Rib Cookoff to take over downtown San Juan Bautista
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA — The barbecues are rolling into town this weekend to grill up award-winning ribs at San Juan Bautista’s Annual Rib Cookoff.
Patrons can expect more ribs, more sauces and an overall larger selection of ribs to choose from with the addition of two more teams, G & Pops BBQ and Smokin 208, to round out the competition to a total of 10 teams.
Returning teams include the 2016 Best Ribs Champion, Joshua’s Ribs, along with Carson City BBQ, Trail’s End, Mansmith’s BBQ, Blazing by the Bay, Lord of the Ribs, Doc’s Q’in Pit Stop and Community Focus Center.
Attendees can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award presented by Jardines de San Juan restaurant. Official judging in the categories of “Best Ribs” and “Best Sauce” will take place on Saturday at 2 p.m. Winners of the competition will be announced Sunday at 1 p.m.
The event is expected to takeover much of the downtown area on Third Street with more than 100 art and crafts booths exhibiting their wares. The Patty Kistner Band performs on the main stage playing classic country rock. Parking and admission is free.
The Rib Cookoff takes place on Third Street in downtown San Juan Bautista on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Watsonville receives bike-friendly award
WATSONVILLE — The League of American Bicyclists announced the latest cities across the country to receive Bicycle Friendly Community awards and Watsonville was among them, receiving a bronze level designation.
“This award recognizes the success of the Watsonville bicycle community in making the city a place where people of all ages can ride bikes,” said Public Works Assistant Director Maria Esther Rodriguez. “We very much appreciate the community members and city staff that worked with others to provide bicycle education in schools, bike to work events, an active bicycle advisory committee and over eight miles of bike and pedestrian trails.”
The League of American Bicyclists was founded in 1880 to advocate for better roads for bicycling. It instituted the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program to encourage communities to support cycling through education, engineering and enforcement.
With the award, Watsonville becomes one of 416 “Bicycle Friendly Communities” in 50 states. In Santa Cruz County, the City of Santa Cruz is a gold level BFC and UC Santa Cruz is a silver level BFC.
“Bicycling is a simple solution to many of the challenges we face,” Rodriguez said. “When we ride a bike, we improve our health, become more mobile and use a sustainable form of transportation. This award confirms that Watsonville is a bicycle-friendly community and a great place to live, work and visit.”
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Curves Aptos fundraising for playground
APTOS — Curves Aptos is hosting a fundraiser for LEO’s Haven on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 7000 Soquel Drive, Suite 1 in Aptos.
LEO’s Haven will be a playground at Chanticleer Park designed to be accessible to all children, regardless of disability.
Curves will hold a number of classes on Saturday, with a $10 donation benefiting LEO’s Haven.
For information, call 688-2348.
