SANTA CRUZ

Genealogy virtual lecture scheduled

Sign up to attend the online lecture “Get transcribing with Transkribus!” hosted by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries at 1 p.m. May 6. The guest speaker will be Pamela Brigham, president of the Silicon Valley Computer Genealogy Group. She believes in using technology as a tool to help break through brick walls and to tell her family’s history. Brigham teaches genealogy classes on a wide variety of topics, having earned a certificate in genealogy from Boston University.

Transkribus is a website that generates a transcription of a handwritten or typed document. The program has been trained to recognize older handwriting in various languages which can be helpful in transcribing documents that are difficult to read into legible versions. Come learn how Transkribus can help your genealogical research.

To register via Zoom, visit santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14373274. Online registration via the SCPL website is necessary for viewing this event from home. Join the live stream in person (no registration needed) in the upstairs meeting room of the downtown library at 224 Church St. For more information, visit scgensoc.org.

APTOS

Spring craft fair at the Grange

The Aptos Grange is having their 3rd annual spring Arts and Crafts Fair April 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2555 Mar Vista Drive. Free admission and parking. Come meet 36 local artists, great food for sale and a raffle with all proceeds to go to Quilts of Valor sewing group. Three quilts will also be awarded to three veterans at 1 p.m. all hand sewn by the Aptos Grange Quilts of Valor. For more information, call Robin at 831-234-6666.

FELTON

Open house at the Quail Hollow Quarry

Drop in and attend an open house hosted by GraniteRock and Renee’s Gardens May 10 at 405 Quail Hollow Road to benefit Friends of Quail Hollow Ranch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Join Quarry staff for short walks and talks. Learn about the sand quarry operations, habitat conservation, reclamation and native plant revegetation. A taco truck will be available for lunch. Donations are welcome.

FELTON

Celebrate Earth Day at the library

The Felton Library, 6121 Gushee St., will be hosting an Earth Day celebration and community dance April 22, 4 to 5 p.m. Learn how dance can be a shared group activity that fosters inclusiveness, good feelings and connection to our Earth. There will be an opportunity to dance for those who wish. All dances are taught first and are meant to include all levels of dance experience.

Community-led learning volunteer and dance instructor Maureen Atkins is a therapist who has been leading groups and teaching dance since 1995. Currently, she is leading groups in the East Bay, Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek. For more information, email feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Career fair Launchpad 2025

Santa Cruz Launchpad, previously known as “Get Hired,” will feature an exciting combination of a student business pitch competition and a free community career fair May 21 at the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St. The competition will be from 1-4 p.m., with the job fair running from 5-7 p.m. Open to the public. Come connect with employers, find internships, entry level jobs and opportunities for new and seasoned professionals in a variety of industries. This year’s event is proudly hosted by Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, UCSC CIED, UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, UCSC Career Success and UCSC QB3. To register, visit bit.ly/sclaunch25.

SOQUEL

Third Friday Community Drumming Session

Percussionist and educator Jim Greiner is continuing his Third Friday Community Drumming series through 2025 at the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive, on April 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. The cost is $10.

Greiner provides hand drums and other percussion instruments, but feel free to bring your own favorites. All levels of experience are welcomed. There will be a few fun and easy tips on playing the instruments for beginners, as well as how to use rhythm as a playful life practice to reinforce positive powerful life rhythms and patterns of attitude and action to ground, focus and empower ourselves.

Contact Greiner through SantaCruzDrumLessons.com.

CAPITOLA

Libraries join Pride’s 50th anniversary 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. On Thursday, there will be a Queer Author Panel: Celebrating Pride 50, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road.

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. More info at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13996287.

SANTA CRUZ

County Mental Health Advisory Board meeting

Attend the Santa Cruz County Mental Health Advisory Board meeting Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at the Health Services Agency, 1400 Emeline Ave., Rooms 206-207. The board is a nonprofit advisory commission to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County. Meetings are open to the public. For questions, please email LocalMental.HealthBoard@santacruzcountyca.gov or visit the website at tinyurl.com/2p9u4p5y.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Medicare 2025 updates presentation

Attend an online presentation by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, a program of local nonprofit Senior Network Services, to learn how to compare plans and hear what is new with Medicare in 2025. HICAP provides unbiased Medicare insurance information throughout California. The presentation will be available via Zoom on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Call 831-462-5510 for reservations. Free of charge.