Community Calendar

Join us for Ben Lomond’s monthly Wee Kirk Market, a charming, old-fashioned farmers and makers market celebrating local artisans, farmers, musicians, and food vendors. Enjoy fresh produce, handcrafted goods, live music, and delicious eats in the heart
of Ben Lomond.

This outstanding market takes place on the First Sunday of Every Month through October at 9500 Central Avenue in Ben Lomond.

Bring your friends and family for a fun-filled community gathering.

Admission is Free.

Join us for this unforgettable Celebration of Tradition, Culture, History, and Conservation -- and help honor “All Things Abalone.”

Abalone has long held a significant place in Monterey’s cultural and culinary history. The community is invited to celebrate this rich legacy at the first-ever “Abalone Festival: All Things Abalone” on Saturday, July 26th and Sunday, July 27th at the Monterey Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Hall and additional nearby sites.

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WHAT: “The Monterey Abalone Festival: All Things Abalone”
WHEN: Saturday, July 26th and Sunday, July 27th
TIME: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm both days
WHERE: Monterey JACL Hall, 424 Adams Street, Monterey

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This unique two-day celebration will feature an outstanding lineup of expert speakers, documentary films, live performances, cultural demonstrations, a walking tour, abalone races, and more. The event will also debut the inaugural presentation of the Roy Hattori Memorial Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to abalone heritage and conservation.

One of the festival highlights will be a special “Abalone Dance” performed by the Monterey Rumsen Ohlone Community on Del Monte Beach, led there by the Monterey Lion Dance Troupe at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The weekend will also include a Zoom conversation with historians and researchers from Tateyama, Japan, the ancestral home of many Japanese divers who came to Monterey.

More information is available at: www.jaclmonterey.org

Classic Car Show is a fire fighter fundraiser supporting 4 local fire districts: Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, and Zyante.
Beautiful Classic cars on display with a completion element and People’s Choice. Live Music by Love Creek, Charlie Browns BBQ, local vendors and a beautiful day in the sun beneath the redwood canopy.
Bring the family and come enjoy this amazing event.
Thank you.

Join the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Monterey County Branch, for a moving commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This free public event honors lives lost and affirms a commitment to a nuclear-free future.

The evening includes taiko drumming, music, poetry, and stories, concluding with a serene lantern floating ceremony at sunset. As peace lanterns drift across the cove, shakuhachi flute music will offer a meditative close to the evening.

Co-sponsored by the City of Pacific Grove, Peace Coalition of Monterey County, Veterans for Peace Chapter 46, Monterey Peace and Justice Center, and others. With appreciation to Pacific Grove Adventures for kayak support.

All are welcome to arrive early and decorate peace lanterns. Bring a blanket and dress warmly.

Program Highlights
Emcee: Alexandra Ramos – WILPF Monterey County & Monterey Peace and Justice Center
Guest Speaker: Masako Toki – Senior Project Manager, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Schedule:
7:00 PM – Lantern making begins; performance by Shinsho-Mugen Daiko taiko drummers
7:45 PM – Music, poetry, and messages of hope:
o Opening Blessing – Brendan J. Ramsden, minister, Center for Sacred Studies
o Indigenous Land Acknowledgement – Michael Lojkovic, musician and peace activist
o Mayors for Peace – Pacific Grove Mayor Nick Smith
o Nagasaki Story – Troy Ishikawa
o Peace Poem – Jennifer Fellguth, poet, storyteller, retired educator
8:15 PM – Lantern Launch: Kayakers will guide lanterns serenely across the cove as Tai Chi Master Jim Scott-Behrends plays the shakuhachi bamboo flute

When you attend or sponsor the Gala for the Arts, you’re not just supporting a one-night event. You're investing in young people and artists with big dreams.

You and your guests will enjoy a joyful evening of delicious food and drinks, a silent auction, and an uplifting program. We’ll honor incredible individuals: Gary Smith for Distinguished Service to the Arts and Jesús Ruvalcaba as our Distinguished Alumnus in the Arts. The Gala for the Arts will also feature live music from the Hilltown Bluegrass Band and include a pre-Gala peek in the newly renovated Hartnell Art Gallery.

After the Gala, guests are invited to attend The Western Stage's production of Bright Star, a heartwarming musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell set in the Blue Ridge Mountains between the 1920s and 1940s.

Learn more:
https://hartnellfoundation.org/event/gala/

Watsonville Taiko hosts the Tanabata Star Festival at the Kizuka Hall in Watsonville on Sunday, August 10th.

Watsonville Taiko will host the Tanabata Star Festival at the Kizuka Hall in Watsonville on Sunday, August 10th. This very special event celebrates and symbolizes the annual reunion of two stars separated by the Milky Way: Vega. The Weaver Star and Altair, the Cow-herder Star. As part of this Festival, the Bamboo Tree, a symbol of Hope and Properity, will be adorned with Origami and Wishes in the hope of reuniting the couple and bringing Good Fortune.

A Japanese Lunch is available and can be ordered for $20.00. This includes:
• Soup
• Salad
• Rice
• Either Chicken Teriyaki and Pork Gyoza (or) Tofu Dish and Vegitarian Gyoza

The event will be highlighted with very special Origami Artwork to include decorations on Bamboo Branches with Origami Art created by atendees.

Please email info@watsonvilletaiko.org for reservations.

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DATE: Sunday, August 10th
TIME: 12:00pm to 3:30pm
LOCATION: Kizuka Hall, 150 Blackburn Street, Watsonville
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Lunch Ordering Deadline is Friday, August 1st. For Event Reservation and Lunch Orders please contact: info@watsonvilletaiko.org

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Watsonville Taiko is a registered 501(c)3 Organization.

MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 1673
Watsonville, CA 95077-1673