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 court room, 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.
Training begins Jan. 30. The deadline to apply is Jan. 18.
Upcoming informational sessions are:
• Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 10-11 a.m. at CASA, 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
• Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6-7 p.m. at Live Oak Family Resource Center, 1740 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz
• Friday, Jan. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. at Surf City Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive in Aptos
• Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 5:30-7 p.m. at CASA, 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
For information, visit www.casaofsantacruz.org.
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Monterey County Free Libraries to waive overdue fines
PAJARO — January is Fine Free Month at Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL).
Return your library materials during the month of January and MCFL will waive the overdue fines attached to those items. Some exceptions apply.
Monterey County Free Libraries are located in Aromas, Big Sur, Las Palmas, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Pajaro, Prunedale, San Ardo, San Lucas, Seaside and Soledad.
To monitor your account online, check for overdue fines, renew items, and look for and place holds for items, visit www.eMCFL.org and click on the “Check Your Account” link.
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Title announced for Our Community Reads program
APTOS — The Friends of the Aptos Library has announced the title “Born a Crime” as the Our Community Reads book for 2018.
It is the award-winning, best-selling book by comedian Trevor Noah.
All members of the community are invited to attend a series of events designed around the themes of the book beginning with the film, “You Laugh but it’s True” at the Aptos Library. This documentary explores Noah’s upbringing in South Africa and will be shown on Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive. Free popcorn will be provided and a cookie will be given to guests who show their library card.
On Feb. 3 the Aptos Library will host Children’s Story Hour Celebrating Diversity. Stories will be told by Master Teacher Nancy Spangler, a Cabrillo College faculty member from the Children’s Center and Early Childhood Development Department, from 10-11 a.m. at the Aptos Library.
For information, visit www.friendsofaptoslibrary.org or visit the Aptos Library.
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Candidate information night for June election set
SANTA CRUZ — A workshop to review the candidate filing requirements and election processes for people interested in running for an office on the June 5, 2018 Primary Election ballot will be held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers at the County Government Center, 701 Ocean St., fifth floor, in Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz County Clerk will have Candidate’s Handbooks available for those interested in running for office. The Candidate’s Handbook is also available online at www.votescount.com along with information regarding who has already filed candidacy documents and a candidate checklist.
The County Clerk will review the steps and deadlines a person must follow in order to place his or her name on the primary ballot. In addition, the County Clerk will answer questions regarding voter registration, voting by mail, campaign filing, and other campaign practices and laws.
Offices up for election on June 5, 2018 include the following federal, state and local offices:
• United States Senate (Feinstein)
• 18th and 20th Congressional Districts
• State offices: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Controller, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, State Board of Equalization District 2
• 29th and 30th State Assembly Districts
• County offices: Assessor-Recorder, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, County Clerk, District Attorney-Public Administrator, Superintendent of Schools, Sheriff-Coroner, County Supervisors for the 3rd and 4th districts
• Superior Court Judge (Almquist).
The period to collect signatures in-lieu of the filing fee closes on Feb. 7. Candidate filing opens Feb. 12 and closes March 9.
For information, call the Elections Department at 454-2060 or visit www.votescount.com.
