WATSONVILLE

Emergence response training course coming

When disaster strikes will you know what to do? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training course prepares you to help yourself and others at home and in your community in the event of a catastrophic disaster such as wild-land fires, flood, or earthquake. Because first responders will not be able to help everyone immediately, CERT training can help you stay safe, save lives, and protect property. You will learn what to do on your own, in your neighborhood, and how to help others as part of a CERT team.

The CERT Auxiliary of Santa Cruz County is offering a free 21-hour training over three weekend days. Topics covered through discussion and hands-on-practice include disaster preparedness, disaster and psychological first aid, fire and utility safety, and simple search and rescue. The courses will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21 and Sept 28 at Watsonville Fire Station No. 2, 370 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Central Fire Station 1, 930 17th Ave., Live Oak. The three classes are required and all training is free for county residents.

Visit santacruzcountycert.org/cert-training-classes for information and to sign up. Email BasicTraining831CERT@gmail.com with any questions.

SANTA CRUZ

SF Mime Troupe explores democracy in musical

The Tony Award-Winning San Francisco Mime Troupe brings their 65th Season with a free showing of “American Dreams — A New Musical: Was Democracy Just a Dream?” at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday outside the London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St.

The American Dream. It used to mean a job, a house, a car, a spouse, 2.5 kids, and a .4 dog. But what does it mean now? For some it is a good tide raising all boats, for others it is a tsunami that destroys everything. For some it is unity, for others it is dissolution. A handshake or a gun. One citizen’s dream has become another’s nightmare, and those who fan the flames of the differences will gladly profit while democracy burns.

The 80-minute show without an intermission features a four-person cast that includes veteran SF Mime Troupe collective members. For information, call 415- 285-1717 or visit sfmt.org.

WATSONVILLE

Metro to offer free fares to the County Fair

Santa Cruz Metro announced that it will provide free fares on both its fixed-route and ParaCruz services to the Santa Cruz County Fair, happening Sept. 11-15 within the Watsonville Fairgrounds at 2601 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville.

The special offering prompted Metro to create a special route — Route 79F — just for the free daily rides. In addition to that, Metro will offer free fares to the fairgrounds through its Route 79 weekend service and daily ParaCruz service. While fixed-route customers can utilize 79F to get to the annual event every day, Route 79 is for weekend service only.

Riders taking advantage of the special Metro routes will also be eligible for discounted fair tickets. To secure a discount, riders should request a coupon voucher from the operator and present it at the fair’s ticketing window upon arrival. Discounted tickets are $15 for adults, down from $22, and $5 for children, down from $11.

Service will depart from the Watsonville Transit Center on the hour from noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Free return trips will also be offered from the fair 25 minutes past the hour from 12:25 p.m. to 10:25 p.m. weekdays and 10:25 a.m. to 10:25 p.m. on weekends.

To learn more visit scmtd.com/en/countyfair.

APTOS

Cortez to address role models conference

Jaime Cortez, visual artist and author of Gordo, will provide the keynote address of Latino Role Models Conference from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Crocker Theater on the campus of Cabrillo College in Aptos.

Latino Role Models is a free, half-day conference that inspires Latino students and parents to achieve their dreams for college and career.

The conference is presented in Spanish with English interpretation. The program includes professional and college student speakers, Q&A, informational tables, entertainment, lunch and door prizes. The conference is for middle school, high school, and college students, and parents of middle and high schoolers.

For information, visit scsenderos.org/events/latino-role-models.

CAPITOLA

Soroptimists search for ‘Live Your Dream’ applicants

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea has launched its search for applicants for its 2025 “Live Your Dream” awards program.

Women who are enrolled in or have been accepted into a bachelor’s or a technical training program, are heads of their households and have a demonstrated need are eligible to apply for a “Live Your Dream” award.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 15. Applications will be available online at www.soroptimist.org. click on the “Live Your Dream” logo and review the eligibility requirements and application instructions. Winners will be announced in January 2025 and an awards ceremony will be held in March.

Each winner will receive a cash award that may be used to pay for anything they need to help them complete their educational program such as food, rent, car repairs, child care and health care. The club typically will give five awards to local women.

SANTA CRUZ

Volunteers sought to write cards for seniors

With National Grandparents’ Day coming Sept. 8, the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast is seeking volunteers to write Thinking of You cards for seniors in assisted and skilled nursing facilities.

Residents in care facilities are often lonely and isolated and a card can brighten their day. Some additional suggestions to help with loneliness and isolation include crossword puzzles, word search books, adult coloring books and lap blankets. Donations are also welcome.

Cards and items can be dropped off at Family Service Agency/I-You Venture, 104 Walnut Ave, No. 208, Santa Cruz, or the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center, Attn: FSA/I-You Venture, 1740 17th Ave, Santa Cruz. Office hours are 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

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