Watsonville Rotary seeking proposals
Watsonville Rotary Club Foundation is seeking proposals for grant funding to support programs that strive to prevent youth violence, and/or encourage a broad range of youth education efforts and skills development.
The foundation is accepting grant proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations serving at-risk children and youth in Watsonville and the greater Pajaro Valley. The grant cycle period started Sept. 1 and will close Jan. 31, 2020.
Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply during this fiscal year for programs they will implement in 2020-21. Grant awards will range from $250 to $2,500.
Interested organizations can visit Watsonville Rotary’s website: watsonvillerotary.com/community-grants/. There they can review the foundation’s Community Grant Guidelines to determine if their organization may be eligible, and download the grant proposal materials required to complete the application.
Grant awardees will be announced early in June 2020.
For information, contact Kathleen King at: kk*********@gm***.com or 234-0062.
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Watsonville mayor, council endorse John Laird
WATSONVILLE — John Laird, candidate for California State Senate representing District 17, recently announced he has been endorsed by Watsonville Mayor Francisco “Paco” Estrada and Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Garcia, as well as City Council members Trina Coffman-Gomez, Aurelio Gonzales, Lowell Hurst and Ari Parker.
Laird is running to succeed Senator Bill Monning, who will be termed out in 2020.
The primary will be held in March 2020, followed by the general election in November. The filing period closes at the end of 2019.
“John Laird’s commitment to the Pajaro Valley runs deep, covering everything from environmental protection to public education to supporting working people,” said Mayor Estrada. “John will serve our community well in the State Senate and I’m proud to endorse him.”
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AAUW Luncheon to honor STEM scholars
The Santa Cruz County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will honor the 2019 Tech Trek STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Scholarship winners and new members at a luncheon on Sept. 28 at the Seascape Resort in Aptos.
The winners, five eighth-grade girls from schools throughout the county, competed for the scholarships to AAUW Tech Trek’s STEM camp at Stanford.
Highlighting STEM successes, keynote speaker, Clare Markovits, Senior Director Product Management at Cisco Systems, will discuss facing the challenges of breaking through the glass ceilings that persist today.
This meeting is open to the public, but reservations must be paid in advance. Cost is $25. For information or reservations, contact 925-305-6301 or by**********@gm***.com.
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Scouts BSA Troop 558 hosting scouting party
Troop 558, chartered out of the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, will be having a recruitment party for youth ages 11-17 Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the gym at 423 Bridge St. in Watsonville.
The troop is recruiting for its existing boys troop and a new girls troop.
There will be food and drink, as well as games and activities put on by the scouts. Members of the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Area Council will be on hand to answer questions about the scouting program. Parents and kids are encouraged to come to see and experience what scouting can do for the youth in our area.
For information contact scoutmaster Chris Garcia at 840-4299 or email at cg*****@li********.com
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Corralitos volunteer firefighters open house
The Santa Cruz County Fire Department on Oct. 13 will host a volunteer firefighters open house at the Corralitos Station, 120 Eureka Canyon Rd. in Watsonville, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The open house kicks off fire prevention week and serves as a meet-and-greet for the firefighters and members of the department.
Various fire engines and other equipment used to respond to calls within the community will be on display. There will also be a free Tri-Tip lunch, as well as a rock-climbing wall and bounce house for kids.
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Cassidy’s fundraiser for Cesar Chavez D.C. trip
Cesar Chavez Middle School is holding a fundraiser at Cassidy’s Pizza for its eight grade Washington D.C. trip on Tuesday.
Twenty percent of the proceeds of dine-in and carry-out sales from 5-9 p.m. will be donated to the school’s trip.
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Buddhist Teriyaki dinner
The Watsonville Buddhist Temple will be holding its 58th annual Chicken Teriyaki Dinner on Sept. 21.
Dinner is $13 and includes a 1/2 chicken, rice, cabbage salad, a vegetable and fortune cookie. All dinners are take-out only and can be easily picked up by using our drive-thru service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Temple.
For advance tickets or information, call the Temple office at 724-7860. The office will be open from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Thursday the week of the event.
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Aptos High parade changes route
Aptos High School’s annual Homecoming Parade has relocated to Sumner Avenue.
On Oct. 9 from 3-4 p.m., the parade will start on the southern tip of Sumner Avenue and end at Seascape Boulevard. Sumner Avenue will be closed to through traffic.
The theme for 2019 is Traveling Through Time.
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21st Annual Kidrageous Golden Carnival
Come be a part of the fun at Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services 21st annual Kidrageous Golden Carnival at the Watsonville Plaza on Sept. 29 from noon to 4 p.m.
Music, magic, bounce houses, face painting, great food and more. KDON’s DJ Showbiz will also be making a special appearance.
Entertainment is free, and activity tickets are available now and at the event. All proceeds support local children with cancer and their families.
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Made in Monterey Bay Meet-up
The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), Annieglass and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting are partnering to host the Monterey Bay Manufacturing Meet-up for local manufacturers.
The complimentary event will be held from 4-6 p.m. on September 26th at Annieglass, 310 Harvest Drive in Watsonville.
Attendees will have the opportunity to sip, shop and be treated to locally-crafted delicacies. The event will kick off October as National Manufacturing Month, serving to connect Monterey Bay Area manufacturers with resources and information from local and regional business service providers, helping to support business growth.
RSVPs are requested to Kristina Chavez Wyatt at kw****@cm**.com, 737-7944 or via Eventbrite.
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Solutions seminar coming to Watsonville
Sustainable Productivity Solutions (SPS) of Watsonville is offering its Unlocking Operational Efficiency Seminar in October.
Seminar will be held at SPS office in the City Plaza Building, 275 Main St., Suite 450.
This seminar is geared toward leaders who want to improve their problem-solving skills and their ability to utilize “Lean Thinking” tools to improve productivity. If you are trying to figure out how to get more done with less people, this seminar is for you.
The seminar is composed of four sessions held on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22.
For information, call 515-7337 or email UO*@Re******.com.