Event highlights for the week of October 4, 2017.
Art Seen
Local Poetry Book Exhibition
If you’ve been to Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company recently, you may have seen the drawing of an hourglass woman on the wall, or the poem encircled in roses. These are pieces from Illustrated Poems, by local writer Scott C. Mehner. The book is a collection of illustrations and poems from both local and worldwide artists, self-published by Mehner through Bookshop Santa Cruz. It’s a unique take on the art of poetry that’s on display through October.
INFO: Â Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Co., 1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. scottcmehner.com. Free.
Green Fix
Bike to Work Day
Give your car the day off, it deserves it. Ecology Action’s Bike to Work day is an excuse to dust off the rusty beach cruiser in your garage and peddle for a cause—if the bike still works, that is. Did we mention there is free breakfast and bike maintenance? Stop by any of 12 locations for free coffee, breakfast, and a tune-up. Last year, more than 13,000 residents participated across the county; this year there’s sure to be even more. Check online to see which location is nearest you.
INFO: Breakfast 6:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. ecoactbike.org. Free.
Sunday 10/8
Open Farm Tours
Tour 10 Corralitos regional family farms while learning about sustainable farming practices and where our food comes from. The tour is self-guided, and there will also be apple-juice making, fermentation demos and U-pick options, so make sure you wear comfy clothes and shoes and bring a hat.
INFO: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alladin Nursery, 2905 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. openfarmtours.com. Free, donations accepted.
Sunday 10/8
Open Streets
For one day, West Cliff Drive will be closed to traffic and opened up for pedestrians, bicyclists, street performers and vendors. Enjoy the beauty of Lighthouse Field and West Cliff beaches without any of the pesky traffic. Check out any of the dance workshops and browse the local vendor tents. Rubberneckers welcome. Photo by Bill Bishoff.
INFO: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. scopenstreets.org. Free.
Saturday 10/7
Third Annual Festival of Colors
Based on Holi—the Hindu celebration of spring, love and harvest known for its vibrant colored powders—the festival of colors is like a water balloon fight, only using colored, washable powders. The festival features live music, yoga and a variety of delicious vegetarian food. It’s not spring, but who can really wait that long, anyway?
INFO: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. San Lorenzo Park, 137 Dakota St., Santa Cruz. festivalofcolorsusa.com. Tickets start at $6.50.
