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3D Scanning Technology Comes to Aptos

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Matterport 3D Camera

Matterport 3D Camera and iPad

An amazing new 3D Scanning Technology Comes to Aptos, in the form of the Matterport 3D camera. This camera is used to create photorealistic representations of the interior of buildings. It was developed over the hill in Mountain View, and some of the earliest adopters of this technology have been real estate agents, for the creation of eye-popping (some would say mind-blowing!) virtual tours.

This is believed to be the first use of a technology like this ever in Aptos. Noted Aptos real estate broker Seb Frey hired VirtualTourCafe to create a 3D model of his listing at 692 Rio del Mar Blvd, in the Rio del Mar neighborhood of Aptos.

3D Virtual Walk-Through

Although the Matterport technology is very new, it’s gaining traction, fast. Zillow now directly supports links to Matterport 3D models, and the San Francisco Association of Realtors has already added a specific link for Matterport models right in its MLS singulair over the counter. It is expected that many more multiple listing services, including MLSListings.com which serves Aptos, will one day offer direct support for this nascent technology as well.

According to Frey:

My listing at 692 Rio del Mar is truly an exceptional home – but honestly, a lot of people are put off by the Rio del Mar Boulevard address. They think traffic and noise – but this home is actually set well off the street on a flag lot. Getting people up the driveway to see the home has been a challenge…but by offering this innovative Matterport 3D virtual walk-through, we’re expecting to get a lot more buyers in the actual door.

See also: What’s the Matterport in Santa Cruz?

Flats Bistro

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Flats Bistro
Flats BistroFlats Bistro54 reviewsFlats Bistro on Yelp

The Flats Bistro in Aptos is located on the Rio del Mar Beach Esplanade, adjacent to the venerable Cafe Rio. Actually, Flats Bistro and Cafe Rio have the same owner, Jeanne Harrison. While Cafe Rio offers a full bar and a more formal, sit-down dining experience, the Flats Bistro is a much more casual experience.

They open early with fresh hot coffee and pastries, perfect for foggy Aptos mornings and a walk down the beach. Later on in the day, you’ll want to go there for their pizza, cooked in a distinctive gas oven. The ingredients are locally sourced and organic when possible, and the crust is distinctive. Made from sourdough, it’s chewy and flavorful in a way that really stands out in a world of me-too pizzas.

And who says pizza is just for lunch and dinner? Flats Bistro is right on the cutting edge, introducing breakfast pizzas to breakfast patrons.

The Flats Bistro is a welcome addition to the Rio del Mar Beach Esplanade. You might not think that pizza and the beach go great together – but you’d be surprised, especially given all the picnic tables you’ll find a few dozen yards down the beach…the perfect place to munch a slice or two and savor both the pizza and life in Aptos.

See also: Flats Bistro Cafe Facebook Page, Flats Bistro Review in Good Times magazine

Rio del Mar Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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Rio Del Mar - Established 1926
New Rio Del Mar Neighborhood Sign

Supervisor Zach Friend and the Rio del Mar Improvement Association (RDMIA) will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 9:30 AM at the Rio del Mar Beach esplanade. The ceremony will celebrate the completion of the new roundabout as well as the new entrance sign to Rio del Mar and other beautification efforts. All are invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The County of Santa Cruz Public Works Department managed the construction of the roundabout, beginning in the fall of 2014. The RDMIA coordinated the relocation of the Whaley Structure to the roundabout during the construction project. The new roundabout is now complete and provides a safer circulation pattern with less air pollutants released. The Aptos Chamber of Commerce recently awarded a “Community Enhancement” award to the RDMIA for its participation in the roundabout construction.

The roundabout is just one of several projects completed in the Rio del Mar area during the past year. A new entrance sign to Rio del Mar was completed in May 2015 in the traffic median island across from Deer Park Center. The sign’s construction was coordinated by John Fuchs Construction of Rio del Mar and LMNO Arts, an Aptos-based business, created the unique metal letters. The sign’s design is a replica of one of the original signs in Rio del Mar dating back to 1926. The new sign provides a historic and charming “welcome” to residents and visitors alike. All of these efforts are part of the RDMIA’s “Beautification” Strategy for 2014-2015. Other projects that the RDMIA is coordinating include new landscaping and a memorial bench program for new benches along the Esplanade.

The Public Works department utilized grants and other funding to pay for the roundabout. The RDMIA raised over $13,000 to pay for its beautification efforts. Residents, property owners and local businesses contributed to the fund.

Pixie Deli

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Pixie Deli
Pixie DeliPixie Deli181 reviewsPixie Deli on Yelp

Pixie Deli in Aptos is located in the Rio del Mar Beach Flats. It’s a great spot to grab a quick bite and maybe a beer as you soak up the rays on the beach. They have a good number of tables outside in the sunshine, and a few indoors for when it’s cold and foggy. It’s called the Pixie Deli but it really isn’t much of a deli, it’s more of a casual restaurant where a lot of diners no doubt take their food to go, back to the beach. Their menu is typical California/American cuisine, featuring French Toast, wraps, breakfast burritos, burgers, pesto chicken sandwiches, and good beer.

Hot New Kickstarter Project in Town

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The Cardboard Guys
The Cardboard Guys:
Jordan Kepler, Justin Farr and Jake Disraeli

There’s a hot new Kickstarter project in town – so hot, in fact, it was named a Kickstarter Staff Pick within hours of launching. It’s an idea whose time has come: sturdy, inexpensive furniture made from 50% post-consumer recycled cardboard – designed for kids.

The project is the brain child of Aptos native Jordan Kepler, who recently graduated Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Kepler, along with fellow Cal Poly alumni Justin Farr and Jake Disraeli, came up with the idea as part of their senior project. They noticed that university students often toss out their furniture when they move after the school year ends. In fact, 8.5 million tons of furniture and furnishings are thrown away every year in the United States. That’s a lot of trash.

It’s no secret that a lot of today’s furniture is cheap stuff, made from particle board and not designed to last for many years. Kepler and his friends realized that children’s furniture in particular has a short life span, as kids outgrow their furniture within a few years. From this idea, The Cardboard Guys was born. While the furniture is designed to be recycled, it is also designed to be sturdy and strong: a chair they’ve designed is rated to hold 500 pounds of weight.

Cardboard Desk and Chair Set
This Cardboard Desk and Chair Set will retail for around $100

Within 3 days of launching on Kickstarter.com, the project had already reached about 50% of its goal of $25,000, which must be raised by March 27th. Once the project reaches its goal, The Cardboard Guys will use the money to buy a cardboard die cutting machine and start cranking out their first product, a cardboard desk and matching chair. Each desk+chair set comes with art supplies in the packaging, and kids are encouraged to decorate their furniture to suit their style and taste. It is expected that the desk+chair set will retail for around $100.

Assuming that the $25K Kickstarter goal is met, Kepler and The Cardboard Guys will be donating pieces to the Rio del Mar Elementary School auction and also the Mar Vista Elementary School auction.

Check out the cool teaser video (below) they put together – and then head over to the Kickstarter campaign and make a donation. There’s a much longer and more detailed video there you can check out too.

Let’s help Jordan and his friends make a dent in the Universe.
See also:

Aptos Vandalism Community Meeting on December 4

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The Seacliff Improvement Association has passed along this notification regarding Aptos Vandalism Community Meeting on December 4 in response to the recent spate of vandalism in certain neighborhoods in Aptos:

Sheriff Elect Jim Hart, Supervisor Zach Friend and District Attorney Jeff Rosell will co-host a community update on the recent arson and vandalism in the Aptos area. They want to provide the latest case information and hear from the community about any additional leads or concerns that people may have. The event is open to all Aptos neighbors. Parking is limited so carpool if you can. No RSVP is required.

The meeting is to be held this coming Thursday, December 4th from 6 PM – 7:15 PM, at the Rio Sands Hotel.

Sherriff Letter
Letter dated November 25 2014 from Sheriff-Elect Jim Hart regarding recent vandalism

Sheriff Elect Jim Hart did provide a letter to the community, detailing the crimes and the Sheriff’s offices response. That letter is attached:

Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos

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Rio Sands Hotel
Rio Sands HotelRio Sands Hotel79 reviewsRio Sands Hotel on Yelp

The Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos is one of the largest hotels in the Aptos area, and is also the one that is closest to the beach. It is conveniently located just steps from the sands of Rio del Mar Beach. They also have a large community meeting room which can be rented for breakfasts and meetings, holding up to 120 people. They offer rooms including a continental breakfast, abundant and free parking, and free WiFi for paying guests. Each room is equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, in-room coffee, and hair dryer. They have a variety of room sizes, including full suites.
See also:

Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos (Rio del Mar)
Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos (Rio del Mar)

New Rio del Mar Roundabout is Now Under Construction

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The folks at the Rio del Mar Improvement Association (RDMIA) have announced that the New Rio del Mar roundabout is now under construction.  The RDMIA has been working with the County of Santa Cruz to bring a much-needed improvement to both the traffic flow and aesthetics of the Rio del Mar Beach area. As part of the construction the “Whaley” sculpture presently located at the intersection of Clubhouse Drive and Rio del Mar Boulevard will be installed in the new roundabout.

These efforts are part of the RDMIA’s “Beautification” strategy for 2014/2015. Part of the plan also includes construction of a new welcome sign to the Rio del Mar Beach Neighborhood, pictured here:

Rio del Mar Neighborhood Sign
Rio del Mar Neighborhood Sign

The roundabout construction project should be completed in the next few weeks. The Rio del Mar neighborhood sign has not yet broken ground, but the RDMIA hopes to have the sign installed in early 2015.

In addition, there will be a new “memorial bench” program for new benches along the esplanade. The RDMIA is accepting donations to help pay for these improvements. Please consider donating, by sending a check to:

RDMIA
PO Box 274
Aptos, CA. 95001

You can also make a credit card donation on the RDMIA Facebook Page.  For additional information on the project, please contact Melanie Freitas at 831-251-3550 or at MelanieF1@aol.com

Whaley Sculpture in Aptos/Rio del Mar
Whaley Sculpture in Aptos/Rio del Mar

Aptos Vacation Rental Vote on November 12

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Santa Cruz County Seal
Santa Cruz County Seal

The Santa Cruz County planning commission is meeting for a final Aptos vacation rental vote on November 12. The meeting agenda is posted on the county web site. The meeting starts at 9:00 AM, and is to be held in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, Room 525 in the County Government Center at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz (aka the Courthouse).

The county is proposing to bring vacation rental restrictions to the coastal, suburban areas of Aptos (i.e. Seacliff and Seascape, and Rio del Mar), similar to those currently imposed in the “Live Oak Designated Area” (LODA). This move has the support of many area residents, but not surprisingly, many are also opposed, in particular those in the real estate industry. Paul and Robert Bailey of Bailey Properties have sent a letter to affected owners, and have written a detailed response to the county’s proposed ordinance, both of which are worth taking a few moments to read.

You can also read the complete details of the proposed ordinance here.

Whatever your position on the vacation rental ordinance, this is an issue which many people care deeply about, and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting on November 12 if at all possible. Those unable to attend but would like to make their voices heard are encouraged to contact the office of Supervisor Zach Friend:

701 Ocean Street, Room 500
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 454-2200 (phone)
Email: zach.friend@co.santa-cruz.ca.us

Run for Rio 5K Race – September 14

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The Second Annual Run for Rio 5K Race will be held this year on Sunday, September 14, 2014. The run begins at 8:00 AM in Seascape Village, and the course winds its way through nearby neighborhoods. The fee to participate is $30 per runner or $120 for a family of up to 5. Proceeds from the run will directly benefit Rio Del Mar Elementary Parent Alliance which funds many important programs at Rio del Mar Elementary School.

Seascape Village Fitness and Physical Therapy is hosting both pre- and post-run gatherings at their Fitness Center, with healthy snacks and beverages and guided warm-up and cool-down periods. Seascape Foods will also be providing a post fuel station.

See also:

Run for Rio 5K Race
Run for Rio 5K Race