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Light up that tree Santa makes the rounds Dec. 1 in Aptos at the annual tree lighting ceremony. Sheriff's deputies, firefighters, girl and boy scouts, vendors and live music added to the festivities. The event is hosted by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce.

This year, however, could prove to be one of the organization's most difficult in its three-decade history. The loss of Toys R Us, which shut down all of its stores in the nation in June, could result in 1,500 fewer toys this year, according to Valadez.

For years, a temporary building has served as the Capitola Library, which included a modest bank of computers, a colorful children’s section and an astonishing number of books, given the diminutive size of the place.

From serving freshly cooked food at banquets, special events, festivals and other community events, the two-man crew inside the ShockWave Food Truck is, well, riding a wave of success.

When the Capitola Begonia Festival wrapped up its 65-year run in 2017, many in the community refused to let it go.

CAPITOLA — St. John’s Helpful Shop in Capitola Village is preparing to move out and find a new home after 65 years. A literal cornerstone of the village, St. John’s Helpful Shop first opened at its location on the corner of Monterey and Capitola avenues in 1953. Women from the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, then located in the Depot Hill area of Capitola, opened the store to raise money for a new church carpet. Gradually, the church grew, and the shop became a way for St. John’s to expand its community outreach. Church and community members alike volunteer their time at the shop, with all proceeds given as grants to local nonprofits. The building that houses the Helpful Shop recently changed hands, said shop volunteer Daniel Oliver. This has prompted them to move out and possibly find a new location. “We’re currently making a decision of where and when we can reopen,” Oliver said. “We’d like to get the word out and ask help from the community.” In 2018, St. John’s Helpful Shop helped support 26 different organizations across the region — including Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Homeless Services Center, Native Animal Rescue, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County and more. “That’s really the whole point,” Oliver said. “The outreach. We’d really like to keep that going.” Aug. 25 was the Helpful Shop’s final day open at its Capitola Village location. The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist is now located at 125 Canterbury Drive in Aptos, and Helpful Shop volunteers say they hope to find a location not too far from the church itself — but are open to other ideas. To contact St. John’s Helpful Shop, visit st-john-aptos.org.

A lawsuit has been set in motion regarding the construction of a new Santa Cruz Nissan dealership proposed to be built near the intersection of Soquel Drive at 41st Avenue. Initially slated to open in spring 2019, the 2.6-acre parcel would be a relocation for the existing Nissan dealership which is nearby. Plans were approved by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in May. Though the ball is rolling in motion, the group Sustainable Soquel is saying “not so fast.”

Congressman gives update to Aptos community Congressman Jimmy Panetta speaks with Pajaro Valley Unified School District board president Leslie DeRose on Aug. 14 during a luncheon presented by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce at the Best Western Seacliff Inn. Panetta, who was the guest speaker, described what he has been working on in Congress over the past year. He said many people across the country are "overwhelmed" and "confused" at the actions of the White House and Congress, stressing the importance of Republicans and Democrats working together to solve issues. "It feels like we have been governing on flurry," Panetta said. "It's time we govern on focus. You have to work with the other side to get things done." About 90 people were in attendance.

“The Producers,” a musical comedy based on Mel Brooks’ award-winning 1967 film, will run at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater through Aug. 19 as part of Cabrillo Stage’s Summer Musical Festival.

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.