Volunteers needed for PV High cleanup
WATSONVILLE — Friends of the Cliff Swallows at Pajaro Valley High School needs volunteers to help clean up selected Pajaro Valley High campus areas:
• Today, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Saturday, 8-10 a.m.
Volunteers need to bring scrub brushes, buckets, rags and squeegees (extendable handles a plus). Light refreshments will be served. Students may receive community service hour credits.
For information, call Becky at 685-2915.
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Poetry reading series continues at library
WATSONVILLE — The Poets’ Circle Poetry Reading Series continues on Sept. 12 from 7-9 p.m. at the Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St., Suite 100.
The readers will be instructors from Cabrillo College: Maggie Paul, Lisa Simon, Adela Najarro, Stan Rushworth and David Allen Sullivan.
The event is free, sponsored by the Friends of the Watsonville Public Library, and is hosted by Magdalena Montagne.
Attendees are advised to come early to sign up for open mic. Refreshments will be provided.
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CASA of Santa Cruz County seeks volunteers
WATSONVILLE — CASA of Santa Cruz County needs volunteers to devote two-to-four hours a week to helping a child in foster care.
Volunteers 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.
Advocates speak up for the best interest of children and teens in the courtroom, in the classroom, and in the community. Advocates 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, offering friendship and emotional support while helping the child rebuild trust and self-esteem, as well as gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s case. Although there is a great need for bilingual and male volunteers, CASA encourages people from all cultures and professions and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds to learn more.
Upcoming informational sessions are:
• Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6-7 p.m. at Live Oak Family Resource Center, located at 1740 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz
• Wednesday, Sept. 19, 5:30-7 p.m. at CASA, located at 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
For information, visit www.casaofsantacruz.org.
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Congressman’s staff to hold office hours
WATSONVILLE — Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s (CA-20) staff will hold mobile office hours on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project, 406 Main St. in Watsonville.
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 Panetta’s Salinas office at 424-2229.
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Presentation covers Prohibition
APTOS — “Bootlegging on the Bay,” a presentation on the local story of Prohibition, will be held Sept. 15 from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Rio Sands Hotel Community Room, 116 Aptos Beach Drive.
Bargetto Winery co-owner John Bargetto and Aptos History Museum curator John Hibble will give the presentation.
Admission is $20 general, or $15 for museum members. Proceeds benefit the Aptos History Museum.
To make a reservation, call 688-1467.
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Artist of the Year nominations sought
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Santa Cruz County Arts Commission is accepting nominations for Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year through Sept. 14.
Over the last 33 years, the Arts Commission has selected artists nominated by the public and honored them through the Artist of the Year Award. The award recognizes artists for outstanding achievement in the disciplines of performing, visual or literary arts.
Nominees must meet the criteria established by the commission, including: Santa Cruz County residency; have national or international reputation/standing; have contributed to the cultural enrichment of the local community; have created or presented work in Santa Cruz County; and a nomination by a resident of Santa Cruz County.
For information on how to submit a nomination for Artist of the Year, visit www.scparks.com.
