COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Announcements

Scotts Valley Schools

Aug. 10: First Day of school

Aug. 30: SVMS Back to school night, 6 p.m.

Sept. 6: SVHS Back to school night, 6 p.m.

Loch Lomond Recreation Area

Loch Lomond Recreation Area, which is owned by the city of Santa Cruz, is open.

The area offers hiking, boating, and fishing, and this year monthly talks.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in August, closing at 6 p.m. from Labor Day to the second weekend of October.

Vehicle entry fee: $8.

Upcoming Seminars

Aug. 19, 10-noon: Cultural history of the San Lorenzo Valley with historian Lisa Robinson and archeologist Mark Hylkema.

Sept. 16, 10 am-noon: Fire ecology with forester Steve Butler

Oct. 7, 9 to 11 am: Fall birding with ornithologist Jeff Smith

Attendance is limited to 25 people and is offered on a first come, first served basis. Call (831) 335-7424 to make a reservation, or sign-up at the park store on the day of the event.

Info: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/citydepartments/water/watershed/loch-lomond-recreation

Fair Entry Deadlines

From LEGOs to livestock … poultry to poetry, it’s time to enter your animal, vegetable, hobby, invention, or collection into the 2023 Santa Cruz County Fair! The complete Exhibitor’s Entry Guide is now available at santacruzcountyfair.com.

Or pick up a Guide at local libraries, feed stores, and the Fair office located on East Lake Avenue (Highway 152) in Watsonville.

Most online entry deadlines including livestock are Thursday, Aug. 24, but the poultry deadline is Aug. 5. Please check the Entry Guide to confirm the deadline. There are so many exciting divisions … AgHort, Amateur Wine, Fine Arts, Photography, Floriculture, Home Arts, and Innovation … to name a few! Call the Fair office with any questions 831-724-5671.

Soroptimists At Sc Shakespeare

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will be renting cushions, beach chairs and blankets on cold nights at all 50 of the Santa Cruz Shakespeare shows in the Audrey Stanley Grove in Delaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz.

Potential members or others interested in learning more about the Club’s work and activities are invited to visit the rental booth and talk to a member.

Proceeds from the booth are the Club’s major fund-raiser and a portion is shared with Santa Cruz Shakespeare. For information, see www.best4women.org,

This year’s season: The Book of Will, Taming of the Shrew, and King Lear.

The shows run through Aug. 27.

For the schedule, see www.santacruzshakepeare.org

Poetry In The Park

The Santa Cruz County Parks Department announces the return of Poetry in the Park, featuring Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate Farnaz Fatima, live music and a poetry-themed afternoon from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Free. All ages. Dates are:

Aug. 6 at Brommer Street Park, 1451 30th Ave, Santa Cruz. Poets Aideed Medina, David Sullivan, and Dion O’Reilly

Nov. 5 at Brommer Street Park, Poets to be announced

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Brommer Street County Park is located at 1451 30th Ave, Santa Cruz.

Presented by County Parks and Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate Farnaz Fatima.

Mental Health Discussion

We want to hear from the community! Santa Cruz County is seeking public comment by Aug. 17 on its plan to train and recruit peer support specialists to address mental health needs in the community.

Will this improve overall workforce recruitment and decrease the number of vacant positions in Behavioral Health crisis care services?

Read the plan at https://tinyurl.com/schealth-mental-plan. Leave comments at https://tinyurl.com/schealth-mentalcomment or call 831-763-8203

Student Loan Update

Starting September 1, 2023, interest on federal student loans will once again begin accruing after the Covid-19 pause ends. Payments on those loans will resume in October.

The new Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE Plan, will cut down the amount borrowers have to make on monthly payments by half — to just 5% of their disposable income, down from 10%. This new SAVE plan will replace the existing Revised Pay As You Earn, or REPAYE, plan and “will go into effect this summer,” according to the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Go to studentaid.gov to update your contact information so you won’t miss billing statements.

To find out your loan servicer, visit your account dashboard at studentaid.gov and scroll down to the “My Loan Servicers” section.

You might look into opening a high-yield savings account with no monthly fees or minimum deposits to make your payments.

Fema Extends Deadline To Sign Up

Renters and homeowners in 14 counties including Santa Cruz and Monterey impacted by the February and March storms and flooding now have until Sept.

1 to sign up for federal disaster assistance.

President Biden declared the federal disaster April

3. It covers damage caused by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides between Feb. 21 and July 10.

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program may provide disaster assistance for eligible costs of home repairs, rental assistance for temporary housing, essential personal property, disaster-related medical and dental care, funeral expenses, transportation and childcare.

There are three ways to apply for FEMA: Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app or by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. Helpline operators are available from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.

If FEMA refers you to SBA, you must apply with SBA before you can be considered for certain FEMA grant money, such as reimbursement for damaged personal property, transportation assistance and Group Flood Insurance Policy. Residents are not obligated to take out a loan if they are approved, but a failure to return the application may disqualify them from possible FEMA assistance.

Red Cross Blood Drives

Santa Cruz

Aug. 3: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Aug. 5: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County, 930 17th Ave.

Scotts Valley

Aug. 9: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Four Points by Sheraton, 5030 Scotts Valley Drive.

Watsonville

Aug. 15: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St..

Simpkins Pool Events

Various times, Simpkins Pool, 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz Simpkins Pool will host a free swim on Labor Day, Sept. 7, from noon to 4 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Parks Department and the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter cohost the 6th Annual Parks & Rex “Pool Party” FUNdraiser on Aug. 21, noon – 4 pm, at the Simpkins Family Swim Center. Pre-register @scparks.com to guarantee your spot!

Price: $5/child, $15/adult (18+) free for kids under 3 years and all dogs

Event Day price: $10/child, $20/adult Info: scparks.com

CHIPPING REIMBURSEMENT: APPLY NOW

The Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County is offering neighborhoods with 8 or more participating households a reimbursement of chipping costs related to the creation of defensible space for wildfire preparedness. The program, which opened Aug. 1, is available to county residents who live in areas — defined as “Wildland Urban Interface” areas — that may potentially be impacted by wildfire. Oct. 31 is the last day to submit reimbursement forms.

A neighborhood representative should sign up to reserve funds at rcdsantacruz.org/chipping. The program is first-come-first-served.

Intense storms this past winter season resulted in a large amount of blow down and debris in defensible space zones across the county. This program incentivizes the creation of defensible space around homes and private roads in high wildfire risk areas by offering communities with a minimum of eight participating households up to $250 per property and $80/500 linear feet of road. Each property must clear vegetation within 100 feet of occupied structures or 10 feet on either side of a private road that could contribute to the ignition or spread of wildfires.

Funding is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program and the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County.

For information email chipping@rcdsantacruz.org or call Laurel Bard at (831) 205-4486

August 2023 / Scotts Valley Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Reimagine Big Basin

On July 22, Big Basin Redwoods State Park marked one year of welcoming visitors back following the closure from the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

This past year, more than 28,000 people visited, using a day-use reservation system. A temporary visitor center is now open, and 4 miles of trails and 18 miles of fire road are accessible. Camping returned with an interim walk-in campground at Rancho Del Oso, the coastal side of the park.

California State Parks is now kicking off the process to plan rebuilding permanent facilities with an online survey for the public at www.reimaginingbigbasin.org. As of July 17, the Horse Camp at Rancho del Oso is open for walk-in non-equestrian camping. The campground will be reinstated as a horse camp once equestrian trails are restored.

Trails restored and opened this year include the first mile of Sunset Trail, 1 mile of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail from Gazos Creek Road to North Escape Road, the Meteor Trail, and the first mile of North Escape Road.

The number of reservations through the online system has increased and a limited number of parking spaces are offered without a reservation. Santa Cruz Metro reaches the park on summer weekends, but visitation is high, and access is guaranteed only with an online reservation or by taking the bus.

Reservations for day-use parking are $8 each ($6 day-use parking fee and $2 reservation fee).

Math Circle Returns

The Santa Cruz Math Circle is a weekly math meeting for students in grades 5-8 who really love math.

The 2023-24 session starts Oct. 7; registration takes place in September.

Each week students will meet with mathematical professionals in an informal setting to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics.

The instructors are mathematicians, scientists and engineers who use math every day and many have their PhD in math. Math Circles are interactive and focus on problem solving.

The topics covered are not normally included in the standard classroom curriculum.

Meetings are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 7-Nov. 18 at Cabrillo College Building 300; parking is in Garage A, top level, Aptos.

The fee is $150; scholarships available. See http:// www.xacademy.org/

Learn more at National Association of Math Circles website, https://web.archive.org/web/20190127081938/http://www. mathcircles.org/what-is-a-math-circle/

COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS

1:30 p.m., SC County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville Here are the remaining County Fair Board meeting dates in 2023. Each meeting takes place on a Tuesday: Aug. 22, Oct. 24, and Dec. 5.

Meetings also take place on Zoom. For agendas, see santacruzcountyfair.com.

Ongoing Events

Ongoing thru August 31

‘AFTER THE STORM’ COMMUNITY WALL

Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Santa Cruz County Government Building, 701 Ocean St.

The San Lorenzo Valley Museum has organized an exhibit of original artwork from local artists with the theme “After the Storm,” focusing on the Santa Cruz Mountains, at Santa Cruz County government building.

The exhibit includes photos, paintings, drawings, mixed media and needlework.

Mondays BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road

The Capitola Branch Library will host Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Everyone is welcomed from beginners to social players. Make new friends and sharpen your mind. Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Register at scparks.com or in-person the day of the event.

Fridays thru Sept. 29

MIDTOWN SUMMER BLOCK PARTY IS BACK!

5 to 8:30ish p.m., 1111 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Celebrate the vibrancy of Midtown at the Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists –Live Music – Vendors

The free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands, local eats, local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts June 2 and runs through to Sept. 29. Live music brought to you by Off The Lip Radio Show. Bands:

Aug. 4: The Dylan Rose Band w/opener Maddie & Jackie

Aug. 11: Santa Cruda w/opener Yaya’s Kitchen

Aug. 18: Mak Nova

Aug. 25: Cowboy’s After Dark w/opener Corrina & Rick

Sept. 1: The Joint Chiefs

Sept. 8: Locomotive Breath

Sept. 15: Funkranomicon

Sept. 22: AC Myles

Sept. 29: The Expendables

Details: https://www.eventsantacruz.com/event/midtownfridays-summer-block-party-2023/

Dated Events

Friday August 4 thru Sunday August 6

WATSONVILLE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Fri. 5-9 p.m. / Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. / Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Ramsay Park, 231 Union Street, Watsonville Kickoff excitement begins with a carnival & music by Harpin Jonny and the Groovehounds, 5-9 p.m.

The festival resumes with a carnival, a pie-eating contest and live entertainment Saturday Aug. 5 from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday Aug 6 from 11 am to 7 pm.

The 2nd annual Strawberry Jam 1k/5k Fun Run/