NEW JOURNAL LAUNCHED...As if weekly poetry workshops in Jewell Park and monthly readings at Bookworks weren't enough, PG's official poet-in-residence Ryan Masters has just launched a semi-annual, web-based international literary journal and regional on-line poetry resource. The journal, called "The Bathy-spheric Review," publishes what Masters calls "ocean-centered poetry--not poems necessarily about the ocean, but they all use oceanographic imagery." Every poet uses such imagery, Masters insists. You know, the "depths" of my soul; "waves" of desire "washed over" her; that sort of thing (but better, much better). Masters also wants people to submit poems that celebrate the actual ocean, especially the Monterey Bay, where he grew up--he's a Los Gatos boy, who has spent a lot of time surfing, scuba- and free-diving. The journal will appear on-line only, with new issues each April 1 and October 1, but Masters plans to compile a hard-copy anthology every two years. Check out www.montereybaypoetry.com for the current issue, as well as his on-going list of local literary events and poets (still slim pickings on that site), and the schedule for an all-day poetry festival Masters is planning for May 4 in Pacific Grove. (Thanks to the city of PG, which just renewed his contract for another year.)

CET WOES...Every local arts organization has been hard hit these past two years, but Carmel's Children's Experimental Theater is in particularly bad financial straits: On March 19, the van they use to transport props and sets for the company's traveling players was disabled in a hit-and-run accident, and they don't have enough insurance to fix it. CET was founded by Marcia Hovick in 1960, and is the area's longest-running theater school, teaching classical theater to two generations of Monterey County children and bringing free plays to more than 25,000 schoolchildren every year. Angels are encouraged to call the theater at 624-1531. (Note: Blithe Spirit will open a week late, April 18.)

ART SCHOLARSHIPS...High school seniors and graduating junior college students who wish to pursue an arts education may apply for a $1,000 scholarship from the Central Coast Art Association. Applicants must be in the top 25 percent of their class, and must show demonstrated proficiency in two- or three-dimensional art (except photography). Applications, which were sent out to school principals and art department heads, must be received by May 1. Call 373-3945.

--Sue Fishkoff