News briefs

Art tour applications accepted
The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County is accepting applications for the annual Open Studios Art Tour. The application deadline is midnight April 30. 
A free application assistance workshop to help artists apply for the countywide tour will be offered by the Cultural Council will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at Mountain Art Center, 9341 Mill St., in Ben Lomond.
In addition, a limited number of one-hour digital image preparation appointments will be offered. The appointments are $25 and will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, April 20 and April 27. 
All digital image appointments will be at the Cultural Council, 1070 River St., in Santa Cruz. 
For information: 475-9600 ext. 17, ev****@***cc.org, www.zapplication.org or www.openstudiosarttour.org. 
 
New art classes in SV
Scotts Valley Artisans will offer three new art classes in March and April.
Stuffed Animal Making, by artist Kim Wilson Brandt is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 for $35.  
Artist Winnie Mucklow will teach Beginning Crocheting from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, for $20. Registration is required by Monday, March March 25. 
Instructor Carmen Bergmann will teach a Beginning Gourd Class using pine needle coiling from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5. The cost is $45, with a $10 material fee.
All classes will be at Scotts Valley Artisans, 230-D Mount Hermon Road, in Scotts Valley. 
For information: 439-9094.  
 
Soldier addresses needed
Chapter 26 of the Blue Star Moms of Santa Cruz seeks the addresses of U.S. military personnel so they can be sent care packages.
The Blue Star Mothers of America is a nonprofit, national organization of mothers who support all five branches of the military. Group members also provide one another emotional support while their sons and daughters serve.
The care packages to troops deployed overseas carry snacks, candy, reading materials, games, DVDs and toiletries. 
Items for the packages may be dropped off at the Boulder Creek Liberty Bank, 6230 Highway 9. Items can also be donated by visiting www.santacruzbluestarmoms.com.
The boxes cost $15 each to ship. Anyone interested in helping defray the costs can mail tax-deductible checks payable to Santa Cruz Blue Star Moms, P.O. Box 66161, Scotts Valley, CA 95067.
The organization will mail care packages soon. Those with a family member, friend or friend of a friend who is deployed can email that service member’s address to sc************@***il.com. The group will stuff, address and mail the boxes.
The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building, 2259 Seventh Ave., in Santa Cruz. All guests are welcome.
For information: 462-9276 or www.santacruzbluestarmoms.com
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