Sons and Daughters of Italy hosting mixer
WATSONVILLE — The Sons and Daughters of Italy will host a Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture mixer on Jan. 18 from 5-7 p.m. at the Watsonville Woman’s Club, 12 Brennan St.
Attendees can sample appetizers while mingling with community leaders.
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Memoir writing class ongoing at library
WATSONVILLE — A memoir writing class is held Thursdays in the Watsonville Library Conference Room, second floor.
Held from 6-7:45 p.m., the free group is open to both beginning and experienced writers. The group, led by Elizabeth Munroz, includes exercises and the opportunity to share your writing and receive feedback.
For information, email el********@gm***.com.
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Chanticleer Park Legacy Program forms
LIVE OAK — The Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services and the Chanticleer Park Neighbors Association is unveiling a new “Chanticleer Park Legacy Program” where businesses, individuals, or other community entities can, through a tax-deductible donation, support Chanticleer Park improvements by dedicating a plaque on benches, picnic tables or trees.
“The Legacy Program is a great way for residents to make sure their money stays in the neighborhood, while joining friends and neighbors in celebrating wonderful community assets such as Chanticleer Park,” Parks Director Jeff Gaffney said. “The investment allows people to leave a legacy that honors their family and loved ones, friends, pets or milestones.”
Levels of support start at $500 for trees, $3,000 for benches, and $4,000 for picnic tables. For information on sponsorships, visit www.scparks.com. Sponsors can also go to www.chanticleerpark.org and click on “Dedicate a Plaque.”
Located in the Chanticleer Park area of Live Oak, Chanticleer County Park is an under-development 4.5-acre community asset. It is also the future home of LEO’s Haven, Santa Cruz County’s first inclusive park for children of all abilities. Led by Patricia and Robert Potts, the Santa Cruz Playground Project has raised in excess of $1 million in community donations to support construction of LEO’s Haven.
“Making a gift to Chanticleer Park is a win-win. An empty lot in our local community is improved, we get our first all-inclusive playground, and we get to feel good about helping to make that happen,” said Laura Marcus, executive director of Dientes Community Dental, a Chanticleer Park neighbor who purchased a plaque with husband Joop Rubens.
Chanticleer Park neighbors Mary Gaukel and Les Forster dedicated a plaque in memory of Mary’s son, Rick Gaukel.
“We are honored to support the park in loving memory of Rick Gaukel, whose life underscored the importance of being outdoors and having access to nature in its many forms. His spirit lives on through the legacy of a healthy community,” Gaukel said.
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County recognized for budget presentation
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — County Administrative Officer Carlos J. Palacios announced that Santa Cruz County has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association, a Chicago-based professional association that serves to enhance government finance operations.
The award recognizes Santa Cruz County’s efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the 2017-18 budgeting process. County budget documents, Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports and single audit reports are available on the county’s website, www.santacruzcounty.us, as well as a new interactive budget tool to explain county revenues and expenditures.
“This award reflects the county’s commitment to the highest principles of governmental budgeting practices,” Palacios said. “I’d like to commend county staff for their ongoing work to improve our overall budgeting process.”
The award recognizes that the county met or exceeded nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentations, including how well the budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device.
