SANTA CRUZ

Free community Diá de los Muertos festival

Join local nonprofit Senderos for its first-ever Diá de Muertos celebration from 4-8 p.m Saturday at the Branciforte Small Schools Campus, 840 N. Branciforte Ave. Celebrating in comparsa style, referring to a parade with dancing and wind music that occurs annually in Oaxaca, participants honor life and death in a very colorful way.

Everyone is invited to dress up and march around the block. The evening will include traditional food, music and dances from various regions of Mexico, community altars to honor loved ones who have passed on and activity booths for children and families. Celebrate this traditional event, bringing the spirit of Oaxaca to the heart of Santa Cruz. Free and open to all ages. For more details, visit scsenderos.org/events/dia-de-los-muertos.

SANTA CRUZ

Holiday wreath fundraiser for barbershop chorus

The Gold Standard Chorus of Santa Cruz is selling beautiful holiday wreaths, centerpieces, swags and other decorations to raise funds for expansion. Items include cranberry splash wreaths, sugarberry centerpieces, starlight tabletop trees, Victorian holiday door sprays and more. Orders can be placed at SCBarbershop.org through Friday for pickup in early December.

Additional selections with direct shipping to anywhere in the U.S. can be made through an online holiday shop, open through Dec. 6 at giftitforward.com/fundraising-code/GOLDSTCA001.

The nonprofit organization showcases their four-part harmony in the community multiple times a year. Rehearsals take place every Wednesday evening at the Moose Lodge in Scotts Valley, and anyone interested in joining is invited to attend a rehearsal.

SOQUEL

Congregational Church to host open sanctuary

The Congregational Church of Soquel (CCS) will be hosting an Open Church Sanctuary from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at 4951 Soquel Drive. The sanctuary aims to create a welcoming space for everyone to find peace, and where individuals can pray or meditate. Thoughtful written prompts will also be available for use and can be taken home. Families and neighbors are invited to share in this day of prayer and conscientiousness whether in the quiet of the CCS historic sanctuary or the place of their choosing. For more information call or text 831-325-9615.

APTOS

Fly Fishing Club plans monthly meeting

The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive. Alongside the general meeting, Geoff Malloway of Central Coast Fly Fishing will give a presentation covering the new shop locations, available fishing classes and programs, as well as a review of the rules and regulations for our local waters. The public is invited to attend. For more information visit santacruzflyfishing.org.

SCOTTS VALLEY

Local artist unveils new children’s book

Meet local artist Beth Gripenstraw who will share her latest project, an illustrated children’s book, “Lou — Let’s Go to Mexico,” at the Scotts Valley Library, 51 Kings Village Road, from 3-4 p.m. Nov. 8.

Gripenstraw is the creator of the animal sculptures that live at the Scotts Valley Library — all endangered species. The author talk will begin with a quick tour of the library to visit the animal sculptures, followed by a book talk in the Fireside Room. There will be refreshments, book sales and a photo booth afterwards. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library. For more information, visit svlfriends.org or email svlibraryfriends@gmail.com

APTOS

Aptos High to present a screening of ‘Fentanyl High’

Aptos High School is proud to be the first high school in the county to present the film “Fentanyl High” in the Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 100 Mariner Way, at 6 p.m. Nov. 20. Made by a Los Gatos High student, this documentary offers a real look into the fentanyl crisis.

Everyone is welcome to join this film screening event to enhance safety for yourself and those around you. The more we understand about fentanyl, the better we can protect ourselves and one another. This film is suitable for students in 6th grade and above.

There will be a taco truck before the showing, starting at 4:30 p.m. From 5 to 6 p.m., community partners will be in the PAC Atrium distributing Narcan, the medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Opening remarks will begin at 6 p.m. Run time is 75 minutes. Following the film, a Q&A panel will take place to deepen understanding of this crisis. The event is free, to register visit ticketleap.events/tickets/ahs-pvusd/fentanyl-high.

SANTA CRUZ

Mental health advisory board to meet Nov. 21

The Santa Cruz County Mental Health Advisory Board, a nonprofit advisory commission to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County, will meet from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Health Services Agency, 1400 Emeline Ave., Rooms 206-207. Meetings are open to the public.

SOQEUL

Dance theater to hold groundbreaking ceremony

The Santa Cruz Dance Theater invites you to join us for their Groundbreaking Celebration and Silent Auction at Bargetto Winery 3535 N Main St. from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 24. This special event will offer a preview of the upcoming production, “The Nutcracker” at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on Dec. 21-22, featuring performances by cast members and original choreography created just for this celebration.

Guests will be served wine and appetizers, and the evening will also include a silent auction and raffle prizes, with proceeds benefiting the development and sustainability of Santa Cruz Dance Theater as an essential part of the local arts community. Tickets are $100, offered at SantaCruzDanceTheater.org and at the door. Attire is Black tie or formal wear.

Domestic violence tally

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Each day, the Sentinel will document the domestic violence calls in Santa Cruz County received by emergency dispatchers.

Figures are compiled by the District Attorney’s Office and include reports of domestic violence, restraining-order violations and other domestic disputes.

The 24-hour domestic violence hotline is 888-900-4232.

Calls for Wednesday: 13.

Total for month: 402.