We are just days after the Summer Solstice and South County is beginning to awaken from the long months of hibernation brought about by Covid-19. There are social events on the near horizon, which will once again see community members gathering under far less restrictions we have dealt with since early last year; and aren’t we all ready for that?
With the closure of San Lorenzo Park due to the presence of quarantine trailers, the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum (MCARLM) has seen a drastic decrease in attendance and many of its events have been canceled. But there are still some events that may happen while adhering to those restrictions still in place, and one such happening is to take place on Thursday, June 24.
On that evening from 6 til 9 p.m., MCARLM interns will present “Teens in Quarantine: Covid-19” video; this is a red-carpet world premiere of a video over a year in the making. Under the leadership of Executive Director Jessica Potts, the four interns — Tanya Perez, Lissette Ortiz, Penelope Riley and Tyler Doan — worked with former intern Dominique Conricorde in putting together the video. Throughout the year the interns learned hands-on the art of camera angles, lighting, narration and editing with the result being a 44-minute original video.
The event is by invitation only, so if you’d like to be among those in attendance at this special showcase, all you must do is get in touch with the Museum staff at in**@mc****.org or by calling 831-383-2080. This will be a great evening for the outgoing interns as well as those who support the Museum.
Just a couple days following, there is a special event scheduled for June 26 from 5 til 6:30 p.m. at Mee Memorial Hospital. Sponsored by the Mee Memorial Hospital Foundation (MMHF), the evening will include a champagne toast, wine, light snacks and live acoustic music all with the purpose of showcasing the beautiful dedicatory rose garden.
For those who need reminding, the MMHF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise funds for much-needed medical equipment and, as they’ve been at it for some five decades, they have gotten rather good at making the hospital a far more effective enterprise. The millions of dollars raised in the past 50 years has made possible the purchase of everything from dialysis chairs to floor polishers to fetal monitors. The upcoming event is a fundraiser; the goal for funds acquired will go to the purchase of six wheelchairs to be used for hospital patrons.
The ribbon-cutting affair will include the unveiling of a new fountain and the showcasing of dedicatory bricks and benches. The bricks will be engraved with whatever the donor wishes as a dedication and a bench can be purchased as remembrance of loved ones. The public is invited to attend the soiree, and everyone is encouraged to help support the purchase of much-needed hospital equipment. After all, the life you benefit may be your own. To attend the event, please RSVP to me***@th*******.net.
As Independence Day nears, there is in the planning a revival of the annual parade down Broadway. Again, Pacific Valley Bank is sponsoring the event with the assistance of the King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. With the cancellation of last year’s parade as well as the Lighted Christmas Parade, this year’s parade will surely see many entrants ready to once again show off their stuff for the community. The announcer’s stand will be located in front of True Value Hardware and will include pre-parade music and a vocal offering, both by announcer Tom Mooneyham.
As usual there will be trophies awarded in various categories. There will also be an unveiling of the War Memorial at its new location at the south end of San Lorenzo Park. The King City Young Farmers and the Veterans of Foreign Wars here in King City have worked diligently to refurbish and relocate the plaques of those servicemen from the area who lost their lives in combat.
If interested in entering the parade, just get in touch with the folks at Pacific Valley Bank; pre-parade entries will be accepted until July 2. And if not planning on being an entrant, then plan on being in the audience that day as King City once again struts its stuff down main street. More information about the parade and the fireworks show planned for July 3 will be forthcoming.
BITS & PIECES
One could argue this whole column is bits and pieces, I concur. Here are some more:
Andrea Wasson down at the local plunge says they are up and swimming with exercise and lap swim times as well as recreational swim times. Until now the capacity is limited to 100 patrons, a number that may have changed since the lift of many restrictions. But those sitting around the pool and swimmers all count as one, so if you want to get inside the gate, the earlier the better. See KC Recreation Department website for hours and fees.
Sol Treasures’ “Youth Theater Summer Showcase” kicked off last week with rehearsals; shows scheduled for the last week in July.
The newly refurbished skate park had a grand opening on Monday, June 21.
Beautification Week is June 19-27, with City-Wide Yard Sale set for the 26th and 27th and a city-wide litter pick-up with King City in Bloom from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, the 26th.
Fort Hunter Liggett has a gala Independence Day planned; billed as “4th of July Jamboree,” the event includes food venues, carnival rides, live entertainment and, of course, fireworks. This is the fort’s first Independence Day event for the public, with a modest $5 cash only entrance fee. Call 831-386-3525 for more details.
And that is just a small sampling of what is in store for us as things finally ease up after months of pandemic. More information about these upcoming events and much more can be found in future issues of the Valley newspapers.
Until next time, be safe. Peace.
