Bricks

from Aptos Life | March 2020

Food

BUILDING COMMUNITY John Hibble, co-executive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and curator of the Aptos History Museum, heads a ribbon-cutting for the Celebration Brick Program in Aptos. Tarmo Hannula Bricks highlight Aptos

Program helps keep memories alive, fund Chamber, History Museum

Lasting memories of loved ones, events, businesses and organizations might now last a little longer in Aptos thanks to the Celebration Brick Program and a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony that unfolded Feb. 15. About 100 people gathered around one of eight tree wells at the Village Green, the centerpiece of the new Aptos Village Center, to aid the Aptos Chamber of Commerce in cutting a red ribbon. They were celebrating the completion of a brick-lined planter with 144 bricks, each emblazoned with commemorative inscriptions, the first of eight such tree wells.

“We’re making history here,” said John Hibble, coexecutive director of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and curator of the Aptos History Museum. “Our goal is to complete all eight tree wells. This is for people who want to have something left behind in the village and to help a good cause.”

Each brick costs $200 and features words of the purchaser’s choice commemorating friends and family, special moments, businesses, organizations, events, pets, passed ones and just about anything else they can fit on a small red brick.

One brick read: “ROSEMARY F. WILL YOU MARRY ME? GEORGE.” The letters accompanied a small heart sign. Aldina Real Estate and Aptos/La Selva Firefighters had bricks in there along with another that read: “HOWARD & HELLEN FOLGER, TOGETHER 74 YEARS.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” said local realtor Ruth Bates. “I’ve been a part of this community for the past 21 years and I think things like this help build a community.” Hibble shared with those gathered key ➝ 5

elements of Aptos history while underscoring the importance of maintaining history today.

“The railroad came here in 1875 and Aptos was largely a lumber yard village,” he said. “There were 13 saloons and a few hotels. Most people lived in the lumber camps.” Looming behind Hibble was the historic Hihn apple-packing warehouse, which, as part of the Aptos Village Project, was transformed into the New Leaf Community Market. The building, whose construction started roughly in the 1890s, was just a hint of the grandeur of Aptos history that Hibble touched on in trying to garner interest in the Celebration Brick Program.

Hibble reminded the crowd that thanks needed to go to folks like former supervisor Ellen Pirie, who set the wheel in motion to revitalize the village.

“This was a communityplanned village in its third incarnation,” Hibble said.

He welcomed applications for the next round of commemorative BRICKS 4

‘We’re making history here... This is for people who want to have something left behind in the village and to help a good cause.’

- John Hibble

bricks, whose fee includes engraving and installation.

“Buy a brick; preserve a memory,” he said.

Money raised goes to support the Aptos History Museum and the Aptos Chamber.

To purchase a brick, call 688-1467.

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL 2019 !

SOLD by Ruth in 2019

I truly appreciate your business and your referrals. I look forward to serving your Real Estate needs across Santa Cruz County in 2020.

I’ve moved to Monterey Bay Propertes My new email is: ruthbates1@gmail.com Phone: 831.359.2212

RUTH BATES

Broker Associate & MBA

ruthbates1@gmail.com

831.359.2212

DRE# 01799929 www.ruthbates.com 'd Z^h>d^ t/d, Zhd,͊

Serving Sellers and Buyers Across Santa Cruz County

Houses, Townhomes, Condos, Mobile Homes, Land, Mult-Res, 1031-exchange

My Goal is to Exceed Your Expectatons

$1,675,000—146 Alta, Santa Cruz, Seller

$1,455,000—211 Wanzer, Santa Cruz, Buyer

$1,364,000—23 Ford, Watsonville, Buyer

$1,350,000—870 Old Farm Lane, Aptos, Buyer

$1,275,000—321 15th, Santa Cruz, Seller

$1,250,000—710 Riverview, Capitola, Buyer $1,195,000—503 Caudill, Corralitos, Seller $1,185,000—106 Vista Mar, Aptos, Buyer

$1,100,000—726 Gilroy, Capitola, Seller

$1,100,000—4535 Portola, Santa Cruz, Seller

$1,099,000—240 Rio Del Mar #J, Aptos, Buyer

$1,080,000—531 Cuesta, Aptos, Seller

$780,000—307 Village Creek, Aptos, Seller

$642,500—359 Village Creek, Aptos, Seller $599,000—10 Oak Shadows, Aptos, Buyer $565,000—95 Cherry Blossom, Aptos, Buyer

$555,000—438 Walnut, Santa Cruz, Seller

$403,500—34 Knollwood, Aptos, Seller

PARKS Seacliff skate park opens

New youth outlet features skateable art

By TARMO HANNULA

The new Seaclif Skate Park opened Feb. 8 in Seaclif Village Park. The park is nestled in a curving section of McGregor Drive at Canterbury Drive and beside the State Park exit from Highway 1. It features “skateable art,” features a view of the Monterey Bay and includes references the S.S. Palo Alto, Aptos’ famed concrete ship, also known as the “cement ship.”

Made possible by donations from Richard Novak and Rowland and Patricia Rebele, the park abuts a fenced play area, benches, covered picnic areas, bike racks and a walking path available at Seaclif Village Park. That park is highlighted with drought-resistant foliage and trees, and a 15,000-square-foot center area landscaped with droughtresistant turf. Several local artists, including Watsonville’s Kathleen Crocetti, created design features throughout the park.

“The skate park is a true measurement of what happens when you say ‘yes,’” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend. “Yes to partnership, yes to creativity and yes to our local youth. For decades there was a need, and in less than a year we were able to provide a key recreational opportunity for Mid and South County that future generations will use.”

Dreamland Skate Parks helped with design and construction in concert with Bredy Construction. The project was a joint efort between those businesses, Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks and local residents Tricia Proctor and Marie Martorella.