Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Pages 28

This program of short films aims to inspire with stories that champion women and gender nonconforming individuals, highlighting their aspirations, accomplishments, resilience, strength and connection.

Proceeds go to WomenCARE, which provides a safe haven where women with any type of cancer find mutual support, shared experiences, and open hearts.

Last year’s event raised $14,000. Organizers expect this year’s event will sell out.

Tickets are $20 at https://www.lunafest.org/ screenings/hybrid-friends-womancare-santa-cruzca-050422

This year’s films include:

How to Be at Home: By Andrea Dorfman. Coping with isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Close Ties to Home Country: By Akanksha Cruczynski. An immigrant dog walker connects with the wealthy pets she cares for.

Generation Impact: The Coder: By Samantha Knowles. A 13-year-old girl designs and builds an app to help kids stay connected to their incarcerated parents.

Proof of Loss: By Katherine Fisher. After fire takes their home, a father and daughter must find a way to salvage what remains: each other.

When You Clean a Stranger’s Home: By Sharon Arteaga. A first-generation high school student describes what she and her mom learn about people when cleaning their homes.

Between the Lines: Liz at Large: By Abi Cole. Frustrated with lack of diversity in The New Yorker cartoons, an artist submits her illustrations, becoming the first Black woman cartoonist.

Wearable Tracy: By Emily McAllister. A Bronx woman’s social experiment connects her with fellow New Yorkers who might otherwise remain strangers.

To the Future With Love: By Shalleece Haas & Hunter “Pixel” Jimenez. An animated self-portrait of a nonbinary trans teen caught between the expectations of his Guatemalan immigrant family and his dreams of living happily ever after with his long-distance boyfriend.

Thursday May 5

31ST ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE

11 a.m. Check-in, 1 p.m. Start, Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos The worst day golfing is better than the best day in the office! Golfers, dust off those clubs, businesses enjoy a day of team building and promoting your goods and services out on the green at the Aptos Chamber’s 31st annual golf scramble.

The day includes entertainment on the course including bagpipes, networking with business professionals, lunch, snacks, drinks, prizes, raffle, silent auction, and ends with a light dinner and award ceremony. $170 per golfer, sponsorships available. Reservations required, aptoschamber.com or call 831-688-1467.

Saturday May 7

SIX SHORT COMEDIES IN SEARCH OF 26 CHARACTERS

2-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Public Library, 224 Church St., Santa Cruz NextStage Production’s Readers Theater performs six short comedies directed by Sally Bookman of Soquel. In this show, nine actors play 26 parts — without memorizing scripts. Free admission. This is the final of three performances. meeting with UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive at Seacliff Inn.

Bring your promotional materials to network with attendees. Price in advance: $25 member, $30 general admission; $30 at the door.

WILDR FORUM: WOMEN AS LEADERS

6:30-8 p.m., Online forum WILDR’s forum 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in English and Spanish, will focus on encouraging women with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences to serve as public leaders.

Topics: What do we mean when we name diversity? Why do we care about diverse representation? What are the benefits? How can we track progress? What challenges do women face in the process of election or appointment? How can we reduce or overcome these challenges? How can communities, groups and individuals supporting diverse women make sure their perspectives are represented? What support can we offer? Register at: https://bit.ly/WILDR51222 WILDR is creating a network to encourage women to run for election, serve on commissions and act in our community to bring diverse voices and perspectives to important decisions. Future forum dates: July 7 and Sept. 8.

Friday May 13

PAJARO VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION GALA

6 p.m., City of Watsonville Community Room, 275 Main St., Fourth Floor Pajaro Valley Education Foundation will host a special evening to recognize this year’s PVUSD Community Champion Award Recipient, legendary coach Roland Hedgpeth, at the City of Watsonville Community Room.

The gala event will host a student mariachi performance, Cabrillo folklorico dancers, a silent auction, delicious food, wine, and a keynote address from Sen. John Laird.

Dress for a red carpet event. Tickets begin at $75 per person at: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/pvef-a-taste-of-pajaro-valley-galatickets-321017260267

Wednesday May 18

BE THE DIFFERENCE AWARDS

3:30-5 p.m., Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St., Santa The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County will present its Be the Difference Awards at Kaiser Permanente Arena, recognizing people, groups, and businesses who do the most to transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism.

It has been 2 1/2 years since this event took place in person and organizers are eager to celebrate. With Covid lingering, the event will be in a larger space. Attendees can socially distance if needed.

With safety the top priority, lunch will not be served. KION will present inspiring videos of the winners, and there will be entertainment, snacks, treats and an arena full of people who care for Santa Cruz County. Tickets are $25 at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/ weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E162036&id=58

Thursday May 12 Thursday June 2