SANTA CRUZ

Need to surrender your vessel?

The Santa Cruz Port District is recommending the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange program as an alternative to abandonment for boat owners.

Those looking to surrender unwanted recreational vessels to participating local public agencies may apply for grant funding to participate in the program. Particpation criteria includes:

• Only recreational vessels are eligible, no commercial vessels.

• Vessel can be berthed in the water or brought to the harbor via trailer.

• Vessel does not have to be currently registered.

• Registered vessel owner must be present at time of turn-in.

For additional information on this no-cost disposal program, contact Assistant Harbormaster Sean Rothwell at 831-475-6161, ext. 2500, or srothwell@santacruzharbor.org.

APTOS

Village Santa Cruz County to host presentation

Village Santa Cruz County will be hosting a presentation titled Hospital Admissions and Discharges: Your Rights as a Medicare Patient at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 20 t the Community Foundation, 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos.

Contact villagesantacruz.org">info@villagesantacruz.org or visit villagesantacruz.org to register.

SANTA CRUZ

Santa Cruz Fire Department to hold open house

The Santa Cruz Fire Department will hold an open house and barbecue fundraiser 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 at Station 1, 711 Center St., Santa Cruz.

Meet your local firefighters and enjoy free family fun. The event is set to include a raffle, music, jump house, dunk tank and live demonstrations.

SANTA CRUZ

OLLI at UCSC hosts kickoff meeting

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UC Santa Cruz will be holding its kickoff meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 15.

This event marks the start of the academic year and provides an opportunity for prospective members to learn about OLLI, and for members to sign up for more than 45 interest groups, including fine arts, literature, composition, mahjongg, basketball, community service, foreign languages, wine-tasting, tennis, social science and many more.

The OLLI kickoff meeting takes place at Colleges Nine and John R Lewis Multipurpose Room.

Admission is free, coffee and nibbles will be available. Bring a friend. For directions and free parking information, visit olli.ucsc.edu.

SANTA CRUZ

SC Shakespeare fall production to open

Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s fall production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, will open at 8 p.m. Sept. 13. Directed by Santa Cruz Shakespeare Artistic Director Charles Pasternak, the production will run through Sept. 28 under the trees and stars in the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Road Park, Santa Cruz. Ticket prices range from $20 to $70. Tickets are available at www.santacruzshakespeare.org or through the seasonal box office, 831-460-6399, open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

WATSONVILLE

Soroptimists to hold meeting at The Rustic Table

Soroptimist International of Watsonville will meet at noon Sept. 17 for a lunch meeting at Grace Harbor Women’s Center’s Rustic Table restaurant, 55 Brennan St., Watsonville.

After a brief business meeting, the program titled “Soroptimist 101” will orient new members and interested women in joining other women to help women and girls achieve their educational goals. Learn how Soroptimists provide those services through our Live Your Dream financial awards programs and the Dream It, Be It middle and high school girls career-orientation program. Women in the community are invited to join. For information or to RSVP, contact Renee Mello at 831-840-2479.

Soroptimist International of Watsonville is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Soroptimist is a coined Latin phrase meaning “best for women.” Watsonville Soroptimists were recognized by the Soroptimist International of the Americas’ Federation for excellence in achievement for our participation in the Live Your Dream, Dream It. Be it. and “Big Goal” programs.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Local history research discussion planned

Local history research group, Researchers Anonymous, will meet online at 10 a.m. Saturday for a roundtable discussion. Attendees will share about their current local history projects, provide feedback to one another, and help each other with their work. The general public are welcome to attend. Ask questions or just simply listen and learn about local history. Contact Dan Model at drmodel99@gmail.com to obtain the Zoom link or if you have any questions.

APTOS

St. John’s Helpful Shop taking grant applications

St. John’s Helpful Shop is accepting grant applications through Dec. 31 from Santa Cruz County 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The Helpful Shop donates its profits to organizations serving the local community. Applications are available at the shop, 246 Center St., Aptos from noon to 4 p.m. daily or can be downloaded from www.st-john-aptos.org/helpful-shop.html.

SANTA CRUZ

Elks Lodge to host annual Oktoberfest event

The Santa Cruz Elks Lodge will host its annual Oktoberfest 3-7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz.

Guests are invited to enjoy a festive atmosphere featuring German food and live music by Alpinesound. Beer provided by Discretion Brewing will be available for purchase and the lodge bar will be open. All ages are welcome.

Advanced tickets are $25 for ages 19 and up, $15 for 18 and under. The event is free for kids 10 and under. Ticket price includes dinner. Larger groups can call the lodge for table reservations at 831-423-8240. All event pricing includes sales tax.

Proceeds from the event will support the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Inc., which provides free therapy for children with disabilities. For information on this event and to purchase tickets, visit 2024santacruzelksoktoberfest.eventbrite.com.