Assemblymember Pellerin to speak to North County Dems
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin will be the guest speaker for the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Pellerin will talk about the governor’s special legislative session convened to respond to the new federal administration’s plans to take away rights of vulnerable population groups and actions that can be taken at the local level to resist these efforts. Highlights of the governor’s 2025-26 budget will also be provided.
Following her presentation, there will be time for Q&A. Pellerin will be in Sacramento, so her attendance will be via Zoom.
Club meetings begin at 6:30pm and are held upstairs at Bruno’s Bar and Grill located at 230 Mt. Hermon Road in the Kings Village Shopping Center in Scotts Valley. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Guests should arrive early if they would like food service.
Visit Santa Cruz County announces 7th edition of Wildlife Watching Guide
There are approximately 400 migratory and permanent bird species found throughout Santa Cruz County, and thousands of monarch butterflies, whales and elephant seals, which call the area home on a seasonal basis.
Avid wildlife viewers now have an updated resource, thanks to Visit Santa Cruz County’s 2024-26 Wildlife Watching Guide.
Now in its seventh printing, the free 56-page guide is designed to help navigate the various communities adjacent to premiere birding destinations throughout the county. The guide includes information on a variety of habitats, from sandy beaches to lagoons, wetlands and river mouths, as well as descriptions and fresh photography of some of the area’s most commonly seen birds, wildlife and the best times of the year to view them. The San Vicente Redwoods is a recent addition to the guide.
Information on where and how to view wintering monarch butterflies, migrating whales and elephant seals is also featured. The guide provides maps of birding and wildlife hotspots, points of interest and itineraries.
The guide can be found at the year-around visitor center at 303 Water St. in Santa Cruz, and is available to download online at santacruz.org.
Deadline nears for Juvenile Hall public art project
The County of Santa Cruz is seeking site-specific public artwork for its new and renovated components at the Juvenile Hall Facility in Felton.
The chosen artist will create an outdoor or indoor artwork that enhances the experience of residents and staff or their families and support persons visiting the facility. Proposals must be submitted by Feb. 21.
The artwork can be a mural, sculptural piece or other installation in areas such as the facility entrance, teaching garden, kitchen/dining area, day-use rooms or gym. The budget for the project is $135,000.
A “Call to Artists” with detailed information and plans are available online at tinyurl.com/4cyd7kst. Artists selected for the project must pass a required background check.
