News Briefs

Christmas crafting in Boulder Creek
Children can create holiday decorations during the popular Children’s Christmas Tree Trimming at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum, 12547 Highway 9, in Boulder Creek.
From noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 5, children can make handcrafted ornaments, string popcorn and cranberries, and decorate cookies to hang on the museum’s Christmas tree or to take home.
For information: 338-8382 or sl***@cr****.com.
Orientations scheduled for foster care, adoption
Those who would like to become foster or adoptive parents can attend orientations next week or in the coming months at the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.
Classes will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, as well as Jan. 6 and Feb. 3, at the department’s Room 206, 1400 Emeline Ave., in Santa Cruz.
For information: 454-5416.
Assemblyman now on media committee
Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel, was appointed last week to a committee on arts, entertainment, sports, tourism and Internet media by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles.
“The travel and tourism industry is the second biggest employer in the 27th Assembly District,” Monning said in a prepared statement, “and I am pleased that the speaker believes I can make a contribution to the policy decisions and legislation that will be heard by the committee.”
Hanukkah gifts on sale
The Temple Beth El gift shop is open for Hanukkah shopping from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday.
The shop, at 3055 Porter Gulch Road in Aptos, has menorahs, candles, dreidels, music, chocolate gelts and more.
For information: 462-3883.
State park to show silent movies
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park will host a silent film series in the coming months. The park was a frequent filming location during the silent-movie era in the early 1900s.
A number of film pioneers — Mary Pickford, William S. Hart, Cecil B. DeMille — visited and made several films at the park. Also, Will Rogers, Tom Mix and Anna May had scenes in the park.
All the films will be shown beginning at 4 p.m. at the Henry Cowell visitor center. The park entrance fee is $10, and the movies are free.
Upcoming silent films:
• Saturday, Nov. 28: Bessie Love in “Rubber Tires” (1927).
• Jan. 30: Anna May the Elephant in “Soul of the Beast” (1923).
• Feb. 27: Will Rogers in “Jes’ Call Me Jim” (1920).
• March 27: Mary Pickford in “A Romance in the Redwoods” (1917).