SOUTH COUNTY HAPPENINGS

Still time to nominate a sustainability champ

Chula Vista is seeking nominees for its Sustainability Champion Awards. These are people who are helping the city to achieve clean air, clean water and clean land.

Any person/group living or working in Chula Vista is eligible to be nominated and potentially recognized for their local sustainability achievements.

The Sustainability Champion Awards is an initiative of the city’s Sustainability Commission designed to recognize these individuals. Find nomination forms at www.chulavistaca.gov/clean and submit them by 5 p.m. Thursday. Award winners will be recognized at the April 26 City Council meeting.

The Sustainability Commission offers the annual awards to help celebrate local champions and inspire others to take sustainable actions that will have a positive effect on the community.

For more information, go to www.chulavistaca.gov/clean.

National City invites cleanup sessions

National City residents are invited to register their households this week at www.joinnatcity.com, using Activity 5302, for Community Service Month 2022. Pick up your cleanup kit at the National City Public Library from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Log your cleanup activities (virtual and inperson) and submit your photos from April 1-29 at www.nationalcityca.gov/ Csmonth. The cleanups will culminate in an Earth Day celebration from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 30 at Kimball Park with a park cleanup, children’s activities and a free lunch. Volunteers are needed. Call (619) 336-4290 or email communityservices@nationalcityca.gov.

Teacher elected head of music educators

Emma Schopler, a teacher at Eastlake and Valle Lindo elementary schools in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, has been named president-elect for the Western Division of the Organization of Kodály Educators, a national organization supporting music education.

The division represents California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon and Utah. The Chula Vista Elementary district is the only one in the region with full-time credentialed music teachers serving grades K-6.

Schopler also volunteers as the secretary for the Oakewestern Division, and is vice president for choral activities at the California Music Educators Association, Southern Border Section, in San Diego. Schopler will serve two years as the OAKE president-elect, followed by two years as president. After her term ends, she will serve another two years as past president to help the new president transition.

Recently, Schopler created the “San Diego Kids All Sing,” a one-day singing workshop and showcase for students ages 8-12 to gain experience in a simulated honor choir experience. No audition needed. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 7, children will study songs with Melva Morrison, a guest clinician and conductor from Point Loma Nazarene University. These songs will be performed at 3:30 p.m. at a yet-undecided location. Registration deadline is April 11. The fee of $25 includes performance music from JW Pepper, snack, lunch and a concert shirt. Children can sign up at https://scvachoral.org/elementary_workshop.php.

‘The Other Place’ at Onstage Playhouse

Onstate Playhouse presents “The Other Place,” directed by Sandra Ruiz. Just as Juliana Smithton’s research leads to a potential breakthrough, her life takes a disorienting turn. The show runs through April 17, with matinees at 2 p.m. Sundays. See the performance schedule and get tickets at www.onstageplayhouse.org or by calling (619) 422-7787. The theater is at 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista.

Bonita Optimists holding book sale

The Bonita Optimists are holding a book sale at the Bonita Historical Society from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and April 3. Book donations are also appreciated. Funds raised pay for grants and support of the club’s projects helping children in the South Bay area, including scholarships, essay contests, student appreciation awards and the upcoming Kids Bike Safety Rodeo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 30 at Bonita Valley Community Church. The Historical Society is at 4355 Bonita Road. Call (619) 2675141.

Free film screening in San Ysidro

Olivewood Gardens holds a free screening of “The Kitchenistas,” at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the San Ysidro Public Library,

4235 Beyer Blvd, San Diego. There will also be a food demo and panel discussion of the film, a documentary that shows how healthy food traditions lead to better community health and connections. This event is sponsored by SAIC’S Women’s Business Resource Group in honor of Women’s History Month. No registration necessary. Learn more about the film at https://thekitchenistasmovie.org.

Deadline near to apply for rent, utilities aid

Thursday is the last day for Chula Vista residents to apply for this round of funding through the Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program. The city’s partner agency, SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services), is processing applications on a first-come, first-served basis, according to state guidelines. This round of funding is expected to be about $6 million. For information and to apply, visit https://www.chulavistaerap.com. For more about the program, visit sbcssandiego.org.

Blood drives

The San Diego Blood Bank hosts these blood donation opportunities:

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, National City Public Library, 1401 National City Blvd.

• 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 3, Sweetwater Community Church, 5305 Sweetwater Road, Bonita. Donors will receive a limited-edition Tshirt while supplies last. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Photo ID required. Call (800) 469-7322 or visit Sandiegobloodbank.org.