City of Santa Cruz Honors Tradition with Annual Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Town Clock | |
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Last week, the City of Santa Cruz continued a meaningful tradition with the second annual Flag-Raising Ceremony, replacing the weathered American flag atop the historic Town Clock with a pristine new one.
Speakers included Mayor Fred Keeley, Councilmember Scott Newsome, County Supervisor Justin Cummings, and Chuck Woodson, vice president of the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building.
The event, held near Presidents Day, brought together veterans, community members, City employees, firefighters, and police officers to witness the dignified retirement of the old flag and the uplifting installation of a new one.
The decommissioned flag was presented to Veteran John Ramirez, Corporal US Marine Corps, Viet Nam, Purple Heart, Chaplin, and Trustee of the Aptos VFW Post 10110.
A special thank you to the Santa Cruz Fire Department for providing their ladder truck, the Santa Cruz Police Honor Guard for their role in retiring the old flag, and the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department for their ongoing care of the Town Clock and surrounding park.
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Experience the Magic of Live Music — Peter and the Wolf Provides Affordable Fun for the Whole Family!
Join us Sunday, March 2, at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium for the Symphony Family Concert! Enjoy an exciting performance of Peter and the Wolf by the Santa Cruz Symphony, plus special appearances by the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony, Cabrillo Youth Chorus, El Sistema, Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band, and Esperanza del Valle Folklórico.
This concert is the grand finale of the Link Up program, where local 4th and 5th graders learn to play and sing alongside the orchestra. Don’t miss this fun, interactive musical experience—perfect for all ages! Tickets cost about the same as a trip to the movies! Bring the whole family and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of music—another fantastic family event at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium!
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Police Staffing Study Update
Citygate has been selected to conduct a comprehensive Police Staffing Study for SCPD. This study will provide valuable insights into staffing levels, workload distribution, and operational efficiency to ensure our police services align with the needs of our growing community. The study will include:
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Mental Health & Homelessness Response Assessment — Evaluating how our department responds to these critical issues and identifying opportunities for improvement.
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Ride-Alongs with Staff — Gaining firsthand insight into daily operations, challenges, and resource needs.
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Community & Stakeholder Engagement — Collaborating with City leadership, community organizations, and other partners to ensure a well-rounded assessment.
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Technology Assessment & Leverage — Identifying ways to enhance efficiency and service delivery through improved technology and innovative solutions.
The study will provide data-driven recommendations to address staffing needs, as well as long-term planning to ensure we continue to serve our community effectively.
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44th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off Brings Big Crowds and Big Winners
The 44th Annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off was a resounding success, drawing thousands to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for two days of delicious competition. With sunny skies and temperatures reaching 70 degrees, attendees enjoyed a perfect weekend filled with friendly rivalry, flavorful chowder, and community spirit.
The Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off continues to be a cherished tradition, showcasing culinary creativity while supporting local parks and recreation programs. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated.
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support the event and to the talented cooks who participated in this year’s competition! With your help, the event raised much-needed funds for The City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department. Special thanks to our hardworking crew of volunteers, and event partner, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, for hosting this beloved annual tradition. We look forward to seeing you next year for the 45th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off
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Amateur Competition Results – February 22, 2025
Best Boston Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: The Silence of the Clams
🥈 2nd Place: Millie’s Best Boston
🥉 3rd Place: All Clams Matter
Best Manhattan Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: Little Neck Rex
🥈 2nd Place: Dragonmama’s Portuguese Red
🥉 3rd Place: Clam Halen
People’s Choice Winners
Boston: 4 Men and a Clam — 395 votes
Manhattan: The Pink Flamingos —
397 votes
Most Tasted
1st Place: Silence of the Clams — 1,656 tastes
2nd Place: 4 Men and a Clam (Boston)
3rd Place: Bloody Brilliant Chowder
Best Booth Theming
1st Place: The Silence of the Clams
2nd Place: Rocky Horror Clam Show
3rd Place: The Krusty Klam
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Professional Competition Results – February 23, 2025
Best Boston Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: The Rustic Table
🥈 2nd Place: The Point Kitchen and Bar
🥉 3rd Place: Ideal Bar and Grill
Best Manhattan Clam Chowder
🥇 1st Place: Seascape Golf Club: Masters Edition
🥈 2nd Place: Redwood Sluggers
🥉 3rd Place: Bearded Clams Unite
People’s Choice Winners
Boston: Ideal Bar and Grill — 520 votes
Manhattan: Redwood Sluggers — 590 votes
Most Tasted
1st Place: Ideal Bar and Grill — 2,405 tastes
2nd Place: Dominican Oaks
3rd Place: Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
Best Booth Theming
1st Place: Seascape Golf Club: Masters Edition
2nd Place: Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge
3rd Place: Chowder Slugs/Redwood Sluggers
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Don’t Miss Out! Winter/Spring Activities Still Available!
The 2025 Winter/Spring Activity Guide is here, packed with events, classes, activities, and program updates for all ages! There’s still time to sign up and make the most of the season with Parks & Rec.
Check out the Activity Guide in English and Spanish!
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314 Jessie Street Updates
The City's Building & Safety unit issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for Jessie Street Apartments on February 20, 2025. This structure includes 50 affordable housing units. The Certificate expires on May 22, 2025.
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415 Natural Bridges Updates
The development at 415 Natural Bridges is close to being finalized and will provide the city with an additional 20 affordable units within the next two months.
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Join the Youth and Family Town Hall!
The City of Santa Cruz wants to hear from you! Join us for a Youth and Family Town Hall to share your thoughts on the programs, services, and resources that matter most to young people in our community.
Date: March 24
Location: London Nelson Community Center
Time: 5 – 6:15 p.m.
We want to know:
✅ What’s working?
✅ What programs or services do you value most?
✅ Are there resources or opportunities you wish were available?
This is your chance to help shape the future of youth services in Santa Cruz. Your voice matters — share your ideas!
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Join Us for an Informational Webinar on Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts | |
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The City of Santa Cruz invites community members to an informational webinar on Thursday, March 6, at 5:30 p.m. to learn about a potential Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) and how it could support City projects without adding new or increased taxes.
This session, led by City staff and Kosmont Companies, will cover:
- What an EIFD is and how it works.
- Potential benefits for Santa Cruz.
- Examples from other cities.
- Next steps in the process.
Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session where attendees can submit questions through Zoom.
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Join Us for a Community Meeting About the Murray Street Bridge Project on March 11 | | |
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Join us to learn about the Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Rail Project! Representatives from the Santa Cruz Harbor and City of Santa Cruz will provide an overview of the project and discuss traffic and harbor impacts.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, March 11
- Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
- Location: Simpkins Family Swim Center Live Oak Community Center (979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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Join Us on March 4 to Learn About the Prospect Heights and Morrissey Blvd. Paving Project | |
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The City of Santa Cruz invites community members to learn about planned road improvements to Prospect Heights and Morrissey Blvd., which will enhance overall safety for roadway users and improve access to DeLaveaga Elementary School and Harbor High School.
Join us to meet staff from the city’s Public Works team, review project plans, and provide feedback. Project construction is planned to begin in 2026.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, March 4
- Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
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Location: DeLaveaga Elementary School (1145 Morrissey Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065)
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Register for March 19 Santa Cruz County Skilled Trades Job Fair
Looking for a job or training in the skilled trades? Attend the Santa Cruz County Skilled Trades Job Fair on March 19!
Meet employers in construction, building, solar, electrical, plumbing, welding, HVAC, carpentry, agriculture and more! Learn about job opportunities, classes, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships.
On-site resume review and translation services will be available. Open to ages 18+.
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City of Santa Cruz
City Manager's Office
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz CA 95060
santacruzca.gov
831-420-5010
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