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Pedal-Powered Revelry with Santa Cruz Bike Party

Published on April 27, 2013 in Community

Riding and Smiling with Santa Cruz Bike Party On Friday, April 26, bicycle enthusiasts gathered at the Bike Church before departing on the Santa Cruz Bike Party, a mellow social ride accented with amplified music. Organizers say the event is “designed to build community, not to clash with car drivers, police, or residents.”

Riders had a great time traversing through Seabright, the Harbor, Pleasure Point, Capitola Village, Live Oak, and downtown Santa Cruz. There were approximately 25 cyclists, including one person on a customized tall bike, and another being pulled on a longboard. Some people branched off early while others joined the party mid-route.

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Westside Citrus Harvest with Santa Cruz Fruit Tree Project

Published on April 23, 2013 in Community, Environment

Steve Schnaar Tosses an Orange On Sunday, April 21, 2013, with spring in the air and trees full of fruit, the Santa Cruz Fruit Tree Project, a grassroots organization that seeks out residents willing to share their surplus fruit, harvested at approximately ten residences on the Westside of Santa Cruz. The group of over a dozen, which included both first-time pickers as well as seasoned veterans, gathered at the entrance to Neary Lagoon on California St. before splitting into teams.

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Aptos Post Office Jumps and Bicycle Valet at Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival

Published on April 13, 2013 in Community

Aptos Post Office Jumps On Saturday, April 13, 2013, I volunteered as a bicycle valet for People Power at the 4th Annual Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival in Aptos Village, California.

Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBoSC) and FOX, presenters of the festival, describe it as “a celebration of the world class mountain bike facilities, riders, and industry of Santa Cruz County, and it continues to grow year after year with the generous support of its sponsors, volunteers, and community. The event’s success testifies to the depth of the mountain bike culture in Santa Cruz County.”

My time at the event was short, however I took the following photos of youth riding at the world renowned Aptos Post Office Jumps, site of the Pro Jump Jam, as well as the valet bicycle parking provided by People Power of Santa Cruz County.

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Holi 2013: A Spring Festival of Colors at Santa Cruz MAH

Published on March 31, 2013 in Art, Community

Holi Festival at Santa Cruz MAH On Saturday, March 30, 2013, approximately 150 people squeezed into the back patio at the Museum of Art & History for Santa Cruz’s premier Holi celebration. Participants had a wonderful time smearing friends and strangers alike with gulual, vibrant pigmented powders made from natural materials, and briefly dancing to bhangra beats.

Holi, a Hindu festival of colors, is primarily observed in India, Nepal and other locations around the world with large Indic diaspora populations. It is commemorated by throwing pigmented powders on the last full moon day of the lunar month “Phagun” (February/March) at the end of the winter to commemorate spring’s arrival. People of all ages participate, though it is highly anticipated by Indian youth who start celebrating Holi almost a week before the actual festival day.

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Citrus in Seabright with Santa Cruz Fruit Tree Project

Published on March 23, 2013 in Community

Harvesting Oranges with Santa Cruz Fruit Tree Project On Saturday, March 23, 2013, the Santa Cruz Fruit Tree Project held a citrus harvest in the Seabright neighborhood. Inspired by similar projects across Canada and in the U.S., the Santa Cruz Fruit Tree Project seeks out residents willing to share their surplus fruit, as well as trees on public land or vacant lots. Since August 2010, they have organized approximately 50 harvests and workshops.

On this sunny afternoon, the group converged at Frederick Street Park and then split up from there to pick lemons and oranges. At the park, organizer Steve Schnaar explained that unlike previous events, all the harvested fruit would be placed into collective bins and then distributed at the end. Furthermore, the Fruit Tree Project also intends to start giving processed fruit gifts to all the residents who share their fruit.

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