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Election Day, November 5th!
With election day coming on November 5th, it's time to make your voice heard! Voting is one of the most powerful ways we can all contribute to shaping the future of our community, state, and country. Whether you're voting by mail, in person, or at a drop-off location, every ballot matters.
Let's come together as a community and celebrate the democratic process that allows each of us to have a say. By voting, we strengthen our commitment to a united, respectful society where every voice counts!
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London Nelson Community Center Announces Halloween Film Festival Winners | |
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The votes are in, and the annual Halloween Horrors Film Competition winners have been chosen!
Creating a film in under a month is no easy feat, especially with the unique creative constraints that make this event a true challenge. This year, participants had to incorporate three specific elements: a character named Gabe or Gabbie, a set of chopsticks, and the line, "What game are you playing?" into their chilling stories.
We're thrilled by the creativity and dedication of each filmmaker who brought these elements to life in spine-tingling ways.
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View the winning films and music videos below:
Devil's Dolly by Team Lone Wolf
Rise My Children! by Mission Hill Movie Club!
The Pitstop by Barnmaster Team
Deviliscious by Santa Cruziness
Hekate by Traveller
Thank you to the event sponsors for making the Halloween Film Festival possible, and thank you to the London Nelson Community Center crew for hosting a memorable red-carpet film screening and awards night for our filmmakers!
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Above right: The Youth Division Winner is the Mission Hill Movie Club for their film, "Rise My Children!"
Above left: Halloween Music Video Division Winners are Santa Cruziness members Trish Unruhe and Jenny Brown
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Staff Performs Pump Station Cleaning at Neary Lagoon
The City’s Wastewater Collection team got their hands dirty while performing the prewinter cleaning of the Neary Lagoon pump station, an essential step in providing area flood control.
Neary Lagoon is a wildlife refuge and serves as an important part of the urban watershed for the City of Santa Cruz. A drainage area of approximately 850 acres empties into the lagoon and, from there, out to the ocean.
Wildlife inhabiting or visiting the refuge include mallard and wood ducks, pied billed grebes, a multitude of coots, geese, several varieties of fish and the occasional great blue heron or hawk.
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Santa Cruz Symphony Presents Adaptations November 1 & 2 at the Civic | |
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Join us for a captivating journey into the evolving world of classical music with the Santa Cruz Symphony, led by Music Director Daniel Stewart. Adaptations will explore the powerful blend of culture and art through the music of Antonín Dvořák, Erich Korngold, and Josef Sekon.
- Free Open Rehearsal — Friday, November 1, 7:30 PM, Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz.
No reservations needed.
- Evening Performance — Saturday, November 2, Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz.
Pe-concert talk at 6:30 PM
Concert at 7:30 PM
- Matinee Performance — Sunday, November 3, Henry J. Mello Center, Watsonville.
Pre-concert talk at 1:00 PM
Concert at 2:00 PM
This unforgettable program includes Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto, performed by Santa Cruz Symphony's Artist in Residence and Concertmaster Nancy Zhou, in a piece first brought to the world by the legendary Jascha Heifetz. The evening will also feature the world premiere of Spin, composed by local talent Josef Sekon, and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, a lively work that intertwines Bohemian folk themes with rich Romantic orchestration, showcasing Dvořák’s masterful use of melody and texture.
Join us to experience this program designed to elevate and inspire!
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City of Santa Cruz Finance Team Earns National Award for Outstanding Achievement in Financial Reporting!
We are thrilled to announce that the City of Santa Cruz received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023!
This recognition marks our first-ever PAFR, and achieving this right out of the gate is a fantastic accomplishment. We also earned the Government Finance Officers Association's Triple Crown for FY 2023—congratulations to our Finance team!
The PAFR aims to enhance transparency and make financial information more accessible to the public. It includes:
- An overview of City governance
- Details on revenue and expenditures
- Highlights from City departments
- An overview of strategic plans and climate resilience goals
- A list of Capital Improvement Program projects
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City Departments Participate in Trades Day
On October 23rd, the City of Santa Cruz participated in Trades Day, an event that introduces high school youth to industry career opportunities in construction, design, sub-contracting, heavy equipment, engineering, and other skilled trades.
Staff from several departments, including Parks and Recreation, Building and Safety, Fleet, Resource Recovery, Water, Police, and Fire, welcomed roughly 800 students, talked about working for the City, and provided hands-on demonstrations.
For many students, Trades Day is their first introduction to careers in the trades, and many were able to participate in learning activities. Those stopping by the water table participated in some healthy competition, racing to replace a water meter, with prizes given to those who “got the customer back in service” first.
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New Recreation Classes Starting in November!
Several fun new recreation class sessions begin in November. Whether you’re looking to stay active, learn something new, or connect with friends, the Parks and Recreation Activity Guide has something for everyone. Check out the events and register now for classes in November and December. The Parks and Recreation Fall Activity Guide has a complete list of class opportunities, activities, and more.
Recreation Classes Starting in November
• Baseball Camp • Beginner Italian • Brush Pen Calligraphy • Parent & Me Basketball.
• Salsa Crash Course • Stand Up Paddle Lessons • World Cup Soccer
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Preapplication Received for Meder Street Development
Last week, the Planning and Community Development Department received a standard Preapplication to develop the properties at 422 and 430 Meder Street. The project proposes to demolish an existing single-family residential dwelling, combine two lots, and construct 97 townhouse dwelling units on a property located in the Single-Family Residence zone district.
With many of the project details to be worked out through feedback provided in the preapplication review, the project is very conceptual at this early stage. Because the project is subject to the City’s objective design standards for multi-family development, and because the site is located within one-half mile of a major transit stop, it is not required to provide onsite parking. However, some parking is currently proposed.
The formal application will likely include requests for a residential demolition authorization permit, lot line adjustment, tentative map, design permit and density bonus, which may cover additional units, incentives, concessions or waivers. The project would then require public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. The appropriate environmental review document under the California Environmental Quality Act will be determined during the initial City review.
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Public Comments Sought on Proposed Energy Efficient Renovations Ordinance
Did you know that buildings are the second-largest source of climate pollution in Santa Cruz? The City plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in existing buildings by 40% by 2030. To achieve this goal, the City is developing a proposed “Energy Efficient Renovations Policy,” which will require energy-efficient improvements when major alterations or additions are made in existing residential buildings.
Learn more and share your input through the survey link below by November 19, 2024. Comments will be reviewed before the policy is proposed to City Council on November 19, 2024.
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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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