be shown.
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Music scholarships available
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Applications are now being accepted for the Santa Cruz County Music Teachers’ Association scholarships for music lessons based on financial need and enthusiasm.
“Opportunity Grant” scholarships provide private music lessons to young people whose families are financially unable to afford musical study in piano, violin, viola, voice, flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone.
To qualify, students must be enrolled in a Santa Cruz County school or be a home-schooled resident, in grades 2 through 12 during the ensuing school year. Students should have regular access to a practice instrument of study.
The application includes a brief financial statement. Families are responsible for a small co-payment, the costs of educational materials and must provide transportation to and from the weekly lessons, which are held at the homes or studios of participating MTAC teachers.
The scholarships remain in effect for one school year beginning in September. Scholarships may be renewable on a year-to-year basis, provided funds remain available and acceptable musical progress is being made.
Applications for 2017-18 are due by June 15. Interviews will be held in early summer.
Applications are available in English or Spanish online at sccmtac.org. For applications by mail, or for information, call Kit Birskovich at 426-5172.
