Soroptimist, YWCA host mixer
WATSONVILLE — Soroptimist International of Watsonville and YWCA of Watsonville will host a Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture mixer on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the YWCA, 340 East Beach St.
Raffle proceeds will benefit Soroptimist International of Watsonville and YWCA.
The event will also feature wine and appetizers.
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Jeffrey Halford & The Healers return to Aptos
APTOS — By popular demand, acclaimed Roots/Americana artist Jeffrey Halford returns to Aptos Street BBQ, 8059 Aptos St., on Saturday from 6-8 p.m.
Halford is celebrating the release of his new album, “Lo-Fi Dreams” (Floating Records).
Halford was born in Dallas Texas, and is now a prolonged Californian, who has been touring with his band the Healers for more than 28 years. Together they write, play and perform their own music.
A donation of $10 is suggested. For information, call 662-1721 or visit www.aptosstbbq.com/index.html.
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Dinner benefits Community Bridges programs
APTOS — Community Bridges invites the public to a locally sourced, gourmet dinner, along with live music and award-winning wine and beer.
This year’s gala celebrates Community Bridges’ 40th anniversary and provides support to all 10 of the organization’s programs that collectively serve 22,000 children, families and seniors in Santa Cruz County each year.
The gala will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-10 p.m. at Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road.
The event features live music, a live auction featuring experiential farm-to-table packages, beer from World Beer Cup winners Discretion Brewing, wine from Beauregard Vineyards, and a multiple-course, locally sourced dinner.
All proceeds will support the programs of Community Bridges: Elderday Adult Day Health Care, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, Lift Line, Child & Adult Care Food Program, Child Development Division, Women, Infants & Children (WIC), La Manzana Community Resources, Live Oak Community Resources, Mountain Community Resources and Nueva Vista Community Resources.
Tickets and full information for the event are available online — including the menu and parking information — at cbfarmtofork17.eventbrite.com. Tickets are $125 per person, $750 for a table of six, or $1,200 for a VIP table of eight.
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Soquel Creek Water District to hold open house
SOQUEL — The Soquel Creek Water District is hosting an open house on Thursday from 4:30-7 p.m. at the District Headquarters, 5180 Soquel Drive.
The event will be for community members of all ages.
Information and updates regarding the local water supply system, and current infrastructure projects will be provided.
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to introduce the district’s new Pure Water Soquel Educational Trailer — an interactive mobile unit to help educate people about the Pure Water Soquel Project.
For information, visit www.soquelcreekwater.org.
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Villa de Branciforte celebrating 220 years
SANTA CRUZ — The 220-year anniversary of Villa de Branciforte will be celebrated on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event will be held in front of the Branciforte Grammar School, currently known as the Branciforte Small Schools Campus, at the corner of Branciforte Avenue and Water Street.
Guest speaker Mark Hylkema, state archaeologist, will give a presentation from noon-1 p.m. Other activities include music, food, adobe brick-making, hobby horse racing and a walking tour at 2 p.m. culminating at the garden of nearby privately-owned Branciforte Adobe.
The event is sponsored by the Villa de Branciforte Historic Preservation Society. For information, call 685-2915.
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Janus receives grants
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Janus of Santa Cruz has been awarded two major grants from the Department of Health Care Services to create a Central Coast Hub & Spoke System and expand Medication Assisted Treatment, aimed to help reduce the number of opioid users in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
From 2011-2016, Santa Cruz County reported more than 700 non-fatal ER visits and 130 overdose fatalities caused by opioid abuse.
As a private nonprofit organization, Janus aims to guide thousands of people toward recovery with quality programs, treatment and continuum of care.
“With opioid use on the rise, Santa Cruz County is primed to design, implement and evaluate this collaborative care model,” said Mark Stanford, PhD, director of MAT services at Janus of Santa Cruz.
For information, visit www.janussc.org.
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Two-hour cruise set on USS Potomac
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a two-hour narrated cruise aboard the 167-foot fully restored USS Potomac, also known as FDR’s floating White House.
A bus leaves Watsonville at 7 a.m. on July 29 and returns at 5 p.m. Attendees will also have time to bring their own lunch at Jack London Square in Oakland.
The cruise is open to everyone ages 7 and over.
Admission is $89/$98. For information and reservations, call 454-7901 or visit www.scparks.com.
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Candidate filing now open
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Candidate filing for the November election has begun.
People interested in running for any of the five districts up for election must file a Declaration of Candidacy with the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Department by 5 p.m. Aug. 11.
Local offices scheduled for election on Nov. 7 include:
• Alba Park, Recreation and Parkway District — Three directors
• Opal Cliffs Recreation District — Two directors
• Salsipuedes Sanitary District — Two directors
• Depot Hill Geological Hazard Abatement District – Three directors
• Place de Mer Geological Hazard Abatement District – Two directors
To obtain a Candidate’s Handbook, contact the County Elections Department at 701 Ocean St., room 201 in Santa Cruz or visit www.votescount.com.
