SANTA CRUZ

UCSC Foundry’s 50-year celebration, bronze pour

Celebrate 50 years of the UC Santa Cruz Foundry by attending a bronze pour, May 15, from 2:30-5 p.m. at 100 Foundry Road, behind the Theater Arts Center. The pour is scheduled to begin at approximately 3 p.m., where the bronze is heated to 2,100 degrees and poured from the crucible at a glowing-orange molten state into the investment molds that have been meticulously prepared by students over the past few months. This event is free and open to the public. More info can be found at arts.ucsc.edu/events.

SANTA CRUZ

SIR speak to discuss history of SLV Valley

SIR welcomes historian and featured speaker Lisa Robinson, president of the Board of the San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society, who will be sharing some the interesting history and events that have taken place in San Lorenzo Valley over the years at the monthly meeting May 7, starting at noon, at the Elks Lodge on 150 Jewell St.

An 11 a.m. optional social hour will take place prior to the general meeting. The meeting will wrap up with a chef prepared luncheon, concluding at about 2 p.m.

SIR promotes Social Activities for Enhancing Life. Branch 20, comprised of Santa Cruz and surrounding local areas, is one of many statewide, non-affiliated nonprofits dedicated to offering men over 50 — retired or not — a variety of programs and activities designed for socializing, making new friends and enjoying their free time. Email Jeff Ustick at jeffustick@gmail.com for an invitation to this event or visit sirinc2.org/branch20 for more information.

SANTA CRUZ

Kaiser Permanente Arena to host UCSC Powwow

The UC Santa Cruz American Indian Resource Center and the Student Alliance for North American/Indigenous Peoples is honored to invite you to the UCSC Powwow 2025, May 18 at the Kaiser Permanente Arena, located at 140 Front St. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., and programming runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The UCSC Powwow 2025 is a social gathering that brings together Native American communities from various tribes within California and Turtle Island. This event is a celebration and honoring of cultural heritage here on Uypi and Amah Mutsun lands. The celebration includes dancing, singing, feasting and the exchange of arts, crafts and traditions, fostering unity and cultural pride among participants. This powwow is rooted in Indigenous traditions and aims to ensure the preservation of cultural practices for future generations. This is a free event. All are welcome.

APTOS

Youth Symphony performs May 10

The Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony, under the direction of Nathaniel Berman, presents its Spring Concert May 10, 3 p.m., at Samper Recital Hall, Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive. The program includes music by Claude Debussy, Dmitri Shostakovich, Katahj Copley and others. Highlights include Maya Huet, age 15, performing the first movement of Kabalevsky’s Violin Concerto in C major, and the world premiere of Symphony No. 1, composed by orchestra member Jacob Stone, age 16. Come out and be inspired by these accomplished young musicians! Treats will be served after the concert.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 youth 18 and younger. Parking is free. Visit sccys.org/concerts to learn more and purchase tickets. Any unsold tickets will be available at the door. For information, email info@sccys.org or call 831-239-0442.

SANTA CRUZ

Potluck to support Homeless Garden Project

Pie for the People — Santa Cruz will hold a community pie potluck to benefit the Santa Cruz Homeless Garden Project May 18, from 1-3 p.m. at the Homeless Garden Project Farm on Shaffer Road at Delaware Ave.

Bring a $5-plus donation per person, or a sweet or savory vegetarian pie. (Bringing a pie is not required, but an added donation of a few dollars is suggested.) This is a family friendly event. Pie for the People is an intergenerational group of DIY community activists that host fundraising pie potlucks to support local nonprofits. Since 2015, they have raised over $25,000 to help refugees settle in Santa Cruz County, buy supplies for a tutoring center/food bank and fund a community garden.

For information, visit pieforthepeople-santacruz.org.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Cycling grant applications now open

The Santa Cruz County Cycling Club is now accepting 2025 grant applications from organizations for cycling-related efforts in our community. In the last two years the SCCC has awarded grants to The Bike Church, Mountains 2 Sea, Bikes4All, Community Bike Collective, Growing Greatness, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship and Felton Pump Track.

Former grant recipients and new organizations are encouraged to apply. Information regarding the grants may be found at sc3.club/community/grants or by emailing grants@sc3.club.

WATSONVILLE

Register for the Annual Mother’s Day Run and Walk

The Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, a respected leader in creating lasting change for families struggling with homelessness, is hosting the 41st Annual Mother’s Day Run and Walk May 11, starting at 7 a.m. on the beautiful trails of Pinto Lake County Park, 757 Green Valley Road.

The Mother’s Day Run and Walk is not just a race, it’s a community gathering, celebrating families and making a difference. Run with purpose, change a life! Online registration is open now through May 8 at noon at tinyurl.com/4jrxu8ev. In-person registration ranges from May 8-10. To support the work of Pajaro Valley Shelter Services or register for the Mother’s Day Run and Walk, please visit their website at pvshelter.org.