Gonzales community garden cleanup set for Saturday
GONZALES — Community members are invited to help clean up and maintain the Gonzales Community Garden during a gardening day scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event, organized in partnership with the Live Well Project, will take place at the Gonzales Community Garden at the corner of Elko Street and Fairview Drive.
Participants will have an opportunity to connect with neighbors, help beautify the shared garden space and learn basic gardening and cleanup techniques. The event also will feature a free composting workshop, and attendees can take home free compost.
Organizers encourage residents of all ages and gardening experience levels to participate. The event is free and open to everyone.
Those interested can register by visiting SalinasValleyHealth.com/events-classes.
First Tee invites families to free Game Changers Day
SALINAS — First Tee Monterey County will open Twin Creeks Golf Course to the public on Nov. 14 for Game Changers Day, a free family celebration featuring golf activities, inflatables and food trucks, along with a drawing for a new Lexus TX 500h.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Twin Creeks Golf Course, 1551 Beacon Hill Drive in Salinas. Children can try golf with First Tee coaches and young participants while families learn more about the program, which has served local youth for more than 20 years.
At 1:30 p.m., 10 finalists will be drawn live on First Tee’s Instagram account, @firstteemontereycounty. Each finalist will try a key fob in the car’s door, and the one that unlocks it will win the Lexus. A proxy may participate for finalists who cannot attend.
The event also kicks off First Tee’s Monterey County Gives! campaign, “The Road to Opportunity,” which helps transport students from more than 47 partner schools to the organization’s campuses in Salinas and King City. First Tee serves more than 13,000 young people across Monterey County each year.
Raffle tickets are $100, with proceeds supporting First Tee programs. Tickets are available at firstteemontereycounty.org.
Aria Women’s Choir opens anniversary season
PACIFIC GROVE — Aria Women’s Choir will open its 15th anniversary season with “Where Mercy Dwells: Sacred Songs for Women’s Voices” on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Pacific Grove, also known as the Butterfly Church, at 915 Sunset Drive. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
The concert will explore themes of compassion, peace, forgiveness and hope through sacred choral music spanning centuries, from composers Hildegard von Bingen, Palestrina and Monteverdi to contemporary works by Elaine Hagenberg, Dan Forrest and others. The program also includes South African sacred praise, gospel and spirituals.
Seán Boulware will conduct the ensemble, accompanied by pianist Jon-Mark Hurley.
Tickets are available at ariamonterey.ticketspice.com/aria-where-mercy-dwells. More information about the choir is available at ariamonterey.org.
King City Chamber seeks award nominations
KING CITY — King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is accepting nominations for its 2026 Annual Awards, recognizing individuals and businesses for their contributions to the community.
Award categories include Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, Friend of the Community and the Hermie Robles Youth Award. Nomination forms are due by Nov. 25.
Forms are available at kingcitychamber.com. For more information, contact Becky at 831-386-5600 or Jamie at 831-386-0702.
