Santa Cruz County readies for 48th Annual Apple Pie Contest
Santa Cruz County is gearing up for its 48th Annual Apple Pie Baking Contest, set to take place at the upcoming Santa Cruz County Fair.
Organized by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, the event promises to be a celebration of local apple harvests and baking talent, drawing participants from across the region.
The judging panel for this year’s contest features a diverse group of experts, including Lily Belli, a renowned Food and Drink Correspondent from Lookout Santa Cruz; Kyle Theriot, an apple grower and Director of Vineyard Operations at Ridge Vineyards; Maria Vasquez, a Retail Sales Representative at Driscoll’s, Inc.; and Marcus Mendiola, a Water Conservation and Outreach Specialist with PV Water.
Judging will begin at noon on the event’s opening day, Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Paddy Smith Park. The contest comprises three divisions: Youth, for participants 17 years old and under; Adult, for those 18 and over; and Masters, which includes previous winners of first or second place in the Adult division.
Prizes are awarded across all categories, with first place earning $50, second $40 and third $30, along with a coveted Best of Show prize valued at $75. In addition to monetary rewards, ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third place in each division, as well as for the Best of Show, celebrating the best overall pie.
The event is sponsored by Pajaro Valley apple growers, shippers and related industry representatives, as well as local pie enthusiasts who take pride in the region’s apple bounty.
Call to artists for Behavioral Health Bridge Housing
An artist will be selected to create a site-specific public artwork for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) facility, an innovative, 32-bed center with temporary housing located at 2202 Soquel Ave.
The center will provide comprehensive wraparound services to individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The proposed site-specific artwork should enhance the experience of residents, staff, and facility visitors. Proposal imagery must be appropriate for the facility, which provides a space for treatment and recovery while creating a pathway to long-term housing. For more on the facility, visit santacruzhealth.com/bridgehousing.
Proposals must address one of the areas outlined on the site map: 1) fencing facing Soquel Avenue; 2) free-standing sculpture in the courtyard area; or 3) existing guardrail facing Soquel Ave. The budget for the project is $26,000.
A “Call to Artists,” which includes detailed information about the RFP process, plans, images and a sample contract are available on the County Parks website parks.santacruzcountyca.gov/Home/AboutUs/WorkWithUs/CalltoArtists.aspx.
The deadline for submitting a proposal is Sept. 12.
Sheriff to open new Service Center in Davenport
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 approved the establishment of a new Sheriff’s Service Center in Davenport to serve the North Coast community and meet growing public safety needs following the opening of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument and other upcoming community investments.
To be located at 450 Highway 1 in the heart of Davenport, the new substation will provide a visible and accessible hub for residents, visitors and law enforcement. The facility will be staffed by a Community Policing Deputy and qualified community volunteers, serving as a location for public safety inquiries, crime reporting and community engagement.
“This new substation formalizes our commitment to serving the North Coast community,” Sheriff Chris Clark said. “By making sure residents and visitors alike have a direct connection to the Sheriff’s Office, we can respond quickly, engage directly and ensure all have a great experience along the North Coast.”
Santa Cruz County Parks will also occupy space at the site, strengthening interagency collaboration and resource management along the North Coast, which has seen an increase in visitorship in recent years. In addition to the opening of Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) and the soon-to-be-completed North Coast stretch of Rail Trail, County investments including infrastructure improvements are intended to help manage demand on North Coast amenities.
“This new service center represents an investment in both public safety and quality of life for the North Coast,” said Supervisor Justin Cummings, who led efforts to establish the service center. “By colocating with County Parks, we are creating long-term efficiencies while ensuring residents and visitors alike have access to the services they need.”
Author Talk with Meg Waite Clayton at the Capitola Library
Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) welcomes internationally bestselling writer Meg Waite Clayton to the Capitola Branch Library on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10:30am for an in-person author talk in the Ow Family Community Room.
Waite Clayton is the author of nine novels and international bestsellers, including “The Postmistress of Paris” and “The Last Train to London.” Her newest novel, “Typewriter Beach,” set in 1957 and 2018 Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hollywood, is an unforgettable story of the unlikely friendship between an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and a young actress hoping to be Alfred Hitchcock’s new star.
In graceful prose and with an intimate understanding of human nature, Waite Clayton captures the joys and frustrations of being a writer, being a woman, being a star and being in love in this story of two women separated by generations—a tale of ideas and ideals, passion and persistence, creativity, politics and family.
“We invite the public to join this conversation and dive into Waite Clayton’s writing process and latest novel, which is set here on the Central Coast,” stated SCPL.
Registration is recommended at santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/14308085, but walk-ins are welcome.
