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Rudy Escalante is shown in 2012 as the new Capitola Police Chief. Escalante was recently named the CEO of Janus of Santa Cruz. File photo by Tarmo Hannula

The company will perform series of façade renovations at the center at State Park and Soquel drive

For many, the process of 3D printing is still akin to magic. Witnessing a digital design take shape in a physical form through a 3D printer, creating everything from architectural models to human prosthetics, seems like a miracle — until you actually understand the science behind it. Since Jan. 20, a sizable collection of 3D printers, along with laser and vinyl cutters, routers, soldering stations and more are now available to Cabrillo College students, faculty and the community at the school’s new Makerspace center.

SOQUEL — A little more than six years ago, triplets Kevin, David and Jason Gonzalez and their brother Flavio walked into Sanford’s Martial Arts in Soquel for the first time, tied the white belt of a novice around their waist and began a journey that has required years of work, focus and dedication. Through the years, the Watsonville residents learned the series of moves and techniques that allowed them to move up through the ranks, respectively earning their yellow, orange, blue, green, purple and brown belts.

In June 2016, the Santa Cruz Playground Project embarked on a two-year capital campaign to raise nearly $2 million for an inclusive playground. Named LEO’s Haven, the playground, designed in a way so a child with a disability can play side-by-side with their friends, will be built at Chanticleer Park in Live Oak.

Martin Pollock was deployed to Afghanistan after he completed training in the British Army. He was severely injured just four months later in a blast that took both legs and his left arm. After five years of rehabilitation, he was ready to get active, and he did so by trying various sports such as skiing and water skiing. Pollock, 34, said he finally found what he was searching for with surfing.

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.

A local math teacher left for a trip to New York City, where he received a prestigious teaching award. Matt Engle, who teaches at Monterey Bay Academy, has received the 2017 Rosenthal Prize for Innovation in Math Teaching. Engle earned the $25,000 award for his lesson, titled “Bringing Similarity Into Light: Experiencing Similarity and Dilations Using Shadows.” The lesson examines the shadows of shapes to explore concepts such as ratio, dilation, and proportionality in triangles.

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.

A wrecking crew tears down the former Marie Callender's restaurant at the Capitola Mall on Feb. 22 to clear the path for a new Olive Garden restaurant. Olive Garden is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine, according to its website. The chain restaurant has more than 800 locations world-wide. Photo by Tarmo Hannula