What's New: Spring 2005

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Opens Renovated Visitors Center
With nature lovers in mind, the new Visitors Center at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park provides a virtual “snapshot” of the entire park in one setting. Exhibits feature state-of-the-art interactive designs which detail the park’s rich history. Visitors to the center can experience the four habitats of the park (redwood, riparian, chaparral and meadow) firsthand and learn about conservationist’s first efforts to save the redwoods. Also included are a new 40-seat theatre and an environmental library. Thanks to efforts by the Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks, the Visitor Center is San Lorenzo Valley’s educational showcase. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located on Highway 9 in Felton and features hiking trails, picnic areas, equestrian trails and docent-led grove walks on the Redwood Loop.

New Museum Chronicles Bigfoot Sightings in the Santa Cruz Mountains
In a quaint red house along Highway 9 in Felton, a new museum has opened that may be a giant step ahead of the rest. With a collection that dares to challenge non-believers, proprietor Mike Rugg has enough facts to confirm his boyhood belief that Bigfoot exists, and may still be roaming in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The museum boasts a digital copy of the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film; books; a collection of taped sounds; maps with colored pins representing local Bigfoot sightings; and a blurry blowup of the famous still from the Patterson-Gimlin film, on which he defies visitors to find a zipper.

"The Candy of Santa Cruz County" turns 90 Years Old!
Question: What do you get when you mix 16,000 pounds of chocolate, 12,000 pounds of fudge mix, 40,000 pounds of corn syrup, 1,800 pounds of walnuts, and 127,440 apples? Answer: Just a sampling of some of the ingredients used annually by Marini’s Candies. Four generations ago in 1915, Italian immigrant Victor Marini began a sweet legacy at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with a popcorn stand. Expanding the menu to include salt water taffy, caramel corn, and candy apples, visitors today can still enjoy original recipes dating back 90 years, evoking nostalgic memories for young and old alike. Still located at the boardwalk, Marini’s mesmerizes visitors with their taffy pulling machine and provides sweet tastes of summer, year-around. Media contact information below.

Santa Cruz County Restaurants Going Green
This spring, Santa Cruz County restaurants are serving delectable entrees with a side of green. Bittersweet Bistro, Shadowbrook and Michaels on Main are three of the area’s eateries who have achieved certification as "Green Businesses" by the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program, a partnership of environmental and waste management, utilities and professional associates. Through earth-friendly practices, the certification means the restaurants met all environmental regulations, took extra measures to conserve water and natural resources, save energy, reduce waste, and prevent pollution. Examples include changing to more efficient lighting, composting, and placing low-flow water nozzles in the kitchens.

Santa Cruz County Birthdays: From 21 to 110, Birthday Celebrations Abound!
What do salt water taffy, surfing, fine wine, and the laws of physics and gravity have in common? Whether having recently celebrated a milestone or gearing up for a party, some of Santa Cruz County’s signature destinations, attractions and products are gaining historical significance: In 2005, Roaring Camp Railroad’s other railroad, the Santa Cruz Big Trees and Pacific, will mark 20 years of transporting visitors; Annieglass’ modern designs for the table is 21; Kuumbwa Jazz Center turns 30 in August 2005; (last year, the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival also celebrated three decades of entertainment); U.C. Santa Cruz opened in 1965 and grew to become one of the most academically-renowned campuses in the country; Santa Cruz Follies, an annual variety presentation starring local seniors, turns 50 in 2005; Still a mystery 65 years later, the redwood-forested Mystery Spot remains true to its name; Bargetto Winery celebrates 70 years of producing award-winning wines; Adjacent to the wharf, and undeniably one of the stars of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Giant Dipper Rollercoaster has thrilled visitors for more than 80 years; Visitors to Marini’s Candies can still enjoy Victor Marini’s original salt water taffy recipe dating back 90 years in 2005; The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History was the city’s first public museum, and August 2005 will mark its 100th birthday; The exhibits at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum explore this unique sport’s local 110-year old history in 2005.