SCOTTS VALLEY

Pellerin to hold online chat with North County Dems

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin will be the guest speaker for the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County on Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. upstairs at Bruno’s Bar and Grill, located at 230 Mount Hermon Road in the Kings Village Shopping Center. Pellerin will discuss the state’s plans to fight back against the federal administration’s policies to take away the rights of vulnerable population groups, and actions that can be taken at the local level to resist these efforts. She will also provide highlights of the governor’s 2025-26 budget.

There will be time for a Q&A following her presentation. Pellerin will be in Sacramento so her attendance will be via Zoom. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Attendees should arrive early if they would like food service.

SANTA CRUZ

Panelists to discuss local wildlife at talk

Local scientists Catherine Courtier and Paige Kouba will discuss the factors that are displacing both marine and terrestrial populations in the Central Coast during a talk hosted by The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Live Oak Annex at the Simpkins Swim Center located at 979 17th Ave.

The panelists will dive into an examination of our kelp forests, and marine animals as well as our redwood forests as ecosystems are being disrupted. This event is part of a series for the Our Community Reads program, which focuses on themes from a selected book. This year’s book is “Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver. Admission is free but registration is required at friendsofaptoslibrary.org/our-community-reads.html.

SANTA CRUZ

Genealogy virtual lecture scheduled

Sign up to attend the online lecture “Military Records” hosted by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries on Tuesday, March 4, at 1 p.m. As part of the County Lecture Series, senior librarian with the Salinas Public Library Cathy Andrews will be the featured guest speaker.

From locally organized militias during the colonial and Revolutionary War period, to mass mobilizations such as World War I and II, military records can contain tantalizing clues or detailed data for family history research. Andrews will help attendees understand what kinds of records exist, where to search for them and how to make the most of the information we find.

Overseeing genealogy resources, services and programming, as well as teacher of the “Genealogy Basics” series, Andrews will break down complex topics into relatable and digestible content. To register via Zoom, visit santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14056793. Online registration via the SCPL website is necessary for viewing this event from home. Join the live stream in person (no registration needed) in the upstairs meeting room of the downtown library at 224 Church St. For more information, visit scgensoc.org.

APTOS

Meet the new sheriff at chamber luncheon

Enjoy lunch with the Aptos Chamber and the new sheriff in town, Chris Clark. He will discuss all things Aptos and county. There will be time for questions and community reports. Come out to the Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive in Aptos on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. General admission is $35, and reservations are required. No walk-ins please. 831-688-1467, aptoschamber.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Catch ‘The Comedy of Errors’ at UCSC

“The Comedy of Errors” is one of William Shakespeare’s most farcical comedies. Set in the Greek city of Ephesus, “The Comedy of Errors” tells the story of two sets of identical twins who were accidentally separated at birth. Antiphola of Syracuse and her servant, Dromia of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, which turns out to be the home of her twin sister, Antiphola of Ephesus and her servant, Dromia of Ephesus. When the Syracusans encounter the friends and families of their twins, a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities ensue.

The performance is directed by Patty Gallagher and runs Thursday through Sunday at the UC Santa Cruz Theater Arts Center. Thursday and Friday shows start at 7:30 p.m., Sunday show starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are pay what you wish, $5-$20, available at Eventbrite.com. Twins or those willing to dress like twins get 2-for-1 admission with promo code TWINS2FOR1 on Eventbrite.

Go to arts.ucsc.edu for information.

SOQUEL

Community drumming sessions set for Feb. 21

Percussionist and educator Jim Greiner is continuing his Third Friday Community Drumming series at the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive, on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. The cost is $10.

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 to ground, focus and empower ourselves.

Contact Greiner through SantaCruzDrumLessons.com.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Calling artists for public art project

The Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services is looking for artists to help beautify the Juvenile Hall at 3650 Graham Hill Road in Felton, with public artwork for new and renovated components of the facility. An artist will be selected to create site-specific art that should either enhance the experience of the residents and staff within the Juvenile Hall or the families and support persons visiting the facility.

Proposals for the exterior may be free-standing in the landscape areas by the facility entrance or teaching garden. Artists may propose murals, sculptural pieces or other ideas for the interior spaces, such as the kitchen/dining area, day-use rooms or the gym. Short-listed artists must pass a required background check should they wish to continue in the selection process.

The budget for the project is $135,000. For more detailed information about the proposal process, as well as plans/elevations and sample contract, visit the County Parks website at parks.santacruzcountyca.gov/Home/AboutUs/WorkWithUs/CalltoArtists.aspx. The deadline for submitting a proposal is on Friday.