September’s an active month with numerous events, and it’s also the designated month for National Childhood Cancer Awareness, as well as National Childhood Obesity Awareness. With so much going on, Patch sifted through the pile of happenings and listed five activities or news highlights that appeared particularly interesting, below.

The Green Big Day: More Birding, Less Driving event. There will be a presentation detailing a competition between birders from the US, UK and Australia who competed to see who could identify the most bird species in one day without jumping in a car. Biologist and birder Scott Smithson will share highlights of the event, including video, and will discuss his vision of the future of greenbirding. The event will take place Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Wetlands Educational Resource Center at the top of the Pajaro Valley High School campus at 500 Harkins Slough Rd. The event is free but reserved seating is required. Call Kathy at 345-1226 to reserve a seat.

Court Appointed Special Advocates will hold its annual auction gala on September 18 at the Chaminade. Debonaire Dan Green of KSBW will entertain as live auctioneer and there’ll be live jazz, fine wines and a three-course dinner along with silent and live auctions. The event is from 4 to 8 p.m. at One Chaminade Lane. Tickets are $125, and the dinner and live auction begin at 6 p.m. Donations may be made or tickets can be purchased at the Casa of Santa Cruz website or by calling Linda Bixby at 761-2956, ext. 106.

The Central Coast YMCA sent out a release about soaring obesity rates among children. More than one in three Pajaro Valley children are clinically obese, according to findings from the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. The release further states that obesity puts children at risk for chronic diseases that are often common in adults like high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. The Central Coast YMCA stated that these findings shed light on the need to provide children and their parents with the resources that they need to be healthy. For information about resources and to learn about healthy living programs offered at the YMCA, contact Robert Wollenzien at 728-9622.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is asking volunteers across the country to join the battle against childhood cancer. According to a release, childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children under the age of 15 in the United States. There are multiple ways for potential supporters to help out. To learn how to get involved, visit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation website, here.

Central Coast Independent School Fair. The public will have the opportunity to meet with students and representatives from an array of independent, private and faith-based, k-12 grade schools, during an informational event on educational resources. The event may not be until November, but if offers attendees the chance to learn about exceptional academic, arts and athletic programs in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The event takes place Nov. 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El., 3055 Porter Gulch Rd. and Soquel Drive. For more information visit the Independent School Fair website or call 359-5949