SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Monterey Bay Dog Training Club obedience classes

The 59-year-old nonprofit Monterey Bay Dog Training Club Inc. is offering Dog Obedience training classes starting July 8 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville, and July 10 in Capitola at the Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave.

The training club offers all stages of obedience training from puppy to advanced. Check out the newest class offered in Watsonville, Trick Dog. Register for classes online. Classes fill up fast so register soon. For detailed descriptions of classes, location details and costs, visit montereybaydog.org.

APTOS

World’s Shortest Parade returns July 4

On Friday, Aptos will celebrate our freedoms with the World’s Shortest Parade and a party in Aptos Village Park. This year’s parade will honor Firefighting Heroes as the Grand Marshals.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Soquel Drive and State Park Drive, and ends at Parade Avenue and Soquel Drive. To sign up to be in the parade, go to aptoschamber.com or call 831-688-1467. The Party in the Park at Aptos Village Park runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities for the whole family, including games, food, beverages, craft vendors and dancing to the band The Joint Chiefs. A $5 donation is suggested for the party.

T-shirts for this year’s parade are on sale at the following locations: The Aptos Chamber of Commerce, Aptos Feed, Deluxe Foods, The Farm Bakery Cafe & Gifts, Pixie Deli, Sockshop & Shoe Co. Aptos and The Seascape Beach Resort. For details, visit aptoschamber.com/4th.

APTOS

Road closures for 4th of July parade

Soquel Drive will be closed for the World’s Shortest Parade, Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. All streets intersecting Soquel Drive from East Ledyard Way to Parade Street will be affected, including: Mesa Drive 7310 and up, View Point Road, Arden Way, East Ledyard Way, State Park Drive, Rancho Del Mar, Sunset Way, Aptos Rancho Road, Tania’s Court, Aptos Wharf Road, Spreckels Drive 275 and up, Aptos Creek Road, Village Creek Road, Nisene Meadow Court, Dragonslayer Lane, Parade Street and Soquel Drive 7701-8049.

Soquel Drive will be closed in both directions during those times and vehicles traveling South on Soquel Drive will be required to turn around and bypass the parade using Park Avenue or Porter Street in Soquel to access Highway 1. The northbound and southbound off ramps and the northbound on ramp from Highway 1 at Park Avenue will be closed for construction. For information, contact the Aptos Chamber of Commerce at 831-688-1467, the California Highway Patrol at 831-219-0200 or the Aptos Sheriff’s Service Center at 831-454-7760.

BEN LOMOND

July 4 event celebrates 130th anniversary

For over a century, the community has gathered at the historic Alba Schoolhouse to celebrate Independence Day. Enjoy a day filled with classic American BBQ, live music, local history and family fun — all set in the stunning redwoods of Ben Lomond Mountain. This year’s event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sequoia Retreat Center, located about a mile and a half up Alba Road from Highway 9, at 11445 Alba Road.

Can’t make it but want to support the Alba Schoolhouse? Visit the Friends of the Alba Schoolhouse Facebook page to learn more. All donations are tax deductible through the nonprofit, Friends of the Alba Schoolhouse.

SANTA CRUZ

Surfrider Santa Cruz seeks beach cleanup volunteers

Every year, July 5 is known as the dirtiest beach day in America. After the fireworks fade and the crowds disperse, Santa Cruz coastlines are left buried in litter — from food wrappers and plastic bottles to cigarette butts and firework debris.

This year, the Surfrider Foundation is calling on volunteers across the country to flip the script and turn the day after Independence Day into the biggest nationwide cleanup of the year. Join the Santa Cruz Chapter for a local cleanup at Main Beach (near the volleyball courts), Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own reusable gloves, buckets and grabbers if they have them. RSVP at volunteer.surfrider.org/timeslots/TFPyO3O9TW.

SANTA CRUZ

Nonprofit hosting a summer track meet

Ready to test your fitness? Want to try a new event? Getting ready for a big race? Or just looking for a fun way to spend your summer Saturday mornings? Join the Santa Cruz Track Club for their Summer 2025 All Comers Meet happening Saturday at the Santa Cruz High Field, 415 Walnut Ave.

Field events start at 10 a.m. and track events start at 10:30 a.m. The pole vault, high jump, long jump, discus and shot put are included in the field events. Track events feature the 4X100-meters relay, 4X400, the 100-meter, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. Participants can compete in multiple events.

Registration is $15 online or $20 at the gate. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Register now at Santacruztrackclub.com.

Holiday closings

Some area offices will be closed Friday to observe Independence Day.

• County: County offices are closed.

• Santa Cruz: City offices are closed.

• Capitola: City offices are closed.

• Scotts Valley: City offices are closed.

• Watsonville: City offices are closed.

• Libraries: All branches of the Santa Cruz library are closed. All branches of the Watsonville Public Library are closed.

• Schools: Pajaro Valley schools are not in session. Santa Cruz City Schools are not in session.

• Post office: Post offices are closed.

• Santa Cruz Metro: No local bus service on Friday. No Metro Paracruz service on Friday. Amtrak Highway 17 on weekend schedule.

• The Sentinel: The Sentinel will publish. Automated customer service options are available by phone and online. Our 24/7 auto attendant can be reached at 831-706-3201. Online service is just one click away at myaccount.santacruzsentinel.com.