County Clerk offers Watsonville office hours
WATSONVILLE — The County Clerk will hold its monthly office hours in Watsonville on Wednesday for people who are applying for passports, marriage licenses, or fictitious business names; getting married; being sworn in as a Deputy Commissioner of Marriage; obtaining health officer verification; or registering as a notary.
The hours are from 7:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the City Clerk’s Office located at 275 Main St., fourth floor (sixth floor of the parking garage). Those interested in obtaining services must call 454-2060 to make an appointment.
The County Clerk offers office hours in Watsonville one Wednesday each month in an effort to make clerk services more accessible for South County residents.
“Offering our services to our South County residents at a nearby location is a great service for those who would otherwise have to make a special trip to the County Government Center in Santa Cruz to have their wedding ceremony, apply for a passport or file a fictitious business name,” County Clerk Gail Pellerin said.
For information or to make an appointment, call 454-2060 or visit the County Clerk’s website at www.sccoclerk.com.
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Congressman’s staff to hold office hours
WATSONVILLE — Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced dates and locations for staff mobile office hours for the month of March.
Congressional staff members will be available at the Santa Cruz Immigration Project, 406 Main St., Suite 217 in Watsonville, on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Staff members will assist with issues concerning Social Security, Medicare, federal employee retirement, immigration services, veterans’ services, passports, searching for military records, and any other federal matters.
To schedule a meeting, call Congressman Panetta’s Salinas office at 424-2229.
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Youth art exhibit on display at Salud
WATSONVILLE — Youth from Jóvenes SANOS, a program of United Way of Santa Cruz, and Radcliff Elementary have partnered with Salud Para La Gente – Clínica Del Valle del Pájaro to showcase their vision of a healthy Watsonville by using art to express their ideas.
The art exhibit is open through March 30 at Salud’s Clínica Del Valle del Pájaro, 45 Nielson St. in Watsonville, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The exhibit offers insights on how individuals and the community view and prioritize health and offers a perspective on health disparities, seen through the eyes of young, local artists.
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Eureka Canyon Road subject to delays
CORRALITOS — Eureka Canyon Road will be subject to traffic delays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday, weather permitting.
According to the County Department of Public Works, these traffic delays are necessary for geotechnical testing for storm damage repairs.
A road closure at post marker 8.39 will be required on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in order to complete the work.
For information, call Jeff de los Santos at 454-2160 or visit www.sccroadclosure.org.
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Triple P offering parenting workshop
SANTA CRUZ — Triple P is offering a workshop, titled “A Guide to Positive Parenting for Families With Children With Special Needs,” on Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Babies “R” Us/Toys “R” Us, 1660 Commercial Way in Santa Cruz.
The workshop will offer parenting support for families with children with special needs, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome and other developmental delays.
This Triple P workshop is free and open to the public. Child care is not available at this location.
It will be presented by Liliana Zamora of Community Bridges – La Manzana Community Resources.
To register, contact Caitlin McElroy, baby registry supervisor at Babies “R” Us/Toys “R” Us, at 479-4296 or 58***********@to*****.com.
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Clam Chowder Cook-Off sets record
SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department announced that the 37th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off set a fundraising record this year, raising $100,000 for City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department programs.
The event has raised more than $1,489,500 for Parks & Rec since it started in 1981.
“The increase in the proceeds from this event will ensure more kids in our community can receive scholarships to our popular summer camps,” Parks & Recreation Director Mauro Garcia said.
Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle, a Monterey diner featured on “Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” won the Best Professional Boston division. The restaurant has competed at the Boardwalk for the past four years, but this was their first win.
Their secret?
“The main ingredient in our clam chowder is love,” said Loulou’s chef Gigi Davis.
Midgley’s Public House in Stockton was the judges’ choice for Best Professional Manhattan. Celebrity Chef Michael Midgley is best known for his appearances on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” and Food Network’s “Cut Throat Kitchen.” Midgley has competed in the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off and the Santa Cruz Chili Cook-Off for the past few years, and typically places near the top.
“I’ve visited Santa Cruz since I was a kid. I started cooking clam chowder and chili to start a new family tradition,” Midgley said. “We’ve won seven plaques in four years and plan to keep crushing it.”
Other restaurants scoring high points include previous winner East Side Eatery, Rosie McCann’s and Joe’s Santa Cruz. UCSC’s Redwood Sluggers and JV’s BBQ in San Jose won People’s Choice awards for top amateur chowders.
In the Amateur division, Roben Webb’s team Clamalicious “Clams of Anarchy” was selected Best Amateur Boston by the judges and “People’s Choice” voters. Michele Hartmangruber a.k.a. Dragonmama was a repeat winner for her Portuguese Red Manhattan.
The Boardwalk and Parks & Rec have worked together for 37 years to host the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off at the Boardwalk. This was the second year the cook-off was held over two days, with amateurs competing on Feb. 24 and professionals on Feb. 25. More than 80 different clam chowders were served over the two-day event.
For a complete list of winners, visit www.beachboardwalk.com/clamchowder.
