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.
Hit and run suspect facing manslaughter charges
A Watsonville man is facing felony vehicular manslaughter charges after a woman he allegedly struck with his vehicle on June 5 died from her injuries.
Girl Scout Troop 10213 donates jackets
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.
Making the future
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.
True Leaf named Second Harvest’s top donor
In a roomful of elected officials and non-profit agencies from all corners of Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest Food Bank revealed San Juan Bautista-based True Leaf Farms as its choice for 2019 Food Industry Donor of the Year.
The ceremony served as the lunch event...
These men enjoy a visit to Rio del Mar State Beach Thursday during a king tide.
Photo by LIFE photographer Tarmo Hannula
These men enjoy a visit to Rio del Mar State Beach Thursday during a king tide.
Meteorologist Scott Rowe of the National Weather Service Monterey said there is also a chance of some coastal flooding with a chance of rain Thursday evening and into next week. Rowe said beach visitors should be cautious as they get near the shore.
Rancho Del Mar project approved
The company will perform series of façade renovations at the center at State Park and Soquel drive
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.
The Census — being counted matters!
Once each decade, the U.S. Census Bureau attempts to count every person in the United States.
Painting class at La Selva Beach.
Watsonville artist Bonni Carver heads up a painting class recently on the cliffs above the sea at La Selva Beach. Photo by Tarmo Hannula