Earth Day festival set for Saturday in Salinas
SALINAS — The 2026 Amor Salinas Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sherwood Park, 920 N. Main St., in Salinas.
The free, family-friendly event will feature more than 40 environmental and community resource booths, along with live entertainment, hands-on activities, craft tables, giveaways and food vendors. Public safety vehicles, face painting, kids’ activities hosted by the Salinas Parks and Recreation Division and appearances by event mascot Ranger are also planned.
Organizers describe the festival as a community celebration aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainability through education and interactive experiences.
Deadline nears for Miss California Rodeo Salinas contest
SALINAS VALLEY — Applications are being accepted through April 27 for the 2026 Miss California Rodeo Salinas contest, hosted by California Rodeo Salinas.
The competition is scheduled for June 30 through July 2, with the new titleholder to be crowned on July 2. The program highlights leadership, horsemanship and Western heritage, with contestants evaluated on riding ability, public speaking and personality.
Current titleholder Rachel Lancaster said, “Serving as Miss California Rodeo Salinas has been an incredibly rewarding experience. This role has pushed me to grow as a leader and advocate for rodeo, while connecting with people who truly care about preserving our Western way of life. I’m excited to see the next young woman step into this opportunity and make it her own.”
The selected winner will serve as an ambassador for the rodeo, representing the organization at events, parades and appearances throughout the year. The contest is presented by Holiday Inn Express & Suites Salinas. Applications and full contest details are available online at carodeo.com.
Alliance on Aging hosts upcoming Lunch & Learn events
MONTEREY COUNTY — Alliance on Aging will host two upcoming Lunch & Learn events aimed at helping community members, business leaders and nonprofits better understand Monterey County’s growing older adult population and available support services.
The sessions, led by Executive Director MJ Donohue, will focus on aging trends, service gaps and programs that help seniors remain safe, independent and connected.
The first event is scheduled for April 28 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, 119 E. Alisal St. in Salinas. A second session, the Food for Thought Luncheon, will be held May 13 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 353 Camino El Estero in Monterey.
Both events are free, though registration is required. More information is available at allianceonaging.org or by calling 831-655-1334.
Caltrans lowers speed limit on Hwy 1 along Big Sur Coast
BIG SUR — Caltrans has reduced the speed limit along a 5.1-mile segment of Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast, following a recent engineering and traffic survey.
The affected section begins south of Coast Road and extends to north of the Garrapata Creek Bridge, a scenic and heavily traveled portion of Highway 1.
Based on survey findings of the two-lane rural highway, the speed limit was reduced from the statutory maximum speed of 55 mph to 45 mph in both directions. This change aims to encourage the safe and orderly flow of traffic.
As of last week, all speed limit signs have been updated, and enforcement is effective immediately.
“The engineering and traffic survey evaluated the existing speed limits, collision history and roadway conditions that drivers may not always notice,” according to Caltrans. “These conditions include the presence of pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road, the configuration of horizontal curves, direct driveway access, vehicles parked in pullouts and pedestrian crossings.”
