SANTA CRUZ

2nd annual Garfield Park Library book sale

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Friends of Garfield Park Library will hold their second annual book sale at the library at 705 Woodrow Ave. Popular fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, spirituals and CDs/DVDs will be available. A minimum purchase of $5 will receive a yummy handmade cookie from a local bakery, Chefany’s Cakes. Donations support programs at the Garfield Park Library.

SOQUEL

Community drumming sessions May 16

Percussionist and educator Jim Greiner is continuing his Third Friday Community Drumming series through 2025 at the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 6:30. The cost is $10. This month’s session will take place in the courtyard, so please wear layers.

Greiner provides hand drums and other percussion instruments, but feel free to bring your own favorites. All levels of experience are welcomed. There will be a few fun and easy tips on playing the instruments for beginners, as well as how to use rhythm as a playful life practice to reinforce positive powerful life rhythms and patterns of attitude and action — life rhythms — that we want to become habits.

Contact Greiner through SantaCruzDrumLessons.com.

CAPITOLA

Mid County Senior Center benefit dance

The Mid County Senior Center will host a benefit dance and concert featuring Chicago Bill and The Next Blues Band from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at 829 Bay Ave.

Cost of admission is $10. Mid County Senior Center provides a variety of programs and activities for the local community. Ages 18 and over are welcome to participate in the dances.

SANTA CRUZ

Launchpad job fair coming May 21

Santa Cruz Launchpad, previously known as “Get Hired,” features an exciting combination of a student business pitch competition from noon to 4 p.m. plus a community career fair May 21 that is free and open to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St. Come connect with employers, find entry level jobs, as well as opportunities for experienced professionals in a variety of industries.

This year’s event is proudly hosted by Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, UCSC CIED, UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, UCSC Career Success and UCSC QB3. Registration is online at bit.ly/sclaunch25.

APTOS

Jewish Film Festival holds final screening

The Jewish Film Festival closes out its 2025 season with “Sabbath Queen” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road. The free screening is co-presented with Santa Cruz Pride. This feature documentary film is the story of Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s epic journey of self-discovery. A gay man and the latest in a line of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis, including Chief Rabbis of Israel, is torn between rejecting and embracing his true identity. Filmmaker Sandi Dubowski (“Trembling Before G-d”) worked on this documentary for 21 years and will be present for the screening.

Master of Ceremonies Rabbi Eli Cohen of Chadeish Yameinu has known Lau-Lavie for 30 years and will speak about his experiences as an openly gay ordained rabbi. Snacks will precede the film provided by Veg on the Edge and Hadassah of Santa Cruz County. This is a free event, with donations greatly appreciated. For additional details, go to tbeaptos.org/jewish-film-festival1.html.

SANTA CRUZ

Rooftop networking mixer June 4

Join Santa Cruz Works for their first summer mixer, a casual evening on the Anton Pacific Apartments rooftop, 800 Pacific Ave., connecting professionals from all backgrounds across Santa Cruz County, from 6 to 8 p.m. June 4. Skip the formal presentations and come ready to mingle, share ideas and forge new partnerships while enjoying stunning views and summer vibes.

There will be networking tables (no presentations) of the top 10 CruzHacks 2025 and Santa Cruz Launchpad 2025 startup teams offering a firsthand look at the innovative spirit shaping our community. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand your network, spark new ideas and celebrate local entrepreneurship in a relaxed setting. Come enjoy great conversations, ocean air and laid-back summer vibe. Tickets are $23.18, with food and beverages included. Register online at bit.ly/scwsummermixer.

CAPITOLA

Community talk on peacebuilding in US

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Resource Center for Nonviolence and the Conflict Resolution Center are co-hosting Community Conversations to help depolarize our county one conversation at a time. Join the discussion 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road.

Is there someone in your family or friend circle whose political views differ from yours? Invite them to join for a structured and moderated small group dialogue on peacebuilding in the United States using the nationally recognized “Living Room Conversations” model to cultivate community and mutual understanding. Register at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14407326.

Additional opportunities to engage in this conversation will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 11 at the Felton Branch Library and July 9 at the Resource Center for Nonviolence.

SANTA CRUZ

UCSC Foundry’s 50-year celebration

Celebrate 50 years of the UC Santa Cruz Foundry by attending a bronze pour, 2:30-5 p.m. Thursday at 100 Foundry Road, behind the Theater Arts Center.

The pour is scheduled to begin about 3 p.m., where the bronze is heated to 2,100 degrees and poured from the crucible at a glowing-orange molten state into the investment molds that have been meticulously prepared by students over the past few months.

This event is free and open to the public. More info can be found at arts.ucsc.edu/events.

SANTA CRUZ

Introduction to Zen meditation

The Santa Cruz Zen Center, 113 School St., will host an introduction to the body and mind of Zen meditation and the forms used, from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday. Everyone is welcome. Free. For more information, contact 831-457-0206 or contact@sczc.org.