Lifestyle

Write to the RTC on the Rail Corridor

April 27, 2020 by Seb Frey

The Coastal Rail Trail — Tell the RTC Your Thoughts on the Future of our Rail Corridor

The Regional Transportation Commission will soon decide if the Santa Cruz Rail Corridor will be used for passenger rail, or some kind of bus service. They are working on a Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis – but they are only looking at two alternatives – fixed rail and bus.

This web site has frequently made the case that the best use of the corridor isn’t for passenger rail. Many (most!) Aptos residents are likely also opposed to any capital-intensive, low-use projects envisioned in the corridor. Please write to the RTC today at transitcorridoraa@sccrtc.org or info@sccrtc.org or via their Contact Us web page.

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Suggested Talking Points for a Message to the RTC

I’m writing to let you know that I OPPOSE the rail transit options and the bus option on the rail corridor. The rail options however are far worse than bus, because…

Rail transit will not move more people faster nor for less money than bus transit.
Rail transit is more NOT accessible, less comfortable, and louder for riders and neighbors. It also does not go where people need to go.
Rail transit will operate in a corridor creating additional traffic congestion in residential neighborhoods, so provides the least reliable service: NEVER on time any time.
Rail transit CANNOT be implemented sooner than bus transit, it will have NO IMPACT to be able to travel car-free, it WILL NOT lower our emissions, it WILL NOT fight global warming, and will have NO IMPACT to escape traffic congestion sooner.
Rail banking WORKS and absolutely protects 100% of the existing 32 mile rail corridor from easement threats. The Great Redwood Trail in Northern California is using rail banking for a distance 10 times longer than the Santa Cruz Corridor with not easement threats. The only threat here is from the extremists at the Friend of the Rail Trail.

Choosing rail transit means construction of the Coastal Rail Trail is ALREADY delayed and WILL NOT be completed within 10 years. Plans for the rail trail are shoddy and ridiculously expensive.

Bus Rapid Transit/Bus on Shoulder along Highway 1 offers South County riders the same access to improved public transportation as North County riders, RAIL transit does not. It would also clearly show single occupant vehicle drivers that there isa faster way to Santa Cruz.

Rail transit WILL NEVER double the use of public transportation county-wide. Please use SMART as an excellent example of Rail Transit Failure. You cannot get an entire county to accept the burden of financing public tranportation for 2% of the population.

Rail transit is THE MOST expensive to operate and maintain so, over time, rail transit will BANKRUPT SANTA CRUZ METRO.

Funding to implement passenger rail service is NOT REALISTICALLY identified in the State Rail Plan. With COVID-19, we will also be taking a massive hit to revenue in the county, making paying for such capital intensive projects even less feasible.

Tearing up the existing tracks to replace them with a road for buses or commuter rail would create environmental trauma such as TOXIC CLEANUP FROM DECADES OF PESTICIDES, GREASES and OTHER WASTER along with demolition waste, grading, miles of new pavement, and digging for storm drainage systems. This is minimized by replacing the tracks with an active transportation trail and keeping mass transit on the Highway 1 corridor where it belongs.

Rail provides the LEAST easiest access and minimal amount of bike storage per vehicle (rail 20 or more, most buses can only carry around 3). WE DON’T WANT A PLACE TO STORE OUR BIKES, WE WANT A PLACE TO SAFELY RIDE OUR BIKES!

It doesn’t matter if rail provides the access for wheelchairs if it is difficult to get to the locations to ride the train and to get to a final destination as the centuries old rail line does not pass through any current day employment area, government center or higher learning campus. Rail on a signle track cannot accommodate more people with personal mobility devices.

STOP WASTING OUR TIME WITH THESE STUDIES! STOP THE MADNESS OF RAIL AND THEIR SPECIAL INTERESTS AND BUILD A TRAIL ON THE CORRIDOR NOW!

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Hosted Taco Bar Sunday 10/6 in Aptos

October 3, 2019 by Seb Frey

Taco Bar and Open House 10/6/19 in Aptos

I’ve hosted a number of taco bars over the years – often for housewarming parties and the like. But this is my first public taco bar open house. I wanted to open it up to anyone and everyone, to show my appreciation for my community (while also, hopefully, getting some good exposure for my listing).

Do you love tacos? Who doesn’t? That’s why I’m hosting a free taco bar this coming Sunday, October 6th @ 4 PM at my new listing in Rio del Mar, at 175 Tamarack Drive (just a few blocks from Rio del Mar Elementary). This is the first open house I’m holding for the property – it’s a beautiful home, right along the 14th fairway of the Seascape Golf Course. I figured a beautiful home like this really deserves a fun and festive first open house – so what could be better than a taco bar?

As I often do at open houses, I’m encouraging people to register to win a $100 Amazon gift card. To register, you need to tell me how much you think the final sale price of the home will be – and whoever guesses closest wins a $100 Amazon gift card at close of escrow. After all, everyone who loves tacos also loves Amazon.com, right? Chocolate and peanut butter!

Please come to 175 Tamarack Drive on Sunday, October 6th at 4 PM. The tacos are free, and all-you-can-eat while the tacos last! It would be lovely to meet more members of our Aptos Community. I hope to see you there!

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Our Community Reads Begins its Third Year

September 29, 2019 by Seb Frey

Friends of the Aptos Library / Our Community Reads

Friends of the Aptos Library is pleased to announce that their very successful “Our Community Reads” (“OCR”) program is returning for its third year!

The ballots were cast and the public will soon learn which of five nominated books will be the featured title for the 2020 Our Community Reads (OCR) season. On September 26th, 50 members of the community came from La Selva, Aptos and Capitola to choose the winner. The voting event was hosted by the Friends of the Aptos Library at the Aptos Branch.

Books under consideration are: Map of Salt and Stars, by Zeyn Joukhadar, Patriot Number One by Lauren Hilgers, Isaac’s Storm, by Erik Larson, Earthquake Storms, by John C. Dvorak, and lastly Change Comes to Dinner, by Katherine Gustafson. Each one of these books tells a fascinating story, and each in its own way would be relevant to us here in the Central Coast. We encourage everyone to read them all!

The idea behind “OCR” is to foster community by having as many people at one time reading the same book. The Friends host a series of events free and open to the public to offer our residents the opportunity to gather and share ideas around related themes from the book. Last year a total of 16 events, with something for everyone, brought the community together over a span of almost 9 weeks as we delved into the themes of The Death and Life of Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival. Partnerships with several organizations such as Save Our Shores, and the Elkorn Slough Foundation along with participation from Cabrillo College and Aptos High School made this possible. La Selva Beach Friends of the Library hosted a panel of five scientists for a lively and informative discussion.

This year the Friends of the Capitola Library will join the Aptos Friends in sponsoring events that will begin late January and run approximately 6 weeks. We look forward to meeting members of our community through this interactive and exciting program. Visit the Friends of the Aptos Library web site to learn more.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

Save a Little Girl’s Life, Be a Match

August 22, 2019 by Seb Frey

Today, there’s a family in Aptos that needs your help. The youngest child, Ziva, has been diagnosed with leukemia, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment. She’s a fighter, and has an army of family and friends behind her, praying for her and the family and doing all they can to support them in this unimaginably difficult time.

Ziva’s doctors have determined that Ziva needs a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, nobody in the family is a match, and so the search is on for a compatible bone marrow donor.

Don’t wait! BE THE MATCH at Join.BeTheMatch.org

Aptos, Ziva Mitnick needs your help finding a bone marrow donor. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to see if you might be a candidate. Simply point your web browser to join.bethematch.org. From that web site, you can register to be sent a swab kit. It’s easy: stick a cotton swab in your mouth, swish it around, and return it to the laboratory. Your results will be entered into a national database, and if you’re a match for Ziva, you’ll be contacted. If you’re not a match for Ziva, you may be a match for someone else someday – you could help a family somewhere else in the world in their hour of need.

Take a moment and sign up to be the match. If you’re aged 18 to 44, the swab kit is free. If you’re 45 to 60 years old, they charge a $100 donation fee.

Please don’t wait – act now. Your swab kit will take a couple of weeks to process, and Ziva needs as many of us as possible to send in their swab kits, stat.

World’s Shortest Parade in 47 Seconds

July 4, 2019 by Seb Frey

Mar Vista Students Raise Funds for Paradise Elementary

February 22, 2019 by Seb Frey

The students at Mar Vista Elementary School recently held a special Winter Benefit Concert to raise funds to help the children and families of Paradise Elementary School, which burned to the ground in 2018 during the devastating Camp fire.

Students in grades TK (Transitional Kindergarten) through 4th performed a wide range of songs, starting with It’s a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and finishing up with I’ll be There by Bruno Mars. The first of two performances was held on a Thursday morning at 8:30 AM, but the hall was packed with parents excited to see their kids perform.

Students from the 5th and 6th grades ran the coffee and bake sale, which was the fundraising portion of the event. They had an ambitious goal of raising $4,000-$5,000 for the victims of the fire. The students of Mar Vista Elementary School ask you to please donate to the Camp Fire Relief Fund!

Schools is all about learning, and by putting on this benefit concert, the students have learned a very important lesson. They’ve learned that we’re all in this together, and that when people need help it’s important to step up and lend a hand to those in need.

Mar Vista Elementary Winter Benefit Concert Video

Mar Vista Elementary Winter Benefit Concert Photo Gallery

The school also put together a video showing how the idea of this special benefit concert came about, and can be seen below:

Our Community Reads in 2019

January 19, 2019 by Seb Frey

Friends of the Aptos Library is again sponsoring “Our Community Reads” in 2019. In its second year, the goal is to bring the community together around issues concerning our residents and to foster ways to engage people in a thought-provoking manner.

A book is chosen by a committee and recommended as a community read. Last year’s themes were based around the book “Born a Crime”, by Trevor Noah which highlighted the issues of racism and “otherness” as they affect members of society. This year’s book choice, “The Death & Life of Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival” focuses on the tumultuous story from the bay’s disastrous past of over-fishing and pollution to becoming the most prized natural resource it is today.

Read a good book lately?

The Friends of the Aptos Library offers a vast array of events to the public to bring these themes to light and allows people to gather together for discussion and community engagement. This year’s offerings consist of 3 films (each presented by an expert in a field relating to the film’s topic) several speakers, a panel discussion, a conversation with the book’s two authors, a poetry slam/art event hosted by Aptos High & Delta School, and some outings to explore the Elkhorn Slough. All but two of these events are free, and all are open to the public.

Not only do we project that readers will learn a great deal about the Monterey Bay through this extensive program and gain an appreciation for the bay’s turbulent past, but participants will gain access to what they can do to secure the healthy future of our most precious natural resource.

Looking for a Home in Aptos?

A major goal of Our Community Reads is to foster awareness, highlight literacy, and create a passion for engagement and activism. We believe that a well-informed and involved community is a healthy one!

To reach underserved communities, the Friends of the Aptos Library, through a California Humanities grant, will be purchasing Spanish-language educational materials relating to the ocean and conservation and environmental issues. They will be donated to the county library Book Mobile and taken along with volunteers who can facilitate learning to these grade school aged children.

Our Community Reads 2019 Events

Our Community Reads Begins its Third Year (September 29, 2019)

The Early Days of Aptos Post Office Jumps

January 12, 2019 by Seb Frey

Ryan Howard (aka “R-Dog” – find him on Instagram) is a professional mountain biker from our favorite coastal town: Aptos, California. He recently appeared in a video shot for Freehub Magazine and appearing on the website Pinkbike. It’s good to hear talk about how important the Aptos Post Office Jumps were not just to locals, but to the international mountain bike community. While the Post Office Jumps are gone, they’re certainly not forgotten – and probably never will be!

Ryan R-Dog Howard Video

Original article @ Pinkbike.com

Read a good book lately?

Santa Cruz First Day Hikes 2019

December 28, 2018 by Seb Frey

Looking for a great way to start the new year in Santa Cruz? How about going outside and enjoying the great outdoors? Beaches, forests, and more! You owe it to yourself to check out these amazing Santa Cruz First Day Hikes for 2019. There are a couple right here in Aptos!

History Under the Trees

Concrete Ship History Walk: First Day Hike

Bird Walk

First Day Hike in Fall Creek

Wilder Ridge Loop: First Day Hike

Buzzard’s Roost Hike

Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Park Property: First Day Hike

Sempervirens Falls Hike

Sequoia Audubon Trail First Day Hike

Sandhills to Observation Deck First Day Hike

Skyline to the Sea Bypass Trail

Old Cove Landing Trail

First Day Hike to Cable Car Beach

Ultimate New Year’s 2019 Guide for Santa Cruz

December 20, 2018 by Seb Frey

If you don’t know what to do to ring in 2019 in Aptos and Santa Cruz, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Turns out, our Santa Cruz has something for everyone. Here is the list of the ultimate New Years 2019 Activities in Santa Cruz County (and a few beyond!).

APTOS

Ring in the New Year at Seascape!

Seascape Resort is hosting a New Year’s Eve party. Offering a lavish dinner and dessert buffet with live music by Mike Hadley and the Groove, and a midnight champagne toast (must be 21 or older to attend).

The event will begin when doors open at 6:30. Dinner is from 7:00-9:00pm, and dancing from 8:30pm-12:30am. They have special room rates, too! The event cost is $150 per person (includes service charge and tax).

Best Western Seacliff Inn New Year’s Eve Party

Our local hotel, the Best Western Seacliff Inn will have a New Year’s celebration with food and music on Monday, December 31, 2018 from 6:30 PM – 1:30 AM. Dinner seating times are from 6:30pm-8pm, and includes champagne toasts and party favors. Dance the night away with Live Again, performing hard rocking tunes from 9pm-1am.

They will serve a four course dinner at $109 per person. Check their web site for the Room and Dinner Special at $425 per couple. Package includes a standard room, dinner for two and a complimentary hot breakfast buffet.

Tsunami plays Cafe Rio New Years Eve!

The Tsunami Band will be playing at Cafe Rio on New years eve from 9 PM til 12:30 Am – make your reservations now!

Read a good book lately?

SOQUEL

Chamstock 2019 “Hippy” New Year Party

Chaminade Resort & Spa will host a Hippy New Year, offering a very psychedelic night. The flashback starts at 7pm with appetizers and includes a complete New Year’s Eve beverage package of beer, wine, champagne. It sounds like a really great time, as they’re offering a themed strolling dinner experience from 8pm-10pm, then dancing until midnight.

Check their overnight Packages Starting at Just $499 per couple (taxes and resort fee additional).

FELTON

China Cats New Year’s Eve Celebration

Hosted by Flynn’s Cabaret and Steakhouse and the China Cats. On Monday December 31st from 9PM to 12 AM you can join the rich and varied musical tradition of the Grateful Dead and more.

The China Cast band on any given night will play songs from throughout the Dead’s 30-year repertoire. Their joy and enthusiasm for making music together is so contagious that the band has featured guest appearances from Grateful Dead alumni, including original member Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay. Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band has joined the band on numerous occasions since 2013.

The cost is $30-$35, or consider getting the package of dinner and tickets. Vegan/Vegetarian choice for $84 with Glass of Champagne or $99 Meat Plate with Glass of Champagne

Located at Flynn’s Cabaret and Steakhouse
6275 Highway 9, Felton, California 95018

CAPITOLA

Soulwise and The Leftovers at Zelda’s

If you looking for Reggae and rock party on New Year’s Eve, consider checking out SOULWISE and THE LEFTOVERS. The fun starts at 10 pm and goes on til 1 am at Zelda’s Restaurant in Capitola on the Esplanade.

203 Esplanade Ave, Capitola, California 95010

SANTA CRUZ

New Years Eve Party w/ The Get Down and Judo No

Cruise on down to the Crepe Place for their New Year’s Eve Dance Party. Right in the new year with great bands, people, and a party! The fun starts at 9 PM and goes til 12:30 AM.

The Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95062

SCOTTS VALLEY

New Years Eve Black and White Party at Bruno’s

Bruno’s Bar and Grill will host a Black and White Party on New Year’s Eve, and they claim to have the best party in town. Dinner starts at 7:30PM and they have a package for $50 per couple or $25 per person, including party horns and a crown or hat.

The dance party starts at 9:30PM with a champagne toast at midnight. Offering live music from the Hot Fuse Band playing classic rock, funk, latin rock and reggae covers.

You can wear all black, white or both and for those who would like to participate in the masquerade portion, wear a mask or pick one up at the door.

Monday, December 31, 2018 at 7:30 PM – 12:30 AM.
230 Mount Hermon Rd. #G, Scotts Valley, California 95066

4th Annual New Years Eve Party with THE LOST BOYS featuring James Durbin

You can also celebrate at The 4th Annual New Year’s Eve Party with The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin for $50.00. This event will be located at The Inn at Pasatiempo. You can expect dancing, Appetizers, Champagne Toast, balloon drop and no host bar along with a rockin’ good time.

Monday, December 31, 2018 at 8 PM – 12:30 AM
The Inn at Pasatiempo
555 HWY 17, Santa Cruz, California 95060

BROOKDALE

New Year’s Eve Party and Campfire Benefit

Hosted by Beneath the Redwoods Event Planning
The party will rage from 8 PM – 1 AM at the Brookdale Lodge
11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale, California 95007

JUST DINNER

New Years Eve at the Jack O’Neil Lounge

The Aquarius Restaurant at the Dream Inn Santa Cruz will offer a five course New Year Dinner. From 5:30pm – 10:00pm. Live Music 6:30pm – 9:30pm. $85 per person, Reservations Required.

Aquarius Restaurant
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, California 95060

New Year’s Eve Three Course Dinner

The Chaminade Resort & Spa is also offering a NYE Three Courses prix fixe dinner. From 5pm to 10 pm. Offering a three-course prix fixe dinner crafted by new Executive Chef, Pete Page. Linwood’s Bar & Grill will be featuring this delicious menu throughout the evening, with additional champagne and wine pairings available.

$50 Per Person – tax and gratuity additional

View menu at www.chaminade.com

New Year’s – Lobster, Oysters & Bubbles

MJA Vineyards and Ohana Table in the Westside Barrel Room will host a New Year’s party like no other. Starting at 4 PM until 7 PM they will be serving raw oysters, sauteed oysters, and a special treat – traditional Maine-style lobster rolls (chilled w/ lemon aioli on top a split bun).

Entry to the event is free! Oysters may be purchased in the barrel room, or in advance at a discounted price. You can check the menu online.

MJA Vineyards
328 Ingalls St Ste A, Santa Cruz, California 95060

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FAMILY NEW YEAR EXPERIENCES

Early New Year’s Eve Skate

A great way to celebrate with young people that can’t make it to midnight. Santa Cruz Roller Palladium will have an early New Year’s Eve skate.

7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, California 950

New Year’s Eve Sleepover at The Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is offering a New Year’s Sleepover for kids and families from 5 years old to adult. This one of a kind experience will happen on Monday, December 31st, 2018 from 7 p.m. til 8:30 a.m. on January 1. Tickets are $155 per person for the general public or $125 per person for Aquarium members.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California 93940

Noon Year’s Eve at Happy Hollow

Hosted by Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. The countdown to midnight may belong to the adults, but Happy Hollow’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration is all about outdoor fun for the little ones. On December 31st, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo will celebrate the arrival of 2019 with award-winning magician Robert Strong, Danny the Dragon, sparkling apple cider, biodegradable confetti, music and dancing, and a magical “countdown to noon” ball drop.

All the fun is included with the price of admission!
Monday, December 31, 2018 at 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
1300 Senter Rd, San Jose, California 95112
happyhollow.org

New Year’s Eve and Garden Night Holiday at Gilroy Gardens

Get together with family and friends for a special New Year’s celebration at Gilroy Gardens including music by DJ Livinh, and fireworks over Coyote Lake as they count down to 2019! They’ll have music, local wines, and craft beers at the Events Plaza starting at 8pm. The fireworks show starts just before midnight and is included FREE with all Holiday night admission tickets.

Monday, December 31, 2018 at 8 PM – 12 AM
Gilroy Gardens
3050 Hecker Pass Rd, Gilroy, California 95020
www.gilroygardens.org