News Briefs

Burn day education
To celebrate its first anniversary, the Bonny Doon Fire Safe Council will host a free hands-on workshop about burning backyard brush.
Betsy Hibbits, an air-quality inspector and smoke management coordinator with the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, will be on hand to explain how the district decides when people can burn brush.
The safest ways to burn will also be discussed.
The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 in Bonny Doon. Those who wish to attend should call or e-mail for directions.
For information: Joe Christie, 515-8389 or bd*********@**hu.net
Arts commission seeks poetry
The Scotts Valley Arts Commission is again sponsoring its annual Verse in the Valley contest. Poets of all ages can submit a favorite original poem. Winners will be announced in the spring.
Poems will be read to the Scotts Valley City Council and published in the Press-Banner, and teachers of winning students in various categories will receive a $50 honorarium from the arts commission.
The submission deadline is Feb. 25. Applications can be found at school offices or at the Scotts Valley Recreation Department office, 361 Kings Village Road, in Scotts Valley.
For information: tm******@*ol.com
Spay, neuter clinic planned
Santa Cruz County Animal Services, in partnership with several other organizations, is offering free spay and neuter services for dogs and cats.
Chihuahuas, pit bull terriers and adult cats at least 1 year old will be spayed and neutered free of charge. All animals must be microchipped ($25) and dogs must be licensed ($26) at the time of the surgery.
Low-cost spay and neuter surgery for dogs is $100, and the surgery for kittens is $50.
Sign up for surgery is on a first-come, first-served basis at 2200 7th Avenue in Live Oak. For information: 454-7303 or www.scanimalservices.us.
Dance class to benefit Falcon Club
A new Zumba dance class to benefit the Scotts Valley High Falcon Club starts Saturday, Feb. 12, at Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Drive. The class is hosted by Sports and Fitness for Kids Foundation.
Cost is $10 per session or $50 for 12 classes.
For information: dv***@*****il.com or 209-234-0815.
Omega Nu scholarships available
High school seniors graduating from local high schools, including San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley highs, can apply for Sigma Alpha of Omega Nu scholarships. A GPA of 3.0 or better is required to apply.
Applications are also available for Cabrillo College and University of California, Santa Cruz, students who have graduated from local high schools or have lived in Santa Cruz County the past five years. A GPA of 2.7 or better is required.
For information: Patty Locatelli, Omega Nu scholarship chairwoman, 332-6431 or pl********@*******al.net; or any school’s counseling or scholarship office
Get married on Valentine’s Day
Santa Cruz County’s deputy marriage commissioners will perform civil marriage ceremonies every half hour from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Valentines Day, Monday, Feb. 14.
Couples must reserve a time by calling 454-2060 or going to the county clerk’s office at 701 Ocean St., Room 201, in Santa Cruz. Couples must have a marriage license before the scheduled ceremony. A license costs $75.
For information: www.sccoclerk.com or 454-2060