SANTA CRUZ

Join bird talk, walk at Branciforte Library

Nanci Adams, an esteemed local bird enthusiast, will give a presentation titled “Get to Know Our Local Birds” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 27 in the Community Room at the Branciforte Library, 230 Gault St.

Adams will offer enriching introductions and insights to our common birds such as waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds and various songbirds before a short neighborhood walk for some birdwatching. The event is sponsored by the Branciforte Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Library.

APTOS

Entries now open for July 4 parade

The Aptos 4th of July celebration is just around the corner, and there’s no better way to be part of this cherished community tradition than by becoming a sponsor or entering the parade! Parade entries are open. Sponsorship opportunities support a beloved local event while promoting your business to thousands of attendees. Want to march, dance, ride or roll in the parade? Now’s your chance! Businesses, nonprofits, schools, sports teams, classic cars, performance groups and community organizations are all encouraged to join in the fun. Let your creativity shine and show your community spirit.

To become a sponsor or register your parade entry, please visit aptoschamber.com or contact the Aptos Chamber of Commerce at 831-688-1467.

CAPITOLA

Mid County Senior Center benefit dance

The Mid County Senior Center will be hosting a benefit dance and concert featuring the Ten O’Clock Lunch Band from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at 829 Bay Ave.

Cost of admission is $10. Bob Folker will teach a Basics of East Coast Swing Class at 6:15 p.m. free with paid admission to the dance. Mid County Senior Center provides a variety of programs and activities for the local community. Ages 18 and over are welcome to participate in the dances.

BOULDER CREEK

SLV Water District seeks board applicants

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors is accepting applications to fill a board vacancy following the resignation of Director Jeff Hill.

Hill, who cited an increase in family obligations for his resignation, stepped down effective May 12. He was appointed to the board in 2022 following 11/2 years of service on the district’s Budget and Finance Committee

At its May 15 meeting, the board formally acknowledged the vacancy and voted to direct acting General Manager Jennifer Torres to post a notice of vacancy in accordance with Government Code §1780. Applications for the open board seat are available at the San Lorenzo Valley Water District office (13060 Highway 9, Boulder Creek) or online at www.slvwd.com. Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. June 19.

The board will review and interview applicants before appointing a new director. The seat will be up for election in November 2026 for a new four-year term. The appointee’s partial term will expire following the election.

SANTA CRUZ

Love’s Gardens to host Food Forest Workshop

Love’s Gardens is offering a free Food Forest Workshop from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to teach homeowners and those with community gardens how to reap a wealth of delicious fresh edibles, even from a relatively small piece of land. Golden Love of Love’s Gardens will lead the workshop. Love is a trained horticulturist, permaculture designer, former community college instructor, and certified rainwater and greywater specialist.

Learn about appropriate plant varieties and techniques for sustainably growing fruiting trees and edible understory plants. Tour the nascent food forest. Join in the springtime magic of planting avocado trees, evergreen cherry tree, citrus and fig trees to expand the existing forest of almost 30 fruit trees. Learn about gopher protection, proper planting depth, proper plant nutrition, and irrigation using graywater and rainwater. The workshop is open to the public and a light organic plant-based lunch will be served.

Go to https://food-forest.eventbrite.com for more details and to register.

SANTA CRUZ

Ukulele Club to host sing/play along

The Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz will be holding a free community sing/play along at Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. There will be a band playing as folks arrive and order their food and drinks. That will be followed by the sing/play along time. Everyone is welcome (with or without a ukulele).

BEN LOMOND

Speaker to discuss affordable housing

In recognition of Affordable Housing Month, Adam Spickler, Housing Santa Cruz County board member, will be the guest speaker for the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Highlands Park Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9 in Ben Lomond.

Spickler will address the ongoing affordable housing crisis in Santa Cruz County. Additionally, as a senior analyst with the county’s Human Services Department, he will discuss the impacts that federal funding cuts could have on safety net services for the county’s most vulnerable residents, and actions community members can take to oppose further cuts to funding for critical services.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

SANTA CRUZ

1970s Gay Men’s Support Group reunion date

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride, a reunion luncheon is being planned for the 70’s Santa Cruz Gay Men’s Support Group to be held 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 30 at the Crepe Place.

The group began meeting in 1978 and hosted hundreds of local gay, bisexual and questioning men over a four-year period. Facilitated by Patrick Meyer and Ken Sentner, it started with 15 participants and soon grew to 90 men each week.

This drop-in group served as a safe place where gay and bisexual men could meet each other, discuss common issues and experiences as they came out, and develop a sense of community that still exists to this day. Group members created several spin-off groups including the Wednesday Night Volleyball Gathering (still going), a Spanish speaking potluck, a Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club, a hiking group, a monthly evening coffeehouse and more. In 1980, they won the Mayor’s Award for their float in the Begonia Parade.

For information and to RSVP, send an email to scgmreunion@gmail.com.