Green Fix
Pet Friendly Gardening Workshop
Most people don’t know that cherry pits, garlic, avocados, and apple seeds are all poisonous to dogs— and that doesn’t even come close to encompassing the whole list of foods that can hurt or even be lethal to our four-legged companions. That’s why McShane’s Nursery & Landscape Supply is hosting a workshop on pet-friendly gardening for dog owners to learn what to plant in their gardens without endangering their beloved canines.
Info: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. 155 Monterey Salinas Hwy., Salinas. mcshanesnursery.com. Free.
Art Seen
SCM Holiday Makers Market
The Santa Cruz Mountains Holiday Makers Market has an array of handmade goods from clothing, jewelry, toys and woodwork to up-cycled items, pottery, cakes, jams, and more. The SCM folks want to make holiday shopping a stress-free experience with live local music featuring Taylor Rae, Joshua Lowe, Patti Maxine, and the Swirly Girls. Info: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Felton Community Hall, 6191 Hwy. 9, Felton. scmmakersmarket.com. Free.
Thursday 11/24
Veterans Thanksgiving
Veterans Day has come and gone this year, but Thanksgiving can be an especially difficult time for people who have made sacrifices for their country and did not receive sufficient support when they returned home. To celebrate them, Vets and the Friends of Thanksgiving have organized a dinner for the whole community. Meals are first-come, first-served and every dollar donated ensures that a person in need will have a place at the holiday table.
Info: Noon. Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. gofundme.com/VetsHallDinner. Free.
Wednesday-Sunday, Through 12/23
Small Works Exhibition
Can’t make it to the mountains for the holiday makers market? Fear not, whether you need last-minute Thanksgiving housewares or early holiday gifts, Santa Cruz has got its own celebration of artisans and craftspeople. Shop local and small with the works of 12 local artists creating handmade wearables, gifts, and housewares in the spirit of “giving art.” Rachel Riot, Jewelry Toolery, Ann Hazels, and Chance Lane are among some of the artists, makers and designers who will be represented, along with live music by Jess Autumn.
Info: Noon-5 p.m. plus special holiday events. Radius Gallery, 1050 River St., Santa Cruz. radius.gallery. Free.
Through November
New Leaf’s 10th Annual Smart Giving Program
Throughout November, for every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken that is purchased at any New Leaf location in Santa Cruz County, one pound of nutritious, air-chilled poultry will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. Last holiday season, New Leaf donated 2.5 tons of Smart Chicken to Second Harvest, which is the oldest food bank in the state and the second-oldest in the nation. Smart Chicken is 100-percent all-natural, free-roaming, grain-fed chicken raised without byproducts, antibiotics or hormones.
Info: New Life Community Markets, 1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz. newleaf.com.
Saturday 11/26
Fourth Annual Santa Cruz Stache Dash 5k/10k
You’ve slept off the tryptophan and digested the pumpkin pie. Now it’s time to shake off some of those calories (to justify the leftovers over the next two weeks, of course). So lace up those running shoes and grow your beards in support of no-shave November to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Walk or run to raise funds for prostate cancer research, even if you can’t or don’t want to grow the facial hair (we hear they make stick-ons nowadays). Runners will receive a finisher medal and a beer token to Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, where the run ends, and the top male and female finishers will have their names etched into the plaque at the brewery.
Info: Noon. Swift Street Courtyard, 402 Ingalls St. Suite 27, Santa Cruz. santacruzstachedash.com. $10.
Wednesday 11/30
Echo Fabric at Crow’s Nest
They’re the new Santa Cruz band of seasoned jazz musicians and they’re formulating fresh, upbeat music with electronic sounds and traditional jazz tunes. Echo Fabric’s founder, Jon Lukas, started out wanting to bring in familiar jazz elements combined with exciting and original work—a combination that brings out some reflective, instrumental pieces with rhythmic and danceable partners. Echo Fabric plays at the Crow’s Nest on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Info: 7:30 p.m. Crow’s Nest, 2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. $3.
