Omega Nu awards $16K in grants to local public schools
Omega Nu of Santa Cruz has awarded $16,000 in grants to public school teachers through its Funds for Fundamentals program.
Since 2005, the program has helped teachers cover classroom expenses. This year’s funding provided math manipulatives, art supplies, strategy games and books for class libraries. Eligible elementary and middle schools in Santa Cruz County apply on a three-year rotating cycle.
Recipients for 2026 include Boulder Creek, DeLaveaga, Gault, Green Acres, Mar Vista, Pacific, Santa Cruz Gardens, Soquel, Valencia and Vine Hill elementary schools.Omega Nu also supports college scholarships and community organizations through its annual Ducky Derby fundraiser, set for April 25 at Harvey West Park. More information is available at duckyderbysantacruz.org.
Celebrate Piano Ensemble to perform scholarship benefit concert
Celebrate Piano Ensemble will perform its annual music scholarship benefit concert at 4pm on Sunday, Feb. 15, at Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St., in Santa Cruz.
The concert will feature piano duets and duos, with selections including “Garden of Eden” by Bolcom, “Adagietto” from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23, “Fantasia for Organ and Piano” by Jesse McMilin, “Prelude and Fugue No. 2” from Emily Howell and David Cope’s From Darkness, Light, and selections from Candide by Bernstein. Performers include Susan Bruckner, Mary Jane Cope, Daniel Goldsmith, Nicki Kerns, Lynn Kidder, Jesse McMilin, John Orlando, Ivan Rosenblum, Marina Thomas and Vlada Volkova-Moran, with guest singers Jordan Best, Josh Best, Liz Neff and Jorge Torres.
Proceeds benefit the Opportunity Grant and Talent Bank programs through the Santa Cruz County branch of the Music Teachers Association of California, supporting need-based and merit scholarships for local music students. Donations can be made at sccmtac.org.
For more information, contact Nicki Kerns at pi*********@***il.com or 831-334-1215.
Felton Library hosts seed-starting workshop
Felton Library will host a free workshop, The Basics of Starting from Seed, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 10:30am-noon.
The session is designed for both first-time growers and experienced gardeners, covering sowing, cultivating healthy seedlings and successful transplanting. Participants will pot seedlings, sow seeds to take home and receive a year-round growing guide for the Santa Cruz Bay area. Additional seeds will be provided by Felton Library Friends.
Registration is required at santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/15771157.
County seeks nominations for Artist of the Year
Nominations are open for the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission’s Artist of the Year Award, which honors outstanding achievement in performance, visual and literary arts.
The award, presented annually for the past 42 years, recognizes artists with a national or international reputation who have contributed to the cultural enrichment of the local community and created or presented work in Santa Cruz County. Nominees must be county residents.
Only Santa Cruz County residents may submit nominations. Letters should include the nominator’s name and address, the artist’s contact information and a brief explanation of why the artist meets the award criteria. Nominations should be sent via email to ka**********@***************ca.gov with the subject line “Artist of the Year Nomination.”
More information, including details about the current recipient, Micha Scott, is available at bit.ly/4qq9C6e.
