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APTOS — On Jan. 13, the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers will hold its annual winter Scion Exchange at the Cabrillo College Horticulture Center in Aptos from noon to 3 p.m.

NBA G League President Malcolm Turner speaks during a luncheon at the Seascape Resort recently. Photo by Mark Stover

A selection of wines from the newly opened Soquel tasting room, Vinocruz, was part of the third annual Soquel Village Sip & Stroll on Saturday. The event included a number of area wineries who set up stations throughout Soquel Village.

Santa Cruz County Historic Resources Commission unanimously approved restoration plans for the exterior of the historic Hihn Apple Barn on May 12. 

APTOS — When he was in school, Brandon Gruber occasionally found himself in the role of the underdog, and occasionally the target of bullies. But he always rose above it. Gruber, now 22, is hoping he can help others do the same. He recently launched the Diamond Awards, for students who find themselves in similar situations. This can include those that are struggling to learn English or those with special needs, who may otherwise be overlooked.

Watsonville artist Bonni Carver heads up a painting class recently on the cliffs above the sea at La Selva Beach. Photo by Tarmo Hannula

If you have lived in this county for any amount of time, you may have noticed Ledyard trucks delivering food and restaurant supplies. I did not make the connection between the two names until I received a book for the Aptos History Museum entitled, "Aptos was Idyllic," written by Dr. David Glass. It is the story of his childhood, growing up in Ledyard Acres in the middle of the last century. It is a wonderful little book.

A little more than three decades after opening in Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos Coffee Roasting Company will be closing. Owner Bronson Baker made the announcement Thursday on Facebook. According to Baker, Terramar Retail Center LLC, which owns the property, declined to renew the business’ lease. It now has until Aug. 31 to vacate the building.

Girl Scout Troop 10213 of Aptos recently donated more than 50 jackets to Dominican Hospital as part of their holiday charity project. The 10- and 11-year-olds collected the coats through donation drives at Mar Vista and Soquel elementary schools. The jackets will be added to the hospital’s “patient closet,” and will be provided to any patient who needs a coat when they leave the hospital.

Aaron Lowe has been tapped as the new fire chief of the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District, the board of directors recently announced. Lowe was selected from a field of 31 applicants after a five-month nationwide recruitment process, according to fire district officials. His base salary is $190,000, according to a contract approved by the board of directors on April 12. “I’m truly excited about coming to the Aptos/La Selva area,” said Lowe, who begins his new post on April 23. “When this opportunity came up, I was thrilled. It’s quite an amazing opportunity that I did not want to pass up.”