SCOTTS VALLEY

North County Dems host Earth Day speaker at new location

In recognition of Earth Day in April, Laurie Egan from the Coastal Watershed Council will be the guest speaker for the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Scotts Valley Water District Santa Margarita Community Room, located at 2 Civic Center Drive. Egan will discuss efforts underway to transform the lower San Lorenzo River into a community destination and protect this critical natural resource.

Speakers from Indivisible Santa Cruz’s Environmental Issue Team will be available to share actions community members can take to resist the federal administration’s efforts to undermine environmental protections and roll back EPA regulations aimed at protecting natural resources and reducing the impacts of climate change. An update will also be provided on next steps to address threats to cut Social Security benefits. Arrive early at 6 p.m. to write postcards to voters in Rep. David Valadao’s District 22 to express dismay for his support of funding cuts to Medi-Cal to pass tax cuts benefiting billionaires. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

WATSONVILLE

Hospital to host first ‘State of the Hospital’ community event

Watsonville Community Hospital will host its inaugural “State of the Hospital” event, marking a pivotal moment since the hospital returned to public ownership. The free event will take place on April 18, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main Street, 6th Floor. Complimentary parking is available via the Rodriguez Street garage entrance.

The gathering will bring together community members, healthcare professionals and civic leaders for an inside look at the hospital’s transformation under community ownership. Hospital leadership will share updates on recent achievements, ongoing challenges and strategic initiatives aimed at improving the growing healthcare needs of the area. Please register for this free event at watsonvillehospital.com.

SANTA CRUZ

67th annual high school art show

Join the Santa Cruz Art League in a celebration of creativity and talent from the next generation of local artists at their 67th Annual High School Exhibition. Opening reception will be April 19, 2-4 p.m. at the Art League gallery, 526 Broadway.

Since 1955, the Santa Cruz Art League’s High School Show has been providing one of the only professional gallery exhibitions for high school-age artists in the county. Students from public, private, charter, home and at-risk schools are invited to benefit from the Art League’s state-of-the-art space, giving a preview of the up and coming young artists in our community. This exhibition aims to encourage young artists to new heights and support the growing creative community.

This exhibition opens April 19 and will be on view until May 10. Read more at scal.org/67-hs-2025.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Libraries join Pride celebration

Santa Cruz Public Libraries is thrilled to join Santa Cruz Pride in celebrating their 50th anniversary with a series of events at its branches from April through June, including the Summer Reading Program. This year, SCPL is proud to Color our World with Pride, and join SC Pride in celebrating this milestone in history for the visibility and celebration of the vibrant LGBTQ+ Santa Cruz community, unlike any across the country.

Library events in celebration of Pride 50 are:

Queer Author Panel: Celebrating Pride 50, April 17 6:30-8 p.m. Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola. More info at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13996287.

Queer Trivia on Tap at Steel Bonnet Brewing, 20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley, May 15 6:30-8 p.m. More info at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14184921.

Pride: Screening and Discussion of six-part documentary, Thursdays, May 15 to June 26, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Live Oak Library Annex at Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. More info at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13996346.

Pride: Screening and Discussion of six-part documentary, Wednesdays, June 4 to July 9, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Branciforte Library, 230 Gault St., Santa Cruz. More info at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13996367.

Learn more about SCPL at SantaCruzPL.org or on social media.

SANTA CRUZ

Classical guitar concert at UC Santa Cruz

Attend an evening of classical guitar, featuring acclaimed artist Connie Sheu at the UC Santa Cruz Music Center Recital Hall, 1156 High St., April 18 at 7:30 p.m. Known for her expressive performances, and deep commitment to the guitar’s rich tradition, Sheu brings a dynamic program showcasing works from the classical repertoire. Sheu serves on the faculty of the Colburn School and Pomona College. The concert is free and open to the public.

For more info, go to arts.ucsc.edu.

APTOS

Presentation on hospice care at the library

Join an insightful talk by Cathy Conway, CEO of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, about beyond end-of-life support April 19 at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, starting at 10:15 a.m. Conway will cover HSCC expansion of the county’s only nonprofit hospice services, as well as showing the strong leadership and compassionate care of women within the organization. This is a free event.

WATSONVILLE

Vegetable gardening class series

Join the UC Master Gardeners of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties for interactive demonstrations and answers to all your vegetable growing questions, online and in-person, in the second class of their Vegetable Growing series, “Planting and Caring for your Vegetable Garden.” Each class in the series will have two parts, with the demo building on information provided in the online class. April 17 will be the online class, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and April 19 from 10 a.m. to noon will be in-person at Pinto Lake County Park, located at 757 Green Valley Road. Look for the signs at the second entrance across from Arroyo Drive for their new Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden.

This series will give you the information you need to get your vegetable seeds and/or transplants into the ground and off to a good start. There will also be a discussion on watering, thinning, weeding and fertilizing to keep your veggies growing strong and healthy. The class is free, but donations are appreciated. Visit mbmg.ucanr.edu for information and to register.