COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CLOTHING DRIVE The Salvation Army is collecting new jackets, sweaters, For beginning of the month, due the 15th • For mid-month, due the 1st small blankets and underwear for the unhoused community. Also needed: new socks and rain ponchos. The greatest need is for men’s clothes. The most popular Take a selfie at the festive photo shop, open whenever a need for those who would like to be a peer guide during sizes are large and XL. Santa is not in residence. the Count. Donations can be left at 214 Union St., Watsonville. No reservations required. Photos are first come, first If you are interested, add your email to the list at https://tinyurl. For questions, call 724-3922 or email Daniel.villamar@usw. serve. Photos and giveaways are while supplies last. com/PIT-count-peer-guide. Salvationararmy.org Starting Dec. 16, Capitola Mall will be open until 8
ONGOING EVENTS Ongoing through Dec. 14 ART EXHIBIT AT THE UGLY MUG Open Daily | 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel | Hours: 6:30-4:30 p.m. The Ugly Mug will feature an art exhibit by the talented students of the Monterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center in La Selva Beach. This is the third annual exhibit for the center, which serves people with disabilities including autism.
Last Wednesdays of the Month p.m. through Dec. 21 and also Dec. 23, open til 6 p.m. A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS ON ZOOM Christmas Eve, and closed Christmas Day. Ariel Theatrical presents “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” PARENT/CAREGIVER MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS NAMI Family Support Group is a support group for loved See www.shopCapitolaMall.com 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Online Meeting Charles Dickens’ most well-known story, at The Karen ones of those who have experienced symptoms of a Dr. Ramona Friedman of the Center for Child and Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main St., Salinas. mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges KING TIDES Three otherworldly visitors interrupt the miserly Ebenezer Adolescent Mental Health in Soquel will be hosting and successes of others facing similar experiences. a free Parent Drop-in Zoom session. Parents and Scrooge’s self-absorbed life and reveal fateful details of The California King Tides are arriving early this season! By sharing your experiences in a safe setting, you caregivers are invited to log on and ask questions his past, present and future. Is it too late to change his Mark your calendar for Dec. 13-15. can gain hope and develop supportive relationships. King tides occur when the highest and lowest tides hit embittered destiny? Community cast members of all ages to Dr. Friedman about youth mental health issues, This group allows your voice to be heard and provides challenges, and ideas. our shores and create an even more dramatic coastline. will enliven the Dickensian streets with Christmas cheer an opportunity for your personal needs to be met. It Parent Drop-Ins are free, 1-hour sessions where parents Performances: December 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 & 14; At high tide, the powerful waves often crash against encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense seawalls and extend beyond their usual borders. Extreme Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays at 7 pm, Saturdays at can seek guidance from experts specializing in specific of community. You’ll benefit from other’s experiences, mental health disorders. Parents can also connect with low tides expose rarely seen tide pools and allow miles of 2 & 7 pm discover your inner strength and empower yourself by Tickets: $20-general admission; $18-students, seniors, others facing similar challenges. beach walking. sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space. Clinical psychologists who specialize in anxiety, depression, military; $12-children ages 3-12; children age 2 and NAMI’s support groups follow a structured model, eating disorders, suicidality, and medication, experienced under sitting on laps, free. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HOMELESS COUNT ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to youth mental health experts, host each session. Buy tickets at www.arieltheatrical.org, over the phone The next annual Point-in-Time Count is scheduled for get what they need. For more info, visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/ (831-775-0976), and at the box office until sold out. Thursday, Jan. 30. • Free to participants • Drop-in friendly parent-drop-in-soquel-ca/247794 This count is an estimate of the number of people • Designed for loved ones of people with mental health experiencing homelessness on a single day in Santa Cruz conditions DATED EVENTS • Led by family members of people with mental health County. In 2024, the number of people experiencing homeconditions Saturday November 30 lessness increased slightly, up 2.6% to 1,850. • 90 minutes • Confidential The count is a requirement to receive federal homeless SURFIN’ SANTA • No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed assistance funds and is used to support strategic deci12 p.m. – 3 p.m., Capitola Beach | Capitola Village There are five different Family Support Groups: sions about programs. Ho! Ho! Ho! Welcome Surfin’ Santa to the shores of for loved ones of adults, loved ones of young adults, If you are interested in volunteering, attend at least Capitola Beach! Santa will be riding the waves via Outparents and caregivers of youth, and Spanish one of the trainings. If you are interested in receiving rigger canoe, rain or shine, for his annual visit to Capitola speakers. meeting reminders, sign up at https://mailchi.mp/ Village, arriving at Noon to visit with all the kids! Sign up at https://www.namiscc.org/nami-familyPhoto Credit: Kylee Sullivan Once toweled off, he’ll settle in his beach chair for a santacruzcounty/2025-pit-count support-groups.html The Ghost of Christmas Past (Sara England) transports Most training is via zoom: nice, long visit. Questions? Email sophia@namiscc.org, or call (831)-824-0406. Ebenezer Scrooge (Nathan Anderson) to a time long ago. Thursday, Dec. 19 | 12:00 – 1:30pm | Via Zoom Be sure to bring your camera to capture Santa’s wave ZoomGov Meeting, https://santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov. riding arrival, and your little one’s special visit with Santa. GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP WITH HORSES com/j/1619189419?pwd=yDEh1BcXCU0vp8xpcrHioJ2BqPkSBg.1 COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS It makes a great holiday photo! In November and December, Beyond Liberty & Pregnant The Santa Cruz County Fair Board has met each month in Meeting ID: 161 918 9419 | Passcode: 583683 Mare Rescue offer the Equine Guided Grief Support Group, 2024 except September and November. Friday, Jan. 24 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Via zoom and Wednesday December 4 a welcoming space in La Selva Beach, for Final 2024 date is Dec. 3. in-person (location TBD) anyone experiencing loss. APTOS SCHOOLS WINTER CONCERT The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth ZoomGov Meeting, https://santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov. The gatherings are Saturdays, Nov. 6:30-8 p.m., Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 com/j/1602531515?pwd=aL5C9nq0Kghdszw9a5TyhZhnBpzmAB.1 30, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. Aptos High and Aptos Junior High students will present a East Lake Blvd., Watsonville. Meeting ID: 160 253 1515 | Passcode: 986265 to noon. Do you have lived experience of homelessness? There is For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see santacruzcountyfair.com winter concert at Aptos High School. Spend time with horses in a calm environment where you can share your feelings or simply Thursday December 5 reflect quietly. No prior experience with horses is BREAKFAST WITH SANTA HOLIDAY STUFF THE BUS FOOD DRIVE needed. 1-7 p.m., Woodstock’s Pizza, 710 Front St., Santa Cruz Beyond Liberty is a nonprofit horse retirement Sunday December 15 Santa Cruz Metro Transit District announces its holiday and equine education center offering programs 9 a.m.-Noon, Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 1960 Freedom Stuff the Bus Food Drive, with a Metro bus parked in front that bring more people into the world of horses. Blvd, Freedom of Woodstock’s Pizza. Register at https://beyondliberty.as.me/schedule/3f76c386/ Recreation Advocates, McDonald’s and Western Roofing This initiative, in partnership with Second Harvest Food ?appointment Supply will host the 32nd Annual Breakfast with Santa Bank, Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, and at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall. Woodstock’s Pizza, aims to gather non-perishable food CASTRO ADOBE STATE PARK RESTORED This Watsonville tradition brings together families for donations to support those in need. Monthly Open House: Dec. 8 a fun-filled morning of holiday cheer, delicious food, and Most needed items: Canned meat, peanut butter, soups, 10:30am- 3:30pm, 184 Old Adobe Rd, Watsonville festive activities — all while supporting the youth of the chili beans, cereal, canned fruit or vegetables, whole grain Thanks to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, the historic community. rice, pasta, and oats. Castro Adobe has been restored and enriched with many Breakfast features eggs, sausage, fruit, beverages, All donations will be distributed to new multimedia exhibits. and all-you-can-eat pancakes, along with an opportunity local individuals and families in need. This two-story adobe is a prime example of rancho to visit Santa and share your holiday wish and take a Everyone who donates will receive a haciendas in the Monterey Bay area. photo, play holiday games, and make ornaments. complimentary 1-ride bus pass from Come view unearthed artifacts, enjoy the Fandango Tickets are $7 for children and seniors, $8 for adults, Santa Cruz Metro. lessons, and learn about the vaquero culture. and free for children under 2 with a paying adult. The Chamber hosts a holiday business after-hours Admission is free. Carpooling advised due to limited parking. Proceeds support recreation scholarships for local youth networking event with a raffle at Woodstock’s Pizza from 5 in Watsonville, helping kids access sports, arts, music, to 7 p.m. Dress in something festive. FREE SANTA PHOTOS AT CAPITOLA MALL Refreshments will be provided. Buy tickets at https://web. Mark your calendar for Friday, Dec. 6 and 20, from 2-6 p.m. and dance, swim lessons, and other recreational activities. Family photo with Santa santacruzchamber.org/events/Holiday-Business-After-HoursSaturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 21, Tickets for Breakfast with Santa can be purchased in advance at https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/desayuno-con-santabreakfast-with-santa-at-veterans-of-foreign-wars-in-watsonville-ca, or at Food-Drive-Woodstocks-Pizza-6406/details (members, $10, from noon to 4 p.m. the door. non-members, $20) or at the door. Get a free digital photo with Santa and a gift for children. 28 / December 1st 2024 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com