THERE WERE DOZENS OF KITES TAKING PART IN CAPITOLA VILLAGES KITE FESTIVAL.  THE ANNUAL EVENT IS KNOWN AS THE CAPITOLA KITE CLASSIC AND HAD SEVERAL CATEGORIES OF KITES RANGING FROM ACROBATIC OR TRICK KITES TO HOMEMADE BOX KITES ALTHOUGH THE EVENT WAS FREE ORGANIZERS WERE ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THE CAPITOLA FLOOD RELIEF FUND.

THE SANTA CRUZ SEASIDE COMPANY HAS DRAWN UP NEW PLANS FOR THE LA BAHIA PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE MAIN BEACH.  THE NEWLY SUBMITTED PLANS TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION; THE CONCERNS OF NEIGHBORS, HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST, AND OTHER SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, ALL OF WHICH  PLAYED A ROLE IN THE COASTAL COMMISSIONS 2011 DECISION TO DENY  THE COMPANY’S PREVIOUS SUBMISSION.  THE NEW PLANSINCLUDED RESTORING THE 1926 BELL TOWER, AND PRESERVING THE SPANISH STYLE ARCHITECTURE OF THE ORIGINAL RESORT IN THE PROPOSED 165 ROOM LUXURY HOTEL AND 4 STAR RESTAURANT.

THIS SATURDAY WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE OLDTOWN FARMERS MARKET WAS HELD, AT ITS NEW LOCATION ON GABILAN STREETS.    THE NEW LOCATION CAN ONLY EXTENDS FROM MAIN TO SALINAS STREETS, BECAUSE OF CALTRANS REGULATIONS.  THIS LEAVES THE STORES BETWEEN MONTEREY AND MAIN STREETS LEFT OUT OF THE ACTIVE MARKET PLACE.     HOWEVER MOST OF THE BUSINESSES, IN THE OLDTOWN DISTRICT, SAW A BOOST IN BUSINESS, FROM THE 25 HUNDRED SHOPPERS THAT ATTENDED SATURDAY’S FARMERS MARKET.

APTOS DRIVERS EXPERIENCED AN UNSCHEDULED ROAD CLOSURE  SATURDAY MORNING.  A SECTION OF SOQUEL DRIVE, BY SPRECKLES DRIVE, WAS CLOSED,  AT  ABOUT 9:10 A-M,  AFTER A BACKHOE ARM STRUCK THE SPRECKLES OVERPASS TRELLIS AND SPILLED HYDRAULIC FLUID OVER THE ROADWAY.  A CLEAN UP CREW WAS CALLED IN TO DEAL WITH THE SPILL.    THE CLOSED SECTION OF SOQUEL DRIVE WAS RE-OPENED AT 10:40 A-M. AND NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW WAS RESTORED