Native Plant Bootcamp planned in Salinas
CENTRAL COAST — The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties will host the second annual Native Plant Bootcamp on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, 710 Old Stage Road in Salinas.
The free community event will feature workshops, demonstrations, hands-on activities, educational booths, plant sales and food trucks. Workshops include such topics as fire-wise gardening, creating habitats with native plants, year-round color and replacing lawns with California native plants. Interactive demonstrations will cover pruning, irrigation and other gardening techniques.
Local organizations, including the Monterey Audubon Society, Big Sur Land Trust, California Native Plant Society and Prescribed Burn Association, will also participate.
Registration is free, though donations are appreciated. Participants are encouraged to register in advance at mbmg.ucanr.edu, arrive before workshops begin at 10 a.m., and bring a hat, water bottle, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
Bank cardholders receive free Steinbeck Center admission
SALINAS — Eligible Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders will receive free general admission to the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas on Aug. 1-2 as part of the Museums on Us program.
The program offers free admission to more than 250 participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide during the first full weekend of every month. Cardholders must present a valid Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card along with a photo ID to receive free admission.
The National Steinbeck Center is among the participating institutions. A complete list of Museums on Us locations is available on the program’s website via tinyurl.com/bdcwf2ab.
South County cities prepare for 2026 National Night Out
SALINAS VALLEY — National Night Out will take place Tuesday, Aug. 4, with free celebrations in all four South Monterey County cities, presented by their respective police departments.
King City will kick off the annual community-policing event at 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, 625 Division St. Greenfield’s celebration will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Gazebo at Village Green Park, 98 S. El Camino Real. Soledad will host its event from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Soledad Community Center, 560 Walker Drive. Lastly, Gonzales has set its event for 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gonzales Police Department, 109 Fourth St.
Each gathering will offer free food, games, music, safety education and more, as families come together with local police departments to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
