North County Dems host candidate endorsement forum
The Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County will host a Candidate Endorsement Forum for the upcoming June Primary on Saturday, April 11, at 1pm.
Candidates for Superior Court Judge Office Three will include Bryan Joseph Hackett and Alisa Thomas. Justin Cummings, the incumbent running unopposed for Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors District 3, will also attend.
Club members in good standing will vote on the club’s endorsements for the two Santa Cruz County races. There will also be time to discuss the Democratic candidates for Governor and an informal poll will be taken to determine club members’ top preference for the Governor’s race.
The event will be held at the Scotts Valley Library Community Room, located at 251 Kings Village Road. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Celebrate sustainable style with Vintage Walk, Fashion Show
The Downtown Association of Santa Cruz invites the community to step back in time and discover one-of-a-kind style at the highly anticipated Vintage Walk, taking place Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, throughout Downtown Santa Cruz.
This immersive, free event encourages participants to explore the city’s vibrant collection of vintage and secondhand shops while enjoying exclusive discounts, curated finds and a chance to win Downtown Dollars.
Armed with a “passport” map, Vintage Walk participants can journey from shop to shop, uncovering hidden gems, unique clothing, and timeless collectibles. Passports will be available at the Downtown Info Kiosk starting April 9, and those who visit participating businesses can enter to win a $50 Downtown Dollars prize, making the experience both a treasure hunt and a celebration of local retail.
The weekend culminates in the first-ever Vintage Walk Fashion Show on Sunday, April 12, from 4-5pm at Abbott Square Market. Featuring looks sourced during the Vintage Walk, participants will take to the runway to showcase their secondhand style, with winners selected for first, second and third place by a panel of judges.
“The Fashion Show is a fun way to see what great outfits our local shoppers can source from our downtown second-hand retailers. Anyone can be a model when they shop that weekend and sign up to walk on the catwalk,” said Shiri Gradek, Downtown Association’s director of marketing and events.
The show is free and open to the public, offering a lively and creative finale that highlights Santa Cruz’s thriving upcycle culture.
Local history talk to benefit Park Hall sprinkler fund
The Tales of Ben Lomond history series is reaching its grand finale, offering the community one last chance to connect with their local roots while supporting a critical community cause.
On Thursday evening, April 16, local historian and Realtor Ronnie Trubek returns to Park Hall Community Center for the third and final installment of her engaging Tales of Ben Lomond series. This concluding presentation, titled “From Redwoods to Retreats: The Valley’s Counterculture Years,” shifts the spotlight to the second half of the 20th century through the 1989 Earthquake. Attendees will be treated to a deep dive into the colorful characters and counterculture movements that shaped the San Lorenzo Valley during this vibrant era, illustrated by fascinating stories and never-before-seen historical photographs.
This event serves as a comprehensive wrap-up of a three-part series that has explored Ben Lomond’s evolution from its earliest foundations to the modern era. While the previous sessions covered the town’s growth through the mid-1900s, this final talk focuses on the transformation of the valley into a hub for retreats and the cultural movements of the ’60s and ’70s. Even for those who missed the first two parts, this presentation stands alone as a complete and accessible tribute to the shared heritage.
Beyond the history, the evening is a major fundraising effort for the Park Hall Fire Sprinkler Fund. The proceeds are vital for modernizing the infrastructure of the historic Park Hall Community Center, ensuring this cherished venue remains safe and accessible for future generations.
“This series has been a journey through time,” organizers noted, “and this final chapter allows us to look back at our recent past while contributing directly to the future of Ben Lomond’s village hub by installing essential fire safety systems.”
Doors at Park Hall, located at 9400 Mill St., in Ben Lomond, will open at 6:30pm, with the presentation beginning at 7pm. Guests will enjoy an intermission featuring concessions available by donation. For tickets, visit benlomondvillage.org/events.
BCBA announces annual auction dinner April 18
Boulder Creek Business Association will host an auction dinner on Saturday, April 18, from 5-8pm. Hosted by Scopazzi’s restaurant, the event will feature a four-course dinner, including wine and a no-host bar.
The BCBA’s auction dinner began in 1985, and has been bringing the community together ever since. All proceeds benefit the BCBA’s efforts to enhance Boulder Creek, including the annual 4th of July Parade, town sweeps, the arrival of Santa at the yearly tree lighting event and several beautification projects.
To purchase tickets or find more information, visit bcba.net/events.
