Woodies on display on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
There was a large turnout for the annual Woodies on the Wharf Saturday in Santa Cruz where more than 200 stylish, wood-bodied cars were on display on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Owners were on hand to share their stories about their cars and trucks.
Light up that tree
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.
St. John’s Helpful Shop seeks new location after 65 years
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.
County surpasses $20 million in road repairs
With March 16 marking the one-year anniversary of a federal disaster declaration for January 2017 storms, the County of Santa Cruz announced the completion of more than $20 million in debris removal and road repairs, including several priority projects.
Soquel Church celebrates 150 years
Members of the Congregational Church of Soquel are celebrated 150 years of their majestic white steeple church in the heart of Soquel Village with an “Art and History Weekend.” Extensive displays of historic photos, some from the late 1800s, newspaper clippings, post cards and memorabilia were exhibited around the church’s campus May 19-20.
Holiday food drive kicks off
County businesses, civic, community leaders and activists gathered for a luncheon on Nov. 2 at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos to launch the annual campaign.
Rancho Del Mar project approved
The company will perform series of façade renovations at the center at State Park and Soquel drive
Knife wielder shuts down SC bridge
Santa Cruz Police shut down the Water Street Bridge in Santa Cruz Monday for about 90 minutes where a woman reportedly waved a knife at people early Tuesday. The incident was coupled with an unrelated major water main break and flooding.
Around 1 p.m. the...
Aptos High School students awarded scholarship by the Corralitos Woman's Club
Aptos High School students awarded $2,500 scholarship by the Corralitos Woman's Club. Both will attend UC Berkeley.
Kenyans Kipruto, Rotich make triumphant returns to Wharf to Wharf
Kenyans Silas Kipruto and Caroline Rotich made triumphant returns to the Wharf to Wharf Race on Sunday morning.
Under perfect muted weather, Kipruto won the overall title, Rotich captured the women’s title and 16,000 runners made the six-mile trek between the Santa Cruz and Capitola wharfs in the race’s 46th installment.






















