BEN LOMOND

Network hosts fire severity zone town hall

The San Lorenzo Valley Emergency Network will host a hybrid town hall meeting to discuss a new Cal Fire map specifying fire hazard severity zones from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Highlands Park Senior and Community Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, and on Zoom.

Property owners in San Lorenzo Valley, particularly Boulder Creek and Brookdale, should be aware of “very high” fire hazard severity ratings as identified in an updated zone map for California being developed by Cal Fire. The rating will impose stricter building codes for new construction and require a defensible space inspection disclosure at time of sale. The map is not yet finalized, and its intent, history, and current timeline is important for all to understand.

Also, the California Department of Insurance established regulations for insurance companies to identify property rating criteria for wildfire risk, and a process by which property owners can make and document improvements and thereby improve their ratings; this includes the California FAIR plan.

Several initiatives exist to identify specific actions that property owners can take to reduce their wildfire property risks. Some of these may be previously heard of and some have been more recently released.

The San Lorenzo Valley Emergency Network is an educational nonprofit. For information and meeting access, visit slven.org.

CAPITOLA

City announces Beach Festival street closures

The Capitola Police Department on Wednesday announced street closures for 7 a.m. to noon Sunday as part of the Capitola Beach Festival.

These streets will be closed as per the police release on social media:

• Opal Cliff Drive, from 41st Avenue to Cliff Drive.

• Cliff Drive, from Opal Cliff Drive to Capitola Avenue.

• Wharf Road and Stockton Avenue.

• Capitola Esplanade and San Jose Avenue.

Further, residential parking permits will be enforced. Signs are posted indicating when and where a residential parking permit is required to park. The release noted that 12-hour parking is available in the city lots behind the Police Department and Capitola City Hall.

SANTA CRUZ

Basketball court reopening set for Sunday

The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Gino Panelli Foundation, hosts a reopening ceremony for the University Terrace Park basketball court from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the park, 366 Meder St., Santa Cruz.

The free community celebration features a live DJ, free gelato, a raffle for Santa Cruz Warriors jerseys, and game tickets.

“We are excited to unveil the newly upgraded basketball court and celebrate with our community,” said Tony Elliot, city of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Director.

The renovation replaces the deteriorated court with new surfacing for a better overall experience. The upgraded court has vibrant colors, new rims, backboards and posts.

SANTA CRUZ

City opens refurbished walking trail in Pogonip

The city of Santa Cruz has opened a renewed half-mile trail loop in Pogonip’s shaded Sycamore Grove area, one-half a mile north of the Tannery Arts Center on the east side of Highway 9.

During the summer, the trail’s construction reestablished a section of the pathway outlined in the Pogonip Master Plan. Visitors to the trail will meander through a riparian forest of sycamores and willows on the banks of the San Lorenzo River. New interpretive signage introduces visitors to the plants and animals that make Sycamore Grove their home.

Parking is available in a large pullout beside the road. For details, visit cityofsantacruz.com.

CAPITOLA

Ten O’clock Lunch Band plays senior center

The Ten O’clock Lunch Band will play a benefit dance/concert from 7-9:30 p.m. Friday at the Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave., Capitola.

Cost of admission is $10.

The center provides a variety of programs and activities for the local community. All ages are welcome to participate in the dances.

MONTEREY

Sanctuary extends deadline for advisory council

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has extended the deadline to fill seats on its advisory council, which represents the public’s interests in sanctuary matters and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

The deadline is Sept. 29.

Sanctuary staff is accepting applications for the at large, primary (2) and alternate (1); commercial fishing, primary and alternate; diving, primary and alternate; education, alternate; tourism, primary and alternate seats. Candidates will be selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and knowledge regarding the protection and management of marine resources.

For an application, visit montereybay.noaa.gov email Haven.Parker@noaa.gov or call 831-647-4206.

FELTON

Library branch starts a seed library

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries Felton Branch is launching a seed library, according to a release from the libraries.

Community members can donate garden and commercial seeds no older than 2 years old (no squash seeds are allowed) at the Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee St., Felton.

Give some seeds, take some seeds, and help the neighborhoods blossom with biodiversity. For information, visit SantaCruzPL.org.

WATSONVILLE

Health trust health fair slated for Sept. 29

The Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley will host its annual health fair from 2-6 p.m. Sept. 29 at Watsonville Plaza, 358 Main St., Watsonville.

The event features an afternoon of free health screenings provided by Dignity Health, dental screenings by Salud Para La Gente, vision screenings by Spectrum Eye, access to more than 40 community resources, and a chance to win some great prizes.

For information, visit pvhealthtrust.org email eganica@pvhealthtrust.org or call 831-726-4263.

Send us your Coast Lines

If you have a news event or announcement for Coast Lines, email newsroom@santacruzsentinel.com and place “Coast Lines” in the email subject line. Coast Lines items are run at no charge. Please include contact information for questions. Information: 831-706-3252 Tuesdays to Saturdays. To view previous Coast Lines items, visit SantaCruzSentinel.com/tag/coast-lines.