Because many in-person events across Santa Cruz County have been canceled or postponed during the pandemic, Good Times is compiling a weekly list of virtual events hosted by local nonprofits, artists, fitness instructors and businesses. To submit your virtual event, send an email to ca******@go*******.sc.
ARTS AND MUSIC
COFFEE OUTSIDE: EVERGREEN CEMETERY Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History for its next installment of Coffee Outside. Enjoy casual conversation and the company of others in this physically distant coffee and conversation club hosted by a rotating cast of local artists and MAH staff. Locations will be posted on social media prior to each meetup with information about the site and directions on how to find us. This month’s discussion will be facilitated by Helen Aldana, lead organizer of the MAH’s Dia de Muertos programming, and Oscar Paz, the MAH’s Education Coordinator. Learn more about the history of Evergreen Cemetery and this year’s month-long Dia de Muertos celebration. BYO mug or a conversational beverage of your choice. Hot water and self-serve Steeped Coffee packs will be provided courtesy of our friends over at Cat & Cloud. Come beat the social distance blues with us, but don’t forget to wear your mask. Friday, Oct. 16, 9-10am. Learn more at: santacruzmah.org/events/coffee-outside-evergreen/2020/10/16.
STORIES FROM THE EPICENTER: PODCAST LAUNCH EVENT You’re invited to join us for the launch of our 10-part documentary podcast, “Stories from the Epicenter,” which explores the experience and memory of the Loma Prieta Earthquake in Santa Cruz County through oral history records and interviews with current residents of Santa Cruz and Watsonville. The event will include a moderated discussion with the podcast producers followed by a Q&A with the audience. Clips from the podcast will be integrated into the discussion. The first two episodes will be pre-released on Oct. 14, and a trailer is available now at guides.library.ucsc.edu/DS/DSC/Projects/Epicenter. We encourage you to listen prior to the event. The full series will be available to stream on Oct. 17. Registration is required: calendar.library.ucsc.edu/calendar/library-events/stories-from-the-epicenter. Once you are registered, Zoom login information will be provided the day of the event. UCSC Zoom meetings now require Zoom 5.0 or newer. Check your version and update to the latest, most secure version. This event will be recorded and made available for subsequent viewing. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions via chat or voice during the Q&A session. Stories from the Epicenter is a production of the University Library at UCSC, in partnership with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and Santa Cruz Public Libraries. For more information, visit library.ucsc.edu/StoriesFromTheEpicenter.
DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ MAKERS MARKET We’re back! After months of closure due to the pandemic, we are beyond excited to be reopening! A lot has changed downtown, and that brings change to the Makers Market, too: We are moving! Please note our new location at the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue between Cathcart and Lincoln Streets. Support local makers and artists and shop with more than 40 Santa Cruz County artists and crafters! And don’t forget to stop in and visit the downtown merchants and all of the amazing restaurants. Remember to social distance as you shop, wear your mask, and keep your hands clean. If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. There will be hand sanitizing stations at the market. Sunday, Oct. 18, 10am-5pm. Check out scmmakersmarket.com/markets to see the full lineup of artists.
OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR Designed to mesmerise and enthral, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour showcases a cinematic celebration of our oceans, comprised of sublime footage taken above and below the water’s surface. Featuring all new films, this carefully curated selection of short films document the beauty and power of the ocean, and celebrate the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray; who chase the crests of waves; and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue. Inspiring and thought-provoking, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour is filled with moving footage, touching interviews and insightful narrations. Each of the festival’s films conveys a deep respect and appreciation for the world’s oceans and the creatures that call them home. View from Oct. 15-20 only. Once you start viewing the program, you have 48 hours to finish watching it or until midnight on Oct. 20—whichever comes first. For information visit riotheatre.com/events-2/2020/10/14/ocean-film-festival-2020-presented-by-the-rio-theatre.
CLASSES
SEVEN SIMPLE TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR SUCCESSFUL EVENT Join Tracie Root for a one-hour event to learn seven simple tips for creating, promoting, inviting to, and holding your successful webinar or workshop, in person, or online! Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2-3pm. Learn more at: tracieroot.com/workshops.
GROW YOUR SELF-LEADERSHIP FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Join us for a value-packed one-hour event to learn five effective upgrades you can use any day to help yourself feel great, manage your stress response and continue to lead yourself in a positive direction even in this unusual time. Thursday, Oct. 15, 1-2pm. Learn more and register at: tracieroot.com/workshops.
NAMI FAMILY-TO-FAMILY CLASS NAMI’s Family-to-Family Class is an eight-week educational program for family and friends of adults with mental health challenges. Learn about how to support your loved one, gain valuable communication and coping skills, and become educated on the latest mental health research. Class is led by two trained volunteers with lived experience caring for someone with mental health conditions. Sign up online and learn more at namiscc.org/family-to-family.html. Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm.
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION WEEKEND EXPRESS CLASS This Saturday and Sunday virtual class from Dominican Hospital is intended for expectant mothers and their labor support team. Focus will be on the birth process, including the stages of labor and when to go to the hospital. Non-pharmaceutical coping techniques for pain, including breath work, mindfulness practices, supportive touch and positions for labor and birth, along with standard hospital procedures, pain medication options, medical interventions, cesarean birth, postpartum recovery, newborn procedures and breastfeeding basics. In this class, we will actively practice positions and coping techniques for pain, so please be dressed for movement. Please register for the PEP class session. Only after you have completed this process, the Zoom meeting information will be provided to you via email prior to your class. Classes run 1-5:30pm on these days: Oct. 24-25, Nov. 14-15, Dec. 19-20.
COMMUNITY
WATSONVILLE WETLANDS WATCH ANNUAL PLANT SALE On Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9am-2pm the Watsonville Wetlands Watch will be holding our Eighth Annual Native Plant Sale with over 40 different drought tolerant native plants that perform well in our Monterey Bay climate and support birds, bees, and a diversity of pollinators! Our selection includes many unique plants grown by volunteers, students, and staff at our nursery! This year’s plant sale will look a little different with preordering and curbside pickup. If you preorder our staff and students will have your order ready for pickup when you arrive. Native plants will also be available on the day of the event for purchase in an outdoor and socially distanced sale environment. Please bring your mask as public health guidelines will be strictly followed. Proceeds will go toward fulfilling our organization’s mission of preserving, restoring, and fostering appreciation of the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley. Email us at in**@wa**********************.org with your native plant questions and we can support you with plant selection and information! Learn more at watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.
2020 BE THE DIFFERENCE AWARDS ONLINE CELEBRATION The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is excited to host the 2020 Be The Difference Awards! This event annually brings together civic and business leaders, nonprofit champions, and trailblazers for good to celebrate the top individuals, groups, nonprofits, and businesses who do the most to transform our community through volunteerism. While there will be no in-person gathering this year for the annual gala, the Volunteer Center and partners will honor all selected nominees through the Be The Difference Awards Online Watch Party Celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at noon. You can expect an hour of entertainment and inspiration with local musicians, community leaders, and your favorite local heroes—all in celebration of volunteers. Do you want to take an extra step to honor volunteers and help the Volunteer Center sustain this great event? Become a Friend of the Be The Difference Awards. Donate $50 or more to be entered into a drawing to win a Warriors Jersey signed by Draymond Green. Also, thanks to a meal deal with Woodstock Pizza, you can order your lunch on the day of the event and support the Volunteer Center at the same time! Learn more at: scvolunteercenter.org/events-2/be-the-difference-awards.
HOW WE WIN ONLINE WORKSHOP A workshop to help activists understand and develop effective strategies for nonviolent direct action campaigns. Learn how to start and conduct a nonviolent direct action campaign, including addressing racism, sexism, environmental destruction and other oppressions. The goals of the workshop are to help activists identify your power; understand polarization; and see the uses of Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigns. Facilitators were trained by George Lakey to deliver this workshop based on his book, “How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning.” Co-organized by Novasutras and the Resource Center for Nonviolence. Saturday, Oct. 17, 1-5pm. Learn more at novasutras.org.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PROJECT: GIRLS, WOMEN AND THE MEDIA Join Capitola Vice Mayor Yvette Brooks, the Santa Cruz County Public Library, and community leaders in a dialogue about the film “Miss Representation” (2011). Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film explores how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women. Bring your insight, questions, and ideas to help us build a more resilient community by supporting the leadership of girls and women. Miss Representation is available on Kanopy, the library’s free online video streaming service. All you need is your virtual or physical library card and password to watch the film. The film is also available on Netflix. While it is not necessary to watch the film before this event, we highly encourage full participation in this discussion. Thursday, Oct. 15, 6pm. Register online: santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/7132806.
DISCUSSION WITH JACQUI PATTERSON, DIRECTOR OF THE NAACP ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE PROGRAM Jacqueline (Jacqui) Patterson is the Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. Since 2007 Patterson has also served as coordinator and co-founder of Women of Color United. Jacqui Patterson has worked as a researcher, program manager, coordinator, advocate and activist working on womens’ rights, violence against women, HIV and AIDS, racial justice, economic justice, and environmental and climate justice. Part of the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Speaker Series, Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Free, open to public, no registration required. Thursday, Oct. 15, 12:30-1:30pm. Learn more at: middlebury.edu/institute/events/discussion-jacqui-patterson-director-environmental-and-climate-justice-program-naacp-10-15. For questions, contact Rachel C., Center for the Blue Economy, cb*@mi**.edu or 831-647-4183 (leave message to receive call back).
MY LIFE, MY RESPONSIBILITY: TRADITIONAL STEWARDS OF THE BLUE ECONOMY IN MICRONESIA Ms. Madelsar Ngiraingas, Micronesia Community Partnerships Manager at OneReef, will share how traditional knowledge and practices of island peoples are legitimate ways of knowing, and when combined with modern science and technology results in innovative resource management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental justice. Part of the Center for the Blue Economy Speaker Series, Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Free, open to public, no registration required. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6-7pm. Learn more at: middlebury.edu/institute/events/my-life-my-responsibility-traditional-stewards-blue-economy-ms-madelsar-ngiraingas-10-20. For questions, contact Rachel C., Center for the Blue Economy, cb*@mi**.edu or 831-647-4183 (leave message to receive call back).
SANTA CRUZ BONSAI KAI FUNDRAISER The Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai is hosting an outdoor fundraising sale benefitting the Sempervirens Fund and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, charities working to mitigate the impact of the CZU fire. Bonsai, pre-bonsai, pots, soil, wire and related items will be available for sale. Half of the proceeds will be donated to charity. For the safety of everyone, masks must be worn and six feet of social distancing will be enforced. Sunday, Oct. 18, 10am-3pm, at Aptos Grange Hall, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. For questions about this sale contact SCBK President Sarah Tiller at sa**********@gm***.com or visit santacruzbonsaikai.com
TALES TO TAILS GOES VIRTUAL SCPL’s early childhood literacy program, Virtual Tales to Tails, has moved to a new time slot: Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm. At the end of your school day, hop online and have fun reading at your own pace to an audience of therapy dogs, cats and other guest animals. Have math homework? Good news! Your furry audience would also love to learn how to count, add and subtract. Register online. Registrants receive reminders, links to the live program, and fun (educational) activities to complete and have showcased on future sessions Learn more at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/6764938.
GROUPS
VIRTUAL YOUNG ADULT (18-30) TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP A weekly peer support group for young adults aged 18-25 who identify as transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, or any other non-cisgender identity. This is a social group where we meet and chat among ourselves, sharing our experiences and thoughts in a warm, welcoming setting. Our meetings will be held on Discord during the shelter-in-place order. For more info, contact Ezra Bowen at tr***@di*************.org.
LGBTQNBI+ SUPPORT GROUP FOR CORONAVIRUS STRESS This weekly LGBTQNBI+ support group is being offered to help us all deal with stress during the shelter-in-place situation that we are experiencing from the coronavirus. Feel free to bring your lunch and chat together to get support. This group is offered at no cost and will be facilitated by licensed therapists Shane Hill, Ph.D., and Melissa Bernstein, LMFT #52524. Learn how to join the Zoom support group at diversitycenter.org/community-calendar.
