Business Calendar

New this week

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE RED CROSS Networking Group will meet Monday Aug. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. at 2960 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. Speaker: Inspector Jim Johnson of Santa Cruz District Attorneys Office. Bag lunches welcome. Space is limited; RSVP at 462-2881 ext 14.

Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Network Luncheon Tuesday Aug. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Michael's on Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel. Speaker: Sandi Eason, president and CEO of Coast Commercial Bank, talking about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Cost: Capitola-Soquel Chamber Members, $25, nonmembers, $30. Reservations & advance payment required. Call 475-6522 for more information.

Faith Sherry Lessen will lead 'SUCCESSFUL GRANT WRITING Made Easy: Fund Your Projects!', a grant seminar from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday Aug. 8 at Portola Plaza Hotel, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. Cost: $95. Two scholarships available. To register or for information, call 383-1668 or e-mail sherrylessen@sbcglobal.net

Central Coast Small Business Development Center will present a BUSINESS PLAN WORKSHOP on Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Cabrillo College Sesnon House, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Co-sponsors are Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. Participants will learn how to measure business opportunities, establish realistic goals and objectives, and finance growth and profitability. They get free one-on-one business counseling and information on SBA and other loans to help them start and expand their business. Cost: $30 per person including a textbook. Seating is limited and advance registration is required. Register online at wwwcentralcoastsbdc.org, or if unable to register online, call 479-6136. Future dates: Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13.

Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Brown Bag Lunch on 'Effective Time Management Strategies' Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Speaker: Roberta Young, a senior professional in human resources, will discuss how personality affects time management, importance of vision and goals and assessing current use of time. Cost: Free, with complimentary cookies from Beyond Wheat. Parking is available behind the library, across the street adjacent to the Fire Station, in the parking garage two blocks away on Calle Principal. Reservations advised; call Wendy Brickman of Brickman Marketing at 375-1537 in Monterey or e-mail brickman@brickmanmarketing.com.

Silicon Valley American Marketing Association presents 'Global Branding in a Wireless World' Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Network Meeting Center at Techmart, 5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. Speaker Frank Cutitta, CEO and founder of The Center for Global Branding, Wayland, Mass., talking about SMS, RSS, blogs, podcasting, product placement, advertainment, buzz. Cost: $15-65 depending on membership status and registration date. Discount before Aug. 2. http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=113948 For information, email svama@onebox.com or call 866-206-9067 x3004

Santa Cruz Association of Realtors Housing Foundation hosts workshop on charitable remainders and lead trusts Wednesday, Aug 9, from 2-3 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors, 2525 Main St., Soquel. Speakers: Attorney Timothy Cleary. Future date: Nov. 8. Reservations: Call Dawn Valentine at 464-2000 or dawn@scaor.org.

Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsors mixer Thursday, Aug. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at Pajaro Valley Historical Association, 332 E. Beach St., Watsonville. Cost: Free. Information: 724-3900

Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce co-hosts SCOTTS VALLEY ART & WINE FESTIVAL Saturday and Sunday Aug. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Skypark. Artists, wineries, microbreweries, music. Joe Sharino Band Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Admission free. Info: 438-1010

Ongoing

Monday

EVENING TOASTMASTERS meets 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays at Elena Baskin Live Oak Senior Center, 1777-A Capitola Road. Information: 336-8528; www.eveningtoastmasters.com.

Tuesday

Santa Cruz SPCA and Bed and Biscuits present a free dog behavior/training coaching session for people who have rescued a dog from a shelter or rescue group 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at 2701 Chanticleer, Santa Cruz. For humans only. Reservations and information: 475-1580.

SANTA CRUZ REAL ESTATE CLUB meets 6:30-9 p.m. the second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month. For location contact Sunil Bhaskaran, 476-8608, sunil@alacrityconsulting.com.

SYNERGYZERS, an income 'brainstorming' group for business people ages 50+, meets Tuesdays. Call for time and location: 462-6595.

MID-COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE LEADS CLUB meets 8 a.m. Tuesdays, at Santa Cruz Realtor's Board on Main Street in Soquel. Information: 251-8656.

WATSONVILLE CHAPTER OF THE LEADS CLUB meets 8-9 a.m. Tuesdays at Coco's Restaurant, 1051 S. Green Valley Road, Watsonville. Information: 726-3177.

OCEAN STREET CO-ED CHAPTER OF THE LEADS CLUB meets at noon Tuesdays at Mainsail Restaurant in the Coast Santa Cruz Hotel. Information: 429-5323.

CAPITOLA WOMEN'S LEADS CLUB meets noon Tuesdays at Marie Callender's, 3400 Clares St., Capitola. Information: 476-1992.

PAJARO VALLEY TOASTMASTERS meets 7-8 a.m. every Tuesday at Watsonville Association of Realtors, 557 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville. Information: 726-3217 or pvtm.fourhinges.com.

Wednesday

Pleasure Point Business Association meets from noon to 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at PPD Multimedia, 3600 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz. Information: 479-4331 or e-mail comdirector@pleasurepointbusiness.org

Central Coast Small Business Development Center presents a workshop series 'BOOKKEEPING 101' on the first Wednesday of each month 2-5 p.m. at the Cabrillo College Sesnon House, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Sponsored by Santa Cruz County Bank. Future dates: Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6. Cost: $30 including textbook. Seating is limited; advance registration required. Register online at www.centralcoastsbdc.org or call 479-6136

Central Coast Small Business Development Center presents its workshop series 'CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN THAT WORKS' on the second Wednesday of each month from 2-5 p.m. at the Cabrillo College Sesnon House, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Future dates: Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13. Participants will learn how to measure business opportunities, establish realistic goals, and finance growth and profitability. Co-sponsored by Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $30 including textbook. Participants get free one-on-one counseling. Seating is limited; advance registration required. Register at www.centralcoastsbdc.org or call 479-6136.

Central Coast Small Business Development Center presents 'Create a Business Plan That Works,' for small business owners and those starting a business in Monterey County, on the third Wednesday of the month, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the One Stop Career Center in the University Plaza, 1760 Fremont Blvd., Building D2, Room A52, Seaside. Monterey County Bank is the sponsor. Participants receive free one-on-one counseling with business consultants, and information concerning SBA and other loans. Cost: $30 per person including a textbook. Seating limited; advance registration is required. Register online at www.centralcoastsbdc.org, or call the Small Business Development Center at 479-6136. Workforce Santa Cruz County will host a Job Fair at the Capitola Career Center, 2045 40th Ave., Capitola, every fourth Wednesday from 2-4:30 p.m. Bring a resume and be prepared to interview. Cost: Free. Employers who want to attend a future job fair should call Terri German at 464-6339 or e-mail Terri.German@hra.co.santa-cruz.ca.us

Coastal Professionals, Santa Cruz chapter of the Leads Club, meets Wednesdays from 8-9:30 a.m. at DeLaveaga Golf Lodge, 401 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. Cost: $7 per person, plus $4 for breakfast. www.coastalprofessionals.com

Cruzio manager Gershom Toriz holds a free computer and Internet workshop 3-6 p.m. every Wednesday at Cruzio's Watsonville location, 23 E. Beach St., Suite 105, Plaza Vigil. Attendees get 2.5 hours of free computer rental time. Information: 722-6200.

SAN LORENZO VALLEY ROTARY CLUB meets 7 a.m. Wednesdays at the Mount Hermon Conference Center. Information: Priscilla Weiss, 430-1230.

Santa Cruz Mortgage holds a FREE HOME BUYERS SEMINAR, 7-8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, 3600 Glen Canyon Road, Scotts Valley. Topics: How to buy a home, selecting a real estate agent, getting pre-approved, buying with no down payment and helping your children buy a home. Reservations: Bruce Hull, 430-0300 or bhull@santacruzmortgage.com.

NEIGHBORS OF LOWER OCEAN STREET, a neighborhood improvement organization of residents, property and business owners, meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Resource Center for Non-Violence, upstairs meeting room, 515 Broadway, Santa Cruz. Free. Call 682-1806 or 423-8823.

SANTA CRUZ REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CLUB meets the third Wednesday of every month at University Inn & Conference Center, 611 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Networking at 6:30 p.m., meeting 7-9 p.m. Cost: $20. Information: 916 501-8326.

Santa Cruz Home Finance hosts a free HOME BUYERS SEMINAR, 7-8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, 1535 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz. Topics: Selecting a real estate agent, getting prequalified for a mortgage, buying with no down payment and first-time buyer programs. Reservations: Tai Boutell at 425-1250 or e-mail tai@santacruzhomefinance.com.

APTOS TOASTMASTERS meet noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Rio Sands meeting room, 116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos. Information: 239-5252.

SANTA CRUZ WOMEN'S CHAPTER OF THE LEADS CLUB meets 7:30-8:45 a.m. Wednesdays at Goodwill Industries, 350 Encinal St., Santa Cruz. Information: 457-8826.

REDWOOD RAMBLERS TOASTMASTERS meets at noon Wednesdays at St. Philips Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley. Information: 438-0706.

AROMAS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Aromas Community Grange Hall on the corner of Rose and Bardue. Info: www.aromasbusinessassociation.org

Thursday

First Net Capitola presents Prime Thursdays, networking at 5 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Michael's on Main, Soquel. Next dates: Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2

BUSINESS NETWORK International Santa Cruz Chapter meets Thursdays, 7-8:30 a.m. at DeLaveaga Golf Course restaurant, 401 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. www.bnisuccessbuilders.com

El Pájaro Community Development Corp. presents PRE-VENTURE BUSINESS WORKSHOP 9 a.m.-noon on the second Thursday of each month at 23 E. Beach St. Suite 209, Watsonville. Workshops presented in Spanish by Vinicio Vides. Cost: $15 per workshop includes materials. Seating limited; advance registration required: 722-1224. Information: www.elpajarocdc.org.

SAN LORENZO VALLEY PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATION MEETING and dinner is the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Highland Park Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond. Reservations: 338-3592.

MID-COUNTY CO-ED CHAPTER OF LEADS CLUB meets 8-9:15 a.m. Thursdays at the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors, 2525 Main St., Soquel. Information: Andy Manville, 662-6150.

SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, holds a PRE-/NEW-BUSINESS WORKSHOP 5-8 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at 716G Capitola Ave., Capitola. Cost: $30, includes materials. Reservations: 475-6522.

SANTA CRUZ LE TIP BUSINESS REFERRAL CLUB meets 7-8:30 a.m. Thursdays at The Chaminade, Santa Cruz. Information: 234-6282.

SCOTTS VALLEY WOMEN'S CHAPTER OF LEADS CLUB meets 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at Peachwood's restaurant at the Inn at Pasatiempo, 555 Highway 17. Information: 443-0240.

SCO TOASTMASTERS meets noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at 400 Encinal St. in the Harvey West Business Park, Santa Cruz. Information: 427-6785.

APTOS/SOQUEL WOMEN'S CHAPTER OF LEADS CLUB INTERNATIONAL meets at noon Thursdays at Marie Callender's, 3400 Clares St., Capitola. Information: 457-8742.

SANTA CRUZ CHAPTER OF BUSINESS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL LEADS meets 7:50-8:45 a.m. Thursdays at American Dream Realty, 1041 41st Ave., Santa Cruz. Information: 477-5724.

Friday

SANTA CRUZ DOWNTOWN TOASTMASTERS meets 7:15-8:30 a.m. Fridays at DeLaveaga Golf Course clubhouse, 401 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz. Information: 438-7750.

Saturday

Aptos Mortgage hosts CREDIT SEMINAR 10-11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month at 2400 Chanticleer Ave., Suite A, in Live Oak Business Park. Topics: credit scores, identity theft and more. Reservations: 688-8131, vickygordon@aptos-mortgage.com.

Coming up

Monterey Bay Chapter of Financial Planning Associates and the Monterey County Free Libraries presents a free workshop on 'IRA Beneficiary Designations' Tuesday Aug. 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Seaside Public Library, 550 Harcourt Seaside. Speaker: Robert Finke, Certified Financial Planner? in the Aptos area.

Silicon Valley American Marketing Association sponsors a media training Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 5:30- 9 p.m. at Network Meeting Center at Techmart, 5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. Speaker: Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal Publisher Vintage Foster on how to pitch your story, why certain stories get coverage, and how to locate the right reporter for your story. Cost: $100-140; discounts before Aug. 9. Register online at http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=113946 before 10 a.m. Aug 16. For information email svama@onebox.com or call 866-206-9067 x3004

Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce sponsors mixer Thursday Aug. 17 from 5-7 p.m. at Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel. Wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres by Southern Exposure Catering, music featuring Ken Constable & artwork from Michelle Hausman. Cost: Capitola-Soquel Chamber members, $5; nonmembers, $10.

Latino Business Association sponsors breakfast talk Aug. 17 from 7:30-9 a.m. at Green Valley Grill, 40 Penny Lane, Watsonville. Speaker Dana Werdmuller on how to write a press release and get it noticed. Cost: $15 per person. Information: 724-3900.

Capitola Mall hosts Back to School Fashion Show Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the fountain in the mall, 41st Ave., Capitola. Live music, shopping sprees, and '80s fashion revival. Information. 465-0773.

Aptos Chamber of Commerce presents a networking mixer Tuesday Aug. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Aptos Square, 7960 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Cost: Aptos chamber members, $5; non-members, $10.

College financial counselor Steve Shapiro sponsors a free talk Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Aptos Public Library. Topic: 'How to Pay for College — Without Relying on Financial Aid.'

California Association of Nonprofits and PHFE Management Solutions sponsor 'Money Matters: 2006 Nonprofit Finance Conference' Sept. 14 in Oakland. Cost: Early-bird rate by Aug 21, members, $125; nonmembers, $175. Info: www.Canonprofits.org

Santa Cruz Chamber sponsors Networking Mixer at Rabobank, 3110 Mission Drive Next to Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, Aug. 30 from 5-7 p.m. Cost: Santa Cruz Chamber members, $5, and non-members, $10. Reservations are not required. Call 457-3719.

Santa Cruz Chamber sponsors Membership Luncheon at noon Aug. 31 at the Cocoanut Grove, Santa Cruz. Speaker: Rep. Sam Farr on congressional developments and the November elections. Cost: $30. Call 457.3719 or register online at www.santcruzchamber.org.

Financial Planning Association will host a training seminar, 'When Divorce and Estate Planning Issues Collide' Wednesday, Sept 20 from 4-7 p.m. at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos. Three family law experts who specialize in estate planning will speak. Cost, includes dinner: $20 for FPA members, $30 non-members. Register by Sept 10. For information call 747.7471 or email anita.lebby@verizon.net

Georgiana Clark, owner of Roaring Camp Railroads, will speak at the Aptos Chamber of Commerce membership breakfast meeting Thursday, Sept. 21 from 7:30-9 a.m. at Best Western Seacliff Inn, Aptos. Cost: Aptos Chamber members, $20, non-members, $25. Reserve by calling 688-1467 or e-mail info@aptoschamber.com

Aptos Chamber of Commerce hosts community awards dinner at Seascape Resort Friday, Oct. 13. Theme: Salsa Nights. Cost: $75 per person, or $700 for table of 10. Dinner sells out early. Call 688-1467.

Business Calendar publishes announcements regarding local meetings, seminars and classes under $100 and open to the public. Send information to the Business Desk, Santa Cruz Sentinel, P.O. Box 638, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; fax to 429-9620; or e-mail to jgumz@santacruzsentinel.com. Please put the date of your event and the words 'Business Calendar' in the subject line and include the cost; do not send attachments. Deadline for Sunday's calendar is noon Wednesday.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.