Happenings Headlines

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• Fourth of July Events
• Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival - July 5 & 6
• Steinbeck Football Signups - June 25, July 5, 12, 19 & 26
• VNA presenting meningococcal vaccine clinics for teenagers
• AYSO Soccer and VIP Soccer Registration Dates
• Carmel Bach Festival Family Concerts - July 12 & 13
• Feast of Lanterns - Pacific Grove - July 23-27
• Mulitsensory Teaching Workshop - July 28
• SVMHS Music & Art - July 26
• Pre-Sale Fair Tickets Reduced Price
• Book Club to Go Summer Savings
• J. Fredric Ching Planetarium Available for Summer Camps & School Programs
• Coins in the Fountain - Fundraiser for MY Museum

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Pops and Rocks
Featuring Kenny Loggins
Friday, July 4 - 4:30 pm
A.R. Wilson Quarry, Aromas, CA

Come see fireworks and hear two time Grammy winning superstar Kenny Loggins perform at Graniterock's 2008 Pops and Rocks Independence Day Festival!

No tickets will be sold at gate. For information, call 831-768-2007 or 888.ROCK.100, graniterock.com.

Madonna del Sasso Church, Salinas Friday, July 4, 2008 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Madonna del Sasso Church, 320 E. Laurel Dr., Salinas Fourth of July Family Celebration with patriotic Mass, entertainment, root beer floats, arts and crafts, strawberry shortcake, silent auction, fishing, produce sales, barbecue. All proceeds go to the Monterey Bay Marian/Eucharistic Conference. Chicken Barbecue meal $10. Kid's meal (ages 10 and younger) includes hot dog, chips and drink for $3. (831) 229-8655.

First Friday Art Walk, Salinas Friday, July 4, 2008 - 5:00 to 8:00 pm Oldtown Salinas - 100-300 blocks of Main Street, Salinas Celebrate the Fourth of July with live music, artist's receptions, food. Fire Dance by Celsius Maximus. FREE admission. (831) 758-9126.

Spreckels Celebration & 10K Run Friday, July 4, 2008 Spreckels Veteran Memorial Park Llano Avenue & Fifth St. Bring the family and enjoy the fun! Parade, Fireman's Muster, Craft Fair, Children's Activities, Food and Drinks, Live Music! An old-fashioned 4th of July celebration for the whole family with a grand parade of children along 3rd Street.

Gonzales Parade Friday, July 4, 2008 - 10:00 am Gonzales High School, 501 Fifth St., Gonzales Line up in parking lot for parade sponsored by Gonzales Rotary Club beginning at 11:00 am.

Soledad Friday, July 4, 2008 - 9:00 am Little League and Gallardo Parks, Soledad Basketball and softball games from 9:00 am; international food booths and music from noon; presentation of colors, national anthem, invocation and welcome address at 1:00 pm; games at 2:00 pm; magic and balloons from 2:00 to 4:00 pm; Princess cars, jump house-slide combo, dunk tank, car club display, prizes for best patriotically dressed man and woman and 50/50 cash prize drawing. Fireworks at dusk (may be cancelled). FREE admission.

Greenfield Friday, July 4, 2008 - 8:00 pm at Patriot Park, Greenfield

King City Friday, July 4, 2008 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm San Lorenzo County Park, 1160 Broadway St., King City Live music featuring Joshua's Shadow, classic car show, boxing exhibition, food, vendors, activities for the children. Admission to the park is $10 per car or $2 per person for walk-ins; children under 10 get in FREE. (831) 385-6013.

Monterey Friday, July 4 This year's festivities will begin with the Flag Raising Ceremony and Kick-Off Parade followed by the Admission Free Big Little Backyard Bar-B-Q and Entertainment Extravaganza and culminates with a Fireworks Display over Monterey Bay. Animals prohibited at all events (except guide/service dogs). Flag Raising Ceremony & Kick-Off Parade - 10:00 am Flag Raising Ceremony & Parade route down Alvarado Street, Monterey, left on Del Monte Ave, left down Calle Prinicpal. Big Little Backyard 4th of July Bar-B-Que and Entertainment Extravaganza - 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Bar-B-Que held at Colton Hall Lawn, Monterey. Food for sale by local non-profit organizations. Free live music, entertainment, carnival games. Fireworks Display over Monterey Bay - 9:15 pm

Monterey Plaza Hotel Friday, July 4, 2008 - 5:00-9:00 pm 400 Cannery Row, Monterey Live music by Brian Diamond, food and beverage offerings for the whole family, face painting, trivia games for the children. Up to 250 guests will fill the Upper Plaza to enjoy City of Monterey fireworks show. Seating, first come, first served. FREE admission.

Carmel - Independence Day Celebration Friday, July 4, 2008 - 1:00 to 4:00 pm Devendorf Park, Carmel Entertainment by Cheeky Spanks, Mayor McCloud welcomes crowd and games begin. Food and entertainment provided by local service clubs and groups. Pack a lunch and bring a blanket or chair. FREE - (831) 620-2020

Pacific Grove BBQ Friday, July 4, 2008 - 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Caledonia Park 680 Central Park, Pacific Grove Event features patriotic program, fun and games, food, live entertainment. (831) 373-3304

City of Seaside presents. . . Festival of Patriots & Parade of Champions Sunday, July 6 at noon Join the Velvet Knights Drum & Bugle Corp from Pasadena, Watsonville Band, San Benito High School Band, and our 45 foot Tyrannosaurus-Rex in celebrating this Seaside tradition. Other parade participants include youth groups, clowns and military drill and color guard units. The 59th Annual Parade of Champions will be dedicated to Henry Hosea. Parade Route: Corner of W. Broadway Blvd. to corner of Fremont Blvd and Harcourt Ave. Music and Entertainment at Seaside City Hall on Canyon Del Rey, beginning at 1:30 pm Entertainment by Chicano All-Stars and Maria Muldaur. For further information, call 831-899-6805.

2008 Spirit of Watsonville Friday, July 4, 2008 Downtown Watsonville Parade with the Watsonville Band, cheerleaders, historic tractor parade, karate and soccer clubs, equestrian groups, veterans organizations and representatives from the Watsonville school district. (831) 768-3267

Aptos - World's Shortest Parade & Pancake Breakfast Friday, July 4, 2008 - 7:30 am Downtown Aptos Pancake breakfast at 7:30 am, parade at 10:00 am followed by games, arts & crafts and live music in Aptos Park. Parade covers two blocks and visitors welcome to participate, arrive in costume and join in. (831) 688-1467

Santa Cruz - 1906 Independence Day Celebration Friday, July 4, 2008 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Wilder Ranch, 1401 Old Coast Road, off Hwy 1, Santa Cruz Wagon rides, cake walk, sack races, music and hand-cranked ice cream. Also, living history demonstrations, food for sale and noon parade. (831) 426-0505

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Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, 2008
Monterey County - Toro Park, 501 Monterey Salinas Highway, Salinas

Don’t miss the 41st Annual Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival at Monterey County. Fun for the whole family, the Festival will feature a wide array of Scottish and Irish musicians, Scottish Highland and Irish dancers, tasty British food and crafts, thrilling athletic events, kids games, sheepdog demonstrations, historical reenactments, and much, much more. Special entertainment will include John Taylor and Hamewith, Seamus Kennedy, the Black Irish Band, Monterey Harp Ensemble, and McCloud, the ten foot tall stilt walking Scotsman plus his Rusty Happenings show.

Tickets: General Admission $20 Senior (65+), Military, or Youth (13-16) $17, Children (7-12) $12, Children 6 years and under Free. Advance Discount tickets available – see Tickets page on www.montereyscotgames.com or call 831-333-9423.

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Steinbeck Football Signups
Divisions for ages 9 to 14
June 25, July 5, 12, 19 & 26 - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
North Salinas High School - back parking lot

Please bring a copy of the child's birth certificate and copies of two current proof of residence. Physicals are scheduled for 7/19 and practice begins on 7/28. Registration free is $75, Physicals will cost $25. For football, call Chris at 754-0404. www.steinbeckfootball.com.

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Fall Registration for AYSO Soccer and VIP Program

The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is a national youth development program in which trained coaches, referees, and many other support volunteers work together to provide your child with a fun and rewarding soccer experience.

VIP (Very Important Player) Soccer Program teaches and allows kids and adults with disabilities to be part of soccer the same as their siblings. Both regular soccer and VIP soccer are participating at the same time in the same area.

The VIP Program has been going on for about 10 years and started by Mr. Steven Spenkle. It is part of the larger National AYSO organization. Also the VIP programs goes to a Soccerfest in October with many other VIP programs. Such as Davis or San Jose. There are some 50 players local and at the soccerfest there are over 600 players.

Registration Dates for both AYSO and VIP Soccer:

Saturday, July 12
Safeway - 10 to 2
Located at 17539 Vierra Canyon Rd, Prunedale

Saturday, July 26
Manzanita Park Conference Room - 10 to 2
Located at 16720 Castroville Blvd, Castroville

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Carmel Bach Festival Family Concerts
Papa Bach's Merry Band Plays for You

National Steinbeck Center
Saturday, July 12 - 1:00 pm
1 Main Street, Salinas
Free Admission

Golden State Theatre
Sunday, July 13 - 3:00 pm
417 Alvarado Street, Monterey
Free Admission

An informal interactive musical program with Bach Festival musicians demonstrating instruments and the music-making process.This program is appropriate for children of all ages giving patrons a greater understanding of the music in advance of the 2008 Carmel Bach Festival (July 19-August 9).

For More Information: Tel:831-624-1521 or info@bachfestival.org. Bach Festival Information: www.bachfestival.org.

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Meningococcal Disease Vaccine Clinics
for Teenagers provided
by the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA)

VNA has scheduled walk-in “Vaccinate Before You Graduate”  meningococcal clinics:

• Friday, July 18, 11 am – 2 pm, VNA Office, 5 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey
• Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 am – 1 pm, VNA Office, 5 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey

Parental permission forms are required at the clinics for students under 18, and may be downloaded from the VNA website: www.ccvna.com or by calling VNA Immunization Line at 831-648-3777.

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Feast of Lanterns
July 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 2008
Pacific Grove

The Feast of Lanterns is the only annual, week-long celebration in Pacific Grove. It provides fun and enjoyment for all, and offers residents the opportunity to be involved in their hometown. The festival is staffed entirely by volunteers ranging in age from 8 to 90 years. Homes are decorated and parties are planned during the Feast of Lanterns week. It is truly a celebration of community that has something for everyone including our pets. 

In keeping with tradition as old as the city itself, this is a community celebration featuring the Feast of Salads, PG Birthday Cake, Pet parade, street dancing, pageant, fireworks, entertainment and more!  More info:  831-373-8295.

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Multisensory Teaching Workshop
Monday, July 28, 2008
6:30 to 9:30 pm
Courtyard by Marriot, Salinas CA

Ever feel that you are losing your student's interest while needing to cover valuable subject matter? Frustrated as to how to help your student learn more fully? Then come and learn how each student is wired to learn and how to reach them through the use of a multisensory teaching format.

Pre-registration price: $10 ERMCO member, $15 non-member

Who should attend? Homeschoolers, Parents, Educators of all types.

Presented by: Marian Soderholm MD, LD Specialist - www.natureoflearning.com. Sponsored by Educational Resources of Monterey County - www.ermco.net.

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Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System
Art & Music Fun
Art Explore
Saturday, July 26

Art & Music
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
This group is conceived to create a fun creative supportive environment for younger children, ages 4-8, who are either patients of or whose family members are patients at SVMH. The emphasis is on providing resources and creative support to encourage children to express themselves and develop confidence through the use of multi-media arts and crafts. Media will evolve according to participant needs and interests.

Art Explore
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
This group is conceived to allow young people, ages 9 to 15, an opportunity to express themselves through art and develop expressive skills and meaningful insights which will help them cope with personal and familial health challenges. This group will be made available to youths who are either patients of or whose family members are patients at SVMHS. Creative approaches will be as individual as possible and media choices will be based on participant needs and interests.

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Want to Save Money and Have a Great Time?
The Monterey County Fair is Your Answer!

Discount Fair admission tickets and Carnival Wristbands are now available for the Monterey County Fair—and you can save even more if you purchase your tickets online.

“Saving on admission means you have a few extra dollars for things like cotton candy!” said Fair CEO Kelly Baldwin. “We seriously hope people will take advantage of buying advance tickets and tickets online, as more savings definitely translates to more fun.”

Presale tickets are available at the Fair office at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey or online at www.montereycountyfair.com.

Admission prices are as follows:
Adults (13 to 64): $8 regular admission, $6 presale, $5 online
Seniors (65 and over): $7 regular admission, $6 presale, $5 online
Children (6 to 12): $4 regular admission, $3 presale, $2 online
Children (5 and under): Free
Carnival Wristband: $25 regular admission, $15 presale, $15 online
Parking: Available at Monterey Peninsula College Lot A

In addition to helping guests save by buying early, the Fair is also offering special free admission days: free admission to kids 12 and under on Kids’ Day, Aug. 12; reduced $3 admission to seniors on Senior’s Day on Aug. 13; and free entry to all active-duty military members with valid military ID on Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 14. 

The theme of the 2008 year’s Monterey County Fair is “Ride the Wave”.  We encourage everyone to “Ride the Wave” by parking at Monterey Peninsula College Lot A and riding Monterey-Salinas Transit FREE to the fair, just show your pre-sale fair admission ticket! For more information, visit our website at www.montereycountyfair.com or call the fair office at 831-372-5863.

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Book Club Summer Savings

Are you looking for the tools to start your own book club or do you already belong to an existing reading group? Monterey County Free Libraries can provide you with the resources you need for a successful program! The Library offers bags that contain 10 paperback copies of a book, discussion questions, discussion leader tips, and a sign-out sheet to help keep track of the bag's contents.

Save money on your book club purchases by using the Book Club to Go service at the Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL).

Book club members with an MCFL card may take out ten books, discussion tips, and group leader guidelines in a sturdy canvas sack to a reading location of their choice.

Book club members may choose from a selection of fiction and non-fiction titles chosen to stimulate diverse opinion in discussion groups from the Book Club to Go service.  MCFL currently offers 47 English, bilingual English-Spanish, and Spanish selections for adults and teens.

For information about titles and/or to reserve a Book Club to Go bag, please visit www.montereycountyfreelibraries.org/bookclubtogo or call Beata Obydzinski at (831) 899-2055.

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Summer Camp & School Shows at the J. Frederic Ching Planetarium Teachers, expand your students' learning experience with a field trip to our planetarium. Our star theater has comfortable seating for 45 people, with an absolute maximum capacity of 60, including chaperones. We offer age appropriate programming for all grade levels, from pre-school on up. A sky tour by a live presenter supplements information in entertaining and informative prerecorded shows. Custom presentations and additional activities can be added with prior arrangement. If you are interested in bringing a camp or school group to the planetarium during the summer, we are making two weeks in July available for programs. Mark your calendar for July 14-18 and July 21-25. We will try to schedule these shows at your convenience, so please have a time or two in mind for a particular date before you call. Leave a message at 755-6913 and we will get back with you to schedule your program.

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"Three (Or More) Coins In A Fountain"
The Community Is Invited To Donate Their Change
To The Monterey Youth Museum
By Tossing Money Into
The Del Monte Shopping Center Fountain

Do you remember the film, “Three Coins in a Fountain?” The community is invited to make a wish and support the Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum) by tossing in three or more of their coins into the recently restored Del Monte Shopping Center fountain. All money in the fountain will be continuously donated to the Monterey County Youth Museum to help them complete their new museum in downtown Monterey.

The Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum) was founded in 1997 by the Junior League of the Monterey County. Since then, MY Museum has evolved into a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is "to provide an environment where curiosity and creativity flourish, while both children and adults learn together through experience." Operating on Historic Cannery Row for the past 11 years, MY Museum has welcomed over 200,000 local residents and tourists through its doors. The museum is thrilled to announce that its new 8500 square foot location will be open later this year allowing for three times as many exhibits and lots more fun.  The new facility is located at 425 Washington Street.  For more information on how to get involved in the exciting fund raising efforts you can contact MY Museum's Executive Director, Lauren Cohen, at (831)649-6444.

Del Monte Shopping Center has recently restored its beautiful fountain sculpture.  All money that is thrown into the fountain will be donated to MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum).