Community Corner
Capitola, Santa Cruz County Offer Classes Galore this Winter
From swimming to cupcake making, there are plenty of activities to get involved in during the long wait for springtime.
The winter months can pass as slow as molasses, so a bit of diversion is important to pass the time and maybe even speed up spring’s arrival.
Capitola Recreation Department and the County of Santa Cruz Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services is offering several new winter classes and activities for the whole family, ranging from cooking and chemistry classes to swimming deals and even a “broom bash.”
Simpkins Family Swim Center in Live Oak has a deal from now until Jan. 27—swim passes at half their usual price. A pass good for 20 lap swims now costs $48 for adults, and $35 for seniors. The offer is for new members who have not purchased a pass in the past.
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“The intention is for us to get new people, so people find out about the pool and swim here,” says Margaret Ingraham, supervisor of the swim center.
Simpkins comes with a huge lap pool with more than a dozen 25-yard lanes. The complex also has a shallower pool and a giant water slide. Swim lessons are offered year-round for children and adults, as well as water aerobics, adult fitness and drop-in water polo classes. The Simpkins Family Swim Center is at 979 17th Ave. For more information, call the swim center at 831-454-7946.
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If aquatics isn’t quite what you had in mind, here are a few other interesting classes offered by the Capitola Recreation Department and a few more offered by County Parks at Quail Hollow Ranch in Felton:
Super Broken Plate: Saturday, Feb. 19, noon-5 p.m.
Taught by local artist Nancy Howells at her Painted Chair Studio in Santa Cruz, this class will teach you how to make a tabletop bird bath. If bird baths aren’t your thing, you can opt to make a stepping stone, flower pot, mirror or plaque. Howells will teach you how to use tile nippers, adhesives and grouts, and she will provide a colorful selection of ceramic plates and tiles as building materials. Class fee: $57 plus a $15 materials fee. Ages 18 and up. 421 Gharkey St., Santa Cruz.
Broken Plate Mosaic: Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1-4 p.m.
Also taught by local artist Nancy Howells at her Painted Chair Studio in Santa Cruz, this class will teach you how to complete a mosaic stepping stone or address plate for your house or garden. Howells will give a demonstration at the beginning of class on how to use tile nippers and the grouting technique. Colorful ceramic plates and tiles will be provided for you to use. Class fee: $47 plus a $5 materials fee. Ages 18 and up. 421 Gharkey St., Santa Cruz. For more information, call 831-425-1602
Digital Camera Basics: Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 22 and 24, 6:45-9 p.m.
Dave Clark will teach you how to use your digital camera, explaining menu selections, manual and auto settings, viewing, deleting and printing photos as well as how to manage your files. Come to the class with your questions. Class fee: $45. Ages 18 and up. Capitola Community Center, 4400 Jade St., Capitola. For more information, call 831-462-0600
Watercolor Mandalas: A Path to the Heart, Thursdays, Feb. 3-24, 6:30-9 p.m.
Taught by Michele Faia, this class will use the healing and transformative mandala, an ancient sacred circular design, to paint from the heart. Learn about basics of watercolor as well as the mandala structure. Bring one round watercolor brush, watercolor pigments, a 140-pound pad and watercolor paper. Class fee: $77. At the Capitola Community Center, 4400 Jade St., Capitola. For more information, call 831-662-8857
Fungus Foray: Sunday, Jan. 23, 1-3 p.m.
Join the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz on a hike through Quail Ranch in Felton in search of mushrooms. Guides will teach hikers how to identify different types of fungus, as well as the different habitats they grow in. The hike will be followed by a mushroom lunch. Call 831-335-9348 on Friday-Sunday to sign up for the activity. Admission is free, but space is limited.
“Broom Bash”: Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The California Native Plants Society’s Habitat Restoration Program, State Park Wildland Restoration and Quail Hollow Ranch will work together to remove broom plants from the park trails. French Broom and Scotch Broom are an invasive, non-native plant that is taking over natural habitats, including Quail Hollow Ranch. Bring work gloves, a lunch and water. Tools will be available for volunteers. Admission is free. All ages welcome.
Ranch House Tour: Sunday, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Naturalist Lee Summers will guide you through the history of the Quail Hollow Ranch House. Learn about six families who settled at the ranch. Admission is free.
Bird Box Work Party: Saturday, Feb. 5, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Help install, clean, repair and build nest boxes, which give habitat to the cavity-nesting birds found in Quail Hollow Ranch Park. Learn about the different types of birds and their life cycles. Wear clothes you can get dirty and sturdy shoes. Bring a lunch and water. Volunteers must be comfortable using a screw driver and putty knife.
In Search of Herps: Sunday, Feb. 6, 1-3 p.m.
Taught by local herpetologist Paul Kaskins, this class is a hike through Quail Ranch in search of reptiles and amphibians. Learn about the habitats of these curious creatures, and find out which ones live in the pond and which ones live in the meadow. All ages are welcome. Admission is free.
Full Moon Walk: Friday, Feb. 18, 7-8:30 p.m.
Naturalist and park interpreter, Lee Summers, will lead hikers through Quail Hollow by the light of the full moon. Learn about the nocturnal world of Quail Hollow and how to trust your nonvisual senses. Please don’t bring flashlights! All ages are welcome. Admission is free.
Cooking Classes: Saturdays from 1-3 p.m.
Taught by Phyllis Endicott, a local after-school science and cooking teacher, cooking classes are open to all ages. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Class fee: $25 registered and $28 non-registered. An additional $15 materials fee is due at the beginning of class. To register, call 831-454-7941.
Saturday, Jan. 22: Cupcakes and Smoothies
Saturday, Feb. 5: Fresh Pasta and Italian Sodas
Saturday, Feb. 19: Crepes with Syrup and Hot Chocolate
Science Classes: Four Consecutive Thursdays from 3:30-5 p.m.
Join Phyllis Endicott to learn about science through creative experiments that exercise intellectual reasoning. Class fee: $50 registered, $55 non-registered, plus $20 materials fee. Call 831-454-7941 to register.
Thursday, Jan. 20 - Thursday, Feb. 10: “Chemistry Fun”
Thursday, Feb. 17 - Thursday, March 10: “Brain Ticklers”
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park is at 800 Quail Hollow Rd., Felton. For more information about these classes, call 831-335-9348 on a Saturday or Sunday.
To learn more about other classes, visit Capitola Recreation Department and the County of Santa Cruz Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services websites.
