APTOS

Aptos Chamber to hold monster mash parade

Join the Aptos Chamber of Commerce for a spooktacular Halloween event full of fun activities such as face painting, crafts and delicious treats from local shops, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Aptos Village Green, 151 Aptos Village Way (behind the New Leaf Community Market).

Bring the whole family and enjoy some Halloween excitement. Join the parade to showcase your costumes before trick-or-treating. This is a free community event.

SANTA CRUZ

Free community Diá de los Muertos festival

Join local nonprofit Senderos for its first Diá de Muertos celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Branciforte Small Schools Campus, 840 N. Branciforte Ave. Celebrating in comparsa style, referring to a parade with dancing and wind music that occurs annually in Oaxaca, participants honor life and death in a colorful way.

Everyone is invited to dress up and march around the block. The evening will include traditional food, music and dances from various regions of Mexico, community altars to honor loved ones who have passed on and activity booths for children and families. Celebrate this traditional event, bringing the spirit of Oaxaca to the heart of Santa Cruz. Free and open to all ages. For more details, visit scsenderos.org/events/dia-de-los-muertos.

BEN LOMOND

Gift shop opens offering holiday decor

The Annual Holiday Gift Shop at Valley Churches United opens Friday, at 9400 Highway 9. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Come enjoy the stunning display crafted by skilled volunteers.

The gift shop features holiday décor for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Come find the perfect items for your home and holiday gifting, such as new toys, vintage items, Christmas decorations, puzzles and household items, all at reasonable prices. All proceeds from the gift shop support they Valley Churches United’s nonprofit year-round food pantry. For more information, call 831-336-8258.

SANTA CRUZ

Luck of the Draw at Santa Cruz Art League

Join local artists and art collectors for the Santa Cruz Art League’s biggest event, Luck of the Draw, 2-5 p.m. Nov. 17 at 526 Broadway. The annual fundraiser will include a silent art auction and a gift basket raffle on top of the main art lottery event.

With each ticket, you’re entered into a thrilling lottery where, when your number is called, you choose any available artwork. Advance tickets are $80 for members and $100 for non-members. At the door admission is $85 per member and $105 per non-member. Gift basket raffle tickets cost $5 each. With each ticket you buy, you’ll be helping to support Santa Cruz Art League and their ability to serve this community of artists. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit scal.org/luck-of-the-draw.

SANTA CRUZ

TV producer/director to speak at SIR meeting

SIR will be hosting its monthly meeting, featuring UCSC graduate Michael Fresco as the speaker, at noon Nov. 13 at the Elks Lodge on 150 Jewell St. Fresco retired from Hollywood with 12 producing and 56 directing credits to his name. He will discuss his career journey, starting with the show “St. Elsewhere” and culminating in the creation of popular series such as “My Name Is Earl,” “The O.C.,” the well-loved “Northern Exposure” and others.

An optional social hour will take place at 11 a.m. before the general meeting. The meeting will wrap up with a chef-prepared luncheon and the speaker’s presentation, concluding around 2 p.m.

SIR promotes Social Activities for Enhancing Life. This statewide, non-affiliated nonprofit is 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

Free kazoo competition at Pono Hawaiian Grill

The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz invites everyone to attend a free sing and play-along with the Trolley Drops Jug Band at Pono Hawaiian Grill, 120 Union St., at 5:45 p.m. Nov. 7. The eatery will be hosting the Pat Tracy “No Invitation Necessary” Kazoo Competition. Trolley Drop kazoo experts will provide kazoo instruction and share advanced techniques during the meeting. The songs will be Hokum blues, folk jazz and novelty tunes from the ’20s and ’30s.

Chord and lyric charts will be passed out at the meeting. Everyone is welcome. Bring your ukes, jugs, kazoos, washboards, guitars, fiddles, etc. and your good humor. Full bar and Hawaiian barbecue is available. Lots of parking nearby. Visit ukuleleclubofsantacruz.com for more.

WATSONVILLE

Exhibition by the Community of Digital Artists

The Community of Digital Artists invites the public to view its 60-piece members show, Visually Speaking: Imagery, at the PVA Porter Building, 280 Main St. The opening reception is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in November, with the last showing Nov. 24. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

CODA is a group of local digital artists working in two-dimensional visual digital media. A show flyer is available for download at bit.ly/4eI95rB.

CAPITOLA

Mid County Senior Center benefit dance

Jerry Whitney’s Bay Bop Jazz Band will play for a benefit dance/concert 7-9 p.m. Friday at Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave. Cost of admission is $10. Mid County Senior Center provides a variety of programs and activities for the local community. All ages 18 and over are welcome to participate in the dances.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Each day, the Sentinel will document the domestic violence calls in Santa Cruz County received by emergency dispatchers.

Figures are compiled by the District Attorney’s Office and include reports of domestic violence, restraining-order violations and other domestic disputes.

The 24-hour domestic violence hotline is 888-900-4232.

Calls for Monday: 14.

Total for month: 378.