Santa’s Shelves Craft Faire returns this weekend
The Felton Fire Auxiliary will host the annual Santa’s Shelves Craft Faire, a beloved community tradition that has been bringing holiday joy to Felton since 1978.
This cherished event will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, 9am-4pm, and Sunday, Nov. 24, 10am-4pm, at the Felton Firehouse, 131 Kirby St., continuing the 46-year tradition of supporting the Felton Fire Protection District.
What began as a small, local gathering has grown into one of the most anticipated events of the season. Families come from all over to experience the magic of Santa’s Shelves, which features visits with Santa at the firehouse, delicious treats from the bake sale, and a wide variety of handmade goods from local makers. It’s the perfect opportunity to start Christmas shopping while giving back to the community.
“Santa’s Shelves has been a pillar of the Felton community for over 40 years,” said Christy Shults, event coordinator. “We’ve grown, but the heart of the event remains the same: raising funds to support our volunteer firefighters.”
This year, the event will introduce new vendors and offer festive mimosas alongside favorite breakfast casseroles, adding an extra layer of holiday cheer to the festivities. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase, with proceeds directly benefiting the Felton Fire Protection District. Attendees can enter to win a variety of prizes, all while helping to fund essential resources for our volunteer firefighters.
Santa’s Shelves is more than just a craft fair—it’s a community gathering that brings people together to celebrate the season and support the dedicated volunteers who keep Felton safe. The funds raised by the Felton Fire Auxiliary through this event ensure that the Felton Fire Protection District can continue its vital work in protecting the community.
For more information, follow Santa’s Shelves or contact in**@do************.com.
Ben Lomond hosts inaugural holiday Tree Lighting Party
The Ben Lomond community is gearing up for a brand-new holiday tradition with its first-ever Ben Lomond Tree Lighting Party, set to light up the village on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 4-7pm at the Ben Lomond Firehouse.
This family-friendly celebration promises an evening filled with holiday cheer, festive activities, and community. The event will feature a variety of free activities, with snacks, treats and beverages available by donation to support local causes.
Guests can enjoy an array of holiday fun, including kids’ activity tables for ornament decorating, interactive games, and holiday music performed by talented local groups. A highlight of the evening will be the tree lighting, where friends, neighbors, and families will gather to illuminate the holiday tree, symbolizing unity and the start of the holiday season in Ben Lomond.
Attendees are encouraged to bring food items to benefit Valley Churches United.
Organized by the Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA), the event will also feature appearances by local performers and musicians, creating a warm and festive ambiance. Attendees are encouraged to wear festive red attire to add to the cheerful atmosphere.
Cider, hot chocolate and other seasonal refreshments will be available to keep everyone warm and cozy throughout the evening.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the holiday season,” said Heidi Castagna, BLVA Board President. “We invite everyone to join us in making this a memorable start to what we hope will become an annual tradition.”
Admission is free, but attendees are asked to RSVP at benlomondvillage.org/events to help organizers plan for a delightful evening. Parking will be available at the nearby Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 9545 Love Creek Road.
Cabrillo College named ‘Best Community College’ in California
Cabrillo College has been ranked the best community college in California, based upon a study released by SmartAsset that was published in the Oct. 21 issue of The Miami Herald. The same study ranked Cabrillo College 37th overall in the United States.
For the study to determine the best community colleges in the U.S., SmartAsset compared 616 two-year colleges that offer associate degrees and have at least 500 full-time students. The awards were granted based upon the colleges’ retention rates, student-to-faculty ratios, and tuition and fees. The study was based upon publicly available data from 2022-23.
“This ranking provides a tangible reference for what I’ve heard anecdotally since arriving at Cabrillo seven years ago, that Cabrillo is the best community college in the state,” said Matt Wetstein, superintendent and president at Cabrillo College. “I’ve had people tell me their best professors were at Cabrillo…even better than teachers they had at some of the highest rated universities in the world.”
Ranked first in California with a full-time student retention rate of 74% and a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, Cabrillo College is also highly affordable, with full-time, in-state tuition and fees costing $1,262. A federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution with locations in Aptos and Watsonville, approximately half of Cabrillo’s students are Latinx.
Collectively, California community colleges scored well in the study’s “least expensive” ranking, taking the top 50 spots for least expensive schools, with tuition and fees costing less than $1,500 per year.
