The beloved Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building closed indefinitely starting on Jan. 21 after an “architect and engineer surveyed the Veterans Memorial Building...and identified potential issues and damage to structural elements,” according to executive director Tim Brattan. An integral hub for the Santa Cruz community, the Vets Hall is a center for veterans, but also for yoga and dance classes, community events, concerts and much more. The fate of the Hall remains uncertain. Look for more coverage on its closure in next week’s Good Times.

On Jan. 26, the City of Santa Cruz Water Department issued a report concerning the current water supply conditions, stating that rainfall in Santa Cruz measures 14.98 inches, just slightly below the long-term average of 15.28 inches. The Loch Lomond watershed has received over 31 inches of rain so far this year and is now “full and spilling,” according to the report. However, the document also cautions that although average rainfall is better now than at this time last year, it is too early to say that the city’s water supply outlook is good. It states that, “more wet weather is needed in February and March for local watersheds that provide the city’s water supply to be fully replenished for the year ahead.”

Residents of the Tannery Arts Center lofts were on storm watch last week, as the San Lorenzo River, which runs right behind their residences, continued to rise. During the height of the storm, the river was rising about one foot per hour, according to Warren Reed, director of property management for The John Stewart Company, which oversees the Tannery property. Management asked all residents to evacuate their vehicles from the parking lot in the 1030 building on Wednesday at 2 p.m., as the river was within two feet of the level. Tannery residents were able to return their cars to the garage the following day, when the river was steadily dropping.  Pictured here is the view of the overflowing river from an above Tannery loft.

As you probably know, a massive earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, affecting about three million people (a third of Haiti’s population). Food, water, and medical services are desperately needed in Haiti. A number of relief organizations are trying to provide these things. If you are wondering what you can do to help, you might consider attending a local benefit (or holding your own!) or donating to one of the organizations listed below. Please contact news editor Elizabeth Limbach ([email protected]) with additional local efforts, as we hope to continue updating the list as opportunities arise.

The Sempervirens Fund purchased 267 acres of redwood forest this week from Redtree Properties, a large timber owner operating in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One acquisition, a 160-acre parcel in the Butano Creek Watershed, contains an old growth redwood forest that is home to an endangered seabird called the Marbled Murrelet. They also bought a 107-acre redwood forest located between Castle Rock and Big Basin State Parks. The Sempervirens Fund will manage both parcels until they are able to transfer them into the California State Parks system. A free, public celebration will take place on Saturday, March 13. For more information, visit their website semepervirens.org or call (650) 968-4509.

The Go For Health! collaborative, an effort of United Way of Santa Cruz County, has been awarded a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to address the health problems amongst youth in the Watsonville/Pajaro Valley area. Forty-one cities across the country were selected as recipients of the grant as part of the foundation’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities initiative. Go For Health! plans to put the money to work increasing opportunities for physical activity and access to healthier foods—like the copious fruits and vegetables being grown in neighboring fields. The effort will includes attempting to close this gap between the food grown in the community and the food eaten by the community.