Pearl Harbor Survivors Group meets
WATSONVILLE — The Pearl Harbor Survivors Group will meet Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.-noon at the new location of the California Grill, 40 Penny Lane in Watsonville.
Attendees are asked to bring their memorabilia.
The group will also meet on Dec. 7.
For information, call Frank at 722-1234.
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Volunteers needed for Big Brothers Big Sisters program
WATSONVILLE — Big Brothers Big Sisters offers weekly enrichment programs at two housing complexes in South County.
A staff member from Big Brothers Big Sisters runs the program and coordinates activities that focus on academic and leadership development, healthy living and community engagement. The program is open to all children in the housing complex ages 6-14.
A typical day will include one hour of educational activities and the second hour will have activities such as art, music, cooking and social skills.
Volunteers are needed to assist with implementing the lesson plan and to offer individual attention to children. For information, visit www.santacruzmentor.org or call 464-8691.
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CASA holding info sessions
WATSONVILLE — Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County is holding information sessions.
CASA volunteer Advocates 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.
CASA volunteers devote two to four hours a week getting to know the child and gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s case. Advocates stay with each case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.
Although there is a 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, June 13, from 6-7 p.m. at Live Oak Family Resource Center, 1740 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz
• Wednesday, June 21, from 5:30-7 p.m. at CASA, 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
For information, visit www.casaofsantacruz.org or call 761-2956.
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Red Cross celebrates volunteers
APTOS — The American Red Cross of the Central Coast honored 27 volunteers and two organizations from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties at its annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at Seascape Golf Club in Aptos.
The evening’s top award, the Clara Barton Award, was given to Rick Martinez of Santa Cruz County. The award, named after the founder of the American Red Cross, recognizes a volunteer for service in a series of leadership positions held over a number of years.
Currently serving as deputy police chief for the City of Santa Cruz, Martinez has a long history with the Red Cross that includes time spent working side-by-side with volunteers after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Eventually, Martinez was recruited to be on the Santa Cruz County Red Cross Board.
While the annual event spotlights a number of key volunteers, dinner emcee Michele Averill said the event is designed to acknowledge all of the Red Cross’ local volunteers.
“Our volunteers take on a variety of important roles in serving our communities,” said Averill, CEO of the Central Coast Chapter. “All of our volunteers give selflessly of their time, and the Red Cross would not be able to provide the help and support we do without them.”
Other volunteers honored at the dinner include:
• Administration and Support Award: Susan Thornhill of Santa Cruz County and Lee Hedgepeth of Monterey County
• Biomedical Services Award: Deborah Blankenship of Santa Cruz County and Christina Alvarez of Monterey County
• Biomedical Services, Volunteer of the Year Award: Penny Mount of Monterey County, Sharon Hawkins of San Benito County, and Marie Thompson of Santa Cruz County
• Community Engagement Award: Rayvon Williams and Darryl Davies of Santa Cruz County
• Collaboration Award: Suresh Sethuraman and Anna Marie Gotti of Santa Cruz County
• Disaster Cycle Services, Outstanding Support Award: Pamela Breslin of Monterey County, Christine Brown of Santa Cruz County, and Daniel Kemper of Monterey County
• Disaster Cycle Services, Exceptional Response Award: Danny Webster of Monterey County
• Disaster Cycle Services, Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication: Howard Yancey of Santa Cruz County
• Disaster Cycle Services, Exceptional Leadership: Janet Packard and Steve Purcell of Santa Cruz County
• Good Neighbor and Partnership Award: PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company)
• International Services Award: Carrie Mann and Meredith Rupp of Monterey County
• New Volunteer of the Year Award: Nick Brown of Santa Cruz County
• Regional Volunteer Leadership Award: Lorraine Jacobs of Santa Cruz County
• Service to Armed Services Award: William Soliz and Tony Virrueta of Monterey County
• Teamwork Award: Sandy Williamson of Santa Cruz County
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Craig Jenni of Santa Cruz County
• Youth Services Award: San Benito High School, located in Hollister in San Benito County
In addition, a number of people were honored at the event for the number of hours they volunteered to the Red Cross in 2016.
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Twilight Concert Series kicks off
CAPITOLA — The City of Capitola Art and Cultural Commission announced the first concert of the 33rd Annual Twilight Concert Series will be on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m., featuring Mambo Tropical.
The event will consist of 13 Wednesday evening concerts from June 7 to Aug. 30 from 6-8 p.m. Concerts are held at the Esplanade Park Bandstand.
For information, visit www.cityofcapitola.org or call Kelly Barreto at 475-7300.
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Artists sought for skate park mural
CAPITOLA — The Capitola Art & Cultural Commission is requesting qualifications from muralists who will be selected to design and produce a mural at the McGregor Multi Use Park.
The mural will be painted on the exterior walls of the half pipe portion of the Monte Family Skate Park. This park is located on McGregor Road adjacent to New Brighton State Beach Park.
The deadline to submit qualifications is June 9.
Send or deliver proposals to ll******@ci.us, or Skate Park Mural, Larry Laurent, City of Capitola, 420 Capitola Ave., Capitola, CA 95010.
