How to Make Giving Back a Family Affair

Give to a worthwhile cause and teach kids an important lesson about community service at the same time.

California Drought Emergency Declared

NEEDED: Electrical Apprentices near Monterey County

How to Roast S'mores in a Mason Jar

No campfire necessary.

The California Drought Seen From Space

Patch Daily Roundup: South Bay Serial Arsonist Arrested; Bay Area Home Sales Fall While Prices Rise; Piedmont Woman Dead In SF

Plus, beware of wildfires; burglaries up in San Bruno; owner hopes to keep Angel Island-Tiburuon ferry afloat

Meet the Author: Wei Wei - Porter Memorial Library

Week 3: "Made in U.S.A." Pledge To Buy American

Oscar Nominations Announced.....Did Your Picks Make the List?

"American Hustle", "Gravity" and "12 Years a "Slave" received the most Academy Award nominations.

5 Things to Know: Apple App Refund, World Bank Predicts Economic Growth

Here are some interesting and important things to know for the coming week.

Slide Show: Santa Cruz Warriors Hang Out at Grind Out Hunger Skate Shop

Basketball players tried their hands at ping pong, signed autographs and hung out with skate kids Wednesday.

Golf Pro Accused of Molesting Boys; Cosmetics With Carcinogens; Skateboard World Record

Plus four parachute from a hot air balloon, the 5 year anniversary of 'Miracle on the Hudson,' and the latest on oystering in Drakes Bay.

Dinner to Celebrate Poet Robert Burns

5 Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Kids

Do Your Cosmetics Contain Chemicals Known to Cause Cancer?

The California Department of Public Health unveils new website that offers consumers information on cosmetic products.

Santa Cruz in 'A Dry Period the Likes of Which the City Hasn't Seen Before' Says Water Expert

The city will decide whether mandatory rationing will go into effect in April.

One Man's Foolproof Plan for Early Retirement

Steve Northrup and his wife will have more income in retirement than during their working years. Here’s how you can do it, too.

If You Have a Lane Cedar Chest Here's How to Get a Replacement Lock

Children can become trapped in the chests when the lid closes automatically locking with no way of opening from the inside.

Council Approves 106-Room Hotel on Broadway Near Ocean

Council members say it will upgrade the neighborhood, but neighbors are unhappy about traffic and transients

Who’s Hiring in Santa Cruz: Seaside Company, UCSC, Trader Joe's

Check out Patch’s list of job openings around town.

Foster Farms Chicken Plant Closed for Cockroach Infestation; Child Molester Goes Free, Dunkin’ Donuts is Coming

Plus, Physicist wins White House Award, 13-year old to lead symphony, Little League World Series returns.

Regional Director

[VIDEO] How to Make Taco Salad Bowls in a Muffin Pan

Your family will flip for these deliciously crispy bowls.

Patch Mobile App for iPhone Newly Updated

Check out what’s new in 2014 on the free Patch app for iOS.

Miracle on Ocean Street: Santa Cruz Gets Grant to Ease Traffic on One of its Busiest Roads

This technology will allow sensors in stoplights to sense how much traffic there is at any given time.

Storm Preparedness Guide: What You Need to Stay Safe This Winter

Get your house in order before the next big storm hits.

More Bay Area Flu Deaths; Miramar Plane Drops Mysterious Greenish Fog; Petaluma Slaughterhouse Raided; Seahawks Site Blocks CA Ticket Sales

Plus, earthquake shakes North Bay; South Bay girl makes Olympic team; Google buys Nest for $3.2B; France architect blocks Marin development.

Map: Which Parts of Town Are Newly Rich?

The map below shows a snapshot across town of the change between 2000 and 2011 in the percentage of people whose incomes are $200,000 or more.

The First Daffodils of Spring Have Arrived....in January

Garden plants are blooming in the mild weather, but it could be a "pathetic" year for wildflowers, says a UCSC botanist.

First Flu Death Confirmed In Santa Cruz County

The victim was a male under the age of 50, county health officials said. The deaths of two other males under 50 in the county may be flu-related but that has yet to be confirmed.

Neighbors Fear Traffic, Congestion From Santa Cruz Hyatt

Owners, police and politicians say the hotel will upgrade a blighted neighborhood.

Downton Living: How to Step Up Your Tea Ritual

Celebrate the new season of 'Downton Abbey' with these classic afternoon tea recipes.

Food with a View at Cafe Rio in Aptos

New chef and menu, cheap eats on the patio make a tourist stop neighborhood friendly.

Target Breach Also Includes Names, Addresses

Now, it appears Neiman Marcus customer information may have been hacked as well.

Poor Sports: Seattle Seahawks Ticket Site Bans California Purchases

If 49ers fans want to buy tickets to Sunday's NFC Championship game in Seattle, they'll have to do it through a secondary market.

Map: Where Has Commuting Gotten Worse?

The map below shows a snapshot across town of how the average travel time to work from home changed between 2000-2011.

Living Large in Smaller Homes

The answer to affordable housing lies in less space and more peace of mind.

5 Things to Know: A New Shopping Cybersecurity Breach, Polar Vortex Fallout

Here are some interesting and important things to know for the coming week.

Week 2: Everything Breaks At Once - But Do We Need It?

Update: Pedestrian Killed on Hwy. 17 Saturday Stepped into Road, Was Struck by Hyundai

The Saturday morning fatal crash occurred near the Pasatiempo Overcrossing.