Best Derby Girl
Ima Hotmess
- Ima Hotmess isn’t skating right now after breaking her ankle, but she coaches the Santa Cruz Derby Girls team, as well as the junior team.
Mom of a derby family—her husband, Neoscorin, is a referee and co-coach, and her son, Killa Kee, is a junior referee.- She started skating seven years ago.
- Ima came from Monterey Bay Derby Dames, where she used to be the team captain.
- When she’s not coaching, she is working at Skateworks … and thinking about coaching. GEORGIA JOHNSON
Mom of a derby family—her husband,
Best Dog Park
Frederick Street Park
- Frederick Street Park is one of nine off-leash dog areas in the city of Santa Cruz.
- It is known for its oceanside view of the harbor.
- There are water fountains on site to allow pooches and humans to hydrate after all that running around.
- Also features a fenced-in area. Who’s a safe doggie? Is it you? Oh yes it is! Oh yes it is!
- Did you forget your poop bag? Don’t worry, you can find plenty on site. GJ
It is known for its oceanside view of the harbor.
Best Neighborhood
Seabright
- Nobody knows for sure how much of Seabright is in the mysteriously defined area known as “Midtown.” If someone tells you they know, don’t believe them.
- If you spend any serious amount of time in Seabright, you will end up at Day’s Market at least once. It’s just a thing that happens. Try to not go there. You can’t.
- On any given weekend morning, Seabright has a larger per capita percentage of people waiting to be seated for breakfast than anywhere in Santa Cruz County—possibly the world.
- Most summer nights after dark, the many fires on Seabright Beach make it look like something out of a Mad Max movie, only without all the black leather. Okay, sometimes there’s black leather.
- Seabright Beach was once home to a bathhouse shaped like a castle. It was built around 1900 and demolished in 1967, so if that sounds like fun, you missed your window. STEVE PALOPOLI
Best Nonprofit Group
Grey Bears
- Founded by two UCSC students in 1973, Grey Bears delivers fresh produce and healthy staples to more than 4,000 Santa Cruz County seniors each week.
- Last year, they delivered 2.3 million pounds of produce and foods, totaling more than 1.9 million meals.
- Grey Bears operates two recycling centers, a thrift store, a computer electronics store and bookstore.
- They had more than 700 volunteers in 2016.
- They recently installed solar panels to their thrift store at 2650 Chanticleer Ave. Ninety-three percent of their electrical use is now solar-powered. GJ
Founded by two UCSC students in 1973, Grey Bears delivers fresh produce and healthy staples to more than 4,000 Santa Cruz County seniors each week.
Beach
Seabright Beach
East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
RUNNERS-UP Capitola Beach, Twin Lakes Beach
Bike Ride
West Cliff Drive
RUNNERS-UP Nisene Marks, Wilder Ranch
Boardwalk Ride
Giant Dipper
400 Beach St., Santa Cruz,
423-5590, beachboardwalk.com
RUNNERS-UP Carousel, Log Ride
Derby Girl
Ima Hotmess
RUNNERS-UP Alicia Moss, Def Jen Wreckers, Shamrock N. Roller
Dog Park
Frederick Street
168 Frederick St., Santa Cruz
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Polo Grounds, Its Beach
Farmers Market
Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 728-5060
RUNNERS-UP Downtown, Westside
Local Athlete (non-Derby)
Nat Young
RUNNERS-UP Tobin Ortenblad, Luke Rockhold
Neighborhood
Seabright
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Point, Westside
Nonprofit Group
Grey Bears
2710 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz
479-1055, greybears.org
RUNNERS-UP Homeless Garden Project, Save Our Shores
Place of Worship
Holy Cross
210 High St., Santa Cruz
459-0631, holycrosssantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Inner Light Ministries, Land of Medicine Buddha, Peace United Church of Christ
Place to Walk/Jog/Hike
West Cliff Drive
RUNNERS-UP Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, Wilder Ranch State Park
Retreat Center
Land of Medicine Buddha
5800 Prescott Road, Soquel
462-8383, landofmedicinebuddha.org
RUNNERS-UP 1440 Multiversity, Mount Madonna Institute
Wedding Venue
Seascape Beach Resort
1 Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos
688-6800, seascaperesort.com
RUNNERS-UP Chaminade Resort & Spa, Hollins House
