Film series concludes Friday
WATSONVILLE — The “Our Mother Earth Film Series” will conclude with the screening of “How to Let Go of the World” on Friday at 7 p.m. at Appleton Grill & Event Lounge, 410 Rodriguez St. in Watsonville.
In “How to Let Go Of The World,” Oscar-nominated filmmaker Josh Fox (Gasland) travels the globe to meet with climate change “warriors” and entrepreneurs who are committed to reversing the tide of global warming.
A post-screening celebration of music and dance will take place.
Admission is free. Donations are accepted.
The film series is sponsored by the Watsonville Film Festival, Regeneration Pájaro Valley Climate Action, Reel Work Labor Film Festival and Allterra Solar.
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Watsonville Band kicks off concert series
WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville Community Band’s 2017 Spring Concert Series kicks off Sunday at the Henry J. Mello Center, 250 East Beach St. in Watsonville, at 2 p.m.
“Around the World” is the theme for the series. The band will perform selections such as “Les Miserables,” “Irish Washerwoman” and “Italian Holiday.”
The WCB Youth Band will also perform.
The concert series continues on April 30 at the Hollister Veterans Hall, 649 San Benito St.
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Udon Feed returns
WATSONVILLE — The annual “All-You-Can-Eat” Udon Feed will be held on Saturday, May 6, at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St.
Udon will be served from 4-7 pm. The cost for udon is $10 per person. Chirashi (Japanese rice dish), desserts and beverages will also be available at an additional cost.
For information, call the Temple office at 724-7860.
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Iris Society schedules annual show
SANTA CRUZ — The Monterey Bay Iris Society is holding its annual Iris Show at the Louden Nelson Community Center in Santa Cruz on April 29 and 30.
The public is invited to attend the show from 1-6 p.m. on April 29 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 30. Admission is free. Parking is available at the Santa Cruz Police Station on Center Street.
The Iris Society members bring their flowers for judging at the annual show.
Flowers will be available for purchase at the annual iris rhizome sale at Deer Park Shopping Center in Aptos on Aug. 5 and at the Cabrillo Farmers Market on Aug. 12. For information, call 818-4525.
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Public input sought for county parks strategic plan
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz County Parks Department is seeking input from residents as they create the county’s first strategic plan to help guide the future of local parks, facilities, coastal access, open spaces, public art and recreation activities in unincorporated areas of the county.
While the county maintains dozens of parks offering users a variety of activities, it has never created a community-wide vision to guide the development of parks and park programs to assure that the needs of all residents are met.
“These parks belong to the public, and the community should be involved in creating a vision for the department,” Santa Cruz County Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said. “Through this process, the public will be a part of envisioning the future of our wonderful local county parks and programs, and help us co-create a healthier, more connected and more vibrant community for all.”
The Parks Department is soliciting public feedback through an online survey and a series of upcoming public meetings. They are located as follows:
• San Lorenzo Valley — Wednesday, April 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Highlands County Park, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond.
• Watsonville — Thursday, April 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Civic Center Community Room, 275 Main St., fourth floor.
• North Coast — Tuesday, May 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Pacific Elementary School, 50 Ocean St, Davenport.
• Aptos — Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m.-noon, Aptos Village County Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road.
• Live Oak — Thursday, May 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Community Room at Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz.
Though not required to attend, residents are encouraged to RSVP for a meeting.
For information, visit scparks.com/Home/Parks/StrategicPlan.aspx.
