Public invited to help fill sandbags
WATSONVILLE — The City of Watsonville Public Works & Utilities Department’s Water Division is partnering with Home Depot, Graniterock and American Red Cross of Santa Cruz County for the “Fill-A-Sandbag Volunteer Workday” event in preparation for winter.
The event will take place rain or shine on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Home Depot, 355 South Green Valley Road. Everyone in the community is invited to participate.
“We want to be prepared in case we have another wet winter and with the help of our residents, we will be,” said Water Operations Supervisor Steve Hernandez. “Many residents came out and supported our fill-a-sandbag event in 2015, which proved to be of great benefit to the community as we were ready with the filled sandbags when the wet weather hit us in 2016.”
The pre-filled sandbags prepared during this event will be available, if needed, to residents with limited mobility/ability at two locations: Fire Station #1, 115 Second St., and at Home Depot, 355 South Green Valley Road. If heavy rains do occur this winter, sand and sandbags will be available to residents to fill up their own at these two locations.
An information booth offering tips and resources to help prepare for wet weather will be on hand.
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California Rural Legal Assistance offers walk-in services
WATSONVILLE — California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., a nonprofit law firm which provides free legal services to low-income people in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, sees new clients on a walk-in basis.
The firm assists clients in housing, education, employment, public benefits matters and LGBT rights.
Walk-ins can be accommodated at 21 Carr St. in Watsonville on Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 am. to 1 p.m.
For information, call 724-2253.
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Eureka Canyon Road closed Thursday
CORRALITOS — Eureka Canyon Road, near 1000 Eureka Canyon, will be closed Thursday for emergency tree removal through 8 p.m.
PG&E will disconnect and drop powerlines, AT&T will disconnect and drop communication lines, and Davey Tree Service will work at removing the tree. Once Davey Tree Service has completed the tree removal, AT&T and PG&E will reconnect their lines.
The Department of Public Works is advising the motoring public to avoid this area and seek alternate routes during these times.
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Aptos History Museum presents talk on railroads
APTOS — The Aptos History Museum will present, “Hihn’s Mountain Railroads; The Mills at Valencia Creek, Gold Gulch, Laurel and King’s Creek,” on Saturday from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Rio Sands Hotel community room, 116 Aptos Beach Drive.
The talk will be presented by Derek R. Whaley, author of “Santa Cruz Trains: Railroads of the Santa Cruz Mountains.”
A $10 donation for museum members and $15 for non-members benefits the museum. Refreshments include a soup tasting from Soup De Jour by Jimmi.
Reservations only, as seating is limited. To make a reservation, call 688-9514.
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Plein air art competition returns for third year
CAPITOLA — The City of Capitola Art & Cultural Commission is hosting the third annual Capitola Plein Air, juried art competition, exhibition and sale.
It is a free event, with hands-on art-making for all visitors, live music, and 40 local and regional artists selling their works and competing for the top prize.
On Saturday, dozens of professional artists will paint en plein air in varied mediums, outdoors, throughout Capitola, at locations including New Brighton Beach, Depot Hill, the Esplanade and the Jewel Box. The public is invited to view those artists in action, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Then on Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at New Brighton Middle School Performing Arts Center, 250 Washburn Ave., more than 100 framed paintings will be on display for the competition, exhibition and sale. The public is invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award and enjoy the exhibition, live music by Marc Schwartz and Dale Mills, and hands-on art making with Linda Cover of Watershed Arts. A local food truck will be on hand for visitors.
Acclaimed California plein air artist Laurie Kersey will judge the competition.
