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Village Santa Cruz County
Aging Better Together
The Village News
February 2026 | | NEW Village Interest Groups
opening in 2026
In addition to our 'oldie but goodie' Interest groups that will continue - Picklelball, Book Discussion, Solo Agers, Rummikub Social Club, Bocce, Men's Lunch, TV/Movie Discussion, Walk on West Cliff and Walks in SLV - in 2026 we are adding:
ART: Each month a member will choose an art form or project. Our first gathering will be Clay Building, taught by Village member, Soji, of Soji's Ceramics.
GRUB CLUB: The first gathering will be a potluck with the theme "Your Go-to Potluck Dish."
CULTURAL OUTINGS: Members suggest cultural events to attend, with carpooling available.
WRITING, all genres: This is replacing our Memoir Group, allowing for expansion of writing interests.
Coming up later this year:
South County Walks
South County Pickleball
Village Members who are not on a group list but would like to join any of the Interest Groups, contact info@villagesantacruz.org | | SLV Village Group
Takes a Walk
Through the Redwoods
Twice a month, the Village SLV Circle group chooses where they'd like to walk within beautiful San Lorenzo Valley. | | | |
STEP: Strategic Transitions and Planning
gathering information for transitions
Workshop #1: Personal and Legal Information
May 18, 12:30 am - 2:30 pm
now open for Registration
In Partnership with the Aptos library
in person at the Aptos Library
also on zoom
FREE and open to the public
Register now to reserve your 60-page writable PDF (hardcopy and on thumb drive), a spot for the in-person event if you choose, and the zoom link if you plan to attend virtually. Contact info@villagesantacruz.org to register - let us know if you will attend in-person or via zoom. Or register on our website May events calendar.
STEP is a fully developed proven curriculum. In six workshops over six months, we will cover: personal information, legal, medical, financial, insurance, real estate, living options, daily living, crisis plan, home health, hospice and end of life.
Experts in these fields will discuss important points and answer questions. Attendees would have a complete record, revisable as circumstances change, and easy to locate.
Workshops will be held May through October, the third Monday of the month, 12:30 - 2:30 at the Aptos Public Library and on zoom.
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February Book Group Read: "Spare Parts" by Joshua Davis
This book tells the true story of four undocumented Mexican-American teenagers from Phoenix who, with the help of two teachers, built an underwater robot from scavenged parts and beat MIT at a national robotics competition in 2004.
Other Recommendations:
"Culpability" by Bruce Holsinger. The novel follows the Cassidy-Shaw family during a week-long recovery where they confront ethical dilemmas, secrets, and the mysterious involvement of a tech mogul, all while navigating a world increasingly shaped by AI.
"Separation of Church and State" by Philip Hamburger. Challenging conventional wisdom, Philip Hamburger argues that the separation of church and state has no historical foundation in the First Amendment.
"Paris: A Novel" Edward Rutherfurd's sweeping historical saga, following multiple generations and families through centuries of Parisian history, from medieval times to the late 20th century, focusing on events, art, and culture.
"Pedro Páramo" by Juan Rulfo. A classic of Mexican modern literature about a haunted village. Time shifts from one consciousness to another in a world of ghosts dominated by the figure of Pedro Páramo - lover, overlord, murderer.
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Recommendations from
the TV/Movie Discussion Group
"Cover Up," Netflix, a documentary that explores the investigative journalism career of Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covered the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War and the Abu Ghraib torture scandal during the Iraq War, both committed by the U.S. Army.
"The Closer," Netflix, an American police procedural television series starring Kyra Sedgwick as Brenda Leigh Johnson, a Los Angeles Police Department deputy chief.
"Task," HBO-MAX, an American crime drama television series that stars Mark Ruffalo. Philadelphia-based FBI agent Tom Brandis is put in charge of a task force investigating a string of violent robberies against stash houses run by outlaw motorcycle gangs.
"My Lady Jane," Amazon Prime, a historical fantasy romance television series. Reimagines the story of Lady Jane Grey, presenting an alternate history where she and her husband Lord Guildford can shapeshift into animals, leading to a fantastical adventure as she tries to rule England and avoid execution.
"Marriage," Amazon Prime, a British series that originally aired in 2022 and stars Nicola Walker and Sean Bean as a long-married couple navigating life's challenges.
| | | | Our Community Reads
Panel Discussion
Friends of the Public Library
"Our Community Reads" Panel Discussion, Feb. 5 at 6:30 PM, the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, put on by the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
The panel will consist of MariaElena de la Garza, CEO of Community Action Board, Isai Pazos, executive director for Senderos and Angela Di Novella executive director of Catholic Charities, who will discuss the challenging immigration process, and the services their respective organizations provide to assist in the process.
Panel speakers will share their views on current obstacles and conditions facing immigrants and tie these situations to the selected book, “Spare Parts” by Joshua Davis. Doors open at 6 PM. Refreshments will be served. For information and to register, please visit the event page.
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Community Emergency Response Team
CERT Classes
CERT Basic is a 21-hour class consisting of 4 evening classes which combine lecture, discussion, and hands-on skills practice.
Topics covered include Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Medicine, Fire and Utility Safety, Simple Search and Rescue, Terrorism, and more. The class concludes with one full-weekend day session that includes classwork, review, and hands-on team activities including search and rescue, extractions, proper use of fire extinguishers, and cribbing.
Click here to find out when the upcoming classes will be offered. | | | |
Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center
Are you caregiving for a loved one? Del Mar CRC is a local nonprofit service organization. Their trained professional staff understand the experiences and issues caregivers face.
Their mission: To improve the quality of life for caregivers. To strengthen caregiver capacity to manage personal health and well-being. We support caregivers to provide effective care to loved ones. Check out their services at Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center
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National Caregiver Support Collaborative
Webinar: Advancing Family Caregiver Financial and Workplace Security, with Q&A, Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 11:00 AM Pacific Time.
Join NCSC for a webinar highlighting insights from the University of Southern California (USC) — an NCSC grantee — based on their recent environmental scan of resources and tools for promoting financial and workplace security of family caregivers.
USC will be joined by North Central Ohio’s District 5 Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to share their experience partnering with employers and their community to address gaps in caregiver support. Register Here
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CA Master Plan for Aging
5th Annual Report: January 2026
A Comprehensive & Coordinated Framework Driven by Five Bold Goals In its fifth year of implementation, California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) continues to serve as a dynamic blueprint supporting current and urgent needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
“I am proud to lead the state’s collective effort to promote and protect the health and well-being of all Californians, including older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. In times of uncertainty, we look to our core principles and shared values to ground us and move us forward… At the mid-point of California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA), we are heartened by our progress and acknowledge the headwinds that we face… The MPA guides us during challenging times as it continues to elevate the vital needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.” – Kim Johnson, Secretary of CA Health and Human Services Agency.
Read the Report
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Become a Member of Village Santa Cruz County
|  | Coming UP in February
Members will receive Zoom information in weekly eBlasts.
Tuesday, February 3, Pickleball, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome.
Tuesday, February 3, Rummikub Social Club, 12:00 - 2:00 PM, @ Leila's mobile home park clubhouse in Capitola. Rummikub is a fun board game for everyone. Easy to learn. We spice up the game with a little wagering on the side, so bring your spare change (pennies, nickels and dimes).
Wednesday, February 4, Aptos Circle Meet Up, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, @ Aptos Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, February 4, SLV Walks, 1:00 - 2:30 PM, @ various locations. Email Mary K at mary@koehring.com for more information.
Thursday, February 5, Solo Agers, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, @ Branciforte Library, 230 Gault Str. Topic for February: Stress--What are your stressors? How do you deal with them? We meet once a month to talk about how we deal with various issues and to offer aid and support. Note time and location change!
Thursday, February 5, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, February 5, Westside Circle Meet-Up, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, @ The Abbey Coffeehouse, 350 Mission Str. Santa Cruz. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Friday, February 6, Executive Board Meeting, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, on Zoom. This is a closed meeting of the Village Executive Board.
Tuesday, February 10, Pickleball, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome.
Tuesday, February 10, Mid County Circle Meet Up, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, @ The Loft Coffee, 2701 Cabrillo College Dr., Aptos. Note location change! Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, February 11, SLV Circle Meet Up, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, @ Cowboy Diner, 5447 Hwy 9, Felton. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, February 11, ART: Clay Building Workshop, 1:30 - 3:00 PM, @ member's home. We will each build a piece and then return in two weeks to glaze. NOTE: this workshop is full, but there is a waiting list. If you are a member and would like to be on the waiting list, please contact info@villagesantacruz.org
Thursday, February 12, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, February 12, Advisory Board Monthly Meeting, 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM, Join on Zoom. All Village members are invited to attend our monthly planning meeting. Email info@villagesantacruz.org if you plan to attend, so that we can send you the agenda.
Friday, February 13, Village Santa Cruz Men's Luncheon, 1:00 - 2:30 PM, @ Tramonti Italian Restaurant, 528 Seabright Ave. Santa Cruz. For more information, contact info@villagesantacruz.org
Monday, February 16, Westside Circle Life Stories, 1:00 - 2:00 PM @ The Abbey, 350 Mission Str.. Topic: What do you see as your purpose or passion in this phase of your life? Contact info@villagesantacruz.org to register. Open to Westside Circle members only.
Tuesday, February 17, Pickleball, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome.
Tuesday, February 17, Co-Generational Coffee House Chat, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, @ The Abbey, 530 Mission Str., Santa Cruz. The third Tuesday of each month, a group of Village members meet and invite whoever happens to be at the coffeehouse to join us just to talk. Contact Mary Howe villagescmhowe@gmail.com if you’d like to join us.
Wednesday, February 18, Aptos Circle Luncheon, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, @ TBD. Open to Aptos Circle Members only.
Wednesday, February 18, SLV Walks, 1:00 - 2:30 PM, @ various locations, email Mary K at mary@koehring.com for more information.
Thursday, February 19, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, February 19, TV/Movie Discussion Group, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, on Zoom. Look at the recommendations above for suggestions on what to watch.
Friday, February 20, Book Group Read: "Spare Parts" by Joshua Davis, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, @ Simpkins Swim Center Library Annex, 979 17th Ave. Santa Cruz, Meeting Room C. Please see above for a description of this great book.
Monday, February 23, Westside Circle Meet Up, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, @ the Abbey Coffee Shop, 350 Mission Str. Special occasion meet up for Westside Circle Members.
Tuesday, February 24, Pickleball, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome.
Tuesday, February 24, Mid-County Luncheon, 12:30 - 1:30 PM, @ TBD
Wednesday, February 25, SLV Circle Meet Up, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, @ the Treehouse, 13266 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, February 25, ART: Glaze Your Clay Piece, 130 - 2:30 PM. Clay Workshop attendees will return to glaze their pieces before the final kiln firing.
Thursday, February 26, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Friday, February 26, Westcliff Walk, 12:30 - 1:30 PM. This is an hour walk, 1/2 hour out and 1/2 hour back. Meet in the parking lot of Shrine Coffee. 544 Westcliff Ave.
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In Our Community
Saturday, January 31, 1:00 - 2:30 PM. Presentation on Robotics Exploring Monterey Bay Sanctuary. Join Knute Brekke of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute at the Felton Library, 6121 Gushee St.,to learn how scientists, engineers and students create and build underwater remotely operated vehicles. Following his talk, enjoy a presentation by students from the San Lorenzo Valley underwater robotics team and the X-Academy team. A Q&A session follows. Space will be available on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 12:30 PM. Visit the event page for more information.
Starting February 1, Santa Cruz Public Libraries system schedule changes and extended hours at selected branches. Several branches within the system will have extended hours. Capitola and Felton Branch Libraries will join the Downtown Branch Library in offering library services to the public on Sundays. Capitola and Felton Branch Libraries will offer Sunday services from 1-5 p.m. Additionally, Aptos and Scotts Valley branch libraries will have an extended schedule Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Lastly, all 10 SCPL branches will open at 11 AM every Friday to allow for staff participation in local and systemwide meetings. For information on branch hours and other services, visit the Santa Cruz Libraries home page.
Tuesday, February 3, at 1:00 PM. Lecture Scheduled – online and in person. “Researching Early American Ancestors,” hosted by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Guest speaker will be Cathy Andrews, senior librarian with the Salinas Public Library, where she teaches the “Genealogy Basics” series and oversees genealogy resources, services and programming. Learn more here.
Friday, February 6, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, "Sequoias of the Sea" film screening at the Santa Cruz Boardrooom, 825 41st Ave. Capitola. A special community screening of Sequoias of the Sea, an award-winning documentary that explores the beauty, importance, and vulnerability of California’s kelp forests—often called the “redwoods of the ocean.” Cost $20. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please go to the event page.
Saturday, February 7, 3:00 - 4:30 PM, Emotional Impacts of Social Isolation, at the Aptos Branch of the Library, 7695 Soquel Drive. The Friends of the Aptos Library is offering a series of workshops on social isolation and loneliness titled Social Isolation: Strategies for Understanding, Coping and Healing in a Disconnected World. The next workshop will be on the emotional impacts of social isolation, presented by 2nd District Supervisor Kim De Serpa, a former social worker. The goal is to provide participants with an understanding of the ways these issues manifest themselves in people of all ages and to provide some tools and resources. Snacks available. Doors open at 2:30. Registration required. Please register here. Call 831-588-6540 for info.
Monday, February 23, 6:00 PM. “The Mask You Live In”, FREE screening at the CineLux Scotts Valley Café & Lounge, 226 Mount Hermon Road. The film explores the challenges boys and young men face in staying true to themselves while navigating society’s narrow expectations of masculinity. The film and following conversation will explore how cultural messages about masculinity, strength and identity affect young people — and how schools, families and community organizations are working together to foster emotional well-being, empathy and positive identity development among youth. Reserve a spot here.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare has announced a special spring engagement of “Vincent,” the acclaimed one-person play by Leonard Nimoy. The 90-minute performance, starring SCS Artistic Director Charles Pasternak, will take place at the Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., on select dates from April 24 through May 10. Tickets for “Vincent” are now on sale, ranging from $20-$40. Specific performance dates and ticketing details are posted at Santa Cruz Shakespeare or by calling the SCS box office at 831-460-6399, open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 - 4:00 PM.
Line Dance Classes, presented by instructor Wendy O’Meara at Market Street Senior Center, 222 Market St., on Fridays at 11 AM. Classes are $10 per session and $9 for members. In February, classes will be held Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27. March classes continue March 6, 13, 20 and 27. No experience is needed. It’s fun and great exercise too! Questions? Contact by email at WendysMountainLineDance@gmail.com.
Climbing Out of Parkinsons, Climbing Group at Pacific Edge, Saturday mornings from 10 AM – 12:00 PM, in the classroom. From their website: “Even if you have never climbed before we provide the instruction and support for you to climb safely. We will belay you on top rope, and/or offer side climbing (an adaptive climbing technique) with a mentor. We also expand out into the main gym to test ourselves on the tall walls. Climbing strengthens muscles, especially core and leg coordination, challenges your brain with route finding, and improves balance and stability in movement.” Learn more here.
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Articles, Videos, and Listening
Green Investing: As You Sow. Are you looking for a place to invest that aligns with your values? Suggested by a Village member’s spouse, Peter Klotz-Chamberlin, “A friend with experience in green investing introduced me to this website, As You Sow."
The mission of As You Sow is to promote environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building, and innovative legal strategies.”
Disclaimer: Village Santa Cruz County does not make recommendations on investing and is not recommending that you invest here. We are just passing along information.
The Six Points of Connection We All Need. By Aaron Hurst and Nancy Connolly, July 15, 2025, Greater Good Magazine: science-based insights for a meaningful life. Research indicates that a variety of different social behaviors help prevent loneliness and foster a sense of community and belonging. Read the article here.
Arthritis Diet Superfoods: What You Should and Shouldn’t Eat for Joint Relief, by Barbara Brody, AARP. Arthritis is no fun and is common as we age. Learn what foods can help ease the pain and discomfort as well as reduce inflammation in general in this AARP article.
The Pool Welcomes All, by Gregory Walters, January 15, 2026. Swimming is great exercise that is gentle on aging bodies. Find out other benefits of swimming, both physical and mental, in this article from Next Avenue.
A Citizen-Centered Health System for India, Executive Summary, January 20, 2026, The Lancet. Read the article here.
The Crisis of Leadership - - And a New Way Forward, TED Talk. What should modern leadership look like? Entrepreneur and former Icelandic presidential candidate Halla Tómasdóttir thinks global leaders need to change their ways -- or risk becoming irrelevant. In a conversation with curator Bryn Freedman, she shows how anybody can step up and make a difference, even if you don't yet have power. "There's a leader inside every single one of us," she says, "and our most important work in life is to release that leader." TED Talk
Cultivating Courage, Hidden Brain Podcast, January 5, 2026. Why do some people act bravely in a crisis, while others flee or freeze up? Today, we bring you the second part of our You 2.0 series on the mental obstacles that can block us when we’re charting a new path. Behavioral scientist Ranjay Gulati argues that courage is a choice, and that we can strengthen the reflexes that will help us to be brave when it matters most. Listen at Hidden Brain.
How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage, by Ranjay Gulti. “What leads people to speak truth to power, share bold new ideas, or put their lives on the line? Most of us chalk it up to personality, presuming that our heroes are naturally fearless. But what if courage isn’t simply a matter of personality? What if it’s something that any of us can develop? In How to Be Bold, Ranjay Gulati offers a powerful playbook for becoming bolder and braver than we ever thought possible.
| Village Santa Cruz County
1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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