After a couple weeks of serious talk about staying in our homes or moving on, I thought it was time to lighten up and have a little fun. There are plenty of activities happening around the county for seniors to enjoy. Grab your spouse, a friend, the grandkids or venture out by yourself (you’re sure to meet some new acquaintances!) and take advantage of these summertime-fun activities.
Santa Cruz
If you don’t find working on computers and other electronics a “fun” activity, volunteers at the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center’s Youth Serve program will change your mind. Senior Tech Day is happening again on August 12, 2011 at the Louden Nelson Senior Computer Center (301 Center Street in Santa Cruz). The previous Senior Tech Day was a great success, so check this one out and turn your electronics experience from frustrating to fun. Call Youth Serve (427-5066) or email them at ys@scvolunteercenter.org for class hours and other information. Free.
Aloha Days on the Santa Cruz Wharf is coming up on August 21. This is a great time to get out in the sunshine, smell the ocean and watch the outrigger races. A festival after the races will feature live music, jewelry, clothing and other crafts, massage, shave ice and hula performances. Chairs will be available to watch the dancing, and wharf restaurants will be open. The races start at 9am and the festival starts at 11 a.m. Call 831-420-5273 for more info. Free. Check out this video of a previous Aloha Days Festival.
For an entertaining evening, attend A Rare Chair Affair sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Symphony. The reception includes wine and hors d’oeuvres and a live and silent auction August 20, 2011 4-7pm at the Museum of Art & History. $35/person. All proceeds benefit the symphony and their Youth & Family Programs. Call 831-662-8908 for info. Here are some examples of previous “rare chairs.” This does look fun!
Scotts Valley
The Scotts Valley Senior Center offers a full calendar of events, and August is no exception. Some of the highlights this month include a Pancake Breakfast and silent auction from 8 a.m.-noon on August 14. $5/person. The Home Arts Open House on August 16, 2011 from 3-5 p.m. will feature home crafts such as handmade. On August 19th, 4:30 p.m., get your fork and knife ready for a Tri Tip Dinner. Scotts Valley diginitaries Conrad Sudduth, Steve Ando and Ken Anderson will be manning the barbecue.
Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival is Saturday August 13 and 14, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Another great way to get out and behold an eye-full of art, wine and beer tasting, live music and the “Fabulous Food Court” with barbecued burgers and dogs, pizza, stuffed artichokes, fruit smoothies and more. Bring the grandkids to enjoy art lessons and face painting. Location: SkyPark 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. Free.
Capitola
Things are hoppin’ in Capitola.
Get in some dancing or hang and listen to the music at the Twilight Concerts at the Capitola Esplanade Park. There’s something for everyone with Fred McCarty playing country on August 10, rock-n-roll with the Beach Cowboys August 17, big band and swing by Mark Russo and the Classy Cats on August 24 and more rock-n-roll August 31 with The Digbeats.
Get a dose of culture at Art and Music at the Beach, also at the Esplanade Park, on August 21. Local artists will be displaying—and selling—paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry and mixed media. Sherry Austin will be performing her country/folk music from 2-4 p.m.
Watsonville
Let your creativity blossom and join art teacher Barbara Louv at the Senior Circle Room at the Friday, August 19, 2011. A watercolor class is from 9-11 a.m., and an acrylic class is from 1-3 p.m. Louv has a Masters in teaching and special education credentials. She’s taken numerous art courses at Cabrillo College and has been an active artist for 15 years. She’ll bring pictures and still life’s to work from. Students provide their own materials. Cost is $5/person with a $15 yearly membership to Senior Circle.
If you have the travel bug, Watsonville Parks and Community Services has a trip for you. Most of the trips are for people 50 and older. Upcoming trips include the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco on Thursday September 1, 2011. Registration ends August 18. Cost is $57 for residents, $63 for non-residents. On Thursday September 15, 2011, a group will be heading to Alcatraz and Pier 39. Registration ends September 1. Cost is $66/$72.
Other trips are planned in the coming months.
