The Santa Cruz Library will be hosting a Free Brown Bag Workshop entitled: Tax Tips with Frank Minuti. The presenter, Frank Minuti, is the President of Berger/Lewis Accountancy Corporation, a Downtown Santa Cruz firm providing business valuation and litigation support services and expert witness testimony since 1950.

This is the first Free Brown Bag Workshop of 2012. Events are offered each month, February through November. Learn the skills every small business owner should have to create and maintain a healthy and successful small business. Bring your own brown bag lunch.

Tax Tips with Frank Minuti is presented by the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz, The Central Coast Small Business Development Center, Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, and the City of Santa Cruz Department of Redevelopment and Economic Development. Sponsored by the generous support of Bank of America. The class is free. Pre-registration is required due to limited seating. Register online at the Santa Cruz Public Library’s website, www.santacruzpl.org.

For more information, visit www.centralcoastsbdc.org

Saturday, February 4, 7:00 pm

Buskers Showcase: The Abbott Family Band, Still Searchin’, Tumbleweed Wanderers

Doors: 6:00 pm

Tickets: $12 at the door

The first ever “Saalisi Presents Buskers Showcase” boasts three bands that have established solid reputations with music that shares an Appalachian influence. Innovative rhythms, furious finger picking behind keenly harmonic singing are hallmarks of this world famous style.

In Santa Cruz for thirty years and working as a professional group for eight, The Abbott Family Band is as down home as it gets. It’s the whole family; brothers Luke on banjo and Kyle on mandolin, began as youngsters and are steadily gaining recognition as some of the hottest bluegrass players in the state. Following the boys lead, mom Leslie, on upright bass and dad Carl on guitar and lead vocals, learned how to play by ear and now round out the sound that is heard regularly on Pacific Ave. (They walk from their house). Their genetic vocal harmonies and locked–in ensemble playing drive classic, even obscure songs to new heights. So come down early and kick off your shoes- you know they will!

Now if you’ve been lookin’ for a band that can bring the blue mountain roots into our modern surf city setting without missing a beat then let us introduce you to Still Searchin’. Featuring Bruce Drake with a double attack of claw hammer and bluegrass style banjo, undiluted Alabama mandolin from Stewart Evans, experienced and tasteful bass from Gary “Sweetpea” Cunningham, high-energy fiddle playing from Liz Smith and masterful flat-picking from Rick Ednie. This 5 piece can really shred. Five part harmonies abound as each player takes a turn on lead vocal and Still Searchin’ finds the heart of every tune. Since ’02 they’ve been playing at fairs, festivals and fetes. This is a special chance to get up close with some local pros.

The evening’s third band, Tumbleweed Wanderers, rocks like they’ve been together for a decade but only one year ago, guitar players, Zak Mandel-Romann and Jeremy Lyon discovered a shared passion for the pursuit of that place where the blues, bluegrass, and soul come together.  I’m talkin’ Passion… They dropped out of college, recruited Zaks childhood buddy Patrick Glynn on keys, found drummer Daniel Blum and triple-treat banjo player-singer-guitarist Rob Fidel on the local scene and with great promise formed Tumbleweed Wanderers. Currently gigging hard with material from a strong EP, they are an up and coming force. They will bring their 3 part harmonies, top-shelf chops, songs that sound like hits and seasoned stage presence to the Kuumbwa..

Tuesday, February 14 Kuumbwa Jazz Special Jazz & Dinner Package available!

 “Tuck & Patti are one of this country’s enduring treasures.” – CNN Tuck & Patti. You are either a fan, or you haven't heard them yet. Originally inspired by the duets of Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald, guitarist Tuck Andress and vocalist Patti Cathcart have been a musical team for over 30 years, evolving a crossover sound that draws on jazz, R&B, folk, pop and new acoustic music. In a three-plus decade existence, this unique duo has cast its “passionate musical spell” worldwide, capturing the hearts of lovers, the respect of jazz buffs and the jaw-dropping awe of guitarists. The duo returns to Kuumbwa this Valentine’s Day with their truly one-of-a-kind formula. Valentine’s Dinner Menu: Walnut Crusted Pork Loin with Apple Chutney, Potato-Parsnip Puree and Winter Greens Salad: Arugula with Figs and Walnuts and Shallot Vinaigrette Dessert: Chocolate Torte with Whipped Cream and Berries * Vegetarian option available. Doors and dinner beginning at 5:30 pm. All dinner reservations will receive reserved seating at a table. DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 PLACE: Kuumbwa Jazz Center ADDRESS: 320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 TIMES: 7:00 & 9 PM PRICE: Concert - $25/Adv $28/Door, No Jazztix or Comps; Jazz & Dinner Package: $61.25/Advance Reservations Only TICKETS: Logos Books & Records, 1117 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831) 427-5100 and online at: http://www.kuumbwajazz.org MORE INFO: http://www.kuumbwajazz.org or 831-427-2227

Bike Dojo – 1 Year Anniversary Party featuring Doug Ross

Join us for a live and silent auction, music and fun. You can bid on art from Doug Ross and celebrate our 1 year Anniversary and launch of our charity Project Bike.

http://thebikedojo.com

1101 Pacific Ave #G

7pm

Gabriella Cafe announces Literary Salon Series

On the first Tuesday of every month, join us for our regular menu's good food and wine in the atmosphere of a Literary Salon hosted by various authors, poets and scholars.

A Salon "is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste."

Beginning Tuesday, February 7, and continuing the first Tuesday of every month, dinner will be offered with the speaker at 8:00 pm.  Readings and discussion will start at 9:00 pm over desserts and beverages. Literary Salon Series Calendar:

February 7 & March 6: John Dizikes & Dale Johnson

April 3: Stephen Kessler

May 1: Peter Kenez

June 5: Lisa Ortiz

July 3: Patrice Vecchione

  Call (831) 457-1677 to reserve your table now - limited seating!

http://gabriellacafe.com

Wet Art is a gallery show. Thirty- six wetsuits from local Santa Cruz surfers were paired with thirty-six top artists to create a show for community viewing and auction. The artists, painters, sculptors, glass artists and jewelers were challenged to work outside of their traditional medium.

The show will be open to the public the first two weekends in February 2012. This will include a documentary film by Patrick Trefz and a film prepared by O'Neill’s celebrating their last sixty years in the surfing industry.

Saturday night, February 18, 2012 there will be an auction and VIP party. Food will be served with a no-host bar. Music and dance will be supplied by O'Neills wetsuits.

See you there! All events take place at the Rittenhouse Building, the corner of Church and Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, California.

Events: Public viewing Saturday and Sunday February 3, 4 and 11, 12.      

11-5 pm

VIP Party and Auction Saturday February 18th, 6-11 pm

When: Every Tuesday in Downtown Santa Cruz For Who: UCSC & Cabrillo students with a Valid Student ID Specials!  Clouds Downtown: 50% appetizers and small plates Falafel House: 25% off any order over $10 Graffix Pleasures: 20% off apparel, 30% off smoking accessories Homeblown Glass: 10% off Khyber Pass: 10% off Mission Hill Creamery: One free upgrade (single scoop of ice cream to a double, etc.) Ocean City Buffet: 8 people eat for the price of 7 Planet Fresh Burritos: 2 Tacos, chips, and salsa bar for $4.99 Retro Paradise: 10% off The Greek: Chicken/Beef Gyros for $4.99 (12-5pm) The Krate: 10% off Old School Shoes: 10% off one pair, 20% off two or more pairs + a free pair of shoelaces Tampico: 10% off (does not apply with other discounts) Idle Hands: 20% off Bandit Brand, 10% off everything else Stripe: 20% off Kianti’s: $2 Draft Beer, 1/2 off all Appetizers, & $4 Bargetto wine 3:00pm-close +MORE TO COME!!! Be sure to ask for a raffle ticket! Fill it out with your name and email address before returning it to the business and be entered for a weekly drawing for $50 in Downtown Dollars! It's like free money for saving money!

Experience ROW Collective!

When: February 4th

Where: ROW Collective on Squid Row Alley

Cross streets: Union and Center Street Downtown Santa Cruz, CA Time: 12 pm - 4pm Featured artists: Rica de la Luz- Ricala leather jewelry Lucia Paxton- mixed media art, handmade accessories, vintage janelle lisowski -jahnelleblue mixed media, found object jewelry, vintage J'ann- Dancing With Needles, hand knit Noelle Correia- mixed media Debbie Graves- Tia Loca clothing Meg Brown- sacred shawls, multi-media pieces Cheryle Winn-Sacred Quilts Ali Osborne- Button Willow Jewelry Stacy Hatfield - Tin Knocker Jewelry Beautiful Jean-Cruelty-free feather fashions and more... SEE YOU THERE!!!!   For more information email ROWcollective@gmail.com or call831.466.3709

Thursday, February 9, 6-9pm

FREE

Camouflage Valentine Party & Fashion Show!

Come join us for live models, beverages, nibbles and more!  

The National Theatre of Great Britain is proud to announce

the latest offering from National Theatre Live

(broadcast in HD at the DEL MAR THEATRE Santa Cruz)

TRAVELLING LIGHT

Premiere Screening Event:

Thursday February 9th at 7:30pm

Encore Screening Event:

Sunday February 12th at 11am

Live performances broadcast from the National Theatre in London

at South Bank -and presented in state-of-the-art High Definition at the Del Mar Theatre

How had a twenty–two–year–old pretentious layabout made a discovery that would elude every other cinematic pioneer for years to come?

In a remote village in Eastern Europe, around 1900, the young Motl Mendl is entranced by the flickering silent images on his father’s cinematograph.  Bankrolled by Jacob, the ebullient local timber merchant, and inspired by Anna, the girl sent to help him make moving pictures of their village, he stumbles on a revolutionary way of story-telling. Forty years on, Motl – now a famed American film director – looks back on his early life and confronts the cost of fulfilling his dreams.

Following Vincent in Brixton and The Reporter, Nicholas Wright’s new play is a funny and fascinating tribute to the Eastern European immigrants who became major players in Hollywood’s golden age. The award-winning Antony Sher – whose previous work with the National Theatre includes Primo and Stanley – returns to play Jacob.

General Admission Tickets $15

Seniors, Students & Shakespeare Santa Cruz Subscribers Only $13

Mahalo Mondays!

In 2012, 12 local nonprofits will receive 10% of sales each Monday in a given month. Please join us on Mondays to support the great work these nonprofits are doing on behalf of Santa Cruz County.

Hula’s is committed to giving back to Santa Cruz, which has given so much to us! In 2010, we donated over $10,000 to local organizations via the Mahalo Mondays program. If you would like to recommend a favorite local charity for an upcoming month, please send us an email at Hgrill@sbcglobal.net

January: Seymour Marine Discovery Center View Website

February: FleaHab View Website

March: Suicide Prevention View Website

April: Santa Cruz Women's Health Center View Website

May: Santa Cruz Education Foundation View Website

June: Shared Adventures View Website

July: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music View Website

August: Shakespeare Santa Cruz View Website

September: Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center View Website

October: Kuumbwa View Website

November: Second Harvest Food Bank View Website

December: Boys and Girls Club View Website

Visit hulastiki.com for more information

Tuesday All Day

Thai Tea Tuesdays - $1 OFF

Thai Titled Tuesdays – All ‘Thai’ Titled Entrees - $1-$2 OFF (Dine In Only)

Not combinable with other special offers, coupons, or discounts cards.

420-1700,  www.pacificthaisantacruz.net

When: Every Tuesday in Downtown Santa Cruz

For Who: UCSC & Cabrillo students with a Valid Student ID

Specials!

Clouds Downtown: 50% appetizers and small plates Comicopolis: 10% off storewide

Falafel House: 25% off any order over $10

Graffix Pleasures: 20% off apparel, 30% off smoking accessories

Homeblown Glass: 10% off

Khyber Pass: 10% off

Mission Hill Creamery: One free upgrade (single scoop of ice cream to a double, etc.)

Ocean City Buffet: 8 people eat for the price of 7

Planet Fresh Burritos: 2 Tacos, chips, and salsa bar for $4.99

Retro Paradise: 10% off

The Greek: Chicken/Beef Gyros for $4.99 (12-5pm)

The Krate: 10% off

Old School Shoes: 10% off one pair, 20% off two or more pairs + a free pair of shoelaces

Tampico: 10% off (does not apply with other discounts)

Idle Hands: 20% off Bandit Brand, 10% off everything else

Stripe: 20% off

Kianti’s: $2 Draft Beer, 1/2 off all Appetizers, & $4 Bargetto wine 3:00pm-close

+MORE TO COME!!!

Be sure to ask for a raffle ticket! Fill it out with your name and email address before returning it to the business and be entered for a weekly drawing for $50 in Downtown Dollars! It's like free money for saving money! www.downtownsantacruz.com/events-cat.php

7:30pm – Intermediate Salsa Lesson 8:15pm – Beginning Salsa Lesson 9:00-11:30 Salsa Dance Party!       

$10 per person for classes & party, $3 for dance party only! www.palomarballroom.com

Seniors Ballroom Classes When: Mondays from 10:30am-11:15am.  Ongoing Where: Palomar Ballroom (1344 Pacific Ave.) What Dances: Foxtrot, Swing, Waltz, or Rumba Cost: $8 per person Info: Call 831-426-1221 or check online at  www.palomarballroom.com  to see what class is being offered each Monday!