Watch 'The Gnome-Mobile' — featuring Big Basin — under the stars 
Join us for a free screening of the 1967 Disney classic, "The Gnome-Mobile," on Saturday evening at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. This family-friendly flick was partially filmed in Big Basin State Park.

This Movies @ The Mission event is the final movie night of the summer, and part of the 2015 Summer Series. The gate opens at 7 p.m. and the movie will start at dusk. Bring blankets or low chairs to lounge on the patio. 

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is located at 144 School St. in Santa Cruz. Learn more about the movie night on Facebook.

Learn to make mole sauce like a pro 
Enjoy a cooking experience like no other at "Mysteries of Mole Unlocked!," an outdoor mole-making class led by Cesario Ruiz of My Mom's Mole.

The class, 12-5 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 22 at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, explains the complexities of the ingredients used in mole, the history of the distinctive dish, and how you can make this versatile sauce for yourself and guests.


Cost is $40 for Santa Cruz City residents and $52 for non-residents. A $35 materials fee is due to the instructor at the class. Advanced registration is available online (class #18844), or sign up at the Mission on Saturday. Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is located at 144 School St. in downtown Santa Cruz.

Become a State Parks volunteer at Año Nuevo or Natural Bridges.  
State Parks is recruiting volunteers to be trained as docents for both Año Nuevo and Natural Bridges State Beaches. 

At Año Nuevo, volunteer docents will be trained to interpret the natural and cultural history of the park, as well as lead guided walks to the elephant seal rookery during the seals' winter breeding season. Docents act as roving naturalists during other seasons.

Requirements to become a docent at Año Nuevo include being able to hike 3 to 5 miles and committing to the 12-week training course. Applications are available on the State Parks website; the deadline to apply is Sept. 10. 

Fall docent training at Natural Bridges State Beach begins in late September. Docents lead weekend tours, interpreting the natural and cultural history of the park to visitors. Docents also host the butterfly grove, help with restoration, assist at festivals, lead elementary school tours and more. 

The five-week Natural Bridges Fall Docent Training is 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays and half-days on Saturdays. For more information or to apply, call 831-423-4609 ext. 8 or email naturalbridgesstatebeach@gmail.com

Entertainment announced for third annual Mole & Mariachi Festival 
The 2015 Mole & Mariachi Festival at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park will feature two Gilroy mariachi bands, as well as baile folklórico. For the first time, Santa Cruz's favorite accordionist, The Great Morgani, also will perform at the festival.  

Mariachi Alma de Mexico and their youth band, Mariachi Juvenil Alma de Mexico, both will play sets at the third annual Mole & Mariachi Festival, which is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. This is the first year either band has made an appearance at the festival. 

Estrellas de Esperanza, a Watsonville-based youth dance troupe will perform at the festival for the third year in the row. 

A complete schedule of entertainment, as well as other activities and the array of food purveyors for the Mole & Mariachi Festival, will be announced in September. RSVP online and read the full press release about the event.

New Brighton Summer Concert Series wraps up 
The free summer concert series at New Brighton State Beach's campfire center concludes Saturday, Aug. 29 with a performance by Designated Drivers, an Americana and classic rock band.

The series included 11 free, family-friendly concerts. The final show is 7-8 p.m. Parking at the beach is $10 and supports the park. 
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