Testicle Festival returns for 10th year
WATSONVILLE — The Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau’s 10th Annual Testicle Festival will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at Estrada’s Deer Camp in Watsonville.
There will be all-you-can-eat rocky mountain oysters as well as barbecue chicken, salads, bread and dessert. Loretta Estrada will be preparing the rocky mountain oysters and Derek Witmer will be barbecuing the chicken.
The event will also include a raffle, live and silent auction as well as a horseshoe contest for adults and children.
The “It’s All in the Sauce” Contest held during the Testicle Festival is reaching out to all cooks who have a special recipe for a dipping sauce. The sauces are prepared to be enjoyed with the rocky mountain oysters.
Anyone interested in competing needs to bring one quart of their sauce to the event by 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Entry forms will be provided at the event. Everyone who attends the event has a chance to vote on their favorite sauce.
The No Respect Band will perform at the event.
Ticket prices, which includes the rocky mountain oysters and full chicken barbecue dinner, is $50 for adults, $20 for children 5-12 and free for children under 5. To purchase tickets, call 722-6622 or find the Testicle Festival on www.eventbrite.com.
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Golf tournament supports families battling cancer
WATSONVILLE — The ninth annual Jerry Loyola Golf Tournament will be held at Spring Hills Golf Course on Aug. 24-25.
Proceeds go to the Jerry Loyola Foundation to support families battling cancer.
For information, contact Gerardo Loyola Sr. at 247-0461 or [email protected].
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Cook-off benefits charities
WATSONVILLE — The fifth annual Aldina Real Estate Charity Chili Cook-off returns Aug. 25 from 1-4 p.m. at 713 East Lake Ave.
A number of teams will be competing for the title of best chili. The first, second and third place teams will donate their winnings to charity.
New this year at the free event, attendees can vote for the most creative booth.
The Ville Band will perform.
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Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center earns two awards
SANTA CRUZ — Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz, part of the Sutter Health network, has earned a Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission as well as designation as a Baby-Friendly hospital.
The Joint Commission, an independent organization accrediting health care organizations across the U.S., awards the Perinatal Care Certification to accredited hospitals that have met guidelines for high standards of care given to a mother and her baby, before, during and after birth.
The designation of a Baby-Friendly hospital is from Baby-Friendly USA, Inc., the authority that implements the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. SMSC first became a Baby-Friendly hospital in 2012, and has now received a second, five-year designation.
Both honors required rigorous onsite surveys.
“We are thrilled to receive recognition from these two premier organizations,’’ said Trina White, chief administrative officer of SMSC. “It is validation of the commitment and skills of our teams of clinicians who continually focus on quality care that ensures mothers have a safe and successful delivery, and the kind of birth experience they desire.’’
Experts with The Joint Commission gave SMSC high marks for coordinated patient-centered care that starts with prenatal and continues through postpartum care, the time when families have left the hospital and need outpatient care for their baby. They also noted the hospital’s success in reducing the number of unnecessary cesarean sections and supporting breastfeeding.
The Baby-Friendly designation is based on the organization’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, and recognizes birth facilities that offer mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to breastfeed their babies.
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NextStage Productions holding fundraiser
SANTA CRUZ — NextStage Productions is announcing that popular stand-up “boomer” comedian, Richard Stockton, will be the host and master of ceremonies at its upcoming fundraiser “The Love-In,” on Aug. 26 from 3-6 p.m. at the Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center St.
Stockton, who has toured with his one-man show, Planet of the Boomers, became a full time touring comedian in 1986. He now brings “boomer comedy shows” to theaters and senior centers, and over the years has appeared on dozens of national TV shows, and performed as a sketch comedy player at various venues.
“The Love-In” is a concert of ‘60’s music, dance party and opportunity drawing. Tickets are $30 and are available online at lovein.brownpapertickets.com.
NextStage Productions specializes in “artful aging” for adults interested in performing, and provides performing arts classes designed to maintain health and wellness for seniors 50 and over. For information, call 316-4833.
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Volunteer award nominations to kick off
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County will kick off the Call for Nominations for the 12th Annual Be the Difference Awards on Monday.
The “Be the Difference” Awards are about honoring the individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses who make a difference in Santa Cruz County through volunteerism.
Individuals who have worked alongside a dedicated volunteer, admire the way a particular nonprofit engages volunteers, or have observed a business going the extra mile for civic engagement are encouraged to fill out a nomination form.
Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 7.
“Each of us can think of a volunteer that has touched our lives in some way, big or small,” said Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen Delaney. “The Be the Difference Awards provide the annual opportunity for the larger community to say thank-you and to share the powerful stories of our local change-makers.”
More than 450 individuals, groups and businesses have been recognized since the inception of the event.
“It is wonderful to see this number grow each year, to hear fresh new stories of individuals of all ages and from all walks of life who are dedicating themselves to the causes they care about,” Delaney said. “In a time of great divisions, the stories of volunteers help to provide a very different narrative about the potential for connection and the power of what we can accomplish when we act together as a constructive force for good.”
The top 50 nominees will receive a complimentary ticket and recognition at the Be the Difference Awards Lunch Gala which annually brings together nearly 300 attendees in celebration of service. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 24 at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m..
To download a nomination form, visit www.scvolunteercenter.org. For information, call 427-5070.
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Project Bike Tech course approved for college elective credit
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Bicycle Technology 1 course, created by Project Bike Tech and available in select Santa Cruz County area high schools, is now UC/USC “g” approved for college elective credit.
Courses specifically approved in the “g” subject area include those such as political science, economics, geography, psychology, sociology, computer science, computer programming and others.
Throughout its 10-year history, Project Bike Tech, founded in Santa Cruz, has helped prepare numerous young people for careers in the bicycle industry and beyond.
For information, visit www.projectbiketech.org or email [email protected].
