CASA offering daytime training
WATSONVILLE — CASA of Santa Cruz County is offering daytime training in the summer for those wanting to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Training to become a CASA typically takes place two nights a week from 6-9 p.m. for five weeks. CASA of Santa Cruz County is now offering a special daytime training that will take place Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for two weeks.
Those interested do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are everyday people, trained by CASA and then appointed by judges to advocate for the safety of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers are supported by a staff supervisor and are part of a team that works in the best interests of the child.
A CASA volunteer spends time with his or her child each week, gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s case. CASA volunteers also work with attorneys and social workers. They review records, research information, and talk to anyone involved with the child, including parents, extended family members, doctors and teachers.
Although there is a need for bilingual and male volunteers, CASA always encourages people from all cultures and professions and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds to learn more.
Upcoming informational sessions are:
• Tuesday, July 17, 6-7 p.m. at Live Oak Family Resource Center, 1740 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz
• Wednesday, July 18, 5:30-7 p.m. at CASA, 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
• Friday, July 20, 12-1 p.m. at Surf City Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive in Aptos
For information, visit www.casaofsantacruz.org.
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Vendors sought for Burrito Bash
WATSONVILLE — Restaurants, artists, car enthusiasts and other vendors are sought for the fourth annual Burrito Bash, which will take place on Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
The event will feature performances by the Billy Martini Band, the MetraGnomes and Mariachi Orgullo Mexicano.
For information, visit www.burritobash.com.
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Program teaches children reading skills
APTOS — The Summer READ Program (Reading Equine Art Duo) is ongoing at Pregnant Mare Rescue on Larkin Valley Road.
In this program, children will develop their reading skills by reading a story to a horse. After reading a book, the child will then create their own picture of the story through art.
Sessions are held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. Once a week sessions are $75, twice a week is $135 and three times a week is $190.
For information, contact READ coordinator Lisa M. Algee at 227-9847 or email al*******@gm***.com.
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Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group welcomes guest speaker
SANTA CRUZ — The Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group will welcome guest speaker Jennifer Root on July 18 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 420 Melrose Ave. in Santa Cruz, at 12:30 p.m.
Root is a licensed acupuncturist and holds a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has advanced clinical training in integrative physical medicine, utilizing acupuncture, herbal, dietary, exercise and manual therapies for a wide range of acute and chronic pain conditions.
She will discuss how acupuncture may help address symptoms relating to peripheral neuropathy, as well as other types of neurogenic and musculoskeletal pain.
For information, call 477-1239 or 423-9111.
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Lecture to be held about political change in Mexico
SANTA CRUZ — On July 18, the Resource Center for Nonviolence will be hosting a special lecture entitled “Progressive Politics in Mexico with Javier Bravo.”
Javier Bravo, a well-known representative of the Mexican Political Party “Morena” (the National Regeneration Movement), will speak at the event. Morena’s leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was just elected President of Mexico.
UC Santa Cruz’s Leslie Lopez and immigration attorney Ariadna Renteria-Torres will join Bravo to discuss the possibilities of political change in Mexico.
The lecture begins at 7 p.m. at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz.
Donations are accepted on a sliding scale from $5-$15; requested but not required.
For information, email pe***@rc**.org or call 251-4833.
Spanish interpretation is available.
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Senior driving classes scheduled
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Smart Driver classes, designed to help maturing drivers maintain safe driving skills and keep their licenses longer, are scheduled soon.
California insurance companies are required by law to give a discount for three years to seniors who complete this class.
The regular eight-hour class is offered in two four-hour sessions; the refresher class is offered in one 4.5-hour class.
The class fee is $20 per person, or $15 per person for AARP members. Registration is recommended as drop-ins may find the class is full.
The current regular classes offered are July 18 and 20, Aug. 20-21, Sept. 10 and 17, Oct. 12 and 15 and Nov. 13 and 15.
Refresher class dates are July 25, Aug. 27 and Oct. 24.
To register or for information, call Fred at 247-3097.
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Teen Challenge Monterey Bay presents concert series
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Teen Challenge Monterey Bay will present “A Night of Miracles,” a concert series benefiting the construction of the Grace Harbor Women Center located in downtown Watsonville at 55 Brennan St.
The summer concert series will feature an evening of live worship intermixed with testimony delivered by students and staff from the surrounding Teen Challenge Monterey Bay recovery centers.
The concert series will begin on July 22 at Santa Cruz Bible Church, 440 Frederick St., and it will continue on Aug. 10 at Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive in Aptos. It will finish on Sept. 23 at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center, 37 Conference Drive in Mount Hermon.
All three concerts will be held from 6-8 p.m.
“As of January 1st, 2018, the year-round emergency shelter in Santa Cruz County was shut down,” said Michael Borden, executive director of Teen Challenge Monterey Bay. “There is currently no year-round emergency shelter services for the homeless in Santa Cruz County.”
For information, visit teenchallengemb.org.
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Volunteers sought for Sheriff’s Advisory Team
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is looking for volunteers to apply to the Sheriff’s Advisory Team.
The Sheriff’s Advisory Team is a representative group of volunteers who live or work in Santa Cruz County. The advisory team will meet with Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart once a month to discuss law enforcement issues.
The Sheriff’s Advisory Team is open to community members from all walks of life including residents from all five Supervisor districts, residents of the four local cities, and people working in health, treatment, faith, education and business.
The team meets the second Wednesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at Sheriff’s headquarters in Live Oak. Team members typically serve for a year. There will be an education component to the Sheriff’s Advisory Team that will include touring facilities, jails and participating in a ride along with patrol staff.
Applications are due no later than Aug. 8 and are available on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.scsheriff.com/Home/SheriffsAdvisoryTeam/AdvisoryTeamApplication.aspx.
The first session begins in September.
