FELTON

Central Coast Good Fire Fair coming

California State Parks will be holding the inaugural Central Coast Good Fire Fair and demonstration burn Oct. 5 at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, 101 Big Trees Park Road, Felton. The daylong event is dedicated to understanding the role of fire in California’s ecosystems, promoting fire safety and celebrating cultural practices around controlled burns.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony. At 10:30 a.m. there will be a presentation on the basics of fire ecology and fire-adapted ecosystems by UC Cooperative Extension fire adviser Barb Satink Wolfson on the main stage and interactive hose lay races hosted by the Bonny Doon Fire Department in the main parking lot. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be live demonstrations of controlled burns, including burning needles in redwood forest and showing the effects of fire, adjacent to the Redwood Grove Loop near the main parking lot, accessed from the Highway 9 entrance to the park. There will be a presentation on the traditional use of fire in land management practices with Alice Lincoln-Cook from the California Indian Basket Weavers Association at 1 p.m. and a presentation led by Alex Michel from the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association with Spanish translation at 2 p.m.

The event is free and day-use parking is $10. The event is being held in cooperation with the UC Cooperative Extension. Food trucks will also be available for food and refreshments. There will also be a kids zone with activities like a treasure hunt and quizzes. Call the park at 831-335-4598 for information.

SCOTTS VALLEY

Music at Skypark concert season wraps up

The free community-wide outdoor Music at Skypark concert series will finish up its 15th season Sunday starting at 1:30 p.m.

The concert features The Shady Rest Band (playing “rock ’n’ blues with strings attached” complete with female lead vocals, violin, congas, guitar, bass and drums) from 1:30-3 p.m., and headliner Extra Large (funky grooves rooted in blends of classic rock, funk gyrations, blues, reggae riffs and Latin beats) from 3:30-5 p.m. Bursting with horns, strings, drums and bass, Extra Large has repeatedly headlined Music at Skypark.

The all-volunteer Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley is again organizing the concert and dedicating all profits to the music and arts programs at local public schools (concert profits over the years now top $200,000). Kiwanis and local businesses will offer food, wine, beer and other concessions for sale. There will be kids’ activities and plenty of dancing. Visit www.svkiwanis.org for details. Skypark is located at 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Presentation to focus on Medicare Part D

Each year Medicare Part D prescription drug plans change. You may be able to find a less expensive plan each year, between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. Senior Network Services will host a free presentation giving step-by-step instructions on how to use the Medicare.gov website to find the best, and least expensive plan for the prescriptions you take. Bring your laptop or tablet and follow along on how to navigate the Medicare.gov website.

The presentations are at 1 p.m. Wednesday at London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz and 11 a.m. Thursday at Highlands Park Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program counselors are highly trained and registered with the California Department of Aging. You must register to attend. Call 831-462-5510 to register. See the Senior Network Services website at seniornetworkservices.org for information.

CAPITOLA

Benefit dance concert at Senior Center

The Mid-County Senior Center will be hosting a benefit dance and concert featuring Ten O’Clock Lunch Band from 7-9 p.m. Friday at 829 Bay Ave., Capitola.

Tickets are $10 per person and everyone 18 and older is welcome to attend and participate in the dances. Mid County Senior Center provides a variety of programs and activities for the local community.

SANTA CRUZ

Church to host free event to serve unhoused community

New Beginning Community Church will be hosting a free event to serve the Unhoused Community noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The event will be held at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Organizers will be offering a boxed lunch, some clothing, bags with toiletries, socks, beanies and gloves. For information, call 831-239-3659 or email swmiller@pacbell.net.

SOQUEL

Taste of Soquel to raise money for Food Bank

The 15th annual Taste of Soquel, a benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank, runs noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive.

The event will feature live music by The Earth Rangers, Coffee Zombie Collective, and Extra Medium.

Participating restaurants and food vendors include El Chipotle Taqueria, Tortilla Flats, Jeff Walls’ Family Honey, HOME, Sawasdee Thai Cuisine, Cafe Cruz and VinoCruz, Dorothy’s Desserts, Home Grown and Emozioni Pasticceria. Bargetto Winery, Discretion Brewing, Everett Family Farm (Soquel Cider), Poetic Cellars, Soquel Vineyards, Vino-Cruz, and Wargin Wines will be on hand pouring tastes.

Tickets are $30 for adults and cover all food and beverage tasting. Tickets for people ages 12-20 are $10. The Kidzone will offer music, crafts and games. There is also a raffle with overs 60 raffle items donated by local vendors. Advance tickets are available at the church and eventbrite.com. Visit tasteofsoquel.org or call 831-325-9615 for details including music schedule.

APTOS

Chamber Marketplace on the Green

Where can you find great food, artisans, entrepreneurs, networking opportunities and explore exciting local businesses? Aptos Chamber Marketplace on the Green is the place to meet and advertise your crafts and businesses. The Aptos Chamber of Commerce invites you out to explore its Marketplace on the Green 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos.

Admission is free to the public and includes hands-on networking, appetizers from half a dozen local restaurants, extraordinary raffle prizes, safety demos, and more. Sponsorships and vendor spaces are available.