News briefs

Cost of state park pass to increase substantially May 1
The cost of annual passes to enter parks in the California State Park System is set to increase Tuesday, May 1.
A vehicle day-use annual pass for all state parks, which cost $125, will instead run $195. The Golden Poppy vehicle day-use pass for a selection of parks will rise from $90 to $125. A boat-use annual pass will jump from $75 to $100. A limited-use Golden Bear pass for senior citizens will cost $20 instead of $10.
Passes can be bought at local state parks or online at www.parks.ca.gov.
The increased costs are related to a shortfall in funding for state parks. Fees had not increased since 2009.
Plan for Cemex Redwoods to be discussed
The Sempervirens Fund, along with partner organizations P.O.S.T., Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and Save the Redwoods League, will host a community forum on the future of the CEMEX Redwoods next week.
The property — 8,500 acres between Bonny Doon and Davenport — was purchased from CEMEX by the conservation groups in December.
The forum will be May 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pacific Elementary School, 50 Ocean St., in Davenport. Sempervirens will present its conservation vision for the property and collect input from the community.
For information: www.sempervirens.org.
Boulder Creek church to offer recovery program
Boulder Creek United Methodist Church will now offer Celebrate Recovery, a program to support individuals as they recover from divorce, addiction, loneliness, fear and other conditions.
The celebrations will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday at the church, 12855 Boulder Street, in Boulder Creek. From 6 to 7 p.m. there is a contemporary service of music, message and testimony and a small group program from 7 to 8 p.m.
Pastor Clyde Vaughn said the purpose of this program is to provide fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power through 8 recovery principles and the Christ-centered 12 steps.
For information: 338-6232.
Club receives grant to make stuffed animals
Felton 4-H has received a $1,000 grant from Revolution of Responsibility to conduct a service project it calls “Friends of Love.”
Young 4-H Club members and seniors will get together to make stuffed animals that will be given to local first responders on behalf of the Santa Cruz County Family and Children’s Services Department. The stuffed animals will then be given to comfort children in distressing circumstances.
The event is open to members of Santa Cruz County 4-H and seniors. It will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road.
For information: Katelyn Praly, ho******@***ly.com or 336-8044.
Earth Day cleanup nets trash, debris
Save Our Shores announced that 555 volunteers picked up 853 pounds of trash and recyclables during its annual Earth Day cleanup Saturday, April 21. Cleanups took place along the San Lorenzo River mouth in Santa Cruz; at Main Beach, Manresa State Beach and Del Monte Beach in Monterey; and around three bridges on the San Lorenzo River.
Pool memberships go on sale
San Lorenzo Valley residents may renew or sign up for individual or family memberships to swim at the San Lorenzo Valley Community Pool on the SLV High School campus, 7105 Highway 9, in Felton.
Individual memberships are $25, and a family membership is $60. The memberships are good until April 30, 2013. Residents can register from 6:30 to 8:25 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or from 1 to 3:55 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the pool.
For information: 239-4228 or www.cougarswimschool.com
Water sample volunteers sought
The Coastal Watershed Council seeks volunteers to take water samples during the 13th annual Central Coast Regional Snapshot Day.
Volunteers are trained ahead of time to collect water samples at more than 200 sites in four counties, including Santa Cruz County.
The one-day event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 5, a Saturday.
The water samples are taken by volunteers, and the results are shared with local leaders working to fight water pollution.
For information: 464-9200, vo*******@***************ed.org or www.coastal-watershed.org.
To comment or submit information for brief news items, email pb******@*********er.com or post a comment on www.pressbanner.com.