Film screening kicks off PV Pride Celebration
WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville Film Festival and Pajaro Valley Pride will present the screening of “Etiqueta No Rigurosa / No Dress Code Required” on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Appleton Grill & Event Lounge, 410 Rodriguez St. in Watsonville.
The screening kicks off the Pajaro Valley Pride Celebration in Watsonville.
The film follows two men living in Baja California, who become the first married gay couple in the state to fight for their rights. The film is directed by Cristina Herrera Borquez, and will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles.
Also screening will be the short film “Transition” by local filmmaker Dana Forsberg, who will be in attendance.
Admission is $8 general, and youth are free.
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AARP driver classes scheduled in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE — The AARP Smart Driver Classes are again being offered in Watsonville.
There will be a 4.5-hour refresher class at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on Aug. 8 and an eight-hour regular class is offered in two four-hour sessions at the Adult School on Oct. 2 and 3.
Smart Driver classes are designed to help maturing drivers maintain safe driving skills and keep their licenses longer. California insurance companies are required by law to give a discount for three years to seniors who complete this class.
The class fee is $20/person, $15/person for AARP members. Registration is recommended as drop-ins may find the class is full.
To register or for information, call Fred at 247-3097.
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CHP offering traffic safety classes
APTOS — The California Highway Patrol is offering traffic safety programs for senior drivers.
The Age Well, Drive Smart Program is designed to provide drivers with the keys to driving safer and driving longer. This program is designed as an educational tool for mature drivers. Topics of discussion will include:
• How to tune up driving skills.
• Refreshing their knowledge of the rules of the road.
• Learning about normal, age-related physical changes and how to adjust to them.
• When it may be time to limit or stop driving.
• Understanding the alternatives to driving.
Age Well, Drive Smart classes are approximately two-and-a-half hours long and are free of charge. These classes are geared toward drivers age 65 and up, but they are open to anyone who feels they can benefit from this information.
The next class will be held Thursday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz Public Library, 7695 Soquel Drive.
Space in this class is limited. For information, and to make a reservation, call the Santa Cruz CHP Office at 662-0511.
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Event promotes marine sanctuary
SANTA CRUZ — Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is holding an event on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sanctuary Exploration Center, 35 Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz, as part of the third national “Get Into Your Sanctuary” (GIYS) celebration.
Attendees at the free event will have the opportunity to view a live stream of the vessel R/V Nautilus conducting research off the California coast, drive an underwater vehicle in the canyon exhibit tank, observe live plankton under the microscope, experience the sanctuary through virtual reality and more.
GIYS raises awareness about the value of national marine sanctuaries as iconic destinations for responsible recreation and promotes good ocean etiquette.
For information, contact Lisa Uttal at 420-3669 or li********@no**.gov.
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SPCA offers free veterinary care for seniors’ pets
SANTA CRUZ — On Aug. 25, in partnership with Animal Hospital of Soquel, the Santa Cruz SPCA will host a Blackie’s Fund Wellness Day, a day of free veterinary care for cats and dogs owned by local seniors.
From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on an appointment basis only, a licensed veterinarian will provide basic exams, limited diagnostics, vaccinations, flea and tick treatment, de-worming, and microchipping. The event will be taking place at the Animal Hospital of Soquel at 2651 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz.
The Wellness Day is subsidized by the SCSPCA’s Blackie’s Fund program, which is designed to make funds for veterinary care available to senior citizens who would otherwise have to give up their companion animal or would be unable to provide medical care when it is needed.
Seniors, age 62 and over, who are on a fixed or low income and are located in Santa Cruz County, are qualified.
Seniors who would like to take advantage of these free services are encouraged to call the Santa Cruz SPCA at 465-5000 to make an appointment for their pet. This is an appointment-only event, and cannot accommodate walk-ins.
