Parks and Recreation

Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi

March 20, 2016 by Seb Frey

Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi is a dance studio and fitness center in Aptos offering a number of dance, movement, and Tai Chi classes for all kinds of students and experience levels. The studio features a high quality, surround-sound stereo system and high-tech disco light package. The classes which are offered include:

Tai Chi
Cardio Dance
Beginning/Intermediate Ballet
Interval Circuit
Cardio Kickboxing
Intermediate Belly Dance
Beginning Jazz for Adults
Zumba Fitness
Kids Dance Classes
West Coast Swing
Jazz Workout
Wedding Dance Lessons for Couples and Groups

Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi instructors are available for private dance lessons, and the entire studio space is available for rent for your own dance parties! They also host special events such as dance and magic shows for kids of all ages. They have a special, limited time offer – 10 classes for $100 where you can take any class you want, so mix and match!

See also:

Dance Synergy Web Site, Dance Synergy Facebook Page

Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi Instagram Feed

[instagram-feed id=”1158415763″ type=”user”]

Crowdfunding from Aptos to Asia

March 20, 2016 by Seb Frey

Thomas Fahey, co-owner and instructor at Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi in Aptos, today embarks on a trip to China and Vietnam. The trip is an incredible example of crowdfunding from Aptos to Asia: it’s all been made possible thanks to the incredible and generous contributions of dozens of local folks from in and around Aptos.

Last November, Thomas climbed the stairs at Depot Hill in Capitola for twelve straight hours, to both bring attention to his GoFundMe undraising campaign and to show the power of Tai Chi practice and mindfulness. As Thomas says on his GoFundMe page, the purpose of his trip to Asia is:

…to deepen my understanding and skill in the internal arts in order to more greatly impact my community.

This will be an amazing trip for Thomas, one that is certain to have great significance in his life, and will deepen and enrich his teaching at Dance Synergy in Aptos. Thomas has set up a blog to document the trip and you can check it out here.

Thomas made a video thanking all his supporters, and it is below. Everyone please wish him well on his trip – and it’s not too late to donate! The GoFundMe page is still active and accepting donations.

Crowdfunding from Aptos to Asia Video

Run the Mar Vista 5K Race!

March 16, 2016 by Seb Frey

Mar Vista 5k Run-2 — Support Mar Vista Elementary School!

Yo yo! Mar Vista Elementary School is throwing it all the way back to the 1980’s for its Inaugural 5K race! The proceeds from this new fun-raiser will go to help construct a running track for Mar Vista, to help our kids stay physically fit. So grab everyone you can and join them, dressed in your headbands, leg warmers and brightest neon colors for what is sure to be a fun and exciting morning.

The race will be run on Sunday, April 17th at 9:00 AM. It begins at Aptos Village Park, and proceeds into the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Participants will receive a race day shirt and an experience they are sure to remember – and of course, the satisfaction of helping improve Mar Vista School, a pillar of our community for over fifty (50!) years.

The 5k race will be professionally chip timed, and awards will be given to the overall male and female winners and medals for the top 3 winners from each gender/age group.

The entrance fee is $40 for individuals $150 for a family 4 pack. To sign up, visit http://www.fleetfeetaptos.com/racing/move-for-mar-vista-5k

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE! If you’d like to sponsor the race, please contact moveformarvista5k@yahoo.com for information.

Seacliff Village Park Now Open

December 11, 2015 by Seb Frey

After nearly twenty years of work by our community, the Seacliff Village Park is now open! Despite the damp conditions for the event, dozens of community members came out for the ribbon cutting. Food was provided by Manuel’s Restaurant and Severino’s, and many children got their first chance to break in the new play structures.

Before the ribbon was cut, a number of people who had been instrumental in the park’s creation made a few remarks, including Kate Minott (the 2nd District Parks Commissioner and Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks) and Zach Friend, the our 2nd District County Supervisor. A complete video recording of the remarks and ribbon cutting is available here, along with a number of photographs.

Video of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Seacliff Village Park is Now Open!

Castro Adobe State Historic Park

December 6, 2015 by Seb Frey

The Castro Adobe State Historic Park is located just outside of Aptos, in Larkin Valley. It’s one of the very oldest structures in Santa Cruz county, and one of only four adobe structures left standing within the county. It’s also one of the few remaining two-story adobe homes anywhere in California. The Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is working with the State of California to open the site as a California Historic Park.

Although the Castro Adobe is located outside of the limits of Aptos proper, it is historically important to Aptos and the Pajaro Valley region. The Castro family was one of California’s earliest and most prominent Spanish families, having arrived with the Spanish explorer Anza in 1775. The Castro Adobe was built between 1848 and 1850.

The structure was badly damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and has been undergoing renovations ever since. A lot of progress has been made, but there’s much work to be done before the site can officially open as a California state park. It is presently open to the public only on special occasions, however it can be visited by schools on field trips and organized community groups by special arrangement. If you would like to arrange a special visit by your group, please contact the California State Park Interpreter: Joseph Carr Ritchie, 831-226-9669 or joseph.ritchie@parks.ca.gov

Seacliff Village Park Opens December 10!

December 4, 2015 by Seb Frey

It’s been years in the making, and now, finally, Seacliff Village Park opens December 10! There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest Santa Cruz County Park on Thursday, December 10th from 1 to 3 PM.

Located at the corner Sea Ridge Road and McGregor Drive, the new Seacliff Village Park is a 1.4-acre facility that will feature many wonderful elements. These include five play structures including swings, a climbing net, and a lighthouse themed play area. There will be a small plaza area, multiple walkways, a picnic area, drinking fountain, bike rack, and benches. Public art from local artist Kathleen Crocetti will also be incorporated in our new park. Ms. Crocetti’s work includes 38 stained concrete pylons with mosaic tops that feature local Seacliff imagery.

Platforms Beach

September 13, 2015 by Seb Frey

Platforms Beach is located between Rio del Mar Beach and Hidden Beach, and is accessed via a drive down Beach Drive from the Rio del Mar Beach Round-a-bout. There’s a state beach parking lot that requires that you either pay $10 to park or have a state park parking pass. There are some free parking spots around there, but they are limited and usually fill up before the paid spots do.
Platforms Beach is known for its long, wide and sandy beach, with gentle waves and a long shelf out into the water before there is any drop-off – it’s like you are walking on a platform out into the water. It’s a very popular place for families. There is a public restroom and a water fountain, but that’s it for the amenities.

If you’re coming from the Rio del Mar neighborhood, there’s a trail you can take from Seaview Drive down to the beach.

Seacliff Village Park Groundbreaking

August 2, 2015 by Seb Frey

It’s finally happening – Seacliff Village Park will soon become a reality! The public is invited to attend the Seacliff Village Park groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, August 3rd from 10 AM until 12 noon. The ceremony is to be held at the park site at the corner of McGregor Drive and Sea Ridge Road in Aptos.

The first phase of the park’s construction will be performed by Earthworks Paving Contractors, who have 144 days to complete this first stage of the development. This work will include a lighthouse-themed play structure, a picnic area, a small plaza, drinking fountain, bike rack, benches, several walkways, and drought tolerant landscaping.

Phase 1 will also include a public art component by artist Kathleen Crocetti, who will cast 38 stained concrete pylons topped with mosaics along the park pathways. The public is invited to join in the creation of the artwork by attending design meetings or participating in the onsite artwork construction. For more details please visit www.scparks.com.

Please join County Supervisor Zach Friend, Parks staff, the Seacliff Improvement Association and Earthworks Paving Contractors, Inc. for this FREE event on August 3rd, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. All are invited to attend to hear speakers share, and reminisce about how Seacliff Village Park became a reality.

Castro Adobe Receives $100,000 Grant

July 17, 2015 by Seb Frey

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (Friends), a local nonprofit serving 32 state parks and beaches in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, announced it has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, host of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, to fund the ongoing restoration of the Castro Adobe State Historic Park.

Located in Larkin Valley, near Watsonville, the two-story Castro Adobe is one of four adobe buildings remaining in Santa Cruz County and one of the finest examples of a rancho hacienda in the Monterey Bay area. Friends is leading a multi-year restoration effort to preserve and interpret the Castro, and is partnering with State Parks to open the adobe as a State Historic Park. A phased opening started this year with school group tours and public open house events, which continue on August 14th and 15th. The Castro Adobe will be Santa Cruz County’s newest State Historic Park.

The Monterey Peninsula Foundation grant will help fund Phase Two restoration work to:

Strengthen the second floor of the Adobe
Install a lift to make the Adobe wheelchair accessible
Move the interior stairs to create a larger space for the interpretation of the fandango room
Install new exterior stairs
Finalize seismic stabilization of the building

Castro Adobe to Open this Summer

June 1, 2015 by Seb Frey

The famous Castro Adobe in Larkin Valley will be held open for three weekends this summer. The Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will be holding the home open to visitors on June 12th and 13th, July 10th and 11th, and August 14th and 15th. The Adobe will be open on each of those days from 11 AM until 3 PM. Admission will be free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. The Castro Adobe is located at 184 Old Adobe Road, just off Larkin Road near the intersection with Buena Vista.

The Castro Adobe is significant for Aptos because it was built by Juan Jose Castro. Juan Jose was the brother of Rafael Castro, who received the original 1833 Rancho Aptos land grant from the Governor of Mexico. According to Wikipedia, the Castro Adobe served as the governing seat and “fiesta house” for the Castro family.

The Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks has been leading a multi-year restoration effort to preserve and interpret the site and is partnering with California State Parks to open the adobe as a State Historic Park. To follow progress on the restoration effort, visit www.ThatsMyPark.org/projects/castro-adobe.