Professor Starma: The Singing Astronomer | June 8 (7-8 p.m.)

A fun, entertaining and informative tour of the sun and planets by way of slides, transparencies, models, and song. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | June 8 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

Santa Cruz County Bank Night At The Races, Wright One Construction 380 Sprint Cars, American Stock, 4 Bangers, IMCA Modified, Micro 600.

Santa Cruz Country Fairgrounds
2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville
831-476-9466,. www.oceanspeedway.com

Rods & Custom Classic Car Show | June 9-10 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Featuring over 250 Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, Coupes, Roadsters, Custom and Classic - vintage to 1972; vendor booths, Live Music featuring The Heartbeats. Trophies, prizes and more. Enjoy a day filled with awesome cars, great music, charming shops, restaurants for every taste, and good family fun at the beach!

250 cars, music, food, judging
Capitola Village Esplanade Park
831-475-6522, www.capitolacarshow.com

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | June 10 (1-3 p.m.)

Create fun crafts that feature the cool creatures of the tidepools. Make a seastar suncatcher, or create your own sea anemone! There are activity sheets, scavenger hunts, and a take home souvenir of your day.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Henry Cowell Campfire Program | June 11-12 (8 p.m.)

The Campfire Center is located at Graham Hill Rd Campground. Celebrate Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park! Each week a different aspect of the cultural and natural history of the park will be highlighted through songs, skits, stories, and a slideshow.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Hwy 9 @ North Big Trees Rd., Felton
831-335-7077, www.santacruzstateparks.org/parks/henrycowell

Campfire Program at Big Basin | June 13-14 (8 p.m.)

Join us in our historic campfire center for an evening of song and story. Serenade the glittering stars and learn about redwood ecology, creatures of the forest, or park issues while relaxing in the shadows of the towering trees. Fire lighting and marshmallows at 8:00 p.m. and the campfire program begins at 8:30 p.m. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome!

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Hwy 236, 9 miles from Boulder Creek
831-338-3944, www.bigbasin.org

Marine Mammal Research Tour | June 14 (2:15-3:30 p.m.)

Head behind the scenes at Long Marine Lab. Learn about the work of scientists and their studies of dolphins, seals, sea lions, and whales. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited - reservations suggested. Free with admission.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
Reservations:831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Fireworks at the Boardwalk | June 14 (dusk)

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
831- 423-5590, www.beachboardwalk.com

Researchers Anonymous: Pogonip Tour | June 14 (10 a.m.-noon)

Join Joan Gilbert Martin & Colleen McInerney-Meager, authors of Pogonip: Jewel of Santa Cruz, for a walking tour of historic sites on this open-space preserve. Location: Pogonip, 10 a.m.–12 noon. Cost: free, donations welcome.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

Family Art Saturday: Chinese Calligraphy Workshop with Yaming Shen | June 14 (1-3 p.m.)

This workshop introduces methods of character creation from ancient China, exposes the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and painting, and inspires creative art projects using Chinese calligraphy and simple Chinese painting. Hands-on tutoring will be offered. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Materials included. Space is limited.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org